Major city · Peru
Urubamba
Spend 1–2 days in Urubamba to acclimatise and use as a base for Moray, Salineras and nearby market visits.
Urubamba is a small town in the Sacred Valley, 48 km from Cusco at 3000 m elevation. It offers a quiet base for altitude adjustment, a central market, and easy access to Moray and the Salineras terraces. Most travellers stay 1–2 nights before moving on to Ollantaytambo or Cusco.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- PEN
- Best months
- May–Sep
- avoid Jan–Feb (rainy season)
- Airport
- CUZ
- Nights
- 1–2
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 Urubamba105 ▾
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 Urubamba, 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
- SafetyGenerally safe for tourists; watch belongings on buses, stay hydrated to avoid altitude sickness, and use licensed taxis.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsPaper in the bin; carry tissue and coins for public toilets.Peru-wide
- Emergency numbers105 police · 116 fire · 106 SAMU ambulance (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.
- Getting aroundTown centre is walkable; taxis and colectivos depart from Pavitos Street.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- CoffeeS/5–8
- Taxi, about 5 km (3 mi)Taxi, about 3 mi (5 km)Taxi (city)S/5–10 per km
- Budget bedHostel dorm bed, a night, per personPEN 35
A day, not counting the bed: Budget PEN 30 · Mid PEN 50 · High PEN 80
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
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Avoid
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
Feb
Avoid
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
Mar
not flagged
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
Apr
not flagged
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°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
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
Sep
Best
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
Oct
not flagged
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
Nov
not flagged
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
Dec
not flagged
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
Best: May–Sep. Avoid: Jan–Feb. Month by month →
Warmest May (22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)), coolest Jan (2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C) low), wettest Jan (12 rain days), driest Jun (3). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Urubamba: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
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Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
12 rd
Feb
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
12 rd
Mar
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
9 rd
Apr
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
6 rd
May
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
4 rd
Jun
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
3 rd
Jul
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
3 rd
Aug
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
4 rd
Sep
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
6 rd
Oct
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
9 rd
Nov
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
11 rd
Dec
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
12 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
Town centre is walkable; taxis and colectivos depart from Pavitos Street. Shared taxi (colectivo) costs S/7 per person, ~1 h to Cusco. Taxis S/50–60 from airport.
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Moray
goDoor to door: ≈1 h
Colectivo from Urubamba to Maras, then local taxi; about 45 min total
Check opening hours; entry S/5–10
Salineras (Maras salt mines)
goDoor to door: ≈1 h
Colectivo to Maras, walk 10 min
Popular; arrive early
Cusco
cautionDoor to door: ≈1 h
Colectivo or taxi; 1 h
Altitude gain; consider acclimatisation first
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.
Aranwa Sacred Valley
18th‑century hacienda, art gallery; US$175–350 per night
Las Chullpas Eco Lodge
Eco‑lodge, US$40–80 per night
Sol y Luna Lodge & Spa
Pool and spa, S/.1210 per night
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/30–50 excl. bed
- Mid
- S/50–80 excl. bed
- High
- S/80+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Hostel dorm bed2 × 3 nights × PEN 45 | PEN 270 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 3 days × PEN 50 | PEN 300 |
| Trip total≈ PEN 95 per person per day, bed included | PEN 570 |
2026 estimate; flights excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Coffee | S/5–8 |
| Arroz con pollo | S/3–5 |
| Taxi (city) | S/5–10 per km |
| Colectivo (Cusco‑Urubamba) | S/7 per person |
| Market fruit | S/2–4 per kg |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Colectivos leave only when four passengers are present; plan early.
- Altitude can cause headaches; hydrate and ascend slowly.
- Check taxi licences to avoid unregistered drivers.
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 105
- Fire
- 116
- SAMU ambulance
- 106
Pocket card
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UrubambaUrubamba
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
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—
—
Emergency
- Police105
- Fire116
- SAMU ambulance106
Embassy
My embassy: —
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 Urubamba. 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 · avoid Jan–Feb (rainy season) · month by month →
- 1 airport and 3 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 3 day-trips, door to door
- 3 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Colectivo schedule (early morning to 18:30) for day trips
- Taxi price check (S/50–60) for airport transfers
- Accommodation options across budget bands
Sources
- secondaryWikidata – Urubamba
- secondaryWikivoyage: Urubamba, revision 4746841 (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Ask about Urubamba
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