Save 105 (Police), 106 (SAMU medical emergencies), 116 (Firefighters), 117 (EsSalud medical line), 110 (Highway Police), 115 (Civil Defense), 113 (health info), and 0 800‑12345 (Aló SUTRAN for road incidents). For travel-specific help, use iPerú (WhatsApp 944 492 314) and the Tourist Police central in Lima (01‑460‑1060 / 980 122 335). The national 911 system is being built—until it is fully operational, use the legacy numbers listed here.
At‑a‑glance: essential numbers to save now
Police (Policía Nacional del Perú): 105
Ambulance (SAMU, medical emergencies): 106
Firefighters (Cuerpo General de Bomberos): 116
EsSalud emergency/urgent medical line (insured patients): 117
Health information/orientation (Minsa Infosalud): 113
Highway Police (Policía de Carreteras): 110
Civil Defense (INDECI): 115
Road incidents and bus issues (Aló SUTRAN): 0 800‑12345
Tourist assistance: iPerú, Tourist Police, and your embassy
iPerú (official tourist information and assistance by PROMPERÚ): WhatsApp 944 492 314; multiple local lines nationwide; Lima/Callao central switchboard 616‑7300; some communications list an additional call center (01) 574‑8000 used during peak/holiday operations.
Tourist Police (POLTUR) central (Lima): 01‑460‑1060 / 980 122 335. The “Tourism Police Peru” mobile app is available with how‑to links via Mincetur.
U.S. citizens: U.S. Embassy Lima +51 1 618‑2000 (24/7). The U.S. Consular Agency in Cusco is at +51 84 231‑474; after hours, call the Lima embassy number.
Tip: Tourist Police operators are more likely to speak English; iPerú can guide you to the right office and help with procedures like reporting stolen passports or lodging complaints.
The 911 question in 2026: where things stand
Peru is building a unified 911 system to integrate Police (105), Fire (116), and SAMU (106) into a single 24/7 number—initially in Lima/Callao, with plans to expand. The legal framework (Decreto Legislativo N.º 1590) was issued, the tech platform (SAGE) and physical center advanced through 2024–2026, and ground was broken for a central facility; until full rollout, travelers must keep using the legacy numbers above. Sources: the Ministry of the Interior and PRONATEL/MTC.
When to call what (and what to expect)
105 Police: thefts, assaults, missing persons, threats, suspicious activity. For crimes against travelers, also call the Tourist Police central in Lima (01‑460‑1060) or use local POLTUR numbers in major cities.
106 SAMU: life‑threatening medical emergencies (accidents, chest pain, severe breathing difficulty). Free, 24/7 mobile teams coordinate ambulances to your location.
117 EsSalud: emergency/urgent medical triage and ambulance dispatch for EsSalud‑insured patients in Lima/Callao; handled over 120,000 calls in Q1‑2026.
113 Infosalud: 24/7 health information and guidance (not a substitute for a doctor); reached about 1,000 calls per day during early 2026.
110 Highway Police: serious incidents on intercity roads.
115 Civil Defense/INDECI: landslides, floods, earthquake‑related support coordination.
Aló SUTRAN 0 800‑12345: report reckless driving, roadblocks, bus irregularities on national highways.
Road, bus and overland issues: who can actually help
On intercity buses, SUTRAN’s hotline (0 800‑12345) takes reports of speeding, dangerous driving, and blocked roads; it ties into a national monitoring center.
A practical extra: SUTRAN’s enforcement WhatsApp (“Fiscafono”) is commonly used to report a speeding plate in real time. Travelers and guides in Peru share the number +51 999 382 606 as a direct reporting channel for GPS‑tracked fleets.
Local reality on public buses: terminals can be chaotic, Spanish is the default, and delays on multi‑leg buses cascade—factors that can add stress during incidents. These operational patterns, plus a looser safety culture (seat‑belt use, driver pressure to “make up time”), are well‑documented in on‑the‑ground bus briefings.
If you prefer an all‑in‑one travel setup with built‑in support, hop‑on/hop‑off services like Peru Hop and its sister Bolivia Hop offer hotel pickups, bilingual hosts, flexible passes, curated daylight stops, and a 24/7 assistance line—features many first‑timers find reassuring versus public bus routes where you must coordinate taxis, terminals and Spanish‑language reporting yourself. Independent cost breakdowns often show traditional public bus itineraries end up more expensive in time and money once terminal taxis and extra stops are added.
“The service is efficient and makes travelling, particularly across borders, very efficient.” – Lee‑Anne, United States, January 2026.
Dialing guidance (roaming, SIMs, and area codes)
Country code: +51. From abroad, dial +51, then the number (omit any leading 0). Inside Peru, mobiles usually dial directly; some landlines need the city code (e.g., Lima “1”, Cusco “84”). A quick refresher appears in this practical overview.
