Places to Visit in Aguas Calientes, Peru, America

Places to Visit in Aguas Calientes, Peru, America

Aguas Calientes also called as Machupicchu is a town belonging to the Urubamba province in Cusco region of Peru, situated around 6 km away from the historical site of Machu Picchu. Aguas Calientes is known for many natural hot baths, tourist favor hotels and restaurants and the Central Machupicchu Hydroelectric Plant.

Geography of Aguas Calientes:

Aguas Calientes is geographically positioned between 13°9′17.4″ S latitude and 72°31′31.2″ W longitude at an elevation of 2,040 meters.

History of Aguas Calientes:

The name of Aguas Calientes may be derived from its hot springs (In Spanish language, Agua means ‘water’ and Caliente means ‘hot or warm’). Aguas Calientes was initially settled in 1901 by few farmer families and it became the seat of Machupicchu District on 1 October 1941.

How to reach Aguas Calientes?

Aguas Calientes has a railway terminal helpful for tourists who come from Cusco and Ollantaytambo to visit natural hot springs. There is a covered souvenir market adjoining the railway station.

Avenue Pachacutec is a thoroughfare connecting Aguas Calientes with natural hot springs Machu Picchu.

The closest airports to Aguas Calientes are Alejandro Velasco Astete International Airport in Cusco with few international flights and Jorge Chávez International Airport which has connectivity with major American and European cities.

Food and Shopping in Aguas Calientes:

Shopping in Aguas Calientes is expensive and the local shops demand more price than the actual price. Water bottles and snack pockets are available all around. Most of the major hotels and restaurants accept credit cards, only Visa.

Tourists can come across a big market along the Machu Picchu’s road and the major handicraft centre is situated opposite of the railway station. Hand-painted T-shirts are purchasable.

Things to do in Aguas Calientes:

Massage
Shopping
Internet
Lost City Bird Guides

Tourist Attractions in Aguas Calientes:

Machu Picchu:

Machu Picchu is a very famous 15th-century Inca site placed around 6 km away from Aguas Calientes and it can be reachable by bus, costs 18 USD per way. It is advised for tourists to buy entrance ticket at the Cultural Centre in Aguas Calientes.

Statue of Pachacutec:

The statue of Pachacutec is the major landmark of Aguas Calientes, Pachacutec was the 9^th Sapa of the Kingdom of Cusco. There is a local cathedral near the statue.

Thermal Baths:

Aguas Calientes is home to many superb hot water springs that attract tourists from all around the world. Visiting in the morning would be better and the entrance fee is S/10.00 per each. Bring towel and other needed stuff.

Other places of interest near Aguas Calientes include:

Machu Picchu Museum and Botanical Gardens
Ecological Centre
Butterfly House
Gardens of Mandor
Putucusi
Urubamba River
Putucusi Mountain
Wonderful Hands Spa
Mandor Gardens
Museo de Sitio Manuel Chavez Ballon
Banos Termales

Ideal time to visit Aguas Calientes:

Probably from June to September is the best time to visit Aguas Calientes, especially visiting the historical site Machu Picchu.

Accommodation options in Aguas Calientes:

Aguas Calientes houses all the kinds of accommodation centres ranging from budget options to luxury hotel. Budget hotels generally charge $10 per night and mid range hotels charge around $25 per person (price may vary on the facilities and services provided by hotels). The prominent budget, mid range and splurge accommodation options in Aguas Calientes are listed below:

Budget: