Peru's Economy
Machu Picchu and Tourism
How Machu Picchu and Peruvian cuisine attract tourists, visitor limits to protect the site, and the economic importance of tourism for Cusco.
Machu Picchu is Peru’s most famous attraction.
History
A 15th-century Inca citadel, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1983.
Visitor limits
Daily ticket caps protect the site, with timed entry.
Cusco
Tourism is central to Cusco’s economy: hotels, guides and crafts.
Cuisine
Peruvian food like ceviche draws visitors; Lima restaurants like Central have been ranked the world’s best.
Disruptions
Political protests in 2022-23 closed Machu Picchu temporarily.
The timed ticket
A tourist books a timed Machu Picchu ticket months ahead, as daily visitors are capped.
Thinking unlimited visitors are good
Caps protect the site.
Key takeaways
- Machu Picchu is a UNESCO site since 1983.
- Daily caps protect it.
- Cusco depends on tourism.
- Peruvian cuisine attracts visitors.
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