Is Machu Picchu safe?
Welcome to our Machu Picchu safety guide.
This legendary ancient site is simply a must-visit when in Peru, and is a perfect way of kicking off a longer trip around South America.
Not only is Machu Picchu an incredible site to behold with an ever-present mist and mountainous backdrop, however it’s also a good intro for those looking to learn more about the Inca civilization who once ruled these lands.
Machu Picchu Quick Summary:
- 📍 Where is it: Central Peru
- 🗺 Difficulty Getting There: Moderate
- ⏱ Time needed: 1-3 Days
- ☀️ Best Time to Visit: September/October
Is Machu Picchu Safe?
In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explore everything you’ll need to know about Safety in Machu Picchu as a backpacker or traveler.
We’ll look at all the different factors, our top safety tips, other useful information as well as an FAQ section where we answer your key questions.
Is Machu Picchu Safe Right Now?
Quick Answer: Machu Picchu is a very safe site to visit as long as you follow all of the guidelines listed when entering the site. The nearby town of Aguascalientes (where you’ll stay) is also very safe too.
Is it safe to hike up Machu Picchu?
For the most part hiking to Machu Picchu from Aguascalientes is safe, although the stone steps can be quite tiring, to say the least! Be sure to take frequent breaks and also bring lots of water.
Once at the top please follow safety guidelines and don’t cross the ropes, as remember we’re right on the edge of a steep mountain here.
Another important mention is for those who will follow the famous Inca Trail route to reach Machu Picchu. Given you’ll be hiking across many wild landscapes and steep mountains, always follow what your local guide says and don’t veer off the path.
The guides here do speak English (and are well-versed in most cases) but we suggest you carry a book like this one to be able improve your Peruvian Spanish on the road.
Where to stay near Machu Picchu?
Aguascalientes is the closest town to Machu Picchu (about a 30 minute bus ride away), making it the best place to stay in before your ascent up.
Those looking to keep costs low will want to stay at the Nativus Hostel, which offers really affordable dorm beds as well as having free WiFi and an on-site restaurant.
If you want a more memorable and private stay, then we highly recommend lodging up at the Hotel Ferre. Here you’ll be staying in a sleek private room with an incredible view of the nearby mountains, as well as having breakfast included in the room rate.
Is Machu Picchu Safe to Visit?
Machu Picchu Travel Warnings
There’s no official warnings for Machu Picchu, given the route is pretty safe and incidents like theft and assault are extremely rare (more likely in the town of Aguascalientes – however even then it’s unusual given the town almost entirely relies upon tourism).
However, there are strict guidelines that you’ll need to follow when walking the route, as well as visiting Machu Picchu. These include not littering, or bringing food into the ancient site. You’ll get a briefing on these once you’ve booked your Machu Picchu Tour.
Is there Crime in Cusco?
If you didn’t already know Cusco is one of the safest major destinations you can visit in Peru. This is because of the local Andean culture (which is safer than those of areas like Lima), as well as tourism being a focal point of the city’s economy.
Petty theft can sometimes be an issue, which is more so in the busy markets. Be sure to follow our safety guidelines below in this article to prepare properly to avoid any issues.
A good way of monitoring the safety situation is by using data collected by Numbeo. Cusco scored 42.79 on the index (with 100 being the least safe). For comparison, Lima scored 70.76, whilst Rio de Janeiro scored 77.64.
What are the Death Steps at Machu Picchu?
This infamous passage sounds a lot worse than it is – so no need to skip this one! It’s actually located on the other mountain of Huayna Picchu, which is higher up than Machu Picchu and offers even more breathtaking views of the ancient citadel.
Here you’ll climb a total of 750 stone steps up to the summit, which can be pretty tiring to say the least. Be sure to take your time up, drink lots of water and take frequent breaks.
How to Prepare for Machu Picchu Altitude?
Machu Picchu is located at an altitude of 2430m, which isn’t actually as bad as you may think.
In 90% of cases your preparation will already be done without you even knowing it. This is because Cusco – where most travelers arrive before and spend various days – is located at a higher altitude of 3399m. The human body needs around 48 hours to adjust to changes in altitude, so once you’ve spent a couple of days in Cusco you’ll be fine to travel to Machu Picchu.
