Peru/Machu Picchu/Cuzco suggestions
 

Hi ,
I've read many of the helpful posts here. My trip is for 8/11-8/18 and have more questions that some of you may have answers:

8/11 arrive Lima (noon) - Hilton Miraflores
8/12-8/13 explore Lima
8/14 fly to Cuzco, direct to Urubamba (hotel San Agustin), explore SV,
8/15 Machu Pichu (hotel TBD)
8/16-8/17 explore Cuzco
8/18 morning flight Cuzco to Lima then LAX

1) I was planning to stay in Urubamba and then a different hotel in Aguas Caliente. Mostly because I perceive a long day will want to rest sooner and not spend 1.5 hours back to Urubamba. Does this make sense? If I stay at Aquas Caliente, where can I find a hotel that has a room for 2adults/2 kids? Sumaq hotel pictures shows it can do it but all booking sites including their own seem to limit to 3 occupants. No reponse from inquiry to Sumaq yet.

2) Where can I buy a sim card for my phone that will have data service so I can use the internet when wifi not available?

3) from Lima airport to Hilton, will the taxis hold 4 passengers including luggage or should I plan private xfers?

1. Do stay in Aguas Calientes overnite. That way you can get the most from your trip to MP. Use Tripadvisor to find a hotel--Sumaq looks to me to cost way more than I would spend for a hotel. There are quite a few others that look good for a fraction of that price--you could book two rooms for the price of one at Sumaq.

No idea on No.2.

3. I'd book ahead and make sure to get a big enough vehicle. Taxis around the airport are "iffy" (that is, don't get one at the curb). Having someone meet you after a long flight (probably at midnight or so) with a vehicle you know will fit your needs would take a lot of worry out of it.

Taxi Green is the official taxi service at the airport. You can make a reservation online to be sure to get a van. The taxis are not standard sizes and while some might do for 4 people, others may not.

http://www.taxigreen.com.pe/drupal/reservas

The "iffy" taxis are outside the airport. The official Taxi Green has a kiosk inside the airport near the exit from customs.

You might also ask Hilton what they charge for a pickup.

I actually don't think it makes a lot of sense to stay in Aguas Calientes for the one night after you've seen MP. If you think you'll be ready to leave earlier, take an earlier train.

Thank you for your helpful info. We decided not to stay in Aqua Calientes. We also could not figure how to get our luggage there given that the one train that allowed luggage was sold out.

Anybody out there with ideas for #2
2) Where can I buy a sim card for my phone that will have data service so I can use the internet when wifi not available? Mostly interested in the data service.

4) How late can I safely visit in Ollantaytambo before grabbing a taxi to Urumbamba?

What were you thinking of doing in Ollantaytambo? Even though there are now many more hotels, it still shuts down pretty early.

I think last entry for the ruins is around 4 pm, by memory. And it gets dark early as well (near the equator). Like by 6pm this time of year.

Ollantaytambo is safe, as long as there are trains returning there will be taxis.

I don't know if you have looked at options other than your hotel in Urubamba but sometimes you can find family rooms in Ollantaytambo.

As for the SIM card I have always just used the hotel WiFi, so can't help with that question.

I think last entry for the ruins is around 4 pm

the last entry was at 5 pm when we were there in March. I don't know if that differs by season.

For Ollantaytambo, we'll be getting back from the trains around 4:30 and wanted to have dinner and walk around the town. So glad to hear your feedback about early shutdown. Guess we'll eat and walk fast.

Still hoping somebody out there has info about sim card.
Thx

For what it's worth, and this may not work for your phone, I went to Claro at one of their many, many street kiosks and bought a SIM card. I took care of this on the main drag in Miraflores where you'd have a hard time NOT passing a Claro booth on nearly every block, but not all of them sell SIM cards. The bigger ones do.

Your best bet for a data enabled SIM card would be to visit any of the Claro or Movistar shops. Your best bet will be to get this sorted out in Lima and go to an official shop as opposed to one of the many kiosks.

Depending upon whether your phone has a normal or Micro sim it may be necessary to cut down a normal sim to fit your phone. get the shop to check your data and call plan are activated and working BEFORE you leave the shop.

The OP went in August of 2014?