The 9+ BEST things to do in Aguas Calientes, Peru

Last updated on December 21st, 2024

From waterfalls to hot springs to local eats, we’re sharing the best things to do in Aguas Calientes, Peru. Beyond just Machu Picchu!

Aguas Calientes may be known as the homebase to explore Machu Picchu, but don’t let that be the only thing you do in the area. Located in a cloud forest, surrounded by towering mountains and with a rushing river running through it, Aguas Calientes may be one of the most beautiful town settings we have ever seen!

And while it is a bit (okay, a lot) touristy, there are many things to do in Aguas Calientes for all interests, including museums, natural sites, and some solid local restaurants. So if you have time before or after visiting Machu Picchu and are unsure what to do, we’ve gotcha covered!

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The BEST things to do in Aguas Calientes

Visit Machu Picchu

Huayna Picchu hike (Wayna Picchu) Machu Picchu Circuits

It’s a safe bet to assume that 100% of visitors to Aguas Calientes are visiting Machu Picchu. And for good reason! This iconic Inca citadel, built around 1450 AD, is now one of the Wonders of the World and features impressive architecture and terraces, plus sweeping views of the Andes Mountains.

It’s truly a magical sight and easily the best thing to do in Aguas Calientes! But there is a lot to know before you go, like how to get there from Aguas Calientes, the different circuits, what to bring (and what NOT to bring), and so much more. So we’ve put together a detailed guide to visiting Machu Picchu to help you plan your time there!

Soak in hot springs (Baños Termales)

One of our favorite travel activities is soaking in hot springs. And Aguas Calientes is close to a couple different hot springs to choose from!

We can’t think of a more perfect activity to recharge after a long trek to Aguas Calientes! But even if you didn’t trek and you took the train, the hot springs would still be nice after a long day of travel or visiting Machu Picchu.

Machu Picchu Hot Springs

Despite the name, the Machu Picchu Hot Springs are not actually at Machu Picchu (although that would be epic!). They are located on the northside of Aguas Calientes, set among lush canyon walls, with mountain views in the distance.

It costs S/20 ($5.30 USD) for foreigners for a 1.5 hour time slot, which does include access to a waterfall on the property. However, it does not include a towel. So make sure to bring your own! You could grab one from your hotel or rent one from a stand outside the hot springs. There is a place to lock up your clothes and belongings with a key.

We have heard some pretty mixed things about these hot springs, though. They are not super fancy and have more of a hostel or community pool vibe, with just a couple pools that range from 34ºC-38ºC (93ºF-100ºF). Some say it is not the cleanest, although hot springs tend to have murkier, sulfur smelling water. Plus, it can get pretty busy, with mornings being the best time to visit to have more space.

While we would personally choose the hot springs below, this is the most convenient option when in Aguas Calientes.

Cocalmayo Hot Springs (Santa Teresa)

The Cocalmayo Hot Springs are located in Santa Teresa, which is about 15 km (9.3 miles) northwest of Machu Picchu. Compared to the Machu Picchu hot springs, Cocalmayo is bigger, plus the water looks cleaner and clearer.

Cocalmayo costs S/10 ($2.65 USD) per person and there are several pools to choose from, each with a different temperature. And although the pools are man made, they are tucked into a beautiful mountain setting!

The only downside is that these hot springs can be a bit more difficult to get to from Aguas Calientes. But there are a handful of options!

Option #1: You can take the train from Aguas Calientes to Hidroeléctrica and then take a taxi to the hot springs. The downside of this method is that the train schedule is limited, so you will need to ensure the timing works, otherwise you’ll have to walk one way.
Option #2: If the train schedule does not work for you, you can walk to Hidroeléctrica (2-3 hours one way) and then take a taxi to the hot springs.
Option #3: You could book a Machu Picchu tour that includes the hot springs. This is the only option we found and does require walking from Hidroeléctrica to Aguas Calientes, but only one way.
Option #4: Lastly, you can walk the entire way from Aguas Calientes. This takes 4-4.5 hours each way, so it’s not recommended. But it is an option!

Manuel Chávez Ballón Site Museum

Want to learn more about the history of Machu Picchu and the Inca? Head to the Manuel Chávez Ballón Site Museum! This small museum shares information on the archaeological excavations of Machu Picchu and Inca architecture and engineering.

