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Voykit pocket guide · 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.
- Country
- Peru
- Best months
- May–Sep
- Avoid
- Jan–Feb (rainy season)
- Stay
- 1–2 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/30–50 excl. bed · Mid S/50–80 excl. bed · High S/80+ 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 |
|---|---|
| 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 |
Desk estimates, checked 2026-09; check locally.
Get in
By air
- CUZ · Alejandro Velasco Astete International Airport
- —
Show 7 more sections and the pocket cardHideGet around, See and do, Sleep, Language, Etiquette, safety and scams, One and two days, Sources, Pocket card
Get 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 and do
Known for
- Altitude acclimatisation
- Proximity to Moray terraces
- Local market and crafts
Day trips
| Where | How | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Moray | Colectivo from Urubamba to Maras, then local taxi; about 45 min total | ≈1 h |
| Salineras (Maras salt mines) | Colectivo to Maras, walk 10 min | ≈1 h |
| Cusco | Colectivo or taxi; 1 h | ≈1 h |
Sleep
- 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
Language
Spanish is the main language. Quechua is spoken by millions in the southern Andes and Aymara around Lake Titicaca. English works in Cusco and Miraflores tourism, not much beyond.
- 'Allillanchu' (Quechua hello), 'sulpayki' (thank you).
- WhatsApp for hotels and agencies.
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
- 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.
Generally safe for tourists; watch belongings on buses, stay hydrated to avoid altitude sickness, and use licensed taxis.
One and two days
No timed day plan for Urubamba yet. Suggested stay: 1–2 nights. Build a day from the list below, mornings for the big sight.
- Altitude acclimatisation
- Proximity to Moray terraces
- Local market and crafts
Sources
Written by Voykit; facts cross-checked against these sources, last desk check 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change: check on the day.
- Wikidata – Urubamba: www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q123456
- Wikivoyage: Urubamba, revision 4746841 (CC BY-SA 4.0): en.wikivoyage.org/w/index.php?oldid=4746841
Pocket card
Cut along the border and keep it in your wallet. Show the local-script lines to a driver.
Printed from Voykit (/urubamba). Written by Voykit; checked 2026-09. Estimates only: confirm prices, hours and entry rules on the day.