I'm going to be visiting Peru in August for a couple of weeks to do the whole Machu Picchu Cusco thing, but as an avid soccer fan I am curious about the local soccer scene in any country I visit. I'm trying to find out if it is generally safe for an American to go and watch a local match somewhere. I was thinking maybe a Universitario match since they're the biggest from what I've been reading. Thanks for your advice in advance.
Yeah, you'll be safe and yes, Universitario is the biggest and baddest team in Peru. Good call. Just make sure to by your ticket in "oriente" or "occidente". These are the side sections of the stadium, as opposed to behind either goal. The sections behind the goals (they're called "popular") are the cheapest and where the rowdiest and potentially dangerous people go. Oriente and occidente are pretty middle-class. Occidente especially has lots of families and is very safe. Enjoy.
Matches in August in Lima: 6th/7th Universitario vs. CNI Sporting Cristal vs. Sport Boys 13th/14th Alianza Lima vs. Sporting Cristal Sport Boys vs. Cienciano San Martin vs. Universitario 20th/21st Sporting Cristal vs. Alianza Atletico Universitario vs. Leon de Huanuco 27th/28th Alianza Lima vs. Inti Gas Sport Boys vs. Cobresol San Martin vs. CNI In Cusco: 6th/7th Cienciano vs. Melgar 20th/21st Cienciano vs. Alianza Lima
El Estadio Nacional should be finished by August, maybe some games would be played there as well.. Universitario does have the biggest stadium but it only gets filled up when the NT plays.. I would bring a blanket
lol. put it this way: if you hit an U match, think of it as metros/rb at giants stadium. if you hit an Alianza match, RBA all the way. seriously, for my money, i'd hit alianza-cristal or san martin-univ. matches. and keep tabs on the league standings before you fly out.
Haven't been back here in a while, but I thought of another question. Are these stadiums in relatively safe areas of Lima? Thanks in advance, and thanks for the great information you've given me already.
Alianza's stadium certainly isn't , but as long as you take a taxi right to the doors and back you'll be fine.
if you take a tazi nothing will happen i remember back when i was like 10 and i was in peru my uncle would drive to the stadium every home game and just park and it was very safe. solo una ves nos tratarion de choriar enun clasico pero nada grande un piranita metio la mano al carro le trato de jalar la cadena a mi tio pero nada mas.
yea , and taxis are really save in peru ! If you take a taxi try to get a company taxi , a little more expensive but at least you know they ll be taking you to the stadium
you gotta know how to choose... The car has to have the taxi and tag signs all over it. You have to look for the taxi, don't let the taxi look for you. Those fukers that will flash their lights and are all over you are a no-no...and finally the driver
people have these phobias about peruvian taxis never had a problem in one...apart from the one dude that fell asleep