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Voykit pocket guide · Peru
Maras
Do a half‑day visit to the salt pans and Moray, then stay in Urubamba – go if you have a spare morning.
Maras is a small town in the Sacred Valley, useful mainly as a base for the Salineras salt pans and Moray agricultural ruins. One morning is enough; overnight stay is not possible in town.
- Country
- Peru
- Best months
- May–Sep
- Avoid
- Jan–Mar (rainy season)
- Stay
- 0 nights
Checked 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change; anything marked (check) is not confirmed.
Essentials
- Currency
- PEN
- Money
- Currency is the Peruvian sol (PEN, S/). Cards work in hotels and larger restaurants in Lima and Cusco; markets, small towns, taxis and entrance fees in villages need cash.
- Daily spend
- Budget S/30–45 excl. bed · Mid S/45–70 excl. bed · High S/70+ excl. bed (estimate; check)
- SIM and data
- Claro, Movistar, Entel and Bitel sell prepaid SIMs; register with your passport at official shops.
- Emergency
- Police 105 · Fire 116 · SAMU ambulance 106
- Plugs
- Types A, C · 220 V · 60 Hz · US devices need to be dual-voltage (most chargers are).
- Tipping
- Restaurants: About 10% if service is not included.; Inca Trail porters and cooks: Per the operator's guidance; pooled at the end.; Guides: S/ 20–50 per person for a day tour.
- Water
- Not safe from the tap; bottled or filtered.
- Toilets
- Paper in the bin; carry tissue and coins for public toilets.
What things cost
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Salineras entry | S/10 |
| Taxi to Moray (one way) | S/3–15 |
| Bus to Moray turnoff | S/1 |
| Simple meal | S/10–12 |
Desk estimates, checked 2026-09; check locally.
Get in
By air
- CUZ · Alejandro Velasco Astete International Airport (Cusco)
- Bus or taxi 1 h to Maras
Typical fares
- Bus Urubamba → Maras turnoff
- ≈ S/1 per passenger, 10‑15 min (check)
- Taxi Maras → Moray
- ≈ S/3–15 round trip, 30 min each way (check)
Show 7 more sections and the pocket cardHideGet around, See and do, Sleep, Phrase card, Etiquette, safety and scams, One and two days, Sources, Pocket card
Get around
Buses between Urubamba and Chinchero stop at the Maras turnoff; taxis from the turnoff to Moray (≈13 km (8.1 mi), 30 min) or to Salineras (≈2 km (1.2 mi) walk). Walk or bike if you like.Buses between Urubamba and Chinchero stop at the Maras turnoff; taxis from the turnoff to Moray (≈8.1 mi (13 km), 30 min) or to Salineras (≈1.2 mi (2 km) walk). Walk or bike if you like.
See and do
Known for
- Salineras salt pans
- Moray agricultural terraces
Day trips
| Where | How | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Salineras salt pans | Walk 2 km (1.2 mi) from Maras centre along the road; about 30 min each wayWalk 1.2 mi (2 km) from Maras centre along the road; about 30 min each way | ≈1 h total |
| Moray ruins | Taxi from Maras turnoff, ≈13 km (8.1 mi), 30 min; bus drop‑off also available for S/1Taxi from Maras turnoff, ≈8.1 mi (13 km), 30 min; bus drop‑off also available for S/1 | ≈1 h total |
| Chinchero | Bus from Maras turnoff continues to Chinchero; about 20 min | ≈30 min |
Sleep
- Urubamba
- Closest town with hostels and hotels, 5 km (3.1 mi) north of MarasClosest town with hostels and hotels, 3.1 mi (5 km) north of Maras
Phrase card
| English | Say or show |
|---|---|
| Excuse me / Sorry | Disculpedisˈkulpe |
| Thank you | Graciasgraˈθjas |
| How much is it? | ¿Cuánto cuesta?kwanˈto ˈkwes.ta |
| Can I pay by card? | ¿Puedo pagar con tarjeta?pweˈðo paˈɣaɾ kon tarˈxeta |
| Where is the toilet? | ¿Dónde está el baño?ˈdon.de esˈta el ˈba.ɲo |
Etiquette, safety and scams
Etiquette
- Greeting: Handshake; one cheek kiss among acquaintances; avoid: Skipping greetings
- Food pride: Ask about local dishes; avoid: Comparing pisco or ceviche unfavourably with Chile's
- Photos: Ask and pay if asked; avoid: Photographing people without asking
- Politics: Listen; avoid: Taking sides in protests
Scams and watch-outs
- No restaurants or hotels in Maras – bring food and plan lodging elsewhere.
- Taxi fares can vary; negotiate before boarding.
- Road to Moray is winding; walking back takes about an hour.
Maras is low‑risk; main concerns are altitude (≈3 200 m) and lack of services – carry water, snacks, and a basic first‑aid kit.
One and two days
No timed day plan for Maras yet. Suggested stay: 0 nights. Build a day from the list below, mornings for the big sight.
- Salineras salt pans
- Moray agricultural terraces
Sources
Written by Voykit; facts cross-checked against these sources, last desk check 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change: check on the day.
- Peru tourism board: www.peru.travel/en
- Wikivoyage: Maras, revision 5124743 (CC BY-SA 4.0): en.wikivoyage.org/w/index.php?oldid=5124743
Pocket card
Cut along the border and keep it in your wallet. Show the local-script lines to a driver.
Printed from Voykit (/maras). Written by Voykit; checked 2026-09. Estimates only: confirm prices, hours and entry rules on the day.