Town in Cusco, Peru
Machu Picchu for solo travelers
Is Machu Picchu good for solo travel?
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.
Solo travel at a glance
| Solo travel | 4/5 · Very good for solo travel |
|---|---|
| Locals | Friendly |
| English | Common in tourist areas |
| Safety | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Solo women | Comfortable for solo women; the town is compact, busy and used to travelers. Keep valuables hidden on crowded trains. |
How to meet people in Machu Picchu
Hostels in Aguas Calientes, group tours from Cusco, small-group Inca Trail departures, and hot-springs evenings with other travelers.
Good things to do alone
- Enter the citadel at opening for fewer crowds
- Hike Machu Picchu Mountain for a view
- Soak at the thermal baths in town
- Walk the Mandor gardens and waterfall trail
- Cross the Inca Bridge trail if open
Where to stay in Machu Picchu
| 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 |
Solo travel across Peru
| Place | Solo | English |
|---|---|---|
| Cusco | 5/5 | Common in tourist areas |
| Lima | 4/5 | Common in tourist areas |
| Machu Picchu | 4/5 | Common in tourist areas |
| Arequipa | 4/5 | Common in tourist areas |
| Sacred Valley | 4/5 | Common in tourist areas |
| Máncora | 4/5 | Common in tourist areas |
| Huaraz | 4/5 | Common in tourist areas |
| Huacachina | 3/5 | Common in tourist areas |
| Puno | 3/5 | Limited |
| Paracas | 3/5 | Common in tourist areas |
| Iquitos | 3/5 | Limited |
| Puerto Maldonado | 3/5 | Limited |
| Nazca | 2/5 | Limited |
Quick answers
Is Machu Picchu good for solo travelers?
Very good for solo travel (4/5). The Inca citadel, visited from Aguas Calientes below it.
How do you meet people in Machu Picchu?
Hostels in Aguas Calientes, group tours from Cusco, small-group Inca Trail departures, and hot-springs evenings with other travelers. On SoloSquare you can also join small plans with other travelers who are there now.
Do people speak English in Machu Picchu?
Common in tourist areas.
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.
More about Machu Picchu
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
Ratings are SoloSquare's editorial judgment. Compiled and reviewed by SoloSquare. How we compile and score this. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.