Aguas Calientes is the town located at the foot of Machu Picchu, the wonder of the world. Due to its proximity –just 10 kilometers– this place is also called Machupicchu town. There it is possible to visit various tourist attractions such as: its stone sculptures, its thermal baths or its waterfall located in the upper part of the town. To visit this natural landscape, you must buy the entrance ticket to the thermal baths. All within a single ticket!

• Aguas Calientes, the town at the foot of Machupicchu
• Tourist attractions in Machupicchu Pueblo
• The waterfalls of Aguas Calientes
• Visit price
• Visiting hours
• More information and tips for your visit
• Questions and answers about the waterfalls of Machupicchu town

Machu Picchu Falls

Aguas Calientes, the town at the foot of Machupicchu

• Aguas Calientes is the name of the closest town to Machupicchu. It is actually only 10 kilometers away by road and 8 kilometers on foot.
• Due to this proximity the town is called Machupicchu Pueblo. It belongs to the province of Urubamba and department of Cusco (approximately 100 kilometers from the city of Cusco).
• Machu Picchu Pueblo is located at 2,040 meters above sea level (approximately 6,692 feet elevation).
• Aguas Calientes is a unique town. Because it is an obligatory route to visit Machupicchu, hundreds of visitors arrive every day. For this reason, the town is completely dedicated to tourism.
• There are dozens of restaurants, hotels, bars, cafes and other tourist services. In addition, to diversify the tourist offer, routes and places to visit were created, such as: its thermal baths, its craft market, its stone sculptures and its waterfalls.

Tourist attractions in Machupicchu Pueblo

These are the main tourist attractions of Aguas Calientes:

• Machu Picchu – The Inca citadel is the best tourist attraction in Peru. It is located just 10 kilometers by road from Aguas Calientes. It offers an incredible landscape, amazing Inca constructions and hiking trails to its mountains. It is open every day from 6 am to 5 pm.
• Thermal Baths – The thermal baths of Aguas Calientes are located in the upper part of the town. They offer up to 5 pools with temperatures that vary from 38ºC. up to 42ºC. (There is also a cold pool of 15ºC.). It has dressing rooms, showers and bar service. It is open every day from 5 am to 8 pm.
• Stone Sculptures – The streets of the town of Aguas Calientes offer up to 36 stone sculptures built by artists from Cusco with the aim of embellishing the town and offering an alternative and free tourist attraction for tourists. The themes of the sculptures are Inca and Andean mythology.
• Mandor Waterfalls – The Mandor Waterfalls or Mandor Gardens are a natural area of ​​thick vegetation located approximately 3 kilometers on foot from the town of Aguas Calientes. In the highest part of the place there is a waterfall of approximately 15 meters of elevation. The place is home to birds, butterflies and even mammals.
• Aguas Calientes Waterfalls – The Aguas Calientes waterfalls are located in the upper part of town (inside the thermal baths). To get there, from the entrance to the thermal baths, you must walk for approximately 20 minutes. The waterfall has a short waterfall but is surrounded by beautiful vegetation.

The waterfalls of Aguas Calientes

• At the top of the town of Aguas Calientes there are some beautiful waterfalls surrounded by thick vegetation typical of the Cusco jungle.
• The falls are located in the same recreational center where the thermal baths of Aguas Calientes are . The walk up there includes lithic sculptures carved in the stone of the place itself.
• The waterfall has a small waterfall. The place is home to different species of birds such as hummingbirds, hummingbirds, butterflies and even the cock of the rocks (the national bird of Peru).
• Tourists can spend a moment of relaxation or meditation at the foot of the waterfall. Even if they can bear the cold of its waters, they can enjoy the waterfall.

Visit price

The Aguas Calientes waterfalls are included in the entrance ticket to the thermal baths:

Visiting hours

• The thermal baths and waterfalls of Aguas Calientes are open to tourists every day of the year from 5 in the morning to 8 at night.
• That is, it offers a perfect schedule to visit before or after visiting Machu Picchu.

More information and tips for your visit

• During the visit to the Aguas Calientes waterfalls it is forbidden to throw garbage, make noise, enter with alcoholic beverages or damage the vegetation or natural fauna.
• Machu Picchu Pueblo is famous for its waterfalls. In your visit, in addition to the town waterfall, you can visit: the Allcamayo waterfalls or the Mandorpampa waterfalls.
• The Aguas Calientes waterfalls were only opened in 2021, as part of the economic recovery caused by the Covid 19 pandemic.
• During your visit, it is recommended to bring sunscreen, a cap (or hat), mosquito repellent, comfortable clothing, slippers, swimwear, and a towel (in case you want to bathe in the thermal baths).

Questions and answers about the waterfalls of Machupicchu Pueblo

• 1. Where are the waterfalls of Machupicchu Pueblo?

  The falls are in the upper part of the town of Aguas Calientes (also called Machupicchu Pueblo). You can get there by walking from the center of town along a route of approximately 20 minutes.

• 2. What to see in the Aguas Calientes waterfalls?

  In addition to a waterfall with a short waterfall, the tourist will be able to see a natural landscape of great beauty with trees, birds, butterflies and even mammals.

• 3. How much does the ticket cost?

  The entrance to the falls is included in the entrance ticket to the thermal baths of Aguas Calientes. It costs 20 soles for foreign tourists, 10 soles for national tourists and 5 soles for tourists from Cusco.

• 4. What are the visiting hours?

  The waterfalls of Machupicchu Pueblo are open to tourists every day of the year from 5 in the morning to 8 at night.

• 5. Does the entrance ticket to the falls include the thermal baths of Machu Picchu Pueblo?

  Yes, the falls are located inside the recreational center of the thermal baths of Aguas Calientes.

• 6. What to bring to my visit to the falls?

  If you visit the Aguas Calientes waterfalls, do not forget to bring with you: comfortable clothes, slippers, hat, sunscreen, mosquito repellent, poncho in case of rain, bathing suit, towel, passport, cash and whatever you consider necessary.

• 7. What are the prohibitions in the Aguas Calientes waterfalls?

  During your visit to the falls it is forbidden to throw garbage, make annoying noises (loud music), bring alcoholic beverages and damage the flora and fauna characteristic of the site.

• 8. What other waterfalls are there in the town of Aguas Calientes?

  In Aguas Calientes you can also visit other waterfalls such as: the Allcamayo waterfalls or the Mandorpampa waterfalls.

• 9. When is the best time to visit the falls?

  The Aguas Calientes waterfalls can be visited any day of the year. It is recommended to do it in the dry season (from April to October). The rains are more intense in January, February and March.

• 10. Is it dangerous to visit the falls? Can everyone do it?

  No, the Aguas Calientes waterfalls are a very safe tourist attraction. It is only recommended to walk carefully. The visit can be made by tourists of all ages.

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