It costs about S/20 ($5.30 USD) per person to enter, but if you have a Machu Picchu entrance ticket, it is free to enter after 12 PM. And since it’s right by the hiking trail for Machu Picchu, it’s a convenient stop if you choose to hike back to town.

Walk around town

One of the best things to do in Aguas Calientes is to simply wander around town! The town is very walkable and has cool narrow streets, a rushing river and waterfall right in town, and fun sculptures and art.

Manco Capac Plaza (main square)

As you walk around, make sure to visit Manco Capac Plaza. This is the town’s main square and has a lively atmosphere that is filled with shops, restaurants, street vendors, and locals enjoying the day. People watching is a top thing to do here, as well as taking a photo with the town sign and Manco Capac statue.

Urubamba Riverfront

There are actually three rivers that converge in Aguas Calientes, the Alcamayo River, the Aguas Calientes River, and the mighty Urubamba River, which flows from the Sacred Valley.

You can walk along all three of these rivers, which make for a beautiful and relaxing walk. Along the way you’ll find some of the famous Machu Picchu Pueblo signs and sculptures that you can take photos with.

Shop at the local artisan market

Similar to other towns in Peru, like Cusco, Aguas Calientes has its own artisan market that sells any tourist souvenir you can think of. Here you’ll find bags, alpaca items, knick knacks, art, and so much more.

However, since Aguas Calientes is home to the most popular tourist attraction in Peru, it is more expensive than other markets in Peru. If Aguas Calientes is your last stop and you have gifts to buy, this is a great place to do it. But even if you don’t want to shop, it’s a fun (and colorful!) spot to walk around.

Chase waterfalls

With its cloud forest location and multiple rivers, Aguas Calientes is home to quite a few waterfalls. And one of the best things to do in Aguas Calientes is to go check them out! If you only have a little bit of extra time in Aguas Calientes, this is one of our top picks, as it gives you the chance to see more of the area’s breathtaking scenery beyond just at Machu Picchu.

Mándor Gardens and Waterfall

The Mándor Gardens and Waterfall is a small garden and waterfall just outside Aguas Calientes, as well as home to a cafe and campground. It’s the most popular waterfall to visit in the area and costs S/20 ($5.30 USD) per person. Make sure to bring your passport, as they may ask to see it at the entrance.

To get to Mándor, you can either walk about 4 km (2.5 miles) one way from Aguas Calientes and then once at the entrance, it’s about 1 km (0.6 miles) to the waterfall. Alternatively, you can take the train from Aguas Calientes to the Mandor station, either one way or both ways, but the schedule is limited, so make sure to check it in advance.

IMPORTANT NOTE: As of November 2024 the gardens and waterfall are closed due to a rockslide that damaged the garden and trail. Make sure to check with the tourist information center in town to see if it has opened again before hiking out there.

Alcamayo Waterfall

Located a short walk east of Aguas Calientes is the Alcamayo Waterfall. It’s a short 10 minute walk from town to the trailhead and then you’ll have another short walk (with steps!) along a beautiful trail, full of flowers and some art, until you get to the two different waterfalls.

It does cost S/20 ($5.30 USD) per person to visit Alcamayo, so make sure to bring cash. And if you want to swim in the falls, make sure to wear a swimsuit and be prepared for cold water!

Aguas Calientes Waterfall

The third waterfall in town is the Aguas Calientes Waterfall, which can be accessed through the Machu Picchu hot springs. You’ll need to pay the entrance fee to the hot springs to get to it, but for many, these waterfalls make the visit to the hot springs more worth it!

Mariposario of Machu Picchu

Another one of the best things to do in Aguas Calientes is visit the Mariposario of Machu Picchu, or butterfly house! It’s about a 20 minute walk from town and for S/20 ($5.30 USD) you’ll get a short tour of the garden and then be able to walk around at your own pace. On the tour they’ll explain the life cycle of a butterfly and you’ll learn about the native plants.

Check out the restaurants

Since Aguas Calientes is a very touristy town, restaurants will be a bit more expensive than the rest of Peru and they can be hit or miss. But there are some gems in town! In fact, we had some of our favorite meals in Peru in Aguas Calientes. Here are a handful of the spots we recommend, including one of the coolest restaurants in Peru!

