Is Machu Picchu Safe? Everything You Need To Know For 2025

Is Machu Picchu Safe?

Quick Answer: Overall Machu Picchu is a very safe site to visit, and especially when preparing well and knowing what rules to follow when exploring the sacred site.

Whilst the ancient citadel is located on top of a mountain, there are clear safety ropes outlining the path which we must follow. As well as this there are plenty of park rangers around to keep order, and also to deal with any local animals if they are around. Of course there are some considerations that you will personally want to follow before and during your visit, which we will cover later in this guide.

If heading with an organized Machu Picchu tour then your head guide will remind you of the most important rules when entering the site, which is both for your safety and also for protecting the site for future generations to enjoy.

Is It Safe To Travel to Machu Picchu Right Now?

As of this current time, there are no issues with visiting Machu Picchu, and you’ll have both a memorable and safe trip when here. Of course issues (mostly political) can seemingly happen at random, however these are mostly strikes and rarely ever get confrontational. Even then if you are still worried, there will most likely be news about these events potentially happening beforehand – which you can probably find online reports of.

Whilst other common risks are possible, they are still very low and rarely affect tourists. Even if you did get some altitude sickness or trip and fall over, there are park rangers and officials right there to help you on-site.

Staying Safe In Machu Picchu During The Dry Season

The most popular time for a visit to Machu Picchu, the dry season starts in May and lasts until late October.

During this time the site is dry most days, which makes it less likely to slip on the stone steps (which can be a risk during the wet season). Of course you’ll still want to wear adequate footing and clothing beforehand, and also to use sunscreen given burns are more likely with the clearer sunny skies.

Given the dry season is the most popular time for a visit, there will be more crowds than usual. For this reason it’s important to follow rules such as following the right direction, and not passing ropes to skip queues (which are there for your safety and to protect the archaeological site).

Staying Safe In Machu Picchu During The Wet Season

It’s of course important to mention the changes to the archaeological site when the wet season arrives, which begins in November and lasts up until April.

During this month rainfall is common, which can sometimes make stone paths slippery. For this reason it’s important to wear adequate footwear, such as hiking boots with good tread. Also be sure to walk slowly, and to follow the ropes along the paths as always.

Whilst landslides and flooding can be an issue on certain treks in the region during the wet season, Machu Picchu is completely safe given it is being constantly maintained by a team of park rangers and conservationists.

Is Altitude Sickness A Problem In Machu Picchu?

When preparing a trip to Cusco, we usually hear about the high altitudes and how they affect travelers. And within the city this can be common, given it lies at an altitude of 3399m (which is common for mild symptoms to appear).

However Machu Picchu is located at a much lower elevation of 2430m, where getting altitude sickness is much more unlikely. Of course it can always still happen, but the chances are slim – and in any case there symptoms will be very mild such as headache or nausea. If you are worried then you can drink Coca Leaf Tea or take altitude sickness medications for extra peace of mind.

If you are heading on one of the multi-day treks that lead to Machu Picchu, then this is a different case. These include the Four Day Inca Trail Hike, the Salkantay Trek as well as the Lares Trek which all often go above 4000m in altitude. Altitude sickness is much more common at these higher altitudes, so you’ll want to prepare properly beforehand and follow all recommendations.

Your Main Considerations For How To Stay Safe In Machu Picchu

Following The Rules Of The Archaeological Site

Since the discovery of Machu Picchu, there have always been some rules to follow when visiting. Not only do these protect the archaeological site for years to come, however are also in place for travelers to stay safe too. These include not passing the ropes, not leaving waste here, not leaning on stone structures as well as not using selfie sticks when inside the archaeological site. Many of these rules are also similar to the Inca Trail Rules in case you are hiking this before arriving at the sacred site.

Avoiding Food Or Water Illnesses 

It’s important to remember not to drink tap water wherever you are in Peru, and this is the same case when at Machu Picchu (or more likely in the town of Aguas Calientes below). Always buy bottled water which is safe to drink, and another extra tip is to avoid asking for ice in your drinks too. When it comes to food safety, most restaurants are fine – although if you’re new to Latin America then we would recommend being cautious with street food (unless going with someone who knows the locale well).

Preparation For The Outdoors

There are several things you’ll want to prepare for before coming to Machu Picchu. Firstly there is the hot sun, which is actually more intense at these higher altitudes (so you’ll want to keep reapplying sunscreen and to bring a hat). Wearing hiking boots is ideal as there are lots of stone steps to traverse, whilst you’ll also want to wear bug spray as there can be insects like mosquitoes in specific areas at certain times of the day.

Keep Up To Date With Current Events

Whilst all of the other factors above are more or less in our control (or at least we still have a choice with these), there are sometimes external events that we need to consider and plan for. For example, political issues can sometimes cause the railway to close or for demonstrations to occur, so it’s a good idea to keep your eye on current political events in Peru. Again even if they happen whilst you are there, the area is still protected by local police and park rangers so you will always still be in safe hands.

Machu Picchu Safety FAQ

Below we’ll now answer some of the frequent questions we get about how to stay safe in Machu Picchu, as well as anything else important that you need to know.

What Is The Risk Of Machu Picchu?

The main risk for both the ruins and tourists is irreversible damage caused by people not following the site rules. This includes leaning on stone structures, or passing ropes and standing in areas which are not considered safe by both archaeologists and park rangers. Again it’s important to follow the rules of the site which you’ll be reminded of upon entry.

Do I Need Oxygen For Machu Picchu?

Located up at 2430m above sea-level, Machu Picchu rarely causes the need for oxygen (unlike other higher sites and treks around the Cusco region). Whilst it’s still possible to get altitude sickness here, the usual symptoms at this level are very minor, and are usually headaches or a bit of nausea. You can easily avoid this by following the standard altitude sickness tips which include drinking Coca Leaf Tea.

Will I Get Sick In Machu Picchu?

There’s a very little chance of getting sick within the ruins themselves, however if you do then it will be from your previous actions the days before you entered. For example, drinking unsafe water could cause delayed sickness, which can easily be avoided by only drinking from sealed bottled water and not ordering ice with your drinks. We also recommend using bug spray too in case you have any particular allergies with insects.

Is Machu Picchu Safe For Travelers?

Yes, Machu Picchu is safe for all travelers to visit, and the vast majority of visits have absolutely no issues when here. The most common issue will actually be sunburn, so it’s important to keep reapplying sunscreen and wearing a hat. If you’re really susceptible to burns, then it may be a better idea to head here in the very early morning when the sun is at its weakest.

Overview Of Whether Machu Picchu Is Safe

And that’s all for this guide on if Machu Picchu is safe to travel to.

This formidable ancient site was one of the most important for the Inca civilization, and since its rediscovery it has become the most popular site to visit in Peru. Overall the archaeological complex is safe to walk around and explore, although there are both rules and personal considerations that are worth exploring before your visit.

Are you looking to explore Machu Picchu? Here at AB Expeditions we operate several tours to Machu Picchu which include a professional knowledgeable guide, as well as all logistics and transport to and from Cusco.