Aguas Calientes — officially Machu Picchu Pueblo — is the town at the bottom of the mountain, at about 2,040 m in the gorge of the Urubamba. There are no cars: the railway runs down the main street, and everything is a few minutes’ walk from everything else.
It is not a beautiful town, and prices are high, but it is the key to a good visit. Sleeping here lets you take an early bus, split two entries across a day, or simply see the ruins without a four-hour journey on either side.
Top things to do at Aguas Calientes
Soak in the thermal baths
The hot springs that gave the town its name are a ten-minute walk up the valley from the main square: a series of warm outdoor pools, busy in the late afternoon with returning trekkers. Bring a swimsuit and a towel; there is a small entrance fee.
Walk to the Mandor gardens
Follow the railway downstream for about an hour to a private nature reserve with a forest trail, orchids, birdlife and a waterfall. It is flat, shaded and a pleasant way to spend a spare afternoon. A small fee is charged at the gate.
Visit the site museum
The Manuel Chávez Ballón museum, about 25 minutes’ walk from town near the bridge at the foot of the mountain, explains how the city was built and displays objects found there. Few visitors make the effort, and it adds real context.
Browse the craft market and eat well
The market between the station and the centre sells textiles and souvenirs. The town has a surprising number of good restaurants; menus on the main drag are aimed at passing trade, and you will eat better a street or two back.
How to get to Aguas Calientes
- By train from Ollantaytambo (about 1.5–2 hours) or, at certain times of year, from Poroy or San Pedro in Cusco. See getting here.
- On foot from Hidroeléctrica: 10–11 km along the tracks, two and a half to three hours.
- Up to the ruins: shuttle buses leave from the street beside the river; the walking path starts at the bridge a 20–25 minute walk downstream.
Insider tips
- Buy your bus ticket the afternoon before to avoid one queue in the morning.
- Rooms beside the tracks or the river are noisy — ask when you book.
- Bring enough cash; the few ATMs sometimes run out.
- Many restaurants add a service charge to the bill. Check before you order.
- Hotels will keep your bag after check-out while you are up at the site.
Best tours & tickets for Aguas Calientes
These top-rated experiences are the easiest way to see Aguas Calientes:
Guided visit From Aguas Calientes: Machu Picchu Guided Tour with Tickets
Entry ticket and a guided walk of the citadel, meeting in Aguas Calientes. A tidy solution when you have organised your own train and hotel and want the ticket and guide handled together. Check the listing for which circuit is offered on your date.
- Entry ticket included
- Licensed guide for the visit
- Starts in Aguas Calientes
Bus ticket Aguas Calientes: Bus Transfer to Machu Picchu Citadel
Tickets for the shuttle bus between Aguas Calientes and the Machu Picchu entrance, arranged in advance. It saves you the walk up — a climb of about 400 m — and a stop at the ticket office. Entry to the site is not included.
- Shuttle bus up the Hiram Bingham road
- One-way or return options
- Skip the ticket-office queue in town
Transport Cusco: Direct Bus to Hidroeléctrica (Machu Picchu)
The budget alternative to the train: a long drive over the Abra Málaga pass to Hidroeléctrica, from where you walk to Aguas Calientes. Reviews are mixed and the road is slow, so allow a spare day and avoid the wettest months.
- Minibus from Cusco to Hidroeléctrica
- The cheapest way towards Machu Picchu
- Then a 2.5–3 hour walk along the railway