Restaurant Indio Feliz

Our favorite restaurant we ate at in Aguas Calientes is Indio Feliz. The inside of this place was funky and eclectic, with tons of pictures and trinkets and currency from countries all over the world covering the walls. Plus lots of wood accents that make you feel like you’re in a pirate ship!

While the decor and vibe of Indo Feliz is a lot of fun and worth the visit alone, the food is tasty too! Many of the restaurants in town have extremely similar menus, but Indio Feliz offered more unique options. We tried their trout ceviche and mango chicken, plus their GIANT lemonade, and everything was delicious!

Full House

Another one of our favorite restaurants in Aguas Calientes was Full House Peruvian Cuisine. Aguas Calientes has a strip of restaurants that are perched above the Urubamba River, with spectacular views, including this one. While we didn’t get to sit at the windows, we still had a nice view from our table and the food was really good too!

We got a couple Peruvian classics, like ají de gallina and lomo saltado. They were just as good as other restaurants we tried them at around the country!

Other suggestions

We also got a quick bite before the train at Tao Dulce Salado, which was solid! They have empanadas, burgers, delicious drinks, coffee, and sweet treats. We also wanted to try Los Ponchos, Pueblo Viejo, and Chullos, but unfortunately ran out of time.

Have a coffee at Coffee Trotter

If you know us, you know we always seek out good coffee shops in every destination we visit. And Coffee Trotter in Aguas Calientes is a gem! It has a beautiful interior and great vibe, plus they serve a spectacular flat white. Although we didn’t try their food, it looked really good too!

We came here multiple times during our visit and it was the perfect spot to rest a bit after exploring Machu Picchu and all of the other best things to do in Aguas Calientes.

Planning your trip to Aguas Calientes

How to get to Aguas Calientes

Aguas Calientes is located in the Andes Mountains, about 4 hours from Cusco. But even though it’s a major tourist destination, there are no roads to Aguas Calientes. So getting there isn’t as straightforward as just hopping in a car and arriving. But since Machu Picchu is the most popular tourist destination in all of Peru there are several options to get there, such as a train, bus, or trekking.

We share a step by step guide for getting to Aguas Calientes, with all available options, in this guide!

Getting around Aguas Calientes

Since there are no roads into Aguas Calientes, the only way to get around is by foot. But one thing to keep in mind is that some walkways are brick, have stairs, and are steep. So if you have strollers, wheelchairs, or struggle with hills, it may be more difficult.

Where to stay in Aguas Calientes

Since Aguas Calientes is such a popular town to visit, there are tons of accommodation options for all budgets ranging from hostels to luxury hotels.

We stayed at Inti Punku Machu Picchu, which was a good mid-range option. Our room was spacious and comfortable and they had free breakfast!

Here are a few more options!

Hotels

Tierra Viva Machu Picchu Hotel
ANDINO HOTEL
Fenix Hotel Machupicchu
Rupa Rupa High Jungle Eco B&B

See more hotel options

Hostels

Supertramp Hostel
Nativus

See more hostel options

When is the best time to visit Aguas Calientes?

You can visit Aguas Calientes year-round, but the best time to visit will depend on a variety of factors and what is most important to you.

Weather

The first thing to consider is the weather. Peru has two main seasons, a rainy season and dry season. The rainy season is typically from November through March, while the dry season is April through October. If the views are your top priority, make sure to visit in the dry season.

However, the weather in the Andes Mountains can be very unpredictable and no matter how much planning you do, the weather always has its own mind. Even when we visited in late September, we still had fog and rain. This is why we recommend spending two days in Aguas Calientes if you can, as it ups your chances for good weather.

Crowd levels

The dry season brings the most crowds, with the busiest months in Aguas Calientes (and Machu Picchu) being June, July, and August. For the perfect mix of good weather and less crowds, the shoulder months of April, May, September, and October are, in our opinion, the best time to visit Aguas Calientes.

Trekking to Machu Picchu?

If you plan to trek to Machu Picchu, we would suggest avoiding January and February. In fact, the famous Inca Trail is closed in February due to rain. The best months to trek are between April-October.

How much time do you need in Aguas Calientes?

We recommend spending 1-2 days in Aguas Calientes. Most people will only spend one full day in Aguas Calientes in order to visit Machu Picchu, but we suggest spending two days if you can. This not only gives you the chance to experience some of the best things to do in Aguas Calientes besides Machu Picchu, but it also gives you a better chance to have good weather.