Coronavirus Situation: Is Machu Picchu Open And Safe For Tourists? [Latest Update]

If you’re planning to hike to Machu Picchu, you probably have lots of questions about the current Coronavirus situation in Peru.

• Are there travel restrictions in Peru?
• Do I need a negative Covid-19 test certificate?
• Will I have to quarantine on arrival in Peru?
• How safe is it to travel to Peru at the moment?

In this article, you’ll find the latest information on the Coronavirus situation in Peru and its impact on travellers looking to hike the Inca Trail or looking for things to do in Machu Picchu.

Machu Picchu Coronavirus Situation FAQs

Is Peru currently open to tourists?

Yes, Peru is open to international visitors, but restrictions are currently very tight.

Here is the latest update from the US Embassy in Peru and the UK foreign office.

The most important facts are:

• If any international travellers are currently unvaccinated for the Coronavirus, they will need to present a negative Covid-19 test (which must be less than 3 days old) upon entry at all major ports in Peru.
• At present, all Peruvian land borders are closed to international travellers. Only Peruvian citizens and foreigners living in Peru are currently able to use ground transportation to cross in and out of the country. 
• International travellers are only required to quarantine should they test positive for Covid-19 upon entry in Peru. They will need to quarantine in their reserved accommodation, or one provided by the Peruvian government (which is usually the Villa Panamericana).  
• Visitors to Peru may end their quarantine after 7 days if they take a PCR test on their 6th-day in-country and the result is negative. If they receive a positive result for the Coronavirus, they will need to continue quarantine for the full 14 days.
• Visitors to Peru can take a Covid-19 test while in the country. Private hospitals and laboratories as well as the Peruvian Ministry of Health (MINSA) are currently administering Coronavirus tests. Test results are usually available after one (1) business day. 
• Machu Picchu is currently open to the public and visitors don't need to wear face masks during treks or tours through the ruins or any other outdoor spaces. However, government officials have asked that visitors still carry hand sanitizer and maintain social distancing to keep themselves and others safe. 
• Visitors to all parts of Peru are required to wear face masks when using public transportation with 2 or more people in a confined space. 

How do I get to Peru during Covid-19?

You can get to Peru during Covid-19 by local or international flights, which are available again.

Most flights are going in and out Lima as per usual with some Coronavirus regulations still in place. Some of these Covid-19 regulations include wearing two face masks (cloth and surgical) and carrying your flight documentation at all times. 

LATAM Airlines has recently resumed both domestic and international flights in and out of Peru. They have also resumed their flights from Peru to Brazil as well as created new direct routes from Lima to Miami in the United States. 

JetSMART Airlines is also offering domestic flights throughout Peru. 

Do I need a negative Covid-19 test to travel to and from Peru?

Yes, you do need a negative Covid-19 test to travel to and from Peru. All travellers need to present a negative Covid-19 PCR test that isn't more than 72 hours old when they enter all major Peruvian ports.

How do I get a Covid-19 test in Peru?

It is possible to get a Covid-19 test in Peru. It’s also likely that you will need a negative Covid-19 test result to return to your home country. If you are in Cusco, there are a few Coronavirus-related centres where you can go tested. 

Here are two options available in Cusco below. 

Clinica Peruano Suiza

It’s recommended that you call and book an appointment ahead of time at the Clinica Peruano Suiza. The clinic is open 24/7, but the lab is not. The test is conducted via nasal swab, and you should get your results the next day. You’ll get an electronic copy of your results, and you can drop by the clinic to receive a hard copy.

Pardo Clinic

Pardo Clinic is a walk-in clinic, so you do not need to make an appointment. However, you can call to find out how long you can expect to wait before getting tested.

Some travel agencies offer transportation services to the testing site, as well as test result collection when it’s ready. 

At the moment, the test costs about $150 and payment can be made via credit card at the testing site.

What constitutes a valid Covid-19 test result?

According to guidance from UK and US authorities, a molecular PCR test for the SARS-CoV-2 infection needs to be done to achieve a negative and valid Covid-19 test result. 

Every country has slightly different policies on Covid-19 test certificates though, so make sure you check your country's regulations before travelling to Peru.

The Covid-19 certificate itself needs to clearly state:

• The first and last name of the passenger as stated in their passport.
• A negative or ‘not detected’ test result.
• The date and time the passenger was tested. This needs to be no more than 72 hours prior to arrival. 
• The name and contact information of the laboratory or institution that conducted the test. 

What is the current Coronavirus situation in Peru?

At present, the Coronavirus situation in Peru is mostly under control. The wearing of face masks is only required indoors and while using public transportation. While land borders are still closed to foreigners, most flights in and out of Peru (mostly through Lima) have resumed as per usual. 

You can visit websites of the US Embassy in Peru and the UK foreign office for the latest information. You can also see some other non-government resources for updates on the Coronavirus situation in Peru above. 

Is it safe to travel to Peru?

In terms of the Coronavirus situation, it is relatively safe to travel to Peru if you have already been vaccinated or have already had Covid-19 as this reduces some of the risks. With that said, travelling during a global pandemic is still challenging. 

There has been a new travel advisory issued to all international travellers (particularly US citizens and government personnel). This new travel advisory warns visitors to Peru of increased levels of crime (muggings, carjacking, assault etc.) and terrorism, particularly along the Peruvian-Columbian border in the Loreto region. 

With crime and the Coronavirus in mind, international travellers should take care when visiting Peru. It is also a good idea not to travel alone wherever possible in unfamiliar parts of Peru; also make sure that you know the relevant phone numbers for emergency services. 

What measures have Peru put in place to curb the pandemic?

The Peruvian government seems to understand the gravity of Covid-19 and has done much to curb the spread of the Coronavirus pandemic. They’ve pretty much followed the lead of other countries like the US and the UK by restricting movement between countries and regions within Peru up till now (12 October 2022). 

Land travel is still strictly monitored and mainly restricted for the time being. Those using air travel are also strictly monitored, particularly with carrying the right flight documents and wearing face masks in airports. Tourists are required to have negative Covid-19 tests from the country they’re flying in from and are only required to quarantine for 14 days if they test positive for Covid-19 upon arrival in Peru.

Those working in the tourism industry are required to follow strict hygiene measures such as obeying social distancing rules, providing hand sanitiser, travelling at less than 50% capacity and of course, frequent hand washing. However, these regulations have been mostly relaxed during 2022. 

Vaccine roll-out began in Peru in April 2022 and the country is on track to vaccinate most citizens by summer in December 2022.

Where can I find more information on travelling to Peru?

For more information on travelling to Peru and the Coronavirus situation, I would recommend checking out the official Machu Picchu website. You can also follow travel guidance provided by the UK Foreign Office or the US State Department for Travel.

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