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Peru set to increase entrance to Machu Picchu by 150%

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Entry prices are expected to increase from US$40 to US$100.

© LIP

(LIP-jl) -- The entry price for Peru's most renowned tourist attraction, Machu Picchu, is slated to increase from US$40 to US$100, representing an increase of 150%.

According to the President of the Cuzco Region, Hugo Gonzalez Sayan, the increased ticket price will only be applicable to foreign tourists.

"If they (foreign tourists) currently spend up to US$500 on lodging and transportation to get to the Incan sanctuary, then you can see that tourists are capable of paying more than US$40," stated Gonzalez.

Gonzalez also informed that the money earned from current ticket prices is not enough to maintain the Incan citadel. According to Gonzales, the additional revenue will be used to make much needed improvements in and around Machu Picchu, as well as increasing the impact on the local economy.

The proposed price hike is currently being evaluated by Peru's Ministry of Foreign Trade and Tourism, and the National Cultural Institute.

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# Martha Mendoza says :
22 February, 2007 [ 14:43 ]

I understand that the ruins need care and maintenance, and I'm all for that.  But for the officials to bleed tourists because "they can afford" it, in my opinion, only perpetuates the idea that Americans (or Japanese) are wealthy and "they can afford it." 

This is the same idea that perpetuates the ubiquitous counterfeiting of currency, the strong hustling in the Plaza, the pick pocketing, robberies, kidnapping, and over inflating of prices for ALL goods, from cab rides, to silver trinkets, to food.   

# Martha Mendoza says :
22 February, 2007 [ 14:44 ]

While I was in Cuzco this last time, I was tricked out of $100, and I'm sure it was because the guide thought "we could afford it."  Even a small child dressed in traditional garb insulted me when I gave her "only" 20 centavos after taking a picture of her.  Ten years ago I was infused with thanks.  This time, the seven-year old called me a name which I can't specify here because your system thinks it's inappropriate content.  Excuse me?  Is it because she thinks I can afford more and that she deserves more?  The bottom line is that it's tourists like me that are giving everyone a living.  I would have hoped to have been more appreciated.

As an American I work hard for my money.....I don't appreciate foreign tourist ministers or Cuzco guides or seven-year-olds thinking that I can afford more because they think I can.  There is a complete disconnect between maintaining and preserving Incan ruins and overcharging tourists because they think we can afford it. 

# Martha Mendoza says :
22 February, 2007 [ 14:46 ]

The President of Cuzco Region has shown his hand and it's distasteful. The truth is if they want to protect the ruins they've got to limit the traffic (but I still don't think that's the ultimate goal).  If the ultimate goal is to preserve the ruins, that means the Orient Express has to limit the trains.  And Cuzco has to limit the BUSLOADS of tourists that come in.  Why doesn't the President of Cuzco Region talk with the orient express/peru rail and bus lines?  I'm sure it's because of money -- again, not preserving the ruins. 

It's tragic when the overriding principal is "how we can get MORE money from tourists."  There is a strong backlash when there is a huge increase in tourists to any region, and that is exactly what Cuzco (and Peru as a whole) is facing.  One of the biggest backlash is money-hungry thinking, like what I'm hearing in this news post, and like the one from the child in traditional dress. 

I'd strongly suggest that the President of Cuzco ponder that concept before going after hard earned money from tourists. 

# Joe says :
22 February, 2007 [ 15:19 ]

Martha,

I totally understand your point and I appreciate your honesty.  I too am very disappointed by the position of the Peruvian government on this matter.  Instead of taking a more appreciative position towards tourists, they will probably alienate scores of potential return tourists such as us.

Joe

# Matt says :
22 February, 2007 [ 15:32 ]

What a joke! $100.00 to visit Machu Picchu! These people don't understand economics! Tourists are going to be turned off by this price gouging and go to other site's like Cambodia's Angkor Wat.  Angkot Wat Charges $20.00 and it is far more interesting than macho picchu. If I sold a snickers bar for .25 cents then rasied it to $1.00 because people can afford it... I would sell half as many bars, and I wouldn't make any more money. $100.00 only for "strangers with white skin" sounds like discrimination!! I'm sending in a request to have a new charge at the statue of liberty go from $5.00 to $50.00, only to people from Peru!  They can afford it with all the money they are making off Machu Picchu.

# wendell says :
22 February, 2007 [ 15:56 ]

I peru would sieze and sell just 10% of the cocaine that they sieze, they could make the entry free. This is dispicable.

# Francisco says :
22 February, 2007 [ 19:06 ]

It is an absolutele disgrace. Life in Peru under Garcia becomes less and less comfortable for expats and tourists alike (Barranco alcohol ban and now this insulting and indeed discriminating new MP price). 

How can we fight this as normal (expat) citizens?

At least, I suggest strongly to BOYCOT MP in this current NEW 7th WORLD WONDER CONTEST (which is a commercial thing by itself anyway) http://www.new7wonders.com
As a good expat citizen I almost voted for this 'new' cashcow of Alan's mob gang... VOTE FOR ANY OTHER HISTORICAL SITE INSTEAD!

