Aguas Calientes, Peru: travel guide
River-gorge town at the foot of Machu Picchu, reached by train
Also called Machu Picchu Pueblo — the small river-gorge town at the foot of Machu Picchu, reachable only by train or foot, where visitors overnight before the citadel.
About Aguas Calientes
Aguas Calientes, also called Machu Picchu Pueblo, is a small town in a narrow river gorge below the Inca citadel of Machu Picchu. It can be reached only by train or on foot, and it is where most visitors stay before their visit to the ruins.
The town is made up of steep streets, restaurants and hotels along the railway and the Urubamba River. Beyond the citadel itself, you can visit the Museo de Sitio Manuel Chávez Ballón, the artisan market, and the butterfly house, and soak in the thermal baths that give the town its name. Many travellers take the early bus up to the site or walk the steep path.
Aguas Calientes suits anyone visiting Machu Picchu, and a night here allows an early start. The dry season from May to September is the most popular, while the wetter months from November to March are greener and quieter.
- Country
- Peru
- Currency
- PEN
- Time zone
- America/Lima
Last updated
Top places to visit in Aguas Calientes
Machu Picchu Citadel
archaeological site · 4.9 rating · about 3 h · check the fee at the gate
The 15th-century Inca citadel set on a mountain ridge above the Urubamba valley — Peru's marquee attraction and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Entry is by timed ticket along fixed circuits; the Huayna Picchu and Machu Picchu Mountain climbs…
Aguas Calientes Thermal Baths
hot springs · 3.8 rating · about 1.5 h · check the fee at the gate
The natural hot springs that give the town its name, a short uphill walk from the main street. A cluster of warm mineral pools popular for soaking tired legs after the citadel or the Inca Trail.
Mariposario de Machu Picchu
butterfly house · 4.2 rating · about 1 h · check the fee at the gate
A butterfly house and conservation centre on the road toward the citadel bridge, showcasing native cloud-forest butterfly species and breeding programmes.
Putucusi Mountain Viewpoint Trail
hiking trail · 4.0 rating · about 3 h · check the fee at the gate
A steep, free hiking trail up Putucusi mountain offering a dramatic alternative view across the valley toward Machu Picchu. The route includes near-vertical wooden ladders and is often closed or hazardous when wet.
Museo de Sitio Manuel Chávez Ballón
site museum · 4.1 rating · about 1 h · check the fee at the gate
The site museum near the foot of the road to the citadel, displaying artefacts recovered from Machu Picchu and interpreting Inca construction and daily life. Includes a small botanical garden.
Plaza Manco Cápac
town square · 4.0 rating · about 0.5 h · check the fee at the gate
The main square of Machu Picchu Pueblo, anchored by the town church and a statue of the Inca Pachacutec. The social heart of the town, lined with restaurants and shops.
Mercado Artesanal
craft market · 3.6 rating · about 0.8 h · check the fee at the gate
The large handicraft market travellers pass through on the way from the train station, packed with alpaca textiles, souvenirs and Andean crafts.
Things to do
- Machu Picchu Guided Tour Cultural · 2.5 h · from PEN 160 per person
- Sunrise at Machu Picchu Sightseeing · 5 h · from PEN 200 per person
- Huayna Picchu Climb Hiking · 3 h · from PEN 220 per person
- Machu Picchu Mountain Hike Hiking · 3.5 h · from PEN 200 per person
- Aguas Calientes Thermal Baths Soak Nature · 1.5 h · from PEN 20 per person
Day trips and tours
- Machu Picchu Full Day from Aguas Calientes 7 h · from PEN 420
- Machu Picchu + Huayna Picchu Combo 8 h · from PEN 560
Where to stay in Aguas Calientes
- Centro (Aguas Calientes) about PEN 80 per night
The compact town below Machu Picchu — stay here to catch the first morning buses up to the citadel.
