Common Scams in Cusco and Machu Picchu: How to Spot Them Early

🕵️ 1. “Machu Picchu is sold out, but I’ll get you a ticket!”

This is one of those phrases that should immediately set off your tourist radar. 🚨

During peak seasons, tickets to Machu Picchu may sell out in advance.

And that's exactly when the famous one appears:

“Hey, I have a contact who can still get tickets.”

It might sound tempting, especially if you're already in Cusco and were planning to buy your ticket "when you get there."

🚩 Where is the danger?

Some people may offer fake tickets, nonexistent reservations, or charge excessive prices by taking advantage of travelers' desperation.

✅ How can you avoid it?

Purchase your ticket through the appropriate official channels or through a legitimate, verifiable agency.

Golden tip: If someone promises you a guaranteed ticket when there are officially no tickets left, it doesn't mean they have magical powers. 😅

🎟️ 3. “I’ll find you the cheapest tour in Cusco”

Cheaper?

That sounds wonderful.

Until you discover that the “complete tour” includes only:

Transportation.
A 7-minute explanation.
And a lot of imagination.

Before booking a tour, be sure to ask exactly:

🔎 What's included?

✔️ Transportation

✔️ Guide

✔️ Tickets

✔️ Food

✔️ Transfers

✔️ Insurance, if applicable

✔️ Taxes or additional charges

✔️ Schedules and pickup locations

Because two tours can cost exactly the same… but offer completely different services.

🚕 2. The taxi ride that started out cheap… and ended up in a horror movie

You arrive in Cusco, leave the airport, and hear:

“Taxi, buddy. Where are you going?”

So far, so good.

The problem arises when you sign up without first asking how much the service will cost.

When you arrive, the fare may be very different from what you expected.

🚩 Warning Signs

They won't tell you the price before you get on.
They change the fare during the trip.
They assure you that there is a “special rate for tourists.”
They try to take you somewhere other than where you asked to go.

✅ Best choice

Before getting on, ask clearly:

“How much does it cost to get here?”
And if you use a ride-sharing app, check the fare and destination before starting your trip.

🐴 4. Photos with animals: “Just a little tip”

In tourist areas, you may come across people offering to take photos with animals.

The photo seems out of place…

📸 Click.

And then:

“That’s 50 soles.”

Before taking a photo or agreeing to any service, ask if there is a charge.

🚨 HOW CAN YOU TELL IF A TOURISM OFFER IS SUSPICIOUS?

Use the 5-question rule:

1️⃣ Who is selling to me?

Is it a recognizable company?

2️⃣ What am I buying?

Is the service clearly explained?

3️⃣ How much will I have to pay?

Is the final price clear?

4️⃣ What's included?

Tickets, transportation, guide, meals?

5️⃣ Do I have confirmation?

Will I receive a receipt or booking confirmation?

If you can't clearly answer these questions…

🚩 You'd better put your purchase on hold.

🧠 THE TRAVELER'S GOLDEN RULE

Just because an offer seems too good to be true doesn't automatically mean it's a scam.

But it does mean it's worth doing some research before you pay.

In Cusco, you'll find excellent tour operators, hotels, restaurants, transportation providers, and professionals who work every day to ensure that travelers have a great experience.

The key is not to rush into hiring.

🏔️ TRAVEL TO CUSCO, BUT KEEP YOUR EYES OPEN

Cusco is a place to enjoy.

Walk through its streets, sample its cuisine, learn about its history, visit the Sacred Valley, and marvel at Machu Picchu.

Just remember one thing:

🎒 Bring your camera.

🧠 Use common sense.

💳 And before you pay… double-check.

Because the best souvenir from your trip should be a photo in front of Machu Picchu… not a screenshot of a transfer you never received.

✈️ Are you planning to travel to Cusco?

Plan your tickets, transportation, lodging, and tours in advance, and always check the terms and conditions for each service. Your trip begins long before you arrive in Cusco. And good planning can save you more than a few headaches.

🦙 Cusco is waiting for you. As for scams, leave them out of your suitcase.

Write to us for more information

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I booked all my transportation and tours for my trip to Peru through them—from transfers from the airports in Lima and Cusco to tours like the Lima City Tour, the Sacred Valley, and Machu Picchu. Everyone who assisted us was very professional. Starting with all the attention and tips from Yolanda, who always responded to me on WhatsApp, and including the drivers and guides. They were always on time and respectful of our pace. We did everything via private transfers and private tours. Our choice of agency certainly contributed greatly to making this trip a memorable one for us. Thank you once again.
  
 
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I highly recommend Andean Peru Exploor. They were incredibly attentive and kind, and managed to get last-minute tickets to Machu Picchu for me and my family (other agencies didn't have any), and everything was wonderful—from the transportation to the incredible guide, and they even gave us a super cute little gift. I would definitely take the same tour with the same agency again—I loved it!!!
  
 
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This was a fantastic experience. Andean Peru Explorer communicated frequently and well in advance, was able to secure the tour we wanted and a slightly later departure time so we didn’t have to leave Cusco at 3:00 a.m. Our morning pickup was fantastic, the train was great (I definitely recommend the Vistadome), and the tour was informative, exciting, and professional. The only hiccup was that we had to wait a few minutes for our guide, since Machu Picchu only allows guides in once every 3 hours, and our guide had already led one tour that morning.
  
 
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The best company in terms of organization and punctuality, and the guides are perfect. I will definitely use their services again. As for the experience at Machu Picchu, the guide was exceptional, attentive, and very clear in his explanations—I highly recommend them.
  
 
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I can’t thank Peru Andean Exploor enough for all their care, attention to safety, and, above all, their impeccable organization. They were always very attentive, providing information in advance, and extremely punctual and clear with schedules and instructions. The hotels they chose and the restaurant reservations were excellent, and I can’t help but mention the guides: everyone who took care of us was friendly, attentive, and made our trip even more special and enchanting, beyond the beauty of the gorgeous Inca city. If I could give a thousand stars, I would do so without a second thought! If you want to explore Cusco and enjoy an experience with top-notch service, I recommend Peru Andean Exploor without hesitation!
  
 
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I was very skeptical when I received the offer because it was 20–30% cheaper than the competition, but I found good reviews and decided to go with them. Absolutely everything went perfectly—even better than expected. I led a group of 28 people to Peru, and it wasn’t easy managing such a large group, especially since it was my first time working with this agency. However, I was truly impressed. Two people canceled the trip a month before departure, and the Machu Picchu tickets couldn’t be changed, so we had to buy new ones on the spot. The agency accompanied us from Cusco to Ollantaytambo, and then their staff welcomed us in Aguas Calientes and guided us through the process of buying tickets for the two people who joined later. Incredible service. Very professional and responsible. The guides were good, the buses/vans were good, and the price was very fair. Overall, it was a very positive experience. Highly recommended agency, and I will definitely work with them again for future tours.
  
 
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I highly recommend Andean Exploor. From the moment I arrived in Peru, I was assisted by Yolanda (who helped me book the package). I received full support with transportation for the tours and to the airports, as well as tours that included admission and meals—all while feeling completely safe. They took care of all the logistics for me, and the experience was absolutely worth it. Communication is clear and straightforward, and when any normal travel hiccups arise, we have direct support from them.
  
 
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Yolanda, the coordinator, was always on top of everything, and the guides and drivers were very punctual and responsible.

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