On February 15, Machu Picchu finally reopened for the first time since social unrest in Peru. Entry had been suspended in December and January. Ironically, the closure came after Peru had in July 2022 placed a limit on the number of visitors following the pandemic. In fact, tickets were sold out until mid-August when the Peruvian government made an announcement that the number of visitors had been increased. However, the site is well-known for over-tourism and had, in the past, received more than 4,000 visitors each day. With limits still in place, the closure in December and January hurt tourism in the area, with travelers frustrated about not being able to visit.

Machu Picchu reopens after social unrest

The Inca citadel of Machu Picchu is one of the most popular sites to explore in Peru. Set high in the Andes Mountains above the Urubamba River Valley, it was built in the 15th century but later abandoned. The citadel is known for its sophisticated dry-stone walls that fuse huge stone blocks without the need for mortar. Meanwhile, the intriguing buildings play on astronomical alignments and offer stunning panoramic views.

When all the wonders of the Inca citadel were closed in December and January, many potential visitors were disappointed. However, it was necessary to close it to keep visitors, and the historic site itself, safe.

Machu Picchu finally reopened to visitors on Wednesday, February 15 after the culture ministry said in a statement:

This decision reflects the joint commitment of the institutions that make up the Machu Picchu Management Unit, the municipal authorities of Machu Picchu and Ollantaytambo, directors of the Chamber of Commerce and leaders of social organizations, to ensure the safety of the monument and transport services so that visitors can enjoy their visit.

The Smithsonian Magazine reported that the culture ministry also added that 38 domestic tourists and 45 international travelers were the first to enter. Following this, at least 700 visitors went into the citadel over the course of that day.

About the closure

Social unrest and protests broke out in Peru in December when the country’s president, Pedro Castillo, was ousted and replaced by the then-vice president Dina Boluarte.

Meanwhile, in December, around 300 international visitors were stranded at Machu Picchu. This happened when the train that services the area was suspended. According to PeruRail which operates the tourist train, protesters had blocked and damaged the tracks, making it impossible to run the service.

Some of the first visitors to the UNESCO World Heritage Site on Wednesday were travelers who had to cancel visits in January.

At the time of the closure of the Inca citadel, the Decentralized Culture Directorate and Machu Picchu Historical Sanctuary Directorate, which sells and manages entry passes, announced that it would allow refunds to travelers whose permits were issued for January 21 or later.

Anyone planning a visit to Machu Picchu is recommended to book well in advance due to the limits still in place. Before planning a trip, visit the official website to check the latest ticket status.g