Cusco Scams to Avoid in 2026 (Peru)
Cusco's proximity to Machu Picchu brings fake train and bus ticket sellers, overpriced tour packages, and children in traditional dress demanding large amounts for photographs.
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Last updated: April 2, 2026
Overpriced Machu Picchu Ticket Broker
Touts and unofficial "agencies" in Cusco sell Machu Picchu entry tickets at inflated prices or on fake platforms that mimic the official site. Tickets are extremely limited and the scam exploits the real difficulty of obtaining them.
📍Tourist agency streets near Plaza de Armas in Cusco, including Calle Plateros and Avenida El Sol, as well as hostels and travel agencies in the San Blas neighborhood
How to avoid: Book Machu Picchu tickets only at culturacusco.gob.pe (official Peruvian Ministry of Culture site). Book months in advance for peak season.
This scam type is also documented in Buenos Aires and Lima.
3
High Risk
6
Medium Risk
2
Low Risk
Cusco · Peru · South America
Open map →📍Where These Scams Are Most Active in Cusco
Specific areas and landmarks with the highest concentration of documented incidents.
Overpriced Machu Picchu Ticket Broker
Tourist agency streets near Plaza de Armas in Cusco, including Calle Plateros and Avenida El Sol, as well as hostels and travel agencies in the San Blas neighborhood
Fake Machu Picchu Train Tickets
Streets near Cusco bus station, Wanchaq district, and around the Poroy and San Pedro train stations used for the Machu Picchu rail service
Fake Altitude Sickness Medication
Around Plaza de Armas and the surrounding streets in central Cusco, particularly near pharmacies and market stalls on Calle Plateros and Calle Mantas
Altitude Sickness Medicine Overpricing
Plaza de Armas in central Cusco and nearby streets including Calle Heladeros, Calle Loreto, and tourist-facing clinics and pharmacies within a two-block radius of the main square
Shoe Shine Boy Double Team
Busy pedestrian areas near Plaza de Armas in Cusco, including Calle Plateros, Calle Mantas, and the area around the San Pedro Market
Counterfeit Entry Tickets for Inca Sites
Streets near the COSITUC office on Avenida El Sol and around the entrances to Sacsayhuamán, Qorikancha, and other Boleto Turístico sites in and around Cusco
These areas are safe to visit — knowing the setups in advance makes them far easier to recognize and avoid.
Street-level scams are most common in Cusco
3 documented street scams target tourists near major attractions. Unsolicited approaches, "free" gifts, and distraction techniques are the main patterns — confidence and pace help.
How it works
Touts and unofficial "agencies" in Cusco sell Machu Picchu entry tickets at inflated prices or on fake platforms that mimic the official site. Tickets are extremely limited and the scam exploits the real difficulty of obtaining them.
How it works
Touts on streets near Cusco's bus station sell counterfeit Peru Rail or Inca Rail tickets at a discount. The tickets fail verification at the Poroy or San Pedro station and tourists must buy legitimate tickets at full price with no refund.
How it works
Pharmacies and street sellers near Cusco's main plaza sell fake or substandard altitude sickness medication (acetazolamide/Diamox) to desperate tourists. Placebos leave travellers seriously ill at altitude.
How it works
Pharmacies and "altitude clinics" near the Plaza de Armas charge tourists $30–80 for altitude sickness medication (acetazolamide/Diamox) and oxygen that costs a fraction of that price at regular pharmacies.
How it works
A shoe shiner approaches and begins polishing your shoes without permission, then demands a large payment. If you refuse, an accomplice appears to support the demand or stage a distraction to steal from you.
How it works
Unofficial vendors sell counterfeit Boleto Turístico passes (the combined ticket for Cusco's main archaeological sites) at a slight discount. The fake tickets are rejected at turnstiles.
How it works
Unofficial taxi drivers waiting inside and immediately outside Alejandro Velasco Astete International Airport quote fares of 80–150 soles for the 20-minute ride into central Cusco when the standard rate is 25–40 soles. Drivers claim a flat "airport fee" or "tourist price" is mandatory and that metered taxis are unavailable at the airport. Some will lower the price mid-negotiation but still charge double the going rate.
How it works
Around Cusco's Plaza de Armas and the San Blas neighbourhood, some restaurants display attractive set-menu prices on outdoor boards to lure tourists inside, then present a different, higher-priced menu once seated. The original advertised price may 'not include' items that were clearly shown, or the menu brought to the table simply has different prices altogether. Disputes are often met with aggressive insistence that the tourist misread the board.
How it works
Money changers and market vendors around San Pedro Market and Avenida El Sol pass counterfeit 50 and 100 sol notes to tourists making purchases or exchanging currency. A second method involves counting out change quickly and short-changing by 10–20 soles, relying on the confusion of a crowded market environment. Counterfeit bills are convincing under dim indoor lighting.
How it works
Children in colorful traditional Andean dress with llamas or alpacas near Cusco's Plaza de Armas pose for tourist photos, then demand $5–20. Some children become very persistent and follow tourists for blocks.
How it works
Women and children in traditional Andean clothing with baby llamas near the Plaza de Armas offer tourist photo opportunities, then demand payment and become aggressive if the amount is insufficient.
Cusco Safety — Frequently Asked Questions
What scams target tourists in Cusco?
Are taxis safe in Cusco?
Is Cusco safe at night for tourists?
Which areas of Cusco should tourists be most careful in?
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If you're visiting more than one destination
Similar scam patterns are active across the South America region. Before visiting Medellín, Bogotá, and Montevideo, review each city's guide — tactics vary and local setups differ even for the same scam type.
Editorial note: Scam warnings for Cusco are compiled from government travel advisories (US State Dept, UK FCDO, Australian DFAT), verified news sources, travel community reports, and traveler-submitted incidents. All entries are reviewed for accuracy and local specificity before publication. Read our full methodology →