Good to read there are more fans of Cambodia's Angkor Wat in Peru here on the forum (indeed MUCH more interesting!!); I will vote for it.

# Matt says :
22 February, 2007 [ 19:43 ]

Not only did I get conned out of $100 myself, but while in Cuzco I was robbed (digital camera), got violently ill from something I ate, and a potentially-rabid dog bit me on the bum!  Aside from meeting some amazing travelers and an awesome time on the Salkantay Trek, the area was a disaster zone.  From stories I've heard, others have had similar experiences there, some slightly better, some worse. 

Raising the price of admission is unjustly prejudiced against foreign travelers.  Couple that with all the other problems that aren't addressed and they will see a drastic decrease in visitors, backpackers, and tourists.

# JUAN BLAKE says :
23 February, 2007 [ 09:58 ]

I AGREE WITH MATT. BUT GREED DOES NOT STOP AT MACHU PICCHU, IT IS ALSO PRESENT AT THE AIRPORT WHEN DEPARTING. THE SO CALLED TOURIST TAX. MAYBE THIS IS WERE THE MACHU PICCHU CROWD ARE PICKING UP THE GREED INCENTIVE.

# alex says :
24 February, 2007 [ 04:41 ]

there are many things wrong with this $100 fee they wanna charge. First of all, is there any show going on within premises?.....or a rollecoaster?....they don't have half naked chicks inside holding pitchers of cold beer, do they?
Hell no!
i pay $175 to get into the Hustlers Club every friday  and there are no old dusty stones or cheesy smelling europeans hanging around with stupid little camaras. Sorry but they should charge $0 to get into MP, if they wanna get any money for maintenance, let's charge american double what they already pay for a gram of coke or purple marihuana, after all, that's what capitalism is all about right?
By the way, i thin that the National Geographic has hundreds of pictures of thirld world country kids taken all over the world in the last  4 decades or so for people to keep doing it 'till this day. I gave a shady homeless 1 buck a week ago, and he told me he needed $5!!!!....five of my hard earned dollars!!.....I told him, "go to peru and pose for a foreigner looking to practice his camara shooting skills" ta-ta folks!

# jim says :
3 March, 2007 [ 11:11 ]

we all know how greedy they are when i first went to peru 3 years ago  you got in a taxi and agreed a price now after you arrive in the taxi the price goes up by 2 or 3 soles not that i pay the extra  they just think all gringos are fools and will pay what they ask, when i want to buy something i get my peruvian wife to buy it and  they will say 10 soles when i ask them 2 minutes later they will say 10 dollars , got in to a taxi at the airport  he said 25 soles  when i arrived he said 25 dollars and i paid him 20 soles , he sat out side the  house for an hour  wasting his time  as it was not were i lived haa haa   ,i never have been to  machu picchu and i will never go if they charge100 dollars  and as my peruvian wifes sister said they might not be able to speak english but the can understand english ,

# deecree says :
4 March, 2007 [ 09:27 ]

A friend of mine in Cuzco asked a taxi driver to continue up the street to where he lived, as agreed. The taxi driver refused, insisting that this was close enough. My friend, with child, got out and refused to pay. The driver jumped out in a threatening manner, argueing. My friend responed by throwing and unknown handful of loose change across the hood of the car and walking off.

Once in Cuzco, my taxi pulled into a gas station as it was running low. The driver, with no money, asked me to pay from my fare - and it did.
On arrival at the destination, we stoped and he asked again for my fare, which I had already paid in full. Reminding him that I had already paid, he said, "no - that was for gas"

In Cuzco, some distance from the center, a Peruvian and I walked into a cheap S./3 menú establishment advertising the price out front. When sitting down we were handed the menu to make our choice for each course. There were also several menus to consider, some costing S./5 with more food. Asking what she recommends, the helpful waitress suggested the "tourist menu". Interesting, we thought, what does it come with? "The same as the basic [S./3] menu", she said, "but its for tourists - it costs more", she with no shame. My Peruvian girlfriend protested at me being charged double for the same - in a restaurant. "Dont worry, you can have it for S./3", she said, refering only to her.

# Barb Goldman says :
6 March, 2007 [ 21:03 ]

Outrageous. How could the Peruvian authorities

arrive at such an absurd and obscene decision to

charge this exorbitant fee to enter the Inca

city in the sky ?

Well, it went like this:

If millions of Americans and foreigners from around the

world, pay $100 a head to see Donald Duck, Goofy,
Mickey, and the rest of the gang, while being walked
through a phony, magic castle, and other "fantasies" then,
these tourists, should be willing to pay 100 bucks to see
the real thing. A true "wonder" of the world.

But these peruvians may have still underestimated the potential. 
Maybe, they should target another type of tourist. One that would
willing to pay, say, $250 to visit the ruins, and in so doing limit
the traffic on the site, while still maintaining the revenue.

