Have you ever heard of a tourist being scammed in Machu Picchu? Every year, thousands of travelers arrive in Cusco expecting to have the best experience. However, they discover that the tour they purchased is not what was initially offered; they do not have valid entry tickets to Machu Picchu, or the “guides” turn out to be unqualified individuals. Although scams in Cusco and Machu Picchu are relatively uncommon, you can avoid a bad experience with the right information. For this reason, at Travel Peru Agency, we have created this guide on how to avoid scams in Machu Picchu.
Below, we will explain the most common scams, how to identify red flags when choosing a travel agency, and what steps to follow to plan the best travel experience in Machu Picchu and Cusco.
Scams in Machu Picchu: Why Do They Exist and How Can You Avoid Them?
Machu Picchu is a world wonder and, due to its infrastructure and archaeological characteristics, only a limited number of tourists can visit it each day. As a result, the demand for tickets to the Inca citadel far exceeds the daily quota authorized by Peru’s Ministry of Culture.
The shortage of tickets, combined with many travelers’ lack of knowledge about the in-person or online purchasing process, daily availability, and other factors, has created a parallel market of websites that claim to have Machu Picchu tickets available without actually having access to them!
Since the beginning of 2026, formal travel agencies, residents of Aguas Calientes (Machu Picchu town), and travelers have reported a ghost reservation scheme. Under this scheme, a small group of travel agencies would block Machu Picchu entrance tickets without paying for them. Subsequently, the tickets would appear as “unavailable” or “sold out” and would eventually be canceled. As a result, the entrance tickets would appear to be sold out, while a small group of agencies offered them at high prices. This type of irregularity shows how artificial scarcity generates speculation and fuels informal ticket resale.
Although this situation has already been reported and the authorities are investigating the matter, it is still important to know the strategies you can use to protect yourself before, during, and after your trip to Machu Picchu.
Learn About the Most Common Scams
1. Fake or Duplicate Tickets
There are websites that use the same booking format as the official website (Tu boleto cultura) and offer direct entrance tickets to Machu Picchu. Be careful!
- The official Machu Picchu ticket sales website has a simple and easy-to-navigate structure.
- It offers entrance tickets to hundreds of archaeological sites, natural reserves, and museums throughout Peru. Not just Machu Picchu tickets!
- It shows the number of tickets available in real time. You do not have to wait for the data to “synchronize” or “update” regarding available tickets.
If you purchase your Machu Picchu ticket “directly” through a website other than the official one, you risk receiving tickets that never actually existed or being resold a ticket that has already been used.
2. Street Vendors Offering “Last-Minute Discounts”
In Cusco and Aguas Calientes (Machu Picchu town), it is common to find people offering tickets or “last-minute tours” at prices below the market rate. If something is too cheap, be careful! Legally, there are no “last-minute” tickets available through alternative websites or companies. Therefore, any offer of this kind is a red flag and a warning sign.
3. Agencies Without Any Authorization
Before booking a tour to Machu Picchu, you need to verify whether the travel agency has:
- An active RUC (Single Taxpayer Registry).
- Operating licenses authorized by the local government.
- Reviews on TripAdvisor, Google Maps, or We Travel.
In addition, if the agency has a website, it is important to review its privacy and sales policies.
4. Uncertified Guides
All agencies offer “professional and specialized guides”; however, many of them do not even have licenses! The easiest way to verify a tour guide’s professionalism is to check whether they have a license issued through the Peruvian government’s platform in the National Directory of Qualified Tourism Service Providers managed by MINCETUR. If you cannot find the guide registered in the directory, you can verify whether they are registered with regional offices such as Dircetur or Gercetur.
5. Unregulated Taxis and Transportation
Cusco is considered a safe city; however, it is still important to take precautions when taking a taxi.
- Taking a “street taxi” (a taxi offered independently) is common. However, if you take one at night and near tourist areas, you risk being charged inflated prices or being robbed. In that case, it is better to request a taxi through an app.
6. Exchanging Money at Unauthorized Locations
Although the exchange rate on the street is higher than the bank exchange rate, it is important to check several establishments before exchanging your money. This way, you can avoid the risk of your currency being devalued.
