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When you come to visit Machu Picchu, you have several options. You can come for a full day (or more) and sleep one or several nights on site (which is what I recommend), or come and see Machu Picchu in a single day from Cusco.
You can also come by train or on foot via the various superb treks like the Salkantay.
But if you have the time, I really recommend sleeping in Aguas Calientes. It lets you spend more time at the fortress and not stress about catching the train. And the bonus is that it’s not especially expensive! Well, there are gorgeous luxury hotels that cost a fortune, and others with excellent value for money. In short, there’s something for everyone and the choice gets better year after year.
Let’s take a look!
Staying at Machu Picchu
What if I told you it was possible to sleep at the top of Machu Picchu — what would you say?
I’m not bluffing, I’m not telling you to bring your tent and go wild camping. There really is a hotel right up there, right at the entrance to Machu Picchu: the Belmond Sanctuary Lodge.
I’d better warn you, it’s a luxury hotel, the real deal. On top of having insane views, you feel like you’re on top of the world with pretty magical services. And the prices are magical too, haha 😀
To set the scene, you’re right in the middle of the forest. It’s a small hotel (31 rooms) where you feel like you’re surrounded by nature. Well, actually, it’s not just a feeling, because there’s nothing else around apart from the archaeological site.
You’re not just paying for the setting (thankfully), but also for lovely services, a great restaurant, with Inca ceremonies, activities… and beautiful rooms!
Right, on to the painful bit — prices start at $1,900. Quite something! I’m not going to tell you it’s worth the price (because I didn’t spend the night there), but I’d say it’s a treat to make the most of Machu Picchu and to be able to afford a night in one of the most beautiful settings in the world. If oooone day I have the means, I’ll give myself that treat! (I’m going to have to give the site a serious boost 😀 )
4 gorgeous places to stay in Aguas Calientes
Right, the Belmond really is a class above. But if you want serious comfort before or after visiting Machu Picchu, there are other superb lodges in Aguas Calientes. Away from the noisy centre, they sit in a gorgeous setting and some out in nature. They’re not cheap, but the settings are crazy. Heads up though, some can be a tiny bit pricey 😀
📍 Aguas Calientes · 5 min walk from the station and the buses
A comfortable hotel perched facing the hills, a 20-minute walk from the site. The best value for money in Aguas Calientes for an early climb up to Machu Picchu.
- Staff rated 9.5/10 and the Ayasqa restaurant on site
- Buffet breakfast served from 5am
- Panoramic terrace, free Wi-Fi, 24-hour reception
Free cancellation
From 115 € / night
📍 Aguas Calientes · 10 m from the station, on the banks of the Urubamba
An elegant hotel right on the Urubamba, a stone's throw from the station and the buses. The river-side rooms win you over with their calm and their view.
- Free shuttle from the Machu Picchu station
- Spa, wellness centre and Peruvian restaurant on site
- Staff rated 9.2/10, buffet breakfast early in the morning
Free cancellation
From 215 € / night
📍 Aguas Calientes · 5 min from the station, tucked into the greenery
Colonial casitas scattered through lush jungle by the Vilcanota. A unique oasis of peace, magical on the way back from Machu Picchu.
- À la carte dinner and buffet breakfast included in the rate
- Spa, Andean sauna and free guided walks
- Rooms with a fireplace, some with a private pool
Free cancellation
From 500 € / night
📍 Aguas Calientes · on the Urubamba river, 20 min from the site
A 5-star, Andean-inspired palace by the Urubamba. Comfort, spa and fine dining to go all out before the climb up to Machu Picchu.
- Qunuq fine-dining restaurant and Aqlla spa on site
- Staff rated 9.4/10, cleanliness 9.3/10
- Breakfast from 5am, free private parking, airport shuttle
Free cancellation
From 650 € / night
4 places with excellent value for money
Since my first visit to Aguas Calientes, things have changed a lot, and for the better! Thankfully. Before, the hotels weren’t amazing. Not super expensive, mind, but a bit of a tourist trap.
Now it’s much better — you can find very good services, great bedding, hearty breakfasts, with a nice view, for not much. Really, it’s raising the bar, and I’m not talking about the price (even if it has gone up).
Between €50 and €100, you can genuinely get nice rooms, with the matching view over the river or the valley.
📍 Aguas Calientes · 400 m walk from the station, right in the centre
A large, upscale apartment right in the heart of Aguas Calientes: bedroom, living room and balcony. Spacious and well equipped to settle in as a family.
- Spacious place: bedroom, living room and 2 large flat-screen TVs
- Balcony overlooking the street, free Wi-Fi
- 400 m from the Machu Picchu train station
Free cancellation
From 85 € / night
📍 Aguas Calientes · 350 m from the station, up on the heights
A small eco-B&B tucked into the greenery on the heights of Aguas Calientes, with a garden. A simple, nature-filled spot a stone's throw from the station.
- Garden, airport shuttle and room service
- 350 m from the station, 200 m from the bus stop
- 24-hour reception, free Wi-Fi, breakfast
Free cancellation
From 81 € / night
📍 Aguas Calientes · facing the Urubamba river, 250 m from the station
An elegant boutique hotel facing the Urubamba, with wood decor and rooms with balconies. Some have their own spa bath: a nice step up in comfort in Aguas Calientes.