Barbara  Goldman

# Kevin Greenwood says :
7 March, 2007 [ 02:06 ]

It's unfortunate that Machu Picchu is being equated with Disneyland.  It is a national treasure of which Peruvians, especially the indigenous people, can be proud.  If there is a comparison to make in the US, which lacks the far advanced culture of 800 years ago, it would be what is charged in the US to see the Statue of Liberty, Yellowstone Park, Independence Hall in Philadelphia, the giant redwoods of California and the ancient cliff dwellings of the Anasazi people in New Mexico.  These are treasures and sources of pride that the USA posseses, and the prices are resonable so that these treasures can be maintained, but also so that everyone from school children to adult US citizens, to aliens living in the US to tourists from the richest and poorest countries can afford to see them.  If the Cuzco Region needs money, limiting access to Machu Picchu to the wealthy, will probably reduce overall tourism/income greatly and the goodwill and friendship that comes as tourists experience the magic of Machu Picchu, the warmth of the Peruvian people and the awe that is inspired by Cuzco, the heart of the Inca Empire.  Someone is clearly short-sighted in their thinking.

# pedro says :
26 March, 2007 [ 07:39 ]

the first time  i went to cuzco you could see mostly everything for free, to go to MP not need much money only luck to find a spot on the train only 2 classes of train, never saw anyone asking for money people were nice to the visitors, i never forgot that, that was 1979, i was very (joven) young, been to cuzco and MP another 5 times, everything change went tourism increase, offer and demand, 12 years ago i went to see ANGKOR WAT in siem reap  cambodia, THERE WERE only 4 hotels, 3 weeks ago i saw more the 100 hotels with big avenues, koreans and europeans killing each other to take photos of this place, yes for 3 days pases US$ 20, but if you were caucasian can of coke 1 US$, lucky me i paid the color price, 0.30 US$, in India the same i saw my wife paid a botle of water US$0.50 i paid 0.10 at the next stop and THE TAJ MAHAL IS maravilloso, better the ANGKOR WAT AND  any place in EUROPE OR USA,so THERE YOU ARE 2 EXAMPLES the not only peruvian people will try to take you honestly and hard earning  money. I agree US$ 100 is to much but why we do not protest to the NATIONAL GEOGRAPHY MAGAZINE, they have some business with MP, maybe thay can do something.
i am peruvian love my country, but everytime this president get elected the price increase in everything, good luck GRINGOS remenber to see the coral reef in cairns australia for 1 day tour you have to paid AU$ 65 plus lunch,drinks,etc.
and probably you will get rip off anywhere just cause you are a gringo, ENTIENDES
SORRY FOR MY ENGLISH, MY JAPANESE IS BETTER 

# Jonathan Jones says :
2 April, 2007 [ 11:06 ]

I take student groups to Peru and the whole MP experience - train, bus, entrance fee - is the most expensive part of the trip, by far.  Jamaica once was a destination for some of our groups; however, we grew weary of the hassles and dropped the Jamaica course.  Our Peru course is already our most expensive due to the need for air travel between in-country destinations, ridiculous airport departure fees on each flight, and the cost of MP.  This newest price hike might signal the end of our Peru course.

# Cindy says :
2 April, 2007 [ 14:31 ]

...I was thinking really hard about this.  I'm 20, from Buffalo NY. 
$Forty Dollars huh..  I pay $150 for my Nikes, $250 for good seats at a Hockey game.  Around $60 for me and a friend at the Cheesecake Factory.
$40 buys 4 days of cigarretes, or 1 night's supply of liquor at a small get-together,or a haircut, or 2 new CD's after taxes, or One night at the arcade...etc.
Now you're telling me that it used to cost $40 for Machu Picchu!!!!
What a Joke! Peruvians were really under-selling themselves.I have to compare the value of these things I do fairly regularly, with what it used to cost to go to an incredible historical site, a once in a lifetime experience.  Athough it seems like the price change was so sudden, abrupt and by a fairly large scale, and seemed crazy to me in the beginning, now that I think about it, it makes perfect sense.  Especially now, when there are so many tourists going, the experience of Machu Picchu should be left to those who would make it a priority and would not mind having to save the extra money because they feel its worth it.  It's not that I couldn't afford the $100, it's just that $40 sounded so much better, and it would take more effort to let $100 go.
Now, I wanted to go to FIU, they charge florida residents $3,382.02 per year, and everyone else $ 15,812.60.  I would've had to pay the lattest, this is a 467.5% increase !!! and most colleges do this,so this concept of different price ratios is nothing new.  Even if you go to NYC, they will try to charge tourists higher prices, it's all too common in the U.S.
It's very simple, if you can't afford it you don't do it, or you work harder and you make an effort to visit the site, it will probably take a little longer.  Then again those who can't afford it, or don't think it's worth it,or don't want to pay the price, will simply just not go, and do a favor to the over-visited site. 
There are always things or places, some will be able to afford and some won't, sometimes the price set on something determines the value that people will give to it.  Many of us seem to believe that Machu Picchu is only worth $40 bucks, maybe we should re-evaluate this notion.