Is Machu Picchu safe?
Safe in the small, tourist-focused town and at the site. Altitude is mild here; heavy rain, slippery steps and train disruptions are the main problems.
Key facts
- SoloSquare safety rating: 4/5, safe with normal care.
- US travel advisory: Level 2: Exercise increased caution, updated 2025-05-15.
- Homicide rate in Peru: 8.6 per 100,000 people (2021, UNODC via World Bank).
- Road deaths in Peru: 13.6 per 100,000 people a year (2019, WHO).
- Emergency numbers: Police 105 · Ambulance 106 · Fire 116.
Safety in Machu Picchu at a glance
| What to expect | |
|---|---|
| Overall | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Crime | Occasional bag theft from busy streets and shuttle queues; scams around tickets and tour packages are more common. |
| At night | The town is small and lit around the main streets; the riverside paths get dark early. |
| Solo women | Comfortable for solo women; the town is compact, busy and used to travelers. Keep valuables hidden on crowded trains. |
| Other risks | Rain-triggered landslides and rail closures Nov–Mar; Steep stone steps; falls are common; Sandflies near the citadel; bring repellent |
Scams, areas and local laws
Common scams
- Resellers selling fake or overpriced entry tickets and tours
- Touts claiming trains or buses are sold out
- Unlicensed guides at the entrance quoting inflated rates
Take care
- Citadel steps and Huayna Picchu paths: slippery when wet, steep drops
Calmer areas to stay
Laws visitors break by accident
- Touching, climbing or removing anything at archaeological sites brings fines or arrest.
- Flying a drone at Machu Picchu and other archaeological sites needs a permit.
- Carry your passport or a copy; police ID checks happen.
How Machu Picchu compares in Peru
| Place | Safety |
|---|---|
| Machu Picchu | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Sacred Valley | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Huacachina | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Huaraz | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Paracas | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Lima | 3/5 · Take real precautions |
| Cusco | 3/5 · Take real precautions |
| Arequipa | 3/5 · Take real precautions |
| Máncora | 3/5 · Take real precautions |
| Puno | 3/5 · Take real precautions |
| Iquitos | 3/5 · Take real precautions |
| Nazca | 3/5 · Take real precautions |
| Puerto Maldonado | 3/5 · Take real precautions |
Quick answers
Is Machu Picchu safe for solo female travelers?
Comfortable for solo women; the town is compact, busy and used to travelers. Keep valuables hidden on crowded trains.
Is Machu Picchu safe at night?
The town is small and lit around the main streets; the riverside paths get dark early.
What is the crime rate in Machu Picchu?
Occasional bag theft from busy streets and shuttle queues; scams around tickets and tour packages are more common. Nationally, Peru records 8.6 homicides per 100,000 people a year (2021).
What number do I call in an emergency in Machu Picchu?
Police 105 · Ambulance 106 · Fire 116.
More about Machu Picchu
Going to Machu Picchu solo?
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Sources
- US State Department travel advisory
- Machu Picchu official tickets (Ministry of Culture)
- PeruRail
- Inca Rail
- Servicio Nacional de Áreas Naturales Protegidas (SERNANP)
- PeruRail tickets to Machu Picchu
- World Bank: intentional homicides (UNODC)
- World Bank: road traffic deaths (WHO)
Safety ratings are SoloSquare's editorial judgment from official advisories, crime data and local reporting. Compiled and reviewed by SoloSquare. How we compile and score this. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.