Machu Picchu pueblo is the small village located below the Inca city of Machupicchu. It is known worldwide as ‘Aguas Calientes’ and it is because less than a kilometer from the village you can find a hot springs baths. Well actually they are thermal-medicinal waters, surrounded by a beautiful landscape of mountains. Many tourists decide to go there after their visit to the Inca wonder.

• Where are the thermal baths of Machu Picchu located?
• How to get to the thermal baths?
• Where do the hot springs of Machu Picchu come from?
• Benefits of the thermal waters of Machu Picchu
• Why visit the thermal baths on the trip?
• When to visit the thermal baths of Machu Picchu?
• Basic information for your visit to the thermal baths of Aguas Calientes
• Official tariffs
• Image gallery of the thermal baths of Machu Picchu
• Other thermal baths on the trip to Cusco, Perú
• Frequently asked questions about the thermal baths of Machu Picchu

Machupicchu Pueblo Hot Springs

Where are the thermal baths of Machu Picchu located?

• The thermal baths of Machu Picchu are actually located in the famous town of Aguas Calientes, located 10 kilometers from the Inca wonder.
• Precisely Aguas Calientes received its name due to the existence of its natural thermal baths located in the upper part of the town.
• This town is very small so you can get anywhere on foot. The only vehicles you will find there are the ecological buses that will take you to Machu Picchu. Likewise, this town is the final stop of all the trains that go daily from Cusco in the direction of Machupicchu.
• TAll tourists who want to visit the Inca wonder must necessarily visit the town of Aguas Calientes. That is why the town has restaurants, bars, hotels and pastry shops. However, its main attraction is its thermal baths.

How to get to the thermal baths?

• Once in the town of Aguas Calientes, to get to the thermal baths, just follow the path opposite the current of the river that goes down in the middle of the city. This main avenue is called ‘Hermanos Ayar’.
• The thermal baths are located less than 1 kilometer away from the final train station. Any local villager can give you a reference to the site.

Where do the hot springs of Machu Picchu come from?

• The hot springs come from a natural spring of volcanic origin. It is possible that they were used since the time of the Incas.
• The hot water emerges from underground channels and flows through the rocks at high temperatures. These are led to small pools where it is not possible to swim, just relax and enjoy the natural environment.
• The water in the pools is dull yellow, giving the impression of being dirty, although in reality it is the color of sulfur.
• The temperatures of the hot springs range from 38ºC. (100ºF.) and 46ºC. (114ºF.).

Benefits of the thermal waters of Machu Picchu

The chemical composition of the water in the thermal baths provides healing and relaxing properties. That is why many tourists take time on their trip to Machu Picchu to relax in this place.

These are some of the benefits offered by the thermal baths of Aguas Calientes:

• Improves metabolism and aids digestion.
• Helps release toxins.
• It’s very relaxing.
• Helps level blood pressure.
• Increases skin oxygenation.
• It is recommended as part of medical treatments and physical therapies.

Why visit the thermal baths on the trip?

• The thermal baths are the perfect ending to the visit to Machu Picchu.
• It is highly recommended for tourists who trek to the Huayna Picchu mountains, Intipunku or the Inca Trail (4 days and 3 nights hiking route)
• The thermal baths are a good option to be accompanied by children.
• Visitors who enter Machu Picchu in any of the afternoon hours can also make their visit from 5 in the morning.

Nothing better to relax than a bath after visiting Machu Picchu

When to visit the thermal baths of Machu Picchu?

• Most people visit the hot springs of Aguas Calientes after their tour of the Inca city of Machupicchu, in the afternoon or at night.. For this it is necessary to spend at least 1 night in a hotel in the town.
• Most visitors decide to go during the dry season (April to October) when there is little chance of rain. However, the rainy season (from November to March) has its own thing. The thermal baths are outdoors and it is a true experience to be inside the hot water pools while torrential rain falls.

Basic information for your visit to the thermal baths of Aguas Calientes

The thermal baths are approximately 200 meters from the ticket office. Once there, tourists can leave their belongings in lockers with keys. There are changing rooms and showers at the entrance before entering the pool. While people relax in the place it is possible to buy drinks.