Hotels
- Belmond Sanctuary Lodge 5-star · PEN 3,800 to PEN 6,500 per night
- Inkaterra Machu Picchu Pueblo Hotel 5-star · PEN 1,500 to PEN 2,600 per night
- Sumaq Machu Picchu Hotel 5-star · PEN 1,400 to PEN 3,800 per night
- El MaPi by Inkaterra 4-star · PEN 600 to PEN 1,100 per night
- Supertramp Hostel Machupicchu 2-star · PEN 45 to PEN 220 per night
Where to eat
- Indio Feliz French, Peruvian, Fusion · about PEN 70 per person
- The Tree House Restaurant International, Peruvian, Andean · about PEN 75 per person
- Mapacho Craft Beer & Peruvian Cuisine Peruvian, Andean, Pub · about PEN 60 per person
- Café Inkaterra Peruvian, International, Andean · about PEN 120 per person
- Toto's House Peruvian, Andean, Buffet · about PEN 65 per person
- Chullpi Machupicchu Restaurante Peruvian, Novoandina, Fusion · about PEN 110 per person
Getting to Aguas Calientes
Nearest airport: Cusco (CUZ), about 76 km away in a straight line. The road or rail journey is longer.
How visitors arrive in Aguas Calientes
- PeruRail train Ollantaytambo to Machu Picchu Pueblo By train from Ollantaytambo · common
The only practical way in is by train from Ollantaytambo; PeruRail (and other operators) run it. The operator names the town Machu Picchu Pueblo. Source: perurail.com
- Bimodal bus plus train from Cusco By road from Cusco · common
Some PeruRail departures combine a bus from Cusco with the train from Ollantaytambo or Pachar. Source: perurail.com
Getting around
- Shuttle
Aguas Calientes has no road for regular traffic; shuttle buses up to Machu Picchu are essentially the only vehicles, and the route can also be walked.
- Walking
Safety and scams to avoid
Bus-queue line cutting & touts
Consettur bus queue, Av. Hermanos Ayar
Touts or pushy individuals slip into the long morning bus line ahead of waiting tourists, or offer to "hold a place" for a fee. Some claim the queue is for ticket-holders only to extract money.
How to avoid it: Join the back of the official queue, keep your printed bus ticket ready, and ignore anyone offering to speed you up for cash.
Overpriced restaurants with street touts
Av. Pachacutec & main street
Hosts aggressively pull tourists into restaurants with "free pisco sour" or discount promises, then the bill arrives padded with cover charges or higher-than-menu prices.
How to avoid it: Check the printed menu and confirm prices before sitting; favour established places like Indio Feliz or Mapacho and ignore hard-sell touts.
Fake or unlicensed guides at the entrance
Machu Picchu citadel entrance
People posing as official guides approach near the gate offering cheap tours, but lack the SERNANP/MINCUL licence and may abandon you or give inaccurate information.
How to avoid it: Hire guides through your hotel or a registered agency, and ask to see their official guide ID card before paying.
Inflated taxi/transfer fees at Ollantaytambo
Ollantaytambo station (gateway to the train)
Drivers at the train gateway quote sharply inflated fares to Cusco or the Sacred Valley to arriving/departing Machu Picchu travellers.
How to avoid it: Agree the fare before getting in, or pre-book a transfer; know the typical collectivo rate to Cusco.
Best time to visit Aguas Calientes
- Jan 21°C
- Feb 21°C
- Mar 21°C
- Apr 22°C
- May 22°C
- Jun 22°C
- Jul 22°C
- Aug 23°C
- Sep 23°C
- Oct 23°C
- Nov 23°C
- Dec 21°C
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Frequently asked questions about Aguas Calientes
- What are the top-rated places to visit in Aguas Calientes?
- The highest-rated places in our Aguas Calientes guide are Machu Picchu Citadel, Mariposario de Machu Picchu, Museo de Sitio Manuel Chávez Ballón, Putucusi Mountain Viewpoint Trail, Plaza Manco Cápac.
- Where should I stay in Aguas Calientes?
- Our guide covers these areas to stay in Aguas Calientes: Centro (Aguas Calientes).
- How do I get around Aguas Calientes?
- Ways to get around Aguas Calientes covered in our guide: Shuttle, Walking.
- What scams should I watch out for in Aguas Calientes?
- Scams reported to us for Aguas Calientes include Bus-queue line cutting & touts; Overpriced restaurants with street touts; Fake or unlicensed guides at the entrance. Each is explained in the guide, with how to avoid it.
- What is the weather like in Aguas Calientes?
- Average daytime highs in Aguas Calientes run from 21°C in Jan to 23°C in Sep.