Tour & Activity Scams in Cusco, Peru
Unlicensed guides, fake tickets, bait-and-switch excursions, and ticket scalping. Below are the tour & activities scams reported in Cusco — how they work and how to avoid them.
For broader context, compare this scam type with nearby destinations like Buenos Aires, Lima, and Medellín.
Last updated: April 2, 2026
3
Tour & Activities Scams
11
Total in Cusco
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
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.
See all scams in Cusco
11 total warnings across all categories