Peru Travel Guide: Everything You Need to Know

Yes — Machu Picchu tickets must be booked online at machupicchu.gob.pe well in advance, especially for peak season (June–August) where tickets sell out 3+ months ahead. Entry costs $50 (site only) or $70 (with mountain access). Tickets are time-slotted (entry at 6am, 7am, etc.) and non-transferable. The Inca Trail requires separate permits booked 6+ months ahead ($600–$900 all-inclusive guided).

Cusco sits at 3,400m — many visitors experience mild altitude sickness (soroche) upon arrival. Prevention: spend 1–2 days acclimatizing in Cusco before heading higher, drink coca tea (traditional remedy available everywhere), avoid alcohol the first 2 days, stay hydrated, and take Diamox if prescribed by your doctor. Arrive from Lima (sea level) rather than flying directly from a high-altitude city to reduce shock.

The Classic Inca Trail (4 days, 45km to Machu Picchu) costs $600–$900 including guide, cook, porters, permit ($600), and group camping. This is the most iconic but also most regulated — only 500 people per day allowed and permits sell out 6+ months ahead. Alternative: Salkantay Trek ($400–$700, 5 days, no permit restrictions) or Lares Trek — both reach Machu Picchu with fewer people.

Peru is generally safe in tourist areas. Exercise normal precautions in Lima (avoid displays of expensive electronics, use Uber not street taxis after dark). Cusco, Sacred Valley, and the main trekking routes are very safe with minimal crime targeting tourists. Political protests occasionally affect transport in Lima — check travel advisories. The regions of Ayacucho and parts of the Apurímac Valley have higher security risks — avoid unless with a reputable operator.

Peruvian Sol (PEN). As of 2026, approximately 3.7 PEN = $1 USD. ATMs are widely available in Lima, Cusco, and tourist areas — use Banco de la Nación or BCP ATMs for lowest fees. On the Inca Trail and in remote villages, cash is essential. Credit cards are accepted at mid-range and upscale restaurants and hotels but not at street stalls, markets, or small guesthouses.

Ollantaytambo is the best base for Sacred Valley exploration — a living Inca town with impressive ruins right in the village, direct trains to Aguas Calientes for Machu Picchu ($50–$90 one-way), and proximity to Maras salt pans and Moray circular terraces. Cusco is the hub for all Sacred Valley tours ($30–$60 full-day including transport and guide). The Sacred Valley sits at 2,700–2,900m — lower altitude than Cusco, which helps with acclimatization.