• Infrastructure of the thermal baths

  The hot spring baths are made up of five small pools. The infrastructure is basic and useful. It has dressing rooms, showers, hygienic servers and a coffee bar where you can buy alcoholic or non-alcoholic beverages.

• Business hours

  The thermal baths of Machu Picchu are open from Monday to Sunday from 5 a.m. to 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Sundays are the busiest days. Although the hot springs are the main tourist attraction of Machu Picchu town, there are also other things to do in Aguas Calientes.

• What to bring?

  You will need to bring bathroom implements with you such as a bathing suit, towel, sandals and personal cleaning items. If you forget any of these items, you can buy them at the entrance gate of the hot springs.

Official tariffs

These are the prices of the entrance tickets to the thermal baths of Machu Picchu:

Image gallery of the thermal baths of Machu Picchu

Other thermal baths on the trip to Cusco, Perú

In addition to the thermal baths of Aguas Calientes, there are others of the same type in different towns of Cusco. The most popular are the Cocalmayo hot springs (in the town of Santa Teresa) and the Lares hot springs.

• Cocalmayo thermal baths

  These thermal baths are located in the town of Santa Teresa (approximately 20 kilometers from Machu Picchu town). It consists of 2 large and crystal clear pools with temperatures reaching 44ºC. (111ºF.). According to the opinion of the majority of visitors, it is one of the best experiences during the walks through the Inca Jungle and the Salkantay Trek. The cost of foreign adults is 10 Peruvian soles.

• Thermal baths of Lares

  These hot springs are located in the town of Lares (located 149 kilometers by road from the city of Cusco). It is made up of up to six pools of cloudy waters and of different sizes. The temperature of its waters varies from 36ºC. (97ºF.) until the 44ºC (111ºF). These thermal baths are mainly visited by tourists who make the famous ‘Lares Trek’ to Machu Picchu.. The cost of foreign adults is 10 Peruvian soles.

Frequently asked questions about the thermal baths of Machu Picchu

• 1) How much does the entrance to the thermal baths of Machu Picchu cost?

  Tickets cost 20 soles for foreign tourists, 10 soles for Peruvian tourists and 5 soles for visitors from Cusco.

• 2) Where are the thermal baths of Machu Picchu?

  The thermal baths are located on Hermanos Ayar avenue in the upper part of the town of Aguas Calientes (Machupicchu town).

• 3) Are the thermal baths of Machu Picchu clean?

  The thermal baths of Machu Picchu have clean and constantly disinfected pools. There you can bathe safely!

• 4) What are the opening hours of the thermal baths of Machu Picchu?

  The thermal baths of Machu Picchu are open from Monday to Sunday from 5 in the morning until 8 at night.

• 5) Can I get swimwear in the town of Aguas Calientes?

  At the point of entry to the thermal baths there are stalls selling and renting swimwear for men and women.

• 6) Do the thermal baths have bar service?

  Yes, there is a bar service in the thermal baths facilities. In addition, a waiter asks for customer requests from the pools.

• 7) How to get to the thermal baths of Machu Picchu? Are there taxis?

  From any part of the town of Aguas Calientes you can reach the thermal baths on foot. There are no taxi services in the town. The town is small and you can get everywhere on foot.

• 8) How many pools do the thermal baths of Machu Picchu have?

  The place has two large pools and five small ones whose temperatures vary from 38ºC. (100ºF.) and 46ºC. (114ºF.).

• 9) When is it better to visit the thermal baths of Machu Picchu?

  The thermal baths of Machu Picchu can be visited every day of the year, even on rainy days. Many tourists prefer to do it in the morning (from 5 am) or at night (until 8 pm).

• 10) Are there showers and changing rooms in the thermal baths of Machu Picchu?

  Yes, the thermal baths have showers and changing rooms that must be used before entering the thermal baths.

Tips from people who have been there

Machu Picchu Hot Springs

From: Juan D

“An obligatory point to visit after Machu Picchu!”

“We thought that one of the dozens of bars in Aguas Calientes was the ideal place to relax after our visit to Machu Picchu, but they told us about the thermal baths, and it is definitely the best place to go after Machu Picchu, 100% recommended, the entrance is cheap, and there is a “bar” with service to the pools.”

By Ticket Machu Picchu – Last updated, August 15, 2024