Town in Cusco, Peru
Machu Picchu
The Inca citadel, visited from Aguas Calientes below it. Unforgettable but tightly managed: timed tickets, pricey trains and a tourist-only town. Best as a 1–2 night stop from Cusco.
At a glance
- Safety4/5Safe with normal careDetails
- Monthly budget$1,740–2,760Comfortable, one person · S/6,000–9,500Details
- Value for money37/100Better value than 36% of places we coverDetails
- Best time to goMay–Jun, Sep–OctWarmest: Sep, 23°CDetails
- Internet260 MbpsFixed broadband, Peru medianDetails
- Tap waterNo, drink bottledDrink bottled or filtered water.Details
- LGBTQ+3/5Tolerant, but be discreetDetails
- Solo travel4/5English: common in tourist areasDetails
- Doctor's visit$35–73Private clinic, without insuranceDetails
- Getting aroundPeruRail / Inca RailVery walkableDetails
- Cash or cardMixed: cards and cashHotels and bigger restaurants take cards; small shops, buses and some tours want soles.Details
Where to stay in Machu Picchu
Areas visitors base themselves in.
| Area | Good for |
|---|---|
| Aguas Calientes centre (Machupicchu Pueblo) | Train station, restaurants, buses to the citadel |
| Near the hot springs | Quieter stays on the river, a short walk up the hill |
| Ollantaytambo (alternative base) | Cheaper, calmer stays with trains and Sacred Valley ruins |
Apps that work in Machu Picchu
No ride-hailing apps work here; see the taxi note below.
- Maps: Google Maps
- Messaging: WhatsApp
- redBus: Compare and buy intercity bus tickets
- Taxis: No ride apps or cars in the town itself. Use the shuttle bus, your feet and prearranged transfers in Cusco and Ollantaytambo.
Cash, cards and tipping
What to carry and how to pay. Money in Peru.
- Mixed: cards and cash Hotels and bigger restaurants take cards; small shops, buses and some tours want soles. ATMs in town can run out.
- Currency: Sol (PEN). US$1 ≈ S/3.44 on 03 Oct 2026.
- ATMs: ATMs charge foreign cards a flat fee per withdrawal, higher at airports; many also dispense US dollars.
- Tipping: Around 10% in sit-down restaurants without a service charge. Budget tips for trek guides, cooks and porters; taxis aren't tipped.
- Paying by phone: Contactless cards and phone wallets work in cities; Yape and Plin QR payments need a Peruvian account.
Before you go
Visa and entry
- Pre-registering on MigraCheck (free) can let you use the immigration e-gates at Lima airport.
- No arrival card; entry is recorded digitally. Overstays are fined per day when you leave.
- Yellow fever vaccination is recommended for Amazon trips but is not required for entry.
Emergency numbers
Police 105 · Ambulance 106 · Fire 116
Plugs
Type A, C · 220 V, 60 Hz. Do I need an adapter?
SIM and eSIM
Buy prepaid chips in official carrier stores with your passport, not from street sellers. Claro and Movistar cover the Andes best. eSIMs work for visitors.
More places in Peru
Going to Machu Picchu solo?
SoloSquare is where travelers, nomads and locals in Machu Picchu meet up for small plans: coffee, dinners, walks and day trips. Join one, or start your own in a minute.
Sources
- Machu Picchu official tickets (Ministry of Culture)
- PeruRail
- Inca Rail
- Servicio Nacional de Áreas Naturales Protegidas (SERNANP)
- PeruRail tickets to Machu Picchu
Prices are SoloSquare estimates; climate, air, safety and visa figures come from the sources listed. Compiled and reviewed by SoloSquare. How we compile and score this. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.