11:12 | Urubamba (Cusco region), Jul. 9.
Peru will maintain the maximum daily entry of 5,600 people to the Inca citadel of
Machu Picchu while a new technical study is conducted to determine the site's visitor capacity. The study is expected to be completed in 2026,
Deputy Cultural Heritage and Cultural Industries Minister Moira Novoa announced.
"We are working on conducting the capacity study, because since last year new routes have been implemented —something that did not exist in previous years— and this study will provide us with a new visitor limit, which will be made public in 2026," the official told Canal N.
The Deputy Minister of Cultural Heritage also confirmed that part of the entry tickets to the site will continue to be sold in person, although real-time information will now be provided so that visitors can check availability before arriving at the ticket office, helping to prevent long queues like those seen in recent days.
Moreover, the Peruvian government official stated that the conservation of the archaeological site has not received any observations from UNESCO and that its heritage value remains intact.
"We have the responsibility and duty to preserve our wonder of the world," she emphasized.
New protocol to be announced on July 10
Last week, the Ministry of Culture announced that it will unveil a new protocol for the sale of tickets to Machu Picchu on Thursday, with the aim of improving the management and in-person distribution of entry tickets.
The announcement was made during the participation of Culture Minister Fabricio Valencia in the third regular session of the Machu Picchu Management Unit's (UGM) Steering Committee. It was presided over by Cusco Region Governor Werner Salcedo, who also serves as the committee's chairman.
One of the topics addressed at the meeting was the in-person sale of 1,000 tickets per day, a measure aimed at "boosting the local economy without affecting online sales, which continue through the official TuBoleto platform," according to the Ministry.
At that time, Valencia stated that there is no formal proposal or technical support for the alleged increase in Machu Picchu's daily visitor capacity to 27,000 people, as claimed in recent media reports and social media posts.
He reiterated that the current daily access limit —set at 4,500 people during the low season and 5,600 during the high season— is based on technical studies approved by the Peruvian State and aligned with conservation criteria for the site, which is a World Cultural Heritage Site.
(END) EFE/MAO/MVB
Published: 7/9/2025