Cusco sees surge in visitors as Inti Raymi festival and Machu Picchu capacity rise

Each year the Inti Raymi festival on June 24 draws between 100,000 and 150,000 tourists to Cusco, Peru. To accommodate the influx, JetSMART will operate 55 weekly flights between Lima and Cusco from June 15‑25, providing more than 16,000 seats at ultra‑low fares.

Starting June 19, the high‑season limit at Machu Picchu is being raised from 4,600 to 5,600 visitors per day, according to Ministerial Resolution 285‑2025‑MC. The increase aims to meet growing demand while authorities stress the need to protect the site and improve ticket‑sale procedures, which currently involve a mix of online bookings and in‑person sales that cause long queues.

Both measures reflect a broader effort to boost connectivity and manage the surge of domestic and international travelers attracted by the region’s cultural heritage and popular landmarks such as the Sacred Valley and Sacsayhuamán.