Major city · Peru
Yucay
Skip Yucay as a destination; use it only as a quiet base for the Sacred Valley if you want to avoid Urubamba's noise. One night is enough.
Yucay is a small farming village in the Sacred Valley with no major sights of its own. Its appeal is a calm, lower-altitude base (about 2,850 m) with easy access to Maras, Moray, Ollantaytambo and Pisac. Most travellers stay one night or pass through.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- PEN
- Best months
- May–Sep (dry season)
- avoid Nov–Mar (rainy season, landslides possible)
- Airport
- CUZ
- Nights
- 1
Not a trip line yet
Rules in force · 7Above 2,500 m (Bogotá, Quito, Cusco, La Paz) keep the fir…
- South America ↗Above 2,500 m (Bogotá, Quito, Cusco, La Paz) keep the first day light; sleep lower where you can (Sacred Valley before Cusco) and descend if headache comes with vomiting or confusion.
- South America ↗A yellow fever certificate is required on arrival in French Guiana, and asked for on some routes into Bolivia, Paraguay, Suriname and Guyana, or when arriving from Amazon areas — vaccinate at least 10 days before travel and carry the card.
- South America ↗Overnight buses are the norm in Argentina, Chile and Peru, but pick top-tier companies and keep valuables on your body; on-board thefts from overhead racks are the common loss.
- Peru ↗Check entry rules for your passport with Peru's migration authority (Migraciones) or a Peruvian consulate; keep the entry record you receive, as hotels may ask for it.
- Peru ↗Machu Picchu entry is by timed ticket for a named circuit, with daily caps; in high season tickets sell out weeks or months ahead. Buy tickets only from the official Ministry of Culture seller or a licensed agency.
- Peru ↗The classic Inca Trail needs a permit booked through a licensed operator, often months ahead; the trail closes every February for maintenance.
- Peru ↗Altitude sickness is common above 2,500 m: ascend gradually, rest on day one, and ask a doctor before travel if you have heart or lung conditions.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Emergency numbers for Yucay105 ▾
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Yucay, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the Peruvian sol (PEN, S/).Peru-wide
- SIM or eSIMClaro, Movistar, Entel and Bitel sell prepaid SIMs; register with your passport at official shops.Peru-wide
- Tap waterNot safe from the tap; bottled or filtered.Peru-wide
- TippingRestaurants: About 10% if service is not included.Peru-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets A/C. US/Canada (A/B): fits · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 220 V: US 120 V-only devices (hair dryers) need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.Peru-wide
- SafetyYucay is safe.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsPaper in the bin; carry tissue and coins for public toilets.Peru-wide
- Emergency numbers105 police · 116 fire · 106 ambulance (samu) (not 911, 999 or 000)
- Sundays & holidaysMany museums close Mondays; strikes can shut roads and shops.Peru-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportCUZ Alejandro Velasco Astete International Airport (Cusco) (About 1 h 15 min by taxi or colectivo via Urubamba).
- Getting aroundOn foot within the village.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- Taxi, about 5 km (3 mi)Taxi, about 3 mi (5 km)Taxi Yucay–OllantaytamboS/ 40–50
- Budget bedHostel dorm bed, a night, per personPEN 30
- Mid-range bedDouble room (guesthouse or hotel), a night, per roomPEN 150
- High-end bedDouble room (guesthouse or hotel), a night, per roomPEN 250
A day, not counting the bed: Budget PEN 70 · Mid PEN 150 · High PEN 300
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- CUZ Alejandro Velasco Astete International Airport (Cusco) (About 1 h 15 min by taxi or colectivo via Urubamba)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Avoid
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
Feb
Avoid
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
Mar
Avoid
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
Apr
not flagged
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
May
Best
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
Jun
Best
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
Jul
Best
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
Aug
Best
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
Sep
Best
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
Oct
not flagged
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
Nov
Avoid
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
Dec
Avoid
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
Best: May–Sep. Avoid: Nov–Mar. Month by month →
Warmest Aug (23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)), coolest Jun (4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C) low), wettest Jan (18 rain days), driest Jun (2). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Yucay: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
18 rd
Feb
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
16 rd
Mar
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
15 rd
Apr
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
10 rd
May
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
4 rd
Jun
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
2 rd
Jul
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
2 rd
Aug
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
3 rd
Sep
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
6 rd
Oct
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
11 rd
Nov
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
13 rd
Dec
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
16 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
On foot within the village. Colectivos and taxis to Urubamba (10 min), Maras (30 min) and Ollantaytambo (45 min). A taxi to Cusco costs about S/ 60–80 (check).
