Things to do in Aguas Calientes

Aguas Calientes is a small town in the Andes Mountains, with plenty of things to do when you make your journey to these verdant mountains in Peru. Sometimes people refer to this town as as Machu Picchu Town due to its proximity to the ancient ruins. There’s a good chance you’ll come here directly from Cusco. Most people focus on Machu Picchu and don’t spend much time in Aguas Calientes. However, you’ll likely make your homebase here to visit Machu Picchu. So in between visiting the ruins, you can find some things to do to relax, shop for souvenirs, or take a relaxing break to let those muscles heal after exploring the mountains. Here are some of the things we recommend around Aguas Calientes!

Machu Picchu

As you can probably guess, the biggest attraction near Aguas Calientes is Machu Picchu. Not only is it the biggest attraction near Aguas Calientes, it’s also the most popular tourist destination in all of Peru and gets approximately 1-1.5 million visitors per year. Machu Picchu is one of the most well-preserved Incan cities dating back to the 15th century. The main part of the city is 530 meters long and 200 meters wide and has over 150 buildings. Aside from the impressive ruins, the city sits atop a 2,430 meter high mountain, surrounded by other mountains and lush green forests. You can check out our Machu Picchu guide here.

Thermal Baths

The thermal baths are outdoors at the highest part of Aguas Calientes with a beautiful view of the surrounding mountains. The water comes from natural sulfuric hot springs, which feels soft and soothing on your skin. You’ll find 3 large pools and 3 smaller pools, with temperatures ranging from 100°F (38°C) to 115°F (46°C), as well as a cold pool. You can also use the changing rooms, showers, bathrooms, and lockers available on site. And if you forget to bring a bathing suit, towel, flip flops or other items, it’s easy to find them in town. A bunch of vendors on the road up to the thermal baths sell everything you need!

When you’re there, you can also find a small bar that serves drinks and snacks. The friendly bartender offered to take a picture of us and provided drink recommendations while we waited for our allotted time at the pools. ONce you’re actually in the pools, all you need to do is wave up at the bar and they’ll come to you if you want another drink!

We tried 3 local cocktails: one pisco-based, one made with cactus, and one made with quinoa. The thermal baths are at the end of Hermanos Ayar de Aguas Calientes Avenue, which is about 0.5 miles from the main square. The only way to get there is by walking, but if you’re walking around Machu Picchu that shouldn’t be a problem. The baths open daily from 5:00am-8:00pm. When we were there, we had to purchase a ticket for a specific time. We had a 2-hour time limit, which I think was to reduce the number of people there during COVID.

You might want to check ahead at the ticket office to see if that’s still the case. The entrance fee is 20 soles for foreigners, 10 soles for Peruvians, and 5 soles for Cusqueños.

Mercado de Artesanías (Artisans Market) 

You’ll probably notice Mercado de Artesanías right when you get off the train and make your way through the city. Colorful stalls pack this market next to the river flowing through town. They specialize in handmade goods. It’s a great place to pick up some souvenirs. You can find clothing (including items made from alpaca wool), stone, wood, and clay sculptures, jewelry, embossed leather, paintings, toys, and more. Prices are generally higher than markets in Cusco or other parts of Peru, but haggling is accepted and it’s kind of nice having something from Machu Picchu. It’s a perfect little stop before or after you make the trek to the ancient city! 

Los Jardines de Mándor (Mándor Gardens)

The Mandor Gardens is part of a family run ecological reserve dedicated to preserving and restoring local wildlife. There you’ll see different kinds of plants, trees, flowers – particularly orchids, birds, and butterflies, but the highlight of Mandor Gardens is definitely their 30-meter high waterfall. Mandor Gardens is approximately 4 km or a 1 hour walk from Aguas Calientes. Once there, the falls are an additional 15-20 minute walk. The garden is open every day from 7:00am-5:00pm. Tickets are S/.20 for foreign adults, S/.10 for Peruvian adults, S/.15 for foreign minors (8-17 years old), S/.5 for Peruvian minors (8-17 years old), and free for children under 8 years old. Mandor also has an ecolodge/hostel with private and shared rooms, a campsite, and a restaurant along the Urubamba River that serves traditional family recipes. You can check out more about Mandor through their website.

Putucusi Mountain

If you’re looking for more adventure, you can hike Putucusi Mountain, a 2,560 meter high mountain next to Machu Picchu. It’s sometimes referred to as “the hidden gem of Machu Picchu” since it’s less known but provides amazing views of Machu Picchu from another angle. The route starts in Aguas Calientes and estimates for the trek range from 2-4 hours. This hike is quite steep and difficult though with vertical stairs/ladders and can be dangerous if not done properly. It is recommended to go with a guide with proper gear/equipment. It is not recommended for children, seniors, people with a fear of heights, or in inclement weather.

Manuel Chávez Ballón Museum

The Manual Chávez Ballón Museum covers the history of Machu Picchu and the culture of the Incan civilization, providing a nice accompaniment to visiting Machu Picchu. The museum contains stone, metal, ceramic, and bone artifacts found in and around Machu Picchu. You can see tools used for building, agriculture, and hunting, as well as ceremonial objects. There is also a small botanical garden with orchids, coffee, and coca plants, as well as other native plant species. In order to enter the museum, you need to purchase the combined ‘Machu Picchu + Museum’ ticket. The museum is about a mile from Aguas Calientes and is only accessible by foot, but it’s a relatively short 30-minute walk. It’s open Monday-Saturday from 10:00am-4:00pm.

Granite Sculptures

If you walk from the train station towards the Wiñayhuayna neighborhood along the river, you’ll see a series of 13 granite sculptures. All the sculptures were made by local artists from Cusco and Aguas Calientes reflecting Andean culture and beliefs. Many depict the Andean gods. One shows Pachamama, or Mother Earth, a symbol of life, fertility, and abundance. Another depicts forbidden love between Wayra, the god of wind, and Pachamama who is promised to the Apus, or mountain gods. And another shows an Apu holding and kissing a baby, representing love and protection from the gods. Be sure to take time to appreciate all the little details and read the plaques next to the sculptures for an explanation of the images.

*Please note that policies, hours, and prices may change over time.