Major city · Peru
Aguas CalientesMachu Picchu Pueblo
Sleep one night here only if you hold a Machu Picchu ticket: it is the closest bed to the gate, but Ollantaytambo is cheaper and quieter.
Aguas Calientes (officially Machu Picchu Pueblo) is a pedestrian-only town on the Urubamba river with no road in: you arrive by train or on foot. Everyone bound for Machu Picchu passes through it, and most sleep one night. It is the most expensive bed in the Sacred Valley and the only one within walking distance of the ruins.
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- PEN
- Best months
- Apr–Oct (dry season)
- avoid Jan–Mar (heavy rain, landslide risk)
- Airport
- CUZ
- Nights
- 1
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.
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
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Aguas Calientes105 ▾
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 Aguas Calientes, 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
- SafetyThe town itself is small and safe to walk at night.
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, Cusco (No road to Aguas Calientes: fly to Cusco, then train from Ollantaytambo or Poroy.).
- Getting aroundThe town is compact and pedestrian-only; everything is a 5–15 min walk.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- CoffeeCoffee or bottled waterShops charge about double Cusco prices.S/ 5–12
- Sit-down mealSet menu (soup, main, drink)S/ 10–15
- Metro or bus rideMachu Picchu shuttle bus, returnS/ 45
- Museum or sight ticketThermal baths entryS/ 10 for Peruvian nationalsS/ 20
- Budget bedHostel dorm bed, a night, per personPEN 35
- Mid-range bedDouble room with private bathroom, a night, per roomPEN 180
- High-end bedDouble room with private bathroom, a night, per roomPEN 420
A day, not counting the bed: Budget PEN 90 · Mid PEN 170 · High PEN 350
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, Cusco (No road to Aguas Calientes: fly to Cusco, then train from Ollantaytambo or Poroy.)
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
Best
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
Best
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
Nov
not flagged
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
Dec
not flagged
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
Best: Apr–Oct. Avoid: Jan–Mar. Month by month →
Warmest Aug (23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)), coolest Jun (9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C) low), wettest Jan (20 rain days), driest Jun (6). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Aguas Calientes: 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)
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
20 rd
Feb
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
18 rd
Mar
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
17 rd
Apr
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
12 rd
May
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
8 rd
Jun
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
6 rd
Jul
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
6 rd
Aug
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
7 rd
Sep
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
9 rd
Oct
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
13 rd
Nov
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
15 rd
Dec
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
18 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
The town is compact and pedestrian-only; everything is a 5–15 min walk. The only vehicles are the shuttle buses up to Machu Picchu (about 25 min) and a few work trucks. Bring a small bag: you walk from the station to your hotel.
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Machu Picchu
goDoor to door: About 40 min by bus
Shuttle bus from the town, about 25 min, or walk up about 1.5 h
Timed entry by ticket; the last entry is 16:00 and visitors leave by 17:00. Buy ahead: the ticket office in town stops selling same-day tickets at 14:30.Timed entry by ticket; the last entry is 4:00 PM and visitors leave by 5:00 PM. Buy ahead: the ticket office in town stops selling same-day tickets at 2:30 PM.
Putucusi
cautionDoor to door: About 1 h each way
Short walk along the tracks downstream, then a steep trail with wooden ladders
About 300 m of climb; the trail has been closed for rehabilitation at times. Start early and be down before dark.
Gardens of Mandor
goDoor to door: About 1 h each way
Follow the tracks downstream toward Hidroeléctrica, about 114.5 km (71 mi)Follow the tracks downstream toward Hidroeléctrica, about 71 mi (114.5 km)
Private garden and waterfall; foreigners pay S/ 10 entry.
Machu Picchu museum and botanical gardens
goDoor to door: About 30 min
Across the bridge at the bottom of the road up to the ruins
A short stop if you have a spare half-day.
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.
Near the train station
Handiest with bags; market stalls and the handicraft market are right outside.
Up the hill toward the baths
Quieter, cheaper small restaurants, 5–10 min walk from the plaza.
