How Chinchero Airport Will Change Sacred Valley Property Values
Elisban Gonzales
Real Estate Specialist
4 min read
Quick Answer
The Chinchero International Airport will give the Sacred Valley direct flight access, eliminating the 60 to 90 minute drive from Cusco and positioning property values to increase an estimated 30% to 60% after opening.
Key Takeaways
- 1The new airport replaces Cusco's aging facility and will handle wide body jets with direct international flights
- 2Property values in the Sacred Valley are projected to rise 30% to 60% in the years following the airport opening
- 3Historical precedents from Cancun, Queenstown, and Tulum show airport access drives significant real estate appreciation
- 4Hospitality properties like hotels and restaurants stand to benefit most from increased visitor traffic
- 5Current Sacred Valley land prices remain a fraction of comparable tourism markets worldwide
A new international airport is under construction in Chinchero, Peru. It sits just 15 minutes from Urubamba and under an hour from Ollantaytambo. When it opens, the Sacred Valley will go from a side trip off Cusco to a primary destination with direct international access. For property investors, this changes everything.
The Chinchero Airport Project
Peru's government has committed billions of soles to the Chinchero International Airport (IATA code: still pending). The project replaces the aging Alejandro Velasco Astete Airport in Cusco, which cannot accommodate larger aircraft due to its short runway and high altitude location inside the city.
Chinchero sits at approximately 3,700 meters elevation on a wide plateau. The new facility will feature a runway long enough for wide body jets, a modern passenger terminal, and capacity to handle millions of travelers per year. Direct flights from Lima, other South American capitals, and eventually North American and European cities are all part of the long term plan.
Construction has faced delays over the years, but the project has strong political backing and active investment. Current projections target completion within the next few years. Ground work and infrastructure development are well underway.
Why This Airport Matters for Real Estate
Right now, reaching the Sacred Valley requires flying into Cusco, then driving 60 to 90 minutes through winding mountain roads. The Chinchero airport eliminates that friction. Travelers will land directly in the Sacred Valley. That single change has massive implications for Chinchero airport real estate and the surrounding towns.
Consider what happened in other markets when airports opened or expanded:
Cancun property values surged after its international airport became a major hub.
Queenstown, New Zealand saw real estate prices climb steadily as its airport added international routes.
Tulum land prices multiplied as the new Felipe Carrillo Puerto airport neared completion.
The pattern is consistent. Airport access drives tourism volume. Tourism volume drives demand for accommodation, dining, and services. That demand pushes Chinchero airport property values upward.
Price Projections for the Sacred Valley
The Sacred Valley is still in an early stage compared to established tourism real estate markets. Land in Urubamba and Ollantaytambo sells for a fraction of what comparable parcels cost in Mexican resort towns or Southeast Asian hotspots.
Industry observers expect property values in the Sacred Valley to increase 30% to 60% in the years following the airport opening. Properties closest to the airport and along the main tourism corridor between Chinchero, Urubamba, and Ollantaytambo will likely see the sharpest gains.
Hospitality properties stand to benefit the most. Hotels, hostals, and restaurants that serve international visitors will see higher occupancy rates and stronger revenue. The math is simple: more flights means more visitors means more demand for beds and tables.
What Smart Investors Are Doing Now
The window to buy at pre airport prices is closing. Savvy investors are already acquiring land, operating businesses, and development sites in the Sacred Valley. They understand that the best returns come from positioning before infrastructure arrives, not after.
Perfecto Homes has several Sacred Valley properties that represent exactly this kind of opportunity:
Predio Victoria offers prime land positioned for future development or appreciation.
Hostal Qhispicay in Ollantaytambo is an established hospitality business that will benefit directly from increased visitor traffic.
Hatuchay Valle Restaurant in Urubamba sits in the commercial heart of the valley, perfectly placed for the tourism boom ahead.
Risks to Consider
No investment is without risk. The airport has experienced construction delays before. Peruvian politics can shift priorities. And global tourism is subject to external shocks. These are real factors.
That said, the fundamentals remain strong. Peru's tourism sector has recovered well from past disruptions. Machu Picchu continues to be one of the most visited sites on earth. And the Sacred Valley's appeal goes beyond any single attraction. The climate, culture, cuisine, and landscape create lasting demand.
The Bottom Line
The Chinchero airport will be a turning point for Sacred Valley real estate. Properties purchased today at current valuations have significant upside potential once direct international flights begin. The historical pattern from comparable markets is clear.
If you are considering a move into Sacred Valley investment property, the time to act is before the runway opens. Perfecto Homes can help you identify the right opportunity and navigate the buying process in Peru. Call (916) 878-7260 or browse our Peru listings to get started.
