Most travelers see Aguas Calientes only as the place to sleep before Machu Picchu, but the town has more to offer than hotels and the bus station. Here are the best things to do in Aguas Calientes, whether you arrive by train, after the Inca Trail or on the Salkantay Trek.
This guide from Machu Picchu Team, a local tour operator in Cusco, covers the top things to do in Aguas Calientes, how much each activity costs, how to get around and how much time to plan.
Aguas Calientes at a Glance
| Topic | Details |
|---|---|
| Official name | Machu Picchu Pueblo |
| Altitude | About 2,040 m, lower and warmer than Cusco |
| How to arrive | By train from Cusco (Poroy or San Pedro) or Ollantaytambo, or on foot from Hidroeléctrica. There is no road from Cusco. |
| To Machu Picchu | Bus, about 25 minutes, or a steep walk of about 1.5 hours |
| Size | Small and walkable; everything is within 15 minutes on foot |
| Time needed | An afternoon or a half day, besides your visit to Machu Picchu |
Top Things to Do in Aguas Calientes
1. Relax in the hot springs
The town is named after its thermal baths, a 10-minute walk uphill from the main square along Avenida Pachacútec. The pools are warm rather than hot, and they are especially welcome after the Inca Trail or the Salkantay Trek. The entrance is around S/ 20 for foreign visitors, and they are open from early morning until the evening. Bring a swimsuit and a towel; lockers are available. For a more natural setting on the alternative route, see the Cocalmayo hot springs near Santa Teresa.
2. Visit the Manuel Chávez Ballón Site Museum
The best place to understand Machu Picchu: archaeological finds, models and explanations of how the city was built, plus a small botanical garden with native orchids. It is near the Puente Ruinas bridge, about 30 minutes on foot from town along the river road, and it is usually open from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM.
3. Walk to the Mandor gardens and waterfall
A walk of about 1 hour along the railway, downstream from town, leads to the Mandor gardens: a private reserve with a forest trail, birds, orchids and a waterfall at the end. A small entrance fee is charged at the gate. Wear shoes with good grip, and walk on the side of the track, watching for trains.
4. See the butterflies at the Mariposario
A butterfly house near Puente Ruinas, about 15 minutes on foot from the center, with a short guided visit. It is a good choice for families.
5. Explore the market and the square
The craft market next to the train station sells textiles, alpaca items and souvenirs, and the local food market serves cheap set lunches. The main square, Plaza Manco Cápac, has a statue of the Inca Pachacútec and is lively in the evening.
6. Eat local food
Try trout from the Urubamba River, lomo saltado, quinoa soup and fresh tropical juices. Restaurants line the railway and Avenida Pachacútec; prices are higher than in Cusco, because everything arrives by train. See our guide to Peruvian food.
Entrance fees and hours are approximate and can change; confirm them locally.
Machu Picchu from Aguas Calientes
The main reason you are here, of course, is the citadel. Buses leave from Avenida Hermanos Ayar from about 5:30 AM; you can also walk up a steep stone path from Puente Ruinas in about 1.5 hours. Remember that you need a Machu Picchu ticket with a fixed route and entry time. Read:
- How to get from Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu
- Things to do in Machu Picchu: routes, Huayna Picchu, the Mountain, the Sun Gate
- Machu Picchu tickets 2027
Aguas Calientes After the Inca Trail or Salkantay
On the 4-day Inca Trail, you visit Machu Picchu on the last morning and then go down to Aguas Calientes for lunch and the train back. There is usually time for the hot springs or the market before the train. On the Salkantay Trek, you sleep in Aguas Calientes the night before Machu Picchu, so the afternoon is free to rest, soak and eat well.
- Inca Trail 4 Days (from USD 740)
- Salkantay Trek 5 Days and the Salkantay Trek hub
- Inca Jungle Trail 4 Days
How Long to Stay in Aguas Calientes
- Day trip: on the Machu Picchu Full Day Tour by Train (from USD 280), you only have time for lunch in town.
- One night: the best option. Arrive in the afternoon, enjoy the hot springs and the market, and visit Machu Picchu early the next morning. See the Machu Picchu 2 Day Tour by Train (from USD 310).
- Budget route: arrive on foot from Hidroeléctrica (about 2.5 to 3 hours along the railway) with the Machu Picchu by Car 2 Days (from USD 130).
For the way back, see our guide to the return from Machu Picchu by car or train.
Tips for Aguas Calientes
A few practical tips will help you enjoy all the things to do in Aguas Calientes:
- Insect repellent: sandflies bite at the river and on the trails.
- Rain jacket: it rains often in this cloud forest, even in the dry season.
- Cash: there are ATMs, but they sometimes run out of money in high season, so bring soles from Cusco. See the exchange rate in Peru.
- Luggage: trains limit bags to about 5 to 8 kg. Leave the rest at our office in Cusco (free storage).
- Bus tickets: buy the Machu Picchu bus ticket the day before to avoid the morning queue.
See the full Machu Picchu packing list.
FAQs: Things to Do in Aguas Calientes
Is Aguas Calientes worth staying in?
Yes. One night lets you visit Machu Picchu early in the morning, with fewer people, and enjoy the hot springs, the museum or the Mandor waterfall in the afternoon.
How much are the Aguas Calientes hot springs?
Around S/ 20 for foreign visitors. They are open from early morning until the evening.
Is Aguas Calientes the same as Machu Picchu Pueblo?
Yes. Machu Picchu Pueblo is the official name of the town; most people still call it Aguas Calientes.
Can I walk from Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu?
Yes. It is a steep climb of about 1.5 hours on stone steps from Puente Ruinas. Most visitors take the bus, which takes about 25 minutes.
How do I get to Aguas Calientes?
By train from Cusco or Ollantaytambo, or on foot from Hidroeléctrica along the railway. No road connects Aguas Calientes with Cusco.
