Machu Picchu and Cuzco are served by Alejandro Velasco Astete International Airport (IATA code CUZ). Located approximately 3.4 miles west of Cuzco and 45 miles from Machu Picchu. If you have not booked a private transfer with us then you have a few options.

For visitors who are spending the night in Cuzco, it is about a 20-minute ride to the city center. The airport shuttle services provide a safe and secure ride to your destination. Another option is to schedule a taxi through one of the following taxi Services: Official Cusco Taxi (tel. +51 958 705-156), or Cusco Transfers (tel. +51 958 705 156). Prices are inexpensive, expect to pay approximately S/30 (about $9.25 USD) to reach the Cuzco city center.

For those continuing on to Machu Picchu, take a taxi to the Perurail train station at Ollantaytambo and take the train to Machu Picchu (about $111 roundtrip). The taxi and train ride combined will take about 4 hours.

Yes, the town of Machu Picchu is compact and walkable, and there are no vehicles apart from the buses to Machu Picchu and a few work vehicles. Walking is the only option for getting around Machu Picchu.

Machu Picchu is a safe city to visit. Although violent crimes are not common; theft, pickpocketing, smash-and-grab robberies and purse snatching are common crimes. Electronics (especially cell phones, laptops, cameras, GPS and tablet computers) are the most common targets for theft. Be aware of your surroundings in areas where crowds gather such as soccer matches, concerts and Mercado Centro for example. Where crowds are, there is likely to be pickpockets too.

The currency of Peru is the Nuevo Sol. US dollars are not accepted. Please be sure to have the correct currency on hand or be prepared to exchange your dollars for soles upon arrival. Currency exchange desks can be found at the airport and many locations throughout the city.

The official language spoken in Machu Picchu is Spanish. English may be spoken at your hotel and in the tourist areas, but not everywhere. We suggest you get a good English-Spanish dictionary and familiarize yourself with common phrases such as hello, goodbye, excuse me and numbers 1-10.

No, entry into Peru for U.S. Citizens does not require a tourist visa. The maximum period of stay granted by the authorities is 183 days.

No, the water is not drinkable. We suggest that you carry bottled water with you wherever you travel. Most tourist areas will have bottled water available for purchase. To avoid illness, make sure you don`t eat any raw vegetables or salads that are washed in water.

Peruvian food is among the most varied and some of the best in the world. The national dish of Peru is Ceviche, which is fish marinated and cooked in freshly squeezed lime juice. Other dishes you may want to try are causa, Lomo saltado, anticuchos, and cuy. Popular dessert items to try are a picarones, and suspiro de limena. The national drink of Peru is the Pisco sour, which is a sweet and sour cocktail made with Peruvian pisco (grape brandy) with key lime and simple syrup. If you want a soft drink, try out a Chicha Morada or an Inca Cola.

There are no mandatory vaccines for entry into Peru. Should you wish to visit the Amazon region of the country, the Ministry of Health recommends vaccinations against yellow fever.