Cuzco And The Sacred Valley, Peru
Claro, Movistar, and Bitel are major mobile providers. Obtain a local SIM at major airports (Lima, Cusco) or official stores. Your passport needed for registration. Affordable data packages exist for staying online.
Most hotels, guesthouses, and many restaurants in Ollantaytambo offer free Wi-Fi. Connection quality varies. Larger hotels generally feature more reliable internet.
Spanish and Quechua are official languages of Peru. Quechua common in the Sacred Valley. English spoken by tour guides, hotel staff, and in most tourist-oriented businesses. Less common in local eateries or rural areas. Rosetta Stone Language Learning
Google Translate aids communication. Download the offline Spanish pack before your trip; this operates without an internet connection.
Be aware of typical operating hours and holiday closures during your visit.
Shops generally operate 9:00 AM - 8:00 PM. Many smaller shops close for lunch (1:00 PM - 3:00 PM).
Lunch 12:00 PM - 3:00 PM, dinner 6:00 PM - 10:00 PM. Some establishments open early for breakfast.
Banks typically operate 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM weekdays, shorter hours Saturday. ATMs are accessible 24/7.
Public holidays influence business hours and transportation. Expect reduced services or closures. Inti Raymi (June 24th) significantly changes the region's tourism flow.
The Inca Trail closes for maintenance in February. Some small businesses close or reduce hours during the low season.
Verify operating hours and holiday schedules to avoid unexpected closures.
Navigating local customs with grace enriches your journey.
A simple "Hola" or "Buenos días/tardes/noches" is always fitting. Handshakes for men greeting men. Women greeting women or close friends often exchange a light cheek kiss.
Dress casually for most situations. For churches, religious sites, or traditional communities, dress modestly, covering shoulders and knees.
Wait until everyone at your table receives their meal before eating. Tipping is not mandatory in local eateries, but 10% is common in tourist restaurants.
Always ask before photographing people, especially children, or in rural communities. Use a gesture or "Puedo tomar una foto?"
Engaging with local culture respectfully creates memorable and positive interactions.
Ollantaytambo presents challenges for travelers with mobility needs.
Ollantaytambo's cobblestone streets, narrow sidewalks, and the archaeological site's uneven paths present considerable challenges for wheelchair users or those with limited mobility.
Accessible attractions are very limited. Some newer hotels may have ramps or elevators, but this is not standard.
No widely available dedicated services for travelers with visual or hearing impairments exist. Pre-arranged tours with specific support may be possible through specialized agencies.
General resources for accessible travel to Peru exist online, but specific information for Ollantaytambo is scarce due to the inherent challenges of the ancient infrastructure.
If you have specific accessibility needs, contact a specialized travel agency for tailored arrangements.