- Remember to check the exchange rate through digital platforms before going to currency exchange offices, as each “casa de cambio” offers a similar but not identical exchange rate.
- Peru’s currency is somewhat stronger and has lower inflation than currencies such as Argentina’s. To prevent your money from losing value, try checking the exchange rate at a bank rather than at a currency exchange office.
Buy Your Official Machu Picchu Tickets
- If you are traveling independently, purchase your tickets only through tuboleto.cultura.pe or through an authorized tourism agency with all the required licenses. The agency can save you the hassle of purchasing through tuboleto.cultura.pe and organize a personalized itinerary.
- Book your Machu Picchu entrance ticket at least 4 months in advance. The classic circuits and Huayna Picchu sell out easily, so book early and travel with peace of mind.
- Never pay for your ticket purchase to personal bank accounts. Formal travel agencies use business accounts and issue payment receipts, such as invoices or sales receipts, under the company’s name, not an individual’s name.
Tips for Identifying an Authorized Travel Agency
Are you ready to book your trip to Machu Picchu? Before booking any tour to Machu Picchu or Cusco, make sure the agency meets at least these requirements:
- An active and valid RUC, verifiable on the SUNAT website.
- A current registration with DIRCETUR Cusco (Regional Directorate of Foreign Trade and Tourism).
- A verifiable physical office in Cusco, not just an address listed on social media.
- Verified reviews on Google, TripAdvisor, or Viator, with detailed comments and real photos from travelers.
- Tourism certifications.
- Clear communication before the purchase. Every tour you book should include a detailed itinerary, what is included, and what is not included in the price. This way, you can avoid being charged additional costs during the trip that were never mentioned!
At Travel Peru Agency, we meet all the requirements. Our RUC number is 20613753746, and you can review our licenses and certifications in detail here.
Now that you know what you need to avoid scams in Machu Picchu, don’t wait any longer and start planning your trip with us. Contact one of our travel advisors.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Can I buy my Machu Picchu entrance ticket on the same day at the Machu Picchu entrance gate?
No, it is not possible. Machu Picchu is a world wonder, so entrance to the Inca citadel is limited each day and tickets are booked at least 3 months in advance. If you know a travel agent who offers to sell you a Machu Picchu entrance ticket on the same day, be careful! You could become a victim of a scam, pay an inflated price for a nonexistent ticket, or, even worse, commit an act of corruption and end up being investigated by Peruvian government authorities! Remember, it is impossible to buy a Machu Picchu entrance ticket at the entrance gate to the Inca citadel.
2. What should I do if the company I booked my Machu Picchu tour with does not respond to me?
Ideally, formal companies begin monitoring each traveler a few days before their arrival in Cusco. At Travel Peru Agency, we contact our travelers days before their trip begins and provide them with an informative briefing before each of their tours.
If the company you booked your Machu Picchu tour with does not respond, you can try contacting them through their social media channels, their office in the city, or their sales WhatsApp number, which every formal company should have. If, despite all of the above, they still do not respond, you should consider filing a complaint through the platform where you made the booking so that the platform can provide you with a refund. Platforms such as We Travel, Viator, and GetYourGuide offer full or partial refund options.
3. What should I do if the company I booked my Machu Picchu tour with does not deliver what was promised?
If you have had the unfortunate experience of hiring a travel agency or tour operator that did not deliver what was offered, you can:
• Request a partial refund of the amount you paid. There are logistical costs, such as transportation, food, guide services, and others, that cannot be fully refunded. However, you can reach an agreement with the company and receive a refundable amount.
• If the service was significantly different from the original itinerary and the company is unwilling to reach an agreement, you can file a complaint with the Tourism Police – DIRTUR (Tourism Directorate of the Peruvian National Police). Its office is located at Calle Saphy N° 510, in the historic center of Cusco. You can also go to its other office at Plaza Túpac Amaru (P-15), in the Wánchaq district, just a few minutes from Cusco’s Historic Center. The police will mediate between you and the company to help you reach a mutual agreement.
