Tickets are selling out in hours and there are tourists who wait in line until very late, but still do not get their ticket. We explain what is happening and how you can avoid being left out.
What exactly is happening?
Since the beginning of May 2026, tickets to enter Machu Picchu are selling out every day before many tourists arrive to buy them. The current system forces you to buy tickets in person at the ticket offices in Aguas Calientes (also called Machu Picchu Pueblo), and there are only 1,000 tickets available per day. In high season, that number falls short compared to the huge amount of visitors who arrive in the town.
The result is that hundreds of people, including families with children and older adults, have had to wait in line all night on the street, not knowing if they will be able to enter the Inca citadel the next day or not. The Ministry of Culture confirmed that it is not possible to increase the number of tickets. The limit of 1,000 tickets exists by law to protect the heritage and prevent excess visitors from damaging the archaeological site.
Is there a new solution?
Yes, although partial. Since May 6, the Culture Directorate of Cusco agreed to implement an early in-person sale of up to 3 days: if the tickets for the day are already sold out, you can buy at the ticket office for one of the following three days. This reduces the uncertainty a little, but does not eliminate the lines or guarantee that you will get a ticket if you arrive late.
TICKET OFFICE HOURS IN AGUAS CALIENTES
- Attention: Monday to Sunday
- Hours: 06:00 to 22:00 hours
- Windows: 5 ticket offices available
Practical tips if you plan to visit Machu Picchu
- Arrive in Aguas Calientes with days to spare. Do not plan your visit to the sanctuary for the same day you arrive in town. Consider at least one extra day in case the tickets for the day are already sold out.
- Go to the ticket office early. The ticket offices open at 6 in the morning. The earlier you arrive, the more chances you have of getting a ticket for the same day or for the following days.
- Use the 3-day early sale. If the day you want is already full, you can now buy in person for one of the following three days. It is the most important new feature of the new system.
- Have a plan B. If you definitely do not get a ticket, the Cusco region has other archaeological sites, museums, and historical places that are equally fascinating and worth visiting.
Machu Picchu: Latest News
The Ministry of Culture is working on a new platform. Given this situation, the Ministry of Culture has begun the process of developing a new virtual platform for selling tickets to Machu Picchu. Therefore, it is expected that in the coming days more details will be provided about the selection process of the company that will be in charge of this new system.
On the other hand, the CGR has called on the Minister of Culture, Leslie Urteaga, to take the corresponding measures in relation to the irregularities found in the contract with Joinnus. An administrative process or even criminal charges against the officials involved in this case are not ruled out.
Where can I find more information?
For updated information on the sale of tickets to Machu Picchu Peru, it is recommended to visit the official website of the Ministry of Culture of Peru. In addition, the complete report of the Comptroller General of the Republic (CGR) on the hiring of Joinnus is available on the entity’s website.
Additional recommendations:
- Advance planning: Visitors planning to travel to Machu Picchu in the coming months are advised to stay informed about official updates from the Ministry of Culture regarding the new ticketing system.
- Official channels: It is important to purchase tickets to Machu Picchu only through official channels authorized by the Ministry of Culture. Buying tickets from unofficial websites or through unauthorized intermediaries should be avoided.
- Heritage Preservation: Visitors are reminded of the importance of respecting and caring for the cultural and natural heritage of Machu Picchu during their visit. The rules established for the conservation of the site must be followed and damage to the natural environment must be avoided.
Last update:
The Ministry of Culture has announced that the contract with Joinnus will end on May 15, 2024. From that date, the sale of tickets to Machu Picchu will be temporarily carried out at the offices of the Ministry of Culture. in Cusco, while the new virtual platform is implemented.
New ticket sales system: The Ministry of Culture is working on the development of a new virtual platform for ticket sales to Machu Picchu.