Aguas Calientes is the closest town to Machu Picchu. It is also the place where the last train station is located. Just 10 kilometers away is the Wonder of the World. It gets its name because at the bottom of the village you can find some ‘hot springs’. Learn more about Aguas Calientes, the closest town to Machu Picchu.

• This is Machu Picchu town / Aguas Calientes
• How special is the town of Aguas Calientes?
• How is the train route to get there?
• What to do?
• Restaurants
• Bars
• Hot springs baths
• Butterfly farm
• Machu Picchu Site Museum
• Putucusi mountain hike
• The Mandor waterfalls
• How to take the buses from Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu?
• Interesting facts about Machu Picchu town

How special is the town of Aguas Calientes?

• Aguas Calientes looks like an island. It is separated from roads (it can only be reached by train). Surrounded by mountains, cliffs, rivers and an imposing cloud forest.
• Aguas Calientes is 100% dedicated to tourism. There are no cabs because the streets are narrow and the town is small. There are hotels, restaurants, bars, etc.
• The only bus in Aguas Calientes is the one that connects the town with the entrance gate to Machu Picchu. This trip takes approximately 30 minutes.
• Many tourists visit Aguas Calientes because it is an obligatory stop before visiting Machu Picchu. Most of them are fascinated by the beauty of this peculiar town.
• In Aguas Calientes there are also several tourist attractions such as the thermal baths, the Mandor waterfalls, the Putucusi mountain hike and more.

Machu Picchu village also called Aguas Calientes

How is the train route to get there?

By the Ollantaytambo train route

• To get to Aguas Calientes you will first have to arrive in the city of Cusco.
• From there you will board a minivan to the train station in Ollantaytambo.
• There you will travel by train until you finally arrive at the train station in the town of Aguas Calientes.

By the alternative route Hydroelectric

• To get to Aguas Calientes by this alternative route you will first have to take a bus from the city of Cusco to the town of Santa Maria.
• Then you will have to take a collective cab to the town of Santa Teresa.
• In Santa Teresa you must take a collective cab back to the Hydroelectric station.
• In Hydroelectric you can choose between arriving to Aguas Calientes by train or walking.

What to do?

Aguas Calientes offers a variety of tourist services such as restaurants and hotels. There are also natural attractions such as the thermal baths, the butterfly farm, Putucusi mountain and more.

Spending the night in Aguas Calientes offers you a clear advantage: you can be in Machu Picchu early. You can even be the first person to board the buses and be there. In the town there are several types of lodging and even a camping area where you can camp.

Restaurants

• El Indio Feliz – One of the most famous restaurants in town. It offers French, Peruvian food and more. The decor is very striking and comfortable.
• Incontri del Pueblo Viejo – Restaurant offering Italian, South American, contemporary and Peruvian food. The place is nice. The food is delicious.
• Tinkuy Buffet at Sanctuary Lodge – An exclusive restaurant located next to Machu Picchu. It offers Peruvian and international food. The food is of high quality.
• La Boulangerie de Paris – This bakery, pastry shop and cafeteria offers French style breakfasts and brunches. Their desserts are delicious.
• El Mapi Restaurant – This restaurant offers breakfast, lunch and dinner buffets. The restaurant belongs to the Inkaterra hotel chain.

Bars

• Mapacho Craft Beer & Peruvian Cuisine – This restaurant – bar offers Latin food and pizzas. It also offers craft beers. The service is excellent.
• El Mapi Hotel Bar – The decoration of the bar is striking. It has a bar where you can enjoy a variety of cocktails. The music is good.
• Inti House – A nicely decorated place with a good view. It offers pizzas, Latin American food and a variety of cocktails, wines and beers.

Hot springs baths

• The thermal baths of the town of Aguas Calientes is a good option to relax your legs after visiting Machu Picchu.
• These waters from mountain springs are attributed with curative properties for rheumatic diseases.
• The place also has a bar.
• It is located on Avenida Hermanos Ayar s/n. (at the highest part of the avenue).
• The opening hours are from 5 a.m. to 7.30 p.m.
• The cost for adults from abroad is 20 Peruvian soles (approximately US$6).

