If visiting Peru's famous Incan citadel of Machu Picchu has always been on your to-do list, now might be the time to actually head there. After a seven month-long closure due to COVID-19, the destination is officially reopening to international tourists this Sunday, November 1.
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Of course, safety measures are in place: admission capacity will be limited to 30% (that amounts to about 675 visitors a day), guests will have to wear masks, have their temperatures taken before entering and they'll have to abide by social distancing measures. Only those above 12 years old will be let in and groups of eight people or less (including a guide) will be allowed to enter together. Also: you'll have to visit the site on four pre-established circuits.
Some goods news: although tour packages usually cost around $750, companies are now offering them for as low as $250. A steal, given the circumstances.
The destination's months-long closure was a big deal. In fact, Machu Picchu only shut down once since first opening in 1948. That happened in 2010, in reaction to an intense period of almost incessant rain.
According to the Associated Press, the site drew in 1.5 million visitors in 2018 alone. Although that many people unfortunately won't be able to experience the grandiosity of the destination in the upcoming months, things are looking up. Here's to hoping we'll return to a semblance of normalcy in the near future.
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