I never took malaria meds in Peru. I don’t know if that is entirely necessary. But, don’t go by me. If you are nervous about it by all means take them. No point in being nervous.

Three months in Cusco is a long time. I was only there about three days. I could have used a few more days, but 90 seems a tad long. Are you going to be taking Spanish lessons or something? I’d spend the time exploring the Peruvian countryside.

Hello. Malaria is transmitted via mosquito bite, and mosquitoes are not found at high altitude, such as is present in Cusco and the nearby area. I do not prescribe malaria medication unless my patients are traveling to an area at risk for malaria. There is minimal risk in Lima, also. Where is your host family located?

The main areas at risk for malaria in Peru are in the Amazon regions. However, should you have 3 months in Peru, it might be worth your while to visit the Amazon, as well. If you do, I strongly encourage you to use mosquito repellants to protect you against bites and wear long sleeves and pants. Dengue is present there and there is no preventive medication for that.

Since Cusco is at such a high altitude, you may require medication your first few days to prevent altitude sickness. This would be something to discuss with your physician during your pre-travel appointment. I encourage all of my traveling patients to have a travel appointment with me several weeks in advance to allow me to review vaccines, medications, and health risks.

Enjoy your travels!

I think most, if not all, vaccinations for Peru are recommended, not required. I was only there for 10 days, but it didn’t seem necessary at all, especially in Cuzco. It’s at a really high elevation, which seems less likely an area for malaria, than say the jungle.

Cuzco is very beautiful! You are very lucky to go for so long. =)

I didn’t take the pills either when I went there. I was told by a local in the Amazon that malaria is only found in mosquitos deep inside the jungle. Near the coast or river it is safe.

Remember to visit the sacred valley, the scenery is spectacular. And if you plan on doing the Inka Trail, don’t forget the insect repellant for the Machu Pichu site. It’s incredible how many insects there are.

I took Malaria pills just b/c I’m really cautious. I’d rather take some pills than actually get Malaria. But I wasn’t in Cusco. Are you going during their summer or winter. I went during winter and there wasn’t any misquitos.

As mentioned above, Malaria prevention is generally recommended for hot/tropical climates because that fosters mosquitoes.

However, you should still consult an authorised travel medical clinic before your travel.

I have travelled 80 countries and never gone against the specialist advice, because the last thing one would want is to be sick while travelling… other than losing passport/wallet ofcourse.

Inca Trail is fantastic! Enjoy. If you can – read the book “The Celestine Prophecy”, it will double your excitement!!

Drink the tea, it helps with altitude stuff.

You don’t need malaria medication, but can take it if it would make you feel more comfortable. Taking a couple pills is better than contracting malaria!

When I was in Peru I only took anti malarials because I was going into the Amazon for a while, wouldn’t have bothered otherwise (nearly didn’t for the amazon either).

Have fun!

hi hun,
I travelled all through peru and equador and i didnt take any tablets, If your not going into the amazon jungle its no problem I think.
My advice for this magical place is to climb the beautiful mountain that is the back drop to all the beautiful photos of machu pitchu, its a magical feeling being on the top. definatly my fav place in the world. Say hi for me….
You will have a ball
chau chicka

Malaria is only needed if you go deep into rainforest. I’ve been twice on Machu Picchu even in rain season it’s what is called the “Yungas” which is a region of mountains at the border of the rainforest at about 1,000 – 2,000 meters of altitude where there’s no paludism.

PS I agree with worldancer the other mountain just next to Machu Picchu is called Huayna Picchu and is really a wonderful place.

You’ve got excellent answers.
No need to worry a lot about malaria. If you are not used to it, high altitud might be your worse problem, but it is easy to deal with. If you go straight to Cusco, take it easy, very easy for a couple of days, and that’s it. If you can spend a couple of days in a not so high location like Arequipa (surely worth a visit) you will be altitude-sickness free when you go to Cusco.
Chewing coca leaves does help. Not the tea, but the real leaves. They are not illegal, but part of every day life in the Andes.

Inca Trail:
When I did the Inca trail, there was not many insects and no
mosquitos at all. (I got bitten when I was in Amazon, not the Inca
trail). More over, Inca trail is not a Malaria risk area. I took
Malaria medicine only for the Amazon. So you’ll be fine. Just try to
be acclimatize with the altitude. Many people had the altitude
sickness while doing the trail.
Try to control your breath. Drink a lot of water. Colca tea is helpful.

Hi there,

I went to Peru several years ago and hiked the Inca trail. I did not take malaria meds at all until I went into the jungle. I stayed at a lodge near a branch of the Amazon river for about a week and a half. You do not need to take malaria meds unless you are going into the jungle. Mosquito bites = possible exposure to malaria. My daily routine while staying in the jungle was to cover my body from head to toe with deet and take malaria meds. The meds were not a big deal to me and I didn’t have any side effects while taking them. However, my boyfriend-now-husband got a little sick to his stomach when he took the malaria meds. How your body will react is completely individual.
My doc gave me an RX for altitude sickness meds but I didn’t take those while hiking the trail either. Instead I drank the local coco leaf tea which is a very mild herbal remedy. I drank a cup every morning while hiking the trail. Whether you chew the leaf or drink the tea it doesn’t matter, it’s all about what works for you individually. My husband and I both drank the tea and had excellent results. Works like a charm for altitude sickness.

Im doctor and I live in cusco, you dont need to take anything for malaria if you willbe in the city or around the city, only exist malaria in the jungle (far), coca tea is good, but alitud illness is frecuently, try to rest the fist day and no make so much exercice