Butterfly farm

• The butterfly farm of Machu Picchu is one of the best places to visit with the family.
• It is located on the Hiram Bingham road (a 15 minute walk from the village).
• This museum houses several species of butterflies. Some of them can only be seen in Machu Picchu.
• It is a good option, especially if you come with children.
• There you can see hundreds of butterflies flying freely.
• The butterfly house opened its doors in 2006. Today it fulfills a research and alternative function for visitors who have free time in Machu Picchu.
• Hours of operation are Monday through Sunday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
• The entrance fee is 20 Peruvian soles.

Machu Picchu Site Museum

• The Machu Picchu Site Museum exhibits some pieces that were discovered in the Inca City during the excavations.
• It also offers interactive exhibits that explain the process of excavation and conservation work at Machu Picchu.
• The Site Museum is located in the middle of the Hiram Bingham Highway (next to the so-called ‘Puente Ruinas’).
• The opening hours are from Monday to Sunday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
• The entrance fee for foreign adults is 22 Peruvian soles (approximately US$7). Admission during the afternoon shift (from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m.) is free for the public.

Putucusi mountain hike

• Putucusi mountain is one of the peaks surrounding Machu Picchu.
• From its summit you can see the Inca City of Machu Picchu in the distance.
• Climbing to the top is not easy. You must walk along steep and slippery trails.
• The trail starts from the town of Aguas Calientes. Then you follow the rail of the train until you start the ascent of the mountain.
• To get there you must climb a vertical staircase with many steps. This adventure has no cost but it is risky and requires a lot of physical effort.

Currently, the first staircase that allowed the ascent to Putucusi mountain has been removed for safety reasons. To get there you must climb up a rope. The rest of the way up several vertical stairs that are a real challenge for the adventurous.

The Mandor waterfalls

• The Mandor waterfalls are a natural tourist attraction located 1 hour walk from the town of Aguas Calientes.
• The place is also known as the ‘Gardens of Mandor’ because of the abundant vegetation surrounding the falls.
• There you can also see a great diversity of birds and butterflies. Despite tourism, the place is still home to several wild animals.
• The place is not very frequented by tourists so it is still possible to appreciate it without many people around.
• The entrance fee is 10 Peruvian soles (3 U.S. dollars, approximately).

How to take the buses from Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu?

• The main reason for the influx of tourists in Aguas Calientes is because that is where you board the buses to Machu Picchu.
• The bus station is in the middle of Hermanos Ayar Avenue, a few meters from the train station.
• Buses leave every 10 minutes. The ticket office is next to the bus station.
• To get there it is not necessary to take a cab. Just find the exit to the artisans market (train station).
• The bus ride from Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu takes about 30 minutes.

Interesting facts about Machu Picchu town

• The origins of Aguas Calientes date back to 1901 when workers building a railroad line settled there.
• Japanese citizen Oscar Yokichi Nouchi was the first mayor of Aguas Calientes. Prior to that, Yokichi had been employed in the construction of the railroad line.
• With the discovery of Machu Picchu in 1911, the place began to be populated little by little.
• Today it is the town with the largest number of tourists in Peru. It is estimated that more than 1 million tourists visit Machu Picchu each year.
• In Aguas Calientes, the construction of a cable car is being discussed to replace the bus ride from Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu.

Advice from people who have been there

Aguas Calientes

By: Sandra R.

“Beautiful town“

“We were told that we had to get to Aguas Calientes to get to Machu Picchu, and we were left with that idea, we “had” to get to Machu Picchu through that town. Somewhat disappointed by the comment we did not go to Aguas Calientes, but when we got there, it was much more than we expected, there were no vehicles because there are no roads, it is a place without any urban planning, only houses and passages, behind other houses and passages. But it is one of the best places we saw on the way to Machu Picchu, everything around it is green, no, wait the river is not green, but everything else is, it is a very beautiful village, do not overlook it, and go to the hot springs.“

By Ticket Machu Picchu – Last updated, August 16, 2024