Should You Go to Peru?

Question

Lots of history,lots of layers of civilizations.Populated by very proactive people yet civil towards each,with a refreshing sense of decorum.BUT as a tourist with a language barrier--unlike--me, it's not worth it. And I'm a regular traveler to PE.The Peruvian gov't has let tourism go to their heads.Fleecing tourist is the norm anywhere,but $40 entrance fee to Macchu Picchu?I been to national parks world-wide and never paid that much.Don't misunderstand:$40 isn't that much.I spend that on coffee weekly.It's the principal.It was $20 for my friend who is a native of Cuzco.If I hadn't invited her,she could never afford it.Charge me $40 if she and other Peruvians don't have to pay.In addition, you pay $12 roundtrip for a bus ride on a dirt road (same one from 10 yrs. back).Apparently the excessive entrance fee is not enough to pave it with concrete.No docents or park rangers to tour and educate you. Apparently excessive fees are everywhere in Peru with a tourist attraction.No,it's pay,pay..

Answer 1

Tourism does pay for a lot of things governments need, plus you chose to go there. Nobody forced you to pay. Now, I've been to Peru and usually you have to haggle a lot to get a reasonable price, especially if you are a tourist because vendors take advantage of the language barrier and they think you are rich. Basically, if you can't change the price, and it bothers you that much, don't go!

Answer 2

I have to disagree with you, based on national statistics. In the year 2006,  65% of the tourism in places like Cuzco and Machu Picchu were peruvians. Only 35% were international tourists (Ministry of tourism census published in El Comercio newspaper). Thanks to the new fees, the parks are better conserved and security is much much better. There are more people working in the sites and cultural places so it demands more salaries to be paid.

You talk about the language barrier: in places like Cuzco, Puno all tourist guides learn english as a must as they need to cater for tourism around the world so they do speak english. Any fee like 20 dollars will be expensive for someone who doesnt have a decent salary but 90% of people living in Cuzco live from the tourism and therefore the "expensive" fees cover their salaries for them and all of their families.

In any country in the world (including US) there are poor people who cannot afford going to holidays. Or are you going to tell me that everyone in the States can afford the 80 dollar fee to enter DisneyWorld for one day? There are lots of american people who cannot afford road trips due to expensive gas prices.

I am not talking ill about any country here, I am just making a comparison and saying that regretfully (and here I agree with you, culture should be free to people) not everyone can pay an entree fee to a place. However, in this case (Machu Picchu) that high entre fee feeds lots fo natives.

Answer 3

So, in other words, as rich Americans you prefer we should be entitled to exploit these poor countries?

Entrance fees pay for conservation work, archaeological research, and wages and benefits of the National park service employees.  You should feel privileged to pay your share!

Answer 4

If it will be well-suited and fine for you then go.. But if you think it's unrighteous then you know what move you'd choose... The important thing there is that you will be happy, are happy, and were happy doing the trip... :-) That's all that matters..

Answer 5

not really people in peru can afford tourism

Answer 6

I think that is very fair to pay entrance fee to Machu Picchu and pay it in any other national park in Perú, like for example the National Park of the Manu ( in the amazon jungle) where the entrance fee cost around $150, Peru is a country with a very limit found  destined to the touristic areas as it has so many problems to solved like poverty that has the priority, so it is the only or the most big income that these wonderful areas have destined to it conservation, this is not the Smithsonian.

so you have to be understanding and think that your money is going for a very good cause and you are helping.

then Perú is wonderful is so different from the rest of Latin America, it has culture, history, spectacular sightseeings, monuments, different regions, Andes mountain, beach, Amazon jungle, is a paradise, the food is so great too, so anyone who didn't go yet, what are you expecting?

Answer 7

I agree with you. People from Peru can't enjoy the history of their own country because they "can't afford it". That is very sad. Hope the peruvian government can resolve this matter.

Peru is a beautiful country, and I dare to say that is the country with more history and culture in America. There are hundreds of places to visit, and so much history to learn.

I love Peru.

Answer 8

Totally disagree with you. If money is an issue, simply stop traveling and believe me, you'll save a lot!. I paid $100 which includes the train ride and the entrance to Macchu Pichu and It's worth the money. If you say you spend $40 in coffee p/week why the complaint then?, because you're drinking an "American coffee" and Cuzco-Peru isn't as fancy as Las Vegas so it isn't worthy ????????.I still don't get to your point. Hope next time you try the Camino Inca, only 4 days walking and waaaay cheap.

Answer 9

Hey, look... Tourism is the second income to this country! It's no doubt about it! I agree that the entrance fee to Machu Picchu is so expensive but if you have ISIC card, you will get discount 50% or 20$! I think it's worth to pay for it! If I have to compare with going up to the empire state building which I had to pay for 17 bucks but Machu Picchu is also one of the most a must see in South America. It's the only one major inca ruin in the region and also going to be new 7 wonder of the world why shouldn't you pay for ...just 40$! For the bus, another option for you if you don't want to pay is to trek up to the site by yourself!! :)  I disagreed with you about language barrier - looks I'm Thai...and I don't know how to speak Spanish at all but as a traveller you should adapt yourself because you have decided to explore to another country so you should do like the local does! I also try to practise Spanish when I got on the taxi though! Sometime, I feel like some tourist attraction costs too much, I solve it by listing the thing that I wanted to visit most but if it's not necessary to see, I just don't go there! One more thing, when I was in Paracas, and there was no ATM at all...I had to pay for a car ride to Pisco for ATM back and forth for 7$!! I felt so frustrated about it but I just left it there and I didn't thing about it too much. Because if you just took some little things into your account,  you won't be happy to travel at all!

Answer 10

Why complain if you know you are going back??