Machu Picchu Has a Very Strict New Entry Policy
If your 2019 travel plans include a trip to the ancient Inca citadel of Machu Picchu, there's an important change you need to know about. Travelers must purchase a timed ticket for access to the UNESCO World Heritage Site, and that pass is only valid for one hour.
The new ticket system, which went into effect on Jan. 1, will require travelers to opt for a specific entry time (hourly from 6am to 2pm), and the tickets expire after one hour. (If you have a 6am ticket, for example, you must enter the site by 7am.)
As part of the change, maximum stay times have been limited to four hours or less. Travelers will want to opt for an earlier entry time between 6am and noon, because the later slots (1pm and 2pm) still require visitors to exit the citadel by 5:30pm.
By staggering visitors, the government hopes to reduce wait times and overcrowding. (To encourage fewer people from arriving in the early morning, for example, incentives have been introduced for travelers who enter later in the day, such as free access to the on-site museum.) But it's not quite clear how officials plan to enforce the four-hour window.
All tickets provide access to the two main circuits around Machu Picchu, but travelers interested in an alternative hike to Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu mountain will need to purchase timed tickets exclusively for these treks. Both include access to the citadel.
This is just the latest in a series of changes the Peruvian government has been slowly implementing in an effort to curb the tourism boom. Since July of 2017, for example, visitors have been required to enter Machu Picchu with an official guide. That's when timed tickets were first trialed, too. Visitors could opt for either morning or afternoon sessions, each approximately six hours in duration.
At this time, ticket prices remain unchanged (152 sols person, or approximately $45; 200 sols per person or $60 for access to the citadel and either Machu Picchu mountain or Huayna Picchu), but according to the Peru Telegraph, early morning ticket prices could increase 20% in 2020 — meaning if Peru's most famous attraction has been on your bucket list, now is definitely the right time to scratch it off.
Tickets can be purchased directly through Machu Picchu's official website, and entry times and dates cannot be changed.
If all this seems a bit too structured for your liking, there are plenty of other ways to experience Peru's famous Inca ruins. The so-called second sister to Machu Picchu, Choquequirao, is just starting to gain popularity with international travelers. But the strenuous multi-day hike required to see this equally impressive archaeological site is a strong deterrent.
TPG featured card
at American Express's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees.
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 5X | New! Earn 5X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid hotel stays booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked through AmexTravel.com, the Amex Travel App, or purchased directly from airlines. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid car rentals booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App and cruises booked and paid through AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Pros
- Valuable dining and food-related credits
- Flexible rewards with airline and hotel transfer partners
- Multiple travel and purchase protections
- No foreign transaction fees
- Access to Amex Offers for additional savings (enrollment required)
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $8,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- New! Earn 5X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid hotel stays booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked through AmexTravel.com, the Amex Travel App, or purchased directly from airlines.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid car rentals booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App and cruises booked and paid through AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- Pay It® lets you tap in the American Express® App to quickly pay for small purchase amounts throughout the month and still earn rewards the way you usually do. Plan It® gives you the option to split up big purchases into equal monthly payments with a fixed fee. You’ll know upfront exactly how much you’ll pay.
- Updated! $120 Dining Credit: Earn up to a total of $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the Gold Card at Grubhub (including Seamless), Buffalo Wild Wings, Five Guys, The Cheesecake Factory, and Wonder. This can be an annual savings of up to $120. Enrollment required.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year at over 10,000 qualifying U.S. Resy restaurants after you pay for eligible purchases with the American Express® Gold Card. That’s up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: Earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin’ locations. Enrollment required.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Enjoy up to $120 in Uber Cash annually with your Gold Card. Just add your Card to your Uber account and you'll get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an Amex Card for your transaction.
- New! As an American Express® Gold Card Member, you can enjoy complimentary Hertz Five Star® Status. Enjoy benefits like skipping the counter at select locations, adding an additional driver at no additional cost*, and vehicle upgrades**. Benefit enrollment and Hertz Gold+ registration are required. *Additional drivers must meet standard rental qualifications and must be a spouse or domestic partner to qualify as complimentary. Other additional drivers subject to fees. **Benefits are subject to availability and vary by location. Additional Hertz program Terms and Conditions including age restrictions apply.
- Take advantage of a $100 credit towards eligible charges* at over 1,300 upscale hotels worldwide when you book The Hotel Collection through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App **. *Eligible charges vary by property. **The Hotel Collection requires a two-night minimum stay.
- Book your travel through the Amex Travel App with added peace of mind – backed by American Express® service and support. Only for American Express® Card Members.
- Whenever you need us, we're here. Our Member Services team will ensure you are taken care of. From lost Card replacement to statement questions, we are available to help 24/7.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.