Cusco and Machu Picchu are not in a yellow fever risk area. But a short trip into the jungle in the same Cusco region might be. The U.S. CDC gives different advice for different parts of Peru. So your Peru travel health plan depends on where you go. This guide explains it in simple words, using the CDC’s Peru page (last reviewed October 1, 2026).
Planning your route? Compare our 13-day Lima, Machu Picchu and Titicaca itinerary or the 15-day Lima to Machu Picchu itinerary. You can also see these Cusco and Machu Picchu tour packages.
This is general information, not medical advice. Talk to a doctor or travel clinic about your own case. The CDC says to visit a doctor at least one month before your trip.
Peru travel health starts with your route
Peru has coast, mountains and jungle. Health risks change a lot between them.
The CDC says some diseases in Peru are linked to place. For example, malaria risk is in low jungle areas, not in the highlands. Yellow fever advice also depends on region and height above sea level.
So before you read any list of shots, write down the places you plan to visit. Then check them against the sections below.
Routine and common travel vaccines for Peru
The CDC suggests these basics:
- Routine vaccines. Be up to date before every trip. That includes measles-mumps-rubella (MMR), tetanus, flu and others.
- COVID-19. All eligible travelers should be up to date.
- Hepatitis A. Recommended for unvaccinated travelers one year old or older.
- Hepatitis B. Recommended for unvaccinated travelers younger than 60.
- Typhoid. Consider it if you will visit rural areas, areas with unsafe water, or stay a month or more.
- Measles. Cases are rising worldwide. The CDC wants all international travelers fully vaccinated.
The CDC also says chikungunya risk is higher in Peru. It says vaccination may be considered for people who stay a long time, for example six months or more.
Your doctor will tell you what fits your age, health and plans.
Yellow fever in Peru: where it matters
Here is what the CDC says (updated February 12, 2026).
The vaccine is recommended for travelers aged nine months or older. It applies to areas below 2,300 meters (7,550 feet). Those areas are in Amazonas, Cusco, Huánuco, Junín, Loreto, Madre de Dios, Pasco, Puno, San Martín and Ucayali. It also lists some areas of other regions, such as parts of Ancash, Apurímac, Ayacucho, Cajamarca, Huancavelica, La Libertad and Piura.
Vaccine is not recommended for travel only to:
- Areas above 2,300 meters.
- The city of Lima.
- The highland tourist areas: the city of Cusco, the Inca Trail and Machu Picchu.
- Areas west of the Andes that are not on the CDC’s list.
The CDC also says Peru does not require a yellow fever vaccine to enter the country. Still, check the full CDC map and ask your doctor if your route includes the jungle.
Malaria in Peru: jungle yes, Lima and Cusco no
Malaria risk depends on where you sleep. The CDC says transmission happens in all areas below 2,500 meters (8,200 feet) east of the Andes. That includes Iquitos and Puerto Maldonado. It also reports rare cases in the Tumbes and Piura regions.
The CDC says there is no malaria transmission in:
- Lima Province.
- The cities of Arequipa, Ica, Moquegua, Nazca, Puno and Tacna.
- Highland tourist areas: the city of Cusco, Machu Picchu and Lake Titicaca.
- The central and southern Pacific coast.
Here is a quick view of common stops, based on the CDC advice above:
| Place | Yellow fever vaccine | Malaria medicine |
|---|---|---|
| Lima | Not recommended | Not needed (no transmission) |
| Cusco city and Machu Picchu | Not recommended | Not needed (no transmission) |
| Puno city and Lake Titicaca | Not recommended (above 2,300 m) | Not needed (no transmission) |
| Iquitos and Puerto Maldonado | Recommended (9 months and older) | Recommended (ask your doctor) |
For the low jungle areas, the CDC recommends prescription medicine to prevent malaria. Medicines named by the CDC include atovaquone-proguanil, doxycycline, mefloquine and tafenoquine. Some must be started days before you travel. Your doctor will choose one.
Bugs, water and animals
Many illnesses in Peru cannot be stopped with a vaccine. Dengue and Zika, for example, spread by mosquito bites. The CDC advice is simple:
- Cover your skin with long sleeves, long pants and a hat.
- Use insect repellent. For ticks and mosquitoes, the CDC suggests a repellent with 20% or more DEET.
- Use permethrin-treated clothing and gear. Do not put permethrin on your skin.
- Sleep in air-conditioned or screened rooms, or under a bed net.
The CDC also warns about leptospirosis, which Peru is reporting more often, especially in the north and the Amazon. Avoid swimming or wading in fresh water that may be contaminated. Cover cuts with waterproof bandages.
On animals: do not touch or feed animals you do not know. If one bites or scratches you, wash the wound with soap and clean water. Then see a doctor right away. Rabies is serious.
For food and drinks, the CDC recommends safe choices and frequent hand washing. Our food guide for first-timers has more simple tips.
Altitude and sun
The CDC notes that many popular places in Peru, such as Machu Picchu, are high. You may get altitude sickness. Ask your doctor about ways to prevent and treat it. Read our altitude sickness guide.
For the sun, the CDC suggests SPF 15 or higher, protective clothing, and shade during the hottest hours, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Insurance, medicines and emergency numbers
The CDC suggests you:
- Look into travel health and medical evacuation insurance.
- Bring all the medicines you may need, plus extra in case of delays.
- Ask Peru’s embassy if your prescription medicines are legal to bring.
- Carry a card with your blood type, allergies and medicines.
To call for help in Peru, the CDC lists 116 for the fire department and 105 for the police. Save them in your phone and write them down.
Five steps before you fly
- See a doctor at least one month before your trip.
- Match your route with the yellow fever and malaria sections above.
- Pack your medicines, extra doses and repellent.
- Buy insurance that covers medical care and evacuation.
- Save 116 and 105 and your embassy’s number.
Final word: Peru travel health in one line
Good Peru travel health is mostly about your route. Lima, Cusco and Machu Picchu carry different health risks than the Amazon. Check your places, talk to a doctor early, and pack smart. Then you can focus on the trip.
This is an independent travel guide. It is not the official peru.travel site. Health facts come from the U.S. CDC Travelers’ Health page for Peru. Advice can change, so please check it again before you travel.
