Aguas Calientes, also known as Machu Picchu Pueblo, is the only land access point to the Inca citadel. Almost all travelers spend at least one night here, and many treat it as just a transit stop. That is a mistake. The town has its own character, its own attractions, and several activities that are worth your time beyond the visit to the ruins. It is nestled among cloud forest mountains at 2,040 meters above sea level, beside the Vilcanota River, and private vehicles do not circulate through its streets. That gives it an unusual sense of calm for such a heavily visited destination.
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The hot springs
The town takes its name from its hot waters, and the thermal baths are the most popular activity after Machu Picchu. They are located about a ten-minute walk from the main square, uphill along a path beside the river. The complex has several pools at different temperatures, filled with mineral water that comes from the mountain’s natural springs. The water temperature ranges between 30 and 40 degrees Celsius depending on the pool. They are especially welcome at the end of the day after visiting the citadel, when your body appreciates the warmth and stillness. The entrance fee is affordable and paid directly at the ticket office of the complex.
The Manuel Chávez Ballón site museum
The Site Museum is one of the least visited places in Aguas Calientes and one of the most valuable for understanding what you are about to see, or what you have just seen, at the citadel. It is located at kilometer 112 of the Hiram Bingham Road, about a 20-minute walk from town in the direction of Machu Picchu. It has five permanent exhibition rooms with original pieces found in the Historic Sanctuary, including ceramics, tools, textiles, and skeletal remains. It is surrounded by a botanical garden with more than 300 species of native orchids from the area. Opening hours are from 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., and admission for foreign adults costs 22 soles. Starting at noon, admission is free.
Putucusi Mountain
Putucusi is the mountain directly facing Machu Picchu from the town of Aguas Calientes. Its name means “happy mountain” or “joyful mountain” in Quechua, and from its summit you get a completely different perspective of the citadel from anything offered within the archaeological site itself. The ascent is steep, and in some sections there are wooden ladders fixed to the rock. The round-trip hike takes between 3 and 4 hours depending on your pace and requires good physical condition. It is not recommended on rainy days because the trail becomes slippery. It is a perfect option for the day before or after visiting Machu Picchu, with the added advantage that it is not overcrowded.
The Mándor gardens
Four kilometers from downtown Aguas Calientes, following the train tracks toward Hydroelectric Station, are the Mándor Gardens, a private ecological reserve in the middle of the cloud forest. The walk there is part of the experience itself: the vegetation closes in as you move forward, and you begin to see wild orchids, high-altitude ferns, begonias, and mushrooms of different sizes. The route inside the gardens follows well-marked trails to the Mándor Waterfalls, a cascading drop of several meters surrounded by dense vegetation. You can hear dozens of bird species along the way, and in season it is possible to spot the Andean cock-of-the-rock. The full round-trip hike from town takes about two hours.
The Machu Picchu butterfly house
A ten-minute walk from the main square, down a path that leads into the river canyon, is the Machu Picchu Butterfly House. It is a space managed by SERNANP and dedicated to the conservation and breeding of native butterflies from the region. The visit includes a guided tour led by an ecosystem specialist who explains the complete life cycle of butterflies, from egg to adult stage, with the chance to observe each phase of the process. It is a little-known activity but highly recommended, especially for those traveling with children or interested in local wildlife.
Manco Cápac plaza and the town center
The main square of Aguas Calientes is named after the mythical founder of the Inca Empire and features at its center a statue of the Inca Pachacútec, the ruler credited with the construction of Machu Picchu. It is the social heart of the town: restaurants and cafés line all its edges, and it is the place where travelers gather before and after visiting the citadel. From the square, you can walk toward the upper part of town, where there are sculptures carved directly into the bedrock by local artists. They represent figures from the Andean worldview such as the god Wiracocha, Pachamama, and the sacred condor. One of the town’s newest and most eye-catching attractions is the statue of Paddington Bear installed in the Alameda de los Artesanos, donated by the government of the United Kingdom to mark the filming of the movie Paddington in Peru.
The handicrafts market
Next to the train station stretches the town’s handicrafts market, with more than 200 stalls selling textiles, ceramics, jewelry, musical instruments, and decorative items. It is almost impossible not to pass through it when entering or leaving town. Prices tend to be higher than in Cusco or the Sacred Valley, so if your trip continues to those destinations, it is better to save your shopping for there. If Aguas Calientes is the last stop of your trip through the region, then it is the natural place to buy souvenirs. Bargaining is possible, although not as flexible as in other markets in the region.
The food market
Unlike the handicrafts market, the Aguas Calientes food market is the local space where the town’s residents buy and sell fresh food. It also has a section of small eateries where you can have a set lunch for between 8 and 15 soles. It is the most affordable and most authentic place in town to eat, although quality can vary. At the market you can also try chicha de jora, the fermented corn drink of pre-Hispanic origin that is served by the glass from early in the day. One glass costs around 2 soles.
Restaurants in Aguas Calientes
The town’s dining scene is broader than the size of the place would suggest. There are options for every budget, from the market food stalls to restaurants with elaborate menus and river views. Standard Peruvian dishes are well represented: lomo saltado, river trout, highland ceviche, ají de gallina, and arroz con leche. The price of a meal at a mid-range restaurant ranges between 25 and 50 soles per person, not including drinks. The restaurants along the river have the nicest views, especially at sunset when the light drops between the mountains.
Nightlife
Aguas Calientes has a surprisingly active nightlife for its size. Most bars are located on the main square or on the streets surrounding the train station. Some open early in the morning for travelers returning from Machu Picchu who are looking for a place to rest with a beer. The liveliest bars operate from 9:00 p.m. until after midnight. It is not a major nightlife destination, but it is not a town that shuts down at 9:00 p.m. either. For those arriving exhausted after the Inca Trail or the Salkantay Trek, a quiet drink with a view of the illuminated mountains is a perfect ending to the adventure.
Plan your visit to Aguas Calientes with Peru Sites
At Peru Sites, we coordinate your accommodation in Aguas Calientes, transportation from Cusco, entrance tickets to Machu Picchu, and complementary activities such as the hot springs or the site museum visit depending on how much time you have available in town. If you want to make the most of your overnight stay in Aguas Calientes before or after visiting the citadel, write to us with your travel dates and we will put together the full itinerary.