- Location rated 9.4/10, staff 9.0/10
- Some rooms with balcony and private spa bath
- Toto House restaurant, buffet breakfast, shuttle
Free cancellation
From 180 € / night
📍 Aguas Calientes · 5 min walk from the station
A comfortable hotel with rooms looking out over the mountain or the river, five minutes from the station. A good base for visiting without breaking the bank.
- Staff rated 9.2/10, included breakfast praised
- Rooms with flat-screen TV and private bathroom
- Restaurant, shared lounge and luggage storage on site
Free cancellation
From 109 € / night
4 budget places to stay in Aguas Calientes
That’s the nice thing — even though it’s a super touristy spot (the most touristy in Peru), even though lots of people sleep in Aguas Calientes, and even though it’s urbanising quite a bit, there are still good-quality places, and above all cheap ones, around thirty euros a night. Sure, I found cheaper, but it wasn’t great.
So I’ve chosen to offer you very reasonable prices and, above all, ones with good reviews and comfortable beds. Because visiting Machu Picchu can be pretty physical, especially if you arrive via a hike. So a comfortable bed for a few euros more is no luxury 🙂
📍 Aguas Calientes · under 600 m from the hot springs, near the market
A highly rated hostal for its unbeatable location, near the hot springs and the craft market. Hard to do better at this price.
- Location rated 9.8/10, staff 9.3/10
- Private bathroom with shower, free Wi-Fi
- 3 min walk from the stadium and the bus stop
Free cancellation
From 30 € / night
📍 Aguas Calientes · 50 m from the Machu Picchu station
A small, practical spot 50 metres from the station, ideal for catching the first bus. Clean rooms and good value praised by travellers.
- Just 50 m from the station, airport shuttle
- Restaurant and buffet breakfast on site
- 24-hour reception, staff rated 8.9/10
Free cancellation
From 40 € / night
📍 Aguas Calientes · 400 m from the station, with a terrace
A simple, welcoming eco-B&B with a terrace and shared lounge, 400 metres from the station. An affordable, well-placed base for exploring the site.
- Terrace, shared lounge and concierge service
- 24-hour reception and currency exchange
- Free Wi-Fi rated 9.4/10, breakfast
Free cancellation
From 45 € / night
📍 Aguas Calientes · a few steps from the station and the hot springs
A family-run hostal a stone's throw from the station and right by the hot springs. Simple, well located and loved for its breakfast and its welcome.
- Location rated 9.1/10, staff 8.9/10
- 200 m from the bus stop for Machu Picchu
- Family rooms, very good breakfast, Wi-Fi
Free cancellation
From 35 € / night
4 lodges on the treks around Machu Picchu
If you’re coming to Aguas Calientes or Machu Picchu on foot, then you’ll need/want lodges to sleep in. And good news, because there are a few around that are really nice. And the big advantage is that they’re out in nature (yes, you’ll tell me that’s the whole point of doing these hikes, I know 😀 )
📍 Mandor Valley · out in nature, ~4 km from the site
A quiet lodge in the greenery of the Mandor Valley, with a garden and terrace. Away from the bustle of Aguas Calientes, perfect for a cheap night in nature.
- Staff rated 9.3/10, restaurant and bar on site
- Some rooms with mountain-view balcony/patio
- Garden, terrace, continental breakfast, Wi-Fi
Free cancellation
From 34 € / night
📍 Llactapata (Salkantay) · facing Machu Picchu, up in the mountains
A lodge perched in the mountains with a spectacular view towards Machu Picchu. An exceptional nature stop on the Salkantay trek route.
- Location rated 9.9/10, balcony with garden/mountain view
- Restaurant, bar, garden and terrace on site
- 2.1 km from Huayna Picchu, family rooms
Free cancellation
From 75 € / night
📍 Santa Teresa · on the Salkantay trek route
A highly rated 3-star inn in Santa Teresa, a perfect stop on the Salkantay trek. Hearty meals, attentive hosts and a lovely mountain view.
- Exceptional rating: staff 9.8/10, cleanliness 9.6/10
- Garden, restaurant, bar and free parking
- Continental breakfast, vegetarian and gluten-free options
Free cancellation
From 50 € / night
📍 Lucmabamba (Santa Teresa) · in the heart of nature
A superbly rated family lodge in the middle of Lucmabamba's nature, a key stop on the Salkantay trek. A welcome and setting that everyone agrees on.
- Exceptional rating: staff 9.9/10, location 9.8/10
- Restaurant, bar, garden and airport shuttle
- American, vegetarian and vegan breakfast
Free cancellation
From 37 € / night
📍 Cusco · Inka Altitude (12 h)
The GetYourGuide-certified classic (5,700 reviews): 4am departure to get ahead of the groups, a gradual climb up to the multicoloured summit among llamas and vicuñas.
- 3.5 km of walking, high point 5,010 m
- Breakfast + buffet lunