Machu Picchu is one of the most impressive places in the world. Its beauty and history make it one of the most desired destinations by people. If you are one of the people who want to visit the Inca city, know that in the last year there have been many changes in the visiting regulations. Find out which are the main 14 objects that you will not be able to take on your visit to the Inca wonder.

• 1. Any stabilization or extension element for filming
• 2. Selfie sticks of any kind
• 3. Umbrellas of any kind
• 4. Backpacks or bags that exceed 40 x 35 x 20 centimeters
• 5. Food (except snacks and mineral water)
• 6. Drugs, illegal substances or under their effects
• 7. Alcoholic drinks or under its effects
• 8. Animals (except guide dogs)
• 9. Aerosols or paints
• 10. Musical instruments, megaphones, or speakers
• 11. Heels or hard sole
• 12. Baby carriages
• 13. Sharp objects or weapons of any kind
• 14. Flags, posters or placards
• 15. Clothing intended for advertising purposes
• 16. Metal-tipped canes
• 17. Drones or similar objects

Machu Picchu is considered a sacred place, so obscene acts or noises are not allowed in the Inca city. It is also not allowed to interrupt the normal development of the tourist circuit carried out by other visitors. Umbrellas and baby cars that disrupt normal traffic are not allowed.

Be aware of objects that you cannot take to the Inca city

1. Stabilization or extension objects for filming

• In Machu Picchu it is prohibited to carry out any type of professional audiovisual filming without the permission of the Puzzled Directorate of Culture Cusco (DDC).
• For this reason professional recording implements such as ‘stabilizers’ or filming extensions are not permitted.
• To obtain the recording permission, an application must be sent via email to the corresponding authorities of the DDC.
• Family recordings and personal photos are allowed in authorized areas. Remember that Machu Picchu is one of the most photographed places in the world on Instagram.

2. Selfie sticks of any kind

• Machu Picchu receives more than 1.5 million tourists a year. On many occasions this causes congestion of visitors in specific places. It is for this reason that selfie sticks are prohibited as they can cause increased congestion of visitors, especially in specific areas.
• Selfies in Machu Picchu are allowed but in adequate areas with little visitor traffic. For example in the so-called ‘Casa del Guardián’ from where visitors can take the classic postcard photo of Machu Picchu.

3. Umbrellas of any kind

• The structure of an umbrella makes it hinder the traffic of visitors in some specific areas of Machu Picchu. For this reason, these rain gear is prohibited.
• Instead of an umbrella, authorities recommend wearing a rain poncho, which does not interfere with visitor traffic in the Inca wonder.
• There are exceptional cases where the authorities can allow umbrellas through Machu Picchu. For example, in case of coming with babies. Still, wearing a rain poncho is recommended.

4. Backpacks or bags that exceed 40 x 35 x 20 centimeters

• Backpacks are necessary in Machupicchu since they allow you to carry personal items and use both hands during the trek through the mountains and difficult sections of the Inca city.
• However, to avoid disrupting tourist traffic, backpacks should not be large or heavy. It is recommended that they do not exceed the dimension of 40 x 35 x 20 centimeters.
• If the dimension exceeds these measures, there are lockers at the entrance door of Machupicchu where it is possible to leave unnecessary objects during the visit.
• If during the walk the security personnel notice that the tourist is carrying a backpack that prevents the transit of other visitors, they will invite the person to leave the backpack in these lockers and thus continue their tour of the Inca city.

5. Food (except for snacks and drinks)

• Machu Picchu is considered a sacred place that must be taken care of. For this, the authorities decided to prohibit the consumption of food that could contaminate the place. No visitor will be able to sit down to lunch in the Inca wonder set this is not a picnic.
• Currently only drinks and snacks such as cookies are allowed. Of course, tourists must save their garbage and dispose of it at the exit of the Inca city. Inside Machu Picchu there are no garbage cans.

6. Drugs, illegal substances or under their effects

• As in any sacred place that is’ a World Heritage Site, to improve the experience of visitors, it was arranged that tourists who enter Machu Picchu with drugs or under its effects will be expelled from the archaeological site without place for re-entry.
• It is worth mentioning that there were cases of visitors who entered Machu Picchu under the influence of drugs, causing fights and embarrassing scenes in the Inca city.
• At the Machupicchu control gate there are security personnel who are responsible for inspecting the condition of each visitor.

7. Drink alcoholic beverages or smoke

• The consumption of alcoholic beverages is not allowed inside Machu Picchu. Likewise, the entry of people intoxicated is also not allowed. If one of these cases is detected, visitors will be expelled from the archaeological site without re-entry.
• In the same way, neither smoking nor vaping is allowed inside the Inca city of Machupicchu. Cigarette fire can cause fires to occur. Cigarette smoke can annoy other visitors.

8. Animals (except guide dogs)

• Due to the sacred character of Machu Picchu, visitors will not be able to enter the Inca city accompanied by domestic or non-domestic animals.
• The only exception is the cases of people who need a guide dog for their normal transit. These cases are exceptional.
• Remember that within the natural area of Machupicchu you can find llamas as well as other non-domesticated species such as vizcachas, birds and, even, the famous spectacled bear.

9. Aerosols or paints

• Making pints on any wall or structure of Machu Picchu constitutes a crime against the Cultural Heritage of Peru. As a consequence, the visitor will be denounced before the pertinent authorities.
• For this reason, it is prohibited to enter Machu Picchu with aerosols or any type of paint that may cause pints or graffiti within the Inca archaeological site. Inside Machupicchu there are security cameras that protect the place against this type of attack.

10. Musical instruments, megaphones, or speakers

• In Machu Picchu it is prohibited to make any type of sound that disturbs the sacred character of the archaeological site. Thus, the entrance to the Inca city with musical instruments, megaphones or speakers is not allowed.
• It is also forbidden to jump, whistle, clap or any kind of noise that disturbs the tranquility of visitors.
• The security personnel inside Machu Picchu have the authorization to call the attention to the visitor who commits this lack. If the tourist continues to engage in the same conduct, he will be expelled from Machu Picchu without re-entry.

11. Heels or hard sole

• The number of tourists visiting Machu Picchu increases year after year. Due to the excessive number of visitors, the soil of the Inca city sinks approximately 15 centimeters per year.
• In order to better conserve the soil of the archaeological site, it was decided to prohibit the entry of tourists with high heels or shoes. Only people with shoes or slippers of soft or rubber sole are allowed.
• Likewise, other measures were implemented, such as the installation of draining grills in some points on the ground of Machupicchu.

12. Baby carriages

• The characteristics of the soil of Machu Picchu and the agglomeration of visitors do not allow the transit of baby cars. Thus, it is forbidden to enter the Inca city with these cars. Instead it is recommended to carry backpack-type chargers.
• At the entrance door to the archaeological site there is a place to store objects such as baby carriages. Although it is difficult to go to Machu Picchu with children, there are many alternatives to enjoy the trip.

13. Sharp objects or weapons of any kind

• In order to guarantee the safety of all visitors, it is prohibited to enter Machu Picchu with any type of sharp object or firearm.
• If security personnel detect that a tourist has one of these prohibited objects, it will be confiscated and returned upon leaving the archaeological site.
• If the tourist participates in fights or threats using sharp objects or firearms, they must face the corresponding complaints.

14. Flags, posters or placards

• Tourists will not be able to enter Machupicchu with banners, posters, posters or similar propaganda objects.
• The pennants are for the exclusive use of the tour guides who are in charge of a group of more than 5 visitors.
• If security personnel become aware of a person using a banner or placard, they will invite them to keep it. If the visitor commits the offense again, the prohibited object will be confiscated and the subsequent return upon leaving the archaeological site.

15. Clothing intended for advertising purposes

• Machu Picchu is a famous place in the world for which there are many people who want to use its image for advertising or even political campaign purposes.
• However, all clothing for advertising purposes are prohibited in Machu Picchu. If they notice this, the security personnel are authorized to draw the visitor’s attention.
• In case it is discovered later that Machu Picchu was used for advertising purposes, the authorities of Peru will proceed judicially.

16. Metal-tipped canes

• Metal-tipped canes are prohibited in Machu Picchu since they damage the soil of the Inca city. Senior tourists or those with physical disabilities may carry rubber-tipped canes, which are allowed.
• Security personnel are authorized to draw the visitor’s attention to the use of metal-tipped gowns. If the tourist continues to use this prohibited object, they can confiscate it and return it at the exit door of the archaeological site, once the circuit has ended.

17. Drones or similar objects

• Drones or similar objects that fly over Machu Picchu airspace are prohibited. Only drones authorized by the Peruvian Ministry of Culture can fly over the Inca city.
• If tourists use drones in Machupicchu, they will be denounced by the Peruvian Ministry of Culture and will have to face a judicial process.
• The use of kites or toys that disturb the normal development of the visit in Machupicchu are also not allowed.

Advice from people who have been there

Machu Picchu

By: Andrea O

“Magic place“

“Amazing experience, it exceeded all my expectations. Awe and incredible sensations take over you once inside. The structures are wonderful. After touring the city with your guide, you can, no, you must take time to admire and fill yourself with energy.“

By Ticket Machu Picchu – Last updated, July 14, 2020