Reaching the top of Machu Picchu and not being able to post the photo on Instagram is the modern nightmare. Cusco is a well-connected city, but the Inca citadel and the more remote valleys are a challenge for your phone.
Here’s the Tari Tours guide to staying online on your trip through the Andes.
1. How to stay connected in Cusco (the city)
Forget international roaming. The cheapest and most reliable option is to buy a local SIM card.
- Local SIM card. The best options are Entel, Claro and Movistar. You can easily buy and activate one at Cusco airport or at the official stores on the Plaza de Armas.
- Cost. A 1 to 2 GB data plan is usually quite cheap and enough for a week.
- Free Wi-Fi. Most hotels, restaurants and cafés in Cusco’s historic center have free Wi-Fi. Use these networks for large downloads and save your mobile data for emergencies and getting around.
2. Signal in the Sacred Valley and on treks
The farther you get from Cusco, the spottier the signal.
- Ollantaytambo and Aguas Calientes. Most hotels and restaurants in these towns have Wi-Fi, but the connection can be slow because of their remote location.
- On treks. On the Salkantay Trek or the Inca Trail, forget about Wi-Fi. There’s no phone signal at the high mountain camps. You’ll only get a spotty signal in some lower valleys (such as Santa Teresa).
Tip. Before leaving Cusco, download offline maps (in Google Maps), plus movies or books.
3. The reality at Machu Picchu (the Inca citadel)
Is there Wi-Fi at Machu Picchu? Yes, but with a lot of limitations.
- Signal. Inside the citadel, phone signal is very weak or nonexistent with most carriers.
- Wi-Fi spot. There’s a public Wi-Fi spot near the main entrance and the restaurant area. The signal is weak, but it’s enough to send a quick message or post a photo.
- Best place to post. The best signal is in the base town, Aguas Calientes. Post your photos and videos from there before you catch the train back.
Share your trip
With a local SIM card and a little planning, you won’t be left out of touch.
Doing a trek or going to Machu Picchu?
We’re a local agency in Cusco, registered with MINCETUR since 2003, with English-speaking guides. We’ll tell you which carrier has the best signal on your route, and we organize your Machu Picchu tour or your trek.