Access to Machu Picchu completely destroyed

Machu Picchu looks set to be out of service for quite some time as the single rail link taking tourists to the ancient Inca citadel has been completely wiped out. Peru’s over-sold main tourist attraction is an example of hyping a single site in a single small area of Peru to concentrate revenue that now looks to be backfiring.

See the amazing photos and videos of the destruction here.

January 28, 2010 | News, Opinion

12 Comments

The changing face of Cusco’s plaza

From sacred imperial capital of the Incas to commercial centre home to American chains like McDonald’s and Starbucks, the face of Cusco is changing with the times.

June 19, 2009 | Cusco Guide, Opinion

17 Comments

The Gringo Tax

Phil from Bolivia Blog explains the concept of the Gringo Tax.
“Although living in La Paz as a gringo is great it can have its problems not least of which is the constant battle against the “gringo tax” that the locals constantly try applying. Whilst not every single local increases the price it is certainly common place as they assume all gringos are rich and they assume all gringos are tourists that don’t know the price of things. A sure sign they are going to ‘up a price’ is when there is a pause after you ask how much something is whilst they weigh up how much they are going to ask for. Don’t be fooled into thinking they are trying to remember how much something is, they are trying to decide how much it is for YOU. “

March 18, 2007 | Opinion

No Comments

Aguas Calientes

Aguas Calientes often calls itself Machu Picchu Pueblo as its sole purpose is to be a base from which to visit the Machu Picchu ruins on the nearby Machu Picchu mountain.

November 8, 2006 | Cusco Guide

No Comments

Problems with INC and Monopolistic Train Travel

From Cusco we planned to take the bus to Pisaq, where we would stay one night and wake up early to see the market before hundreds of old large red day-trippers arrive. From there we would see the rest of the Sacred Valley and arrive in Ollantaytambo, the last town on the road to Machu Picchu from which The Great Peruvian Con game begins, where a monopolistic train company, PeruRail, takes you the rest of the way in low-quality trains for a high price. But all did not go according to plan.

November 5, 2006 | Opinion

5 Comments

Cusco Greed

We arrived in Cuzco at night, with a taxi into the Plaza de Armas, and saw the cathedrals and churches all lit up. It was very beautiful. But that was as far as the wonder and beauty went.

To my great disappointment I finally had something bad to say about a city in Peru. The culture here in Cusco is one of greed and ripping-off tourists in any way possible. This is not limited to tourist-facing businesses – even the Catholic Church is in on the feeding frenzy of the Walking-Wallets…

November 1, 2006 | Cusco Guide, Opinion

2 Comments