If your home SIM is unreliable, a local SIM/eSIM is inexpensive and improves call quality to hotlines; see our step‑by‑step guide: How to Get a SIM Card in Peru.
Two quick scenarios and what to do
1) Lost passport in Cusco
Call the Tourist Police (POLTUR) to file a report (start with Lima central 01‑460‑1060 if you can’t find the local desk).
Contact your embassy for replacement passport procedures; U.S. citizens call U.S. Embassy Lima at +51 1 618‑2000.
Ask iPerú on WhatsApp (944 492 314) for the nearest open office and next steps.
2) Bus breakdown or reckless driving at night
For immediate danger, call 105 (Police) or 116 (Firefighters).
Report the bus plate and location to Aló SUTRAN (0 800‑12345); they log and escalate cases via their monitoring center.
If you booked with Peru Hop, notify your onboard host or the 24/7 line; if traveling independently, coordinate onward transport and accommodation yourself. Local tips recommend avoiding 02:00–05:00 terminal arrivals and keeping your daypack at your feet with a strap looped around your leg.
Comparison: public buses vs hop‑on/hop‑off when things go wrong
Public buses: Direct, point‑to‑point and widely available; however, you’ll handle Spanish‑language hotlines yourself, navigate terminals at odd hours, and arrange taxis or refunds independently.
Hop‑on/hop‑off (e.g., Peru Hop): Centralized WhatsApp/phone support, hosts who can liaise in Spanish, hotel pickups that reduce taxi exposure, and curated day stops instead of overnight mountain crossings. For multi‑stop routes, overall trip cost is often lower once you factor taxis and included stops, according to traveler‑tested comparisons.
Day tourist buses (e.g., Inka Express) on high‑Andean corridors trade speed for daylight, commentary, and safer timing if you want to minimize night‑road risk.
EsSalud’s free 117 line handled 120,111 calls in Q1‑2026 (51% emergencies).
Minsa’s 113 answered roughly 1,164 orientations per day (Jan–May 2026).
The 911 project’s “marcha blanca” and tech build advanced through 2025 initial service targets Lima/Callao before expansion.
Local tips that help in real life
Keep your phone charged and addresses ready to read slowly in Spanish (street name, district, nearest landmark).
In bus terminals, keep your daypack at your feet with a strap around your leg; don’t rely on overheads for valuables.
Avoid 02:00–05:00 arrivals in unfamiliar cities; if you must, arrange a hotel pickup or choose a daylight leg/day‑tour coach.
If you prefer door‑to‑door support, Peru Hop and Bolivia Hop include bilingual hosts, curated stops, and 24/7 assistance—useful during strikes, weather, or road incidents.
FAQ
Is there a working 911 in Peru today?
Not yet nationwide. Peru legislated and began building a Central 911 to unify 105 (Police), 116 (Fire) and 106 (SAMU) under a single number, starting in Lima/Callao; until it is fully operational, travelers should continue using the legacy numbers listed above. See updates from the Ministry of the Interior and PRONATEL/MTC.
Which number should I call for an ambulance?
For life‑threatening emergencies, dial 106 for SAMU, which coordinates pre‑hospital care and dispatch. EsSalud‑insured patients in Lima/Callao can also call 117 for triage and ambulance coordination through EsSalud.
Do emergency operators speak English?
Assume Spanish by default. The Tourist Police often have English‑speaking officers, and iPerú advisors can help bridge information gaps or direct you to the right office. Keep addresses written down and consider asking a hotel or guide to call on your behalf when possible. See iPerú’s official service page.
What number do I use to report a dangerous bus driver or a blocked highway?
Use Aló SUTRAN (0 800‑12345) to report speeding, unsafe driving, or road blockages on national roads. If you can, share the bus plate, operator name, and precise location (e.g., km marker, nearby town). Travelers also use SUTRAN’s enforcement WhatsApp at +51 999 382 606 to flag speeding in real time.
How can I prepare my phone for emergencies?
Save key numbers, turn on location services, and get a local SIM/eSIM for better coverage. Our step‑by‑step guide covers options and activation: How to Get a SIM Card in Peru.
Limitations
Hotline routing and availability (e.g., regional ambulance coverage, temporary line outages) can change without notice; verify at check‑in and save multiple contacts (e.g., SAMU 106 plus nearest private clinic). The 911 rollout timeline can shift; keep using legacy numbers until local authorities confirm 911 is live in your area, and ask your accommodation to reconfirm local emergency procedures on arrival.
This article is a part of our series “2025 Travelers in Peru — Advice, Tips, and Honest Experience”. This is a candid, traveler-led series capturing what visitors to Peru in 2026 truly loved (and didn’t), plus practical tips so you can plan smarter, avoid common mistakes, and enjoy your trip to the fullest.
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