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Maras and Moray
goDoor to door: About 1 h
Colectivo or taxi from Yucay, about 30 min
Salt pans and circular Inca terraces; half-day trip.
Door to door: About 1 h
Colectivo or taxi, about 45 min
Inca fortress and train to Machu Picchu.
Door to door: About 1 h
Colectivo via Urubamba, about 40 min
Market and ruins; best on Sunday market day.
Door to door: About 3 h
Taxi to Ollantaytambo (45 min), then train (1.5 h)
Start early; book train and entry tickets ahead.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Plaza Manco II de Yucay
Central square with the Sonesta resort and a few small hotels; quiet at night.
Along the main road (Av. San Martín)
More basic hostels and guesthouses; closer to colectivos.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- S/ 60–100 excl. bed
- Mid
- S/ 100–200 excl. bed
- High
- S/ 200+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Double room (guesthouse or hotel)1 × 1 night × PEN 150 | PEN 150 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × PEN 150 | PEN 300 |
| Colectivo Yucay–Urubamba2 × PEN 3 | PEN 6 |
| Taxi Yucay–Ollantaytambo1 × PEN 40 | PEN 40 |
| Entry to Maras salt pans2 × PEN 10 | PEN 20 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | PEN 52 |
| Trip total≈ PEN 284 per person per day, bed included | PEN 568 |
2026 estimate in soles (PEN); flights excluded.
Prices of common things
| Lunch buffet at Allpamankacheck | US$12 (about S/ 40) |
| Colectivo Yucay–Urubamba | S/ 3 |
| Taxi Yucay–Ollantaytambo | S/ 40–50 |
| Bottle of water (1.5 L) | S/ 2–3 |
| Coca tea (mate de coca) | S/ 3–5 |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Altitude: Yucay is at about 2,850 m; take it easy the first day.
- No ATM in the village; bring cash from Urubamba or Cusco.
- Last colectivos back from Urubamba run around 20:00.Last colectivos back from Urubamba run around 8:00 PM.
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 105
- Fire
- 116
- Ambulance (SAMU)
- 106
Pocket card
Fill in, then print or save as PDF
Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.
YucayYucay
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
A esta dirección, por favorTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police105
- Fire116
- Ambulance (SAMU)106
Embassy
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Colectivo Yucay–Urubamba: S/ 3, about 10 min
- Taxi Yucay–Ollantaytambo: S/ 40–50, about 45 min
- Taxi Yucay–Cusco: S/ 60–80, about 1 h 15 min
Say or show
- Buenos días / Buenas tardes — Hello (BWEH-nohs DEE-ahs / BWEH-nahs TAR-des)
- Gracias — Thank you (GRAH-syahs)
- ¿Cuánto cuesta? — How much does it cost? (KWAHN-toh KWES-tah)
- ¿Dónde está el paradero? — Where is the bus stop? (DOHN-deh es-TAH el pah-rah-DEH-roh)
- Necesito un taxi — I need a taxi (neh-seh-SEE-toh oon TAHK-see)
- La cuenta, por favor — The bill, please (lah KWEN-tah por fah-VOR)
Carry small bills and coins for colectivos and market purchases.
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Yucay. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: May–Sep (dry season) · avoid Nov–Mar (rainy season, landslides possible) · month by month →
- 1 airport and 2 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 5 day-trips, door to door
- 3 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- An airport-to-bed path that says whether a late landing still works
- Walking clusters with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Field-verified times and fares
Sources
Ask about Yucay
Loading…
Was this useful?