Peru to end Machu Picchu advance digital ticket reservations

The Peruvian government has announced the elimination of advance digital reservations for Machu Picchu to address a crisis in the ticketing system. Minister of Culture Alberto Beingolea stated that the current digital platform has been overwhelmed by users booking tickets that they ultimately do not use, preventing other tourists from accessing the site.

An analysis of approximately 210,000 reservations revealed that 131,626—roughly 62.9%—were subsequently canceled. This practice has resulted in significant difficulty for international visitors attempting to secure entry, with some unable to find available tickets until December.

Within ten days, the new system will require tickets to be nominal and linked to specific user identification. While the measure aims to improve the visitor experience and ensure demand can be met, officials confirmed that capacity limits will still be respected. Additionally, 1,000 physical tickets will continue to be sold daily in Machu Picchu Pueblo and Aguas Calientes.