Riverside, downstream
Closest to the trail up Putucusi and the walk to Mandor; a little further from the buses.
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/ 90–150 excl. bed
- Mid
- S/ 150–280 excl. bed
- High
- S/ 280+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Double room with private bathroom1 × 1 night × PEN 180 | PEN 180 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × PEN 170 | PEN 340 |
| Shuttle bus up and down to Machu Picchu2 × PEN 45 | PEN 90 |
| Thermal baths entry2 × PEN 20 · S/ 10 for Peruvian nationals | PEN 40 |
| One-hour massage2 × PEN 40 | PEN 80 |
| eSIM, about a week of data2 × PEN 30 | PEN 60 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | PEN 79 |
| Trip total≈ PEN 435 per person per day, bed included | PEN 869 |
2026 estimate in soles; flights, Machu Picchu entry and train fares excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Set menu (soup, main, drink) | S/ 10–15 |
| Pizza or trout main in a sit-down place | S/ 25–50 |
| Coffee or bottled waterShops charge about double Cusco prices. | S/ 5–12 |
| Bottled water, 1.5 L | S/ 6–10 |
| Thermal baths entryS/ 10 for Peruvian nationals | S/ 20 |
| Machu Picchu shuttle bus, return | S/ 45 |
| Machu Picchu entry, adultOne-day validity; buy ahead. | S/ 152 |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Restaurant bills sometimes add 10–15% as 'tax' or 'servicio' on top of the quoted price: agree the total before you sit, and pay only what was advertised.
- '4-for-1' happy hours usually mean small drinks at four times Cusco prices, not four full cocktails.
- Alcohol sales are restricted after 23:00; some bars ignore it, but do not count on it.Alcohol sales are restricted after 11:00 PM; some bars ignore it, but do not count on it.
- Most places take Visa only; carry soles for tickets, baths and small meals.
- Walking on the train tracks is prohibited and dangerous, especially in tunnels and on bridges.
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 105
- Fire
- 116
- Ambulance (SAMU)
- 106
Pocket card
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Aguas CalientesMachu Picchu Pueblo
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
A esta dirección, por favorTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police105
- Fire116
- Ambulance (SAMU)106
Embassy
No embassies in town; the US, UK and other embassies are in Lima, with consular agencies in Cusco.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Shuttle bus, town → Machu Picchu, one way: about S/ 22–25, 25 min
- Train Ollantaytambo → Aguas Calientes: from about US$ 35 one way, 1 h 45 min
- Machu Picchu entry, adult: S/ 152, one day
Say or show
- ¿Cuánto cuesta? — How much is it? (KWAN-toh KWES-tah)
- La cuenta, por favor — The bill, please (lah KWEN-tah por fah-VOR)
- Sin tax, sin servicio — No tax, no service charge (seen tax, seen ser-VEE-syoh)
- ¿Dónde está el bus a Machu Picchu? — Where is the bus to Machu Picchu? (DON-deh es-TAH el boos ah MAH-choo PEE-choo)
- Tengo una reserva — I have a reservation (TEN-goh OO-nah reh-SER-vah)
- Ayuda — Help (ah-YOO-dah)
Carry your passport: it is asked for when buying Machu Picchu tickets.
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 Aguas Calientes. 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: Apr–Oct (dry season) · avoid Jan–Mar (heavy rain, landslide risk) · 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
- 4 day-trips, door to door
- 5 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Train-and-bed contract for CUZ arrivals: last train times, Ollantaytambo vs Poroy stations, and the walk from the station to the hotel.
- Four walking clusters with rescue anchors: station and markets, plaza and ticket office, baths hill, riverside trails.
- Place pages with verified cutoffs (Machu Picchu gate, ticket office, baths, Mandor) and eat pages with last orders.
- Rainy-season fixtures so gates A–D can go green when Peru Rail runs only from Ollantaytambo.
Sources
- officialPeru Rail
- officialInca Rail
- officialJardines de Mandor
- secondaryWikivoyage: Aguas Calientes, revision 5286015 (CC BY-SA 4.0)