It’s still worth buying Coca Leaves or Soroche Pills (any pharmacy here will stock these) to help alleviate any symptoms if you’re particularly sensitive, which is the case with myself (George). Be sure to read our article on preparing for high altitudes for more advice.
Got travel insurance for Machu Picchu?
7 Safety Tips for Machu Picchu
Below we will list 7 of our top safety tips for when heading to Machu Picchu.
1. Adjust to the Altitude in Cusco
As mentioned already, you’ll need to head through Cusco anyway to reach Machu Picchu, so it’s worth spending a couple of days here to get adjusted to the higher altitude of the Andes. This will make your hike to the site easier and more enjoyable, given you won’t have those pounding headaches or nausea that are common symptoms.
2. Padlock your Bags when Traveling by Bus
This is mainly a tip for when arriving in Cusco, given the bus rides can be really long (22 hours from Lima, as well as 10 hours from Arequipa). Given the journey length, there’s a good chance you’ll be sleeping on-board so it’s worth securing your bags with a safe Padlock for that extra piece of mind. Unfortunately theft from bags occurs in Peru, so it’s always best to take the extra precaution before than to be sorry afterwards!
3. Go with a Reputable Tour
Whilst the hike isn’t so demanding, it can be unsafe in certain areas (especially if you’re not used to hiking in higher altitudes). This is especially so with the Inca Trail, meaning you’ll want to go with a highly-rated company. We recommend this all-inclusive Inca Trail Tour, which provides all food, hiking and sleeping equipment. You’ll also have a Porter on hand to help carry your equipment, given it will be 10x harder up in the remote Andean mountains.
4. Follow Machu Picchu’s Safety Protocols
We’ll be the first to admit it – we’re pretty damn excited when we reach a huge travel milestone like that of Machu Picchu. However you’ll need to keep your head and follow safety protocols – after all they’re put in place to keep you safe.
Not passing the ropes is one of these, given it’s a steep drop down. Unfortunately a tourist did just this and fell to his death some years ago, so please just follow the guidelines!
5. Stay Hydrated
You’re going to be walking a lot when heading to Machu Picchu, often for several hours at a time. This means it’s important to bring a high quality Water Bottle with you so you can keep topping up your hydration levels.
Remember that the extra altitude can make your body work harder too, losing more moisture in the process. Aim to drink around 2+ litres a day when hiking around Machu Picchu (and even more along the Inca Trail).
6. Keep Valuables at Home when exploring the Markets
This is more a tip for Cusco, however can also apply to Aguascalientes too. The Andean markets are home to many weird and wonderful things, and are a must-visit when here.
However given the natural chaos and disorder, it does make it an appealing place for petty theft opportunists to strike. For this reason it’s best to leave your valuables in your apartment, such as your Passport and Credit Cards.
7. Bring High-Quality Hiking Boots
An absolute-must is investing in good hiking boots. Peru in general has many memorable hikes, and in Machu Picchu you’ll be walking quite a fair bit. Sometimes the paths can be rocky or slippery, so you’re going to need shoes that have really good traction.
We highly recommend these hiking boots for men, as well as these hiking boots for women. Not only do they make the hike easier, they’re also very comfortable on the feet and will last you a long-time.
Machu Picchu FAQ Guide:
Here we’ll take a look at the most frequent questions we get asked by our readers about Machu Picchu.
Is Machu Picchu Safe? Final Words
And that’s all for our guide on how to stay safe in Machu Picchu.
One of the Seven Wonders of the World, Machu Picchu forever remains one of the most memorable sites you can visit in South America. It’s also really safe to visit too, where your main worries will instead be preparing yourself for the memorable hike (and altitudes) that are waiting for you!
In this guide, we’ve explored the current safety situation in Machu Picchu, which includes the areas to avoid, as well as any current travel advisories.
As well as looking at the best things to do in Machu Picchu, we’ve also included our FAQ which answers your most burning questions.
While you’re still here, be sure to read our Best Hikes in Peru guide for some other awesome experiences whilst in this Andean nation.
👉🏽 P.S. If you’ve found this guide helpful, buy us a coffee here to say thanks! Or, support us by downloading our South America Travel Bible to get our best content.
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