The artisan market is one of the first places you come across when arriving in Aguas Calientes. It is located right next to the train station and practically wraps around one side of it, which makes it impossible not to pass through when entering or leaving town. For those arriving by train, it is the town’s immediate welcome. For those leaving, it is the last chance to take something home. That gives it a strategic position that no other market in the region has.
Contents
Where it is and how to get there
The market is located in the Las Orquídeas neighborhood, directly beside the Aguas Calientes train station. From Manco Cápac Plaza, it can be reached in less than five minutes on foot. From any hotel in the town center, the walk takes no more than ten minutes. There is no transportation connecting it to other parts of town because the entire town is explored on foot. There are several entrances to the market, but the most natural one is the access point that leads directly out of the train station.
Hours
The market is open every day of the year, Monday through Sunday, including holidays. Regular hours are from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Some stalls may open a little earlier or close a little later depending on the flow of visitors that day. There is no weekly closing day.
What is sold
The market brings together more than 200 stalls organized in covered galleries. The range of products is broad, although many stalls sell similar items. The most interesting finds are the products made by communities from the Sacred Valley, which sometimes appear mixed in with more mass-produced goods. It is worth taking your time to walk through the whole market before buying from the first stall that catches your eye.
Textiles are the category with the greatest variety. There are sweaters, ponchos, chullos, scarves, gloves, tapestries, and blankets made from alpaca fiber, sheep’s wool, and a variety of blends. Quality varies widely from stall to stall, ranging from handwoven garments made with real alpaca fiber to industrially produced items that imitate handmade weaving. Feeling the fabric before buying and asking about the fiber composition helps distinguish one from the other.
Silver jewelry with Inca and Andean motifs occupies an important section of the market. There are rings, bracelets, earrings, and necklaces featuring the condor, the serpent, the puma, and the sun, the most representative symbols of the Andean worldview. Sterling silver pieces are noticeably higher in quality than metal-plated ones, and the price reflects that difference.
Ceramics are also present, with reproductions of Inca vessels and figures in painted clay. Sculptures carved in Huamanga stone and wood depict llamas, alpacas, condors, and human figures dressed in Inca clothing. The musical instruments include quenas, pan flutes, ocarinas, and pinkillos, all locally made and fully functional.
At the smaller stalls, you can also find keychains, magnets, postcards, miniature replicas of Machu Picchu, and practical items such as rain ponchos, hats, sunscreen, and insect repellent, useful for anyone who needs them before heading up to the citadel.
There is also a section with food products where you can find locally grown organic coffee and cacao from the nearby subtropical valleys, medicinal herbs such as muña and chamomile, small bags of coca leaves, and Andean snacks such as toasted quinoa, chulpi corn, and puffed kiwicha.
Prices and bargaining
Prices at the Aguas Calientes artisan market are higher than at the markets in Cusco, Pisac, or Ollantaytambo. The reason is simple: the town can only be supplied by train, and that raises the cost of everything. If your trip continues to Cusco or the Sacred Valley, it is better to save your bigger purchases for there, where the selection is broader and prices are more affordable.
Bargaining is a normal part of the market dynamic. The price first quoted is rarely the final price. Checking several stalls that sell the same product before buying gives you a realistic sense of the price range and gives you more room to negotiate with better information. Bargaining should be respectful: it is the livelihood of the artisans who run the stalls.
How to pay
Most stalls accept Peruvian soles in cash. Some also accept U.S. dollars, although the exchange rate they apply is usually unfavorable for the buyer. The larger stalls in the market may accept debit or credit cards, although not all of them offer that option. The most practical approach is to bring Peruvian soles in cash withdrawn in Cusco before arriving in town, because ATMs in Aguas Calientes often have long lines and can run out of cash during high season.
When It is best to visit
Early morning, between 8:00 and 10:00 a.m., is less crowded, and vendors are usually more willing to talk. Midday and the afternoon, between 2:00 and 5:00 p.m., are the busiest times because they coincide with the return of groups from Machu Picchu. If you have a train back to Cusco or Ollantaytambo later in the day, the market is the natural stop while you wait for departure time.
A practical note
If this is the last stop of your trip through the Cusco and Machu Picchu region, the market is the right place for your final shopping. If you still have days ahead in Cusco, the Sacred Valley, or Pisac, consider saving your purchases for there. The selection is larger, prices are better, and the chance of finding higher-quality items is significantly greater in those destinations than in Aguas Calientes.
Peru Sites coordinates your stay in Aguas Calientes
At Peru Sites, we organize overnight stays in Aguas Calientes as part of itineraries that include Machu Picchu, the Inca Trail, or the region’s alternative treks. If you want time to explore the market, the hot springs, and the town at a relaxed pace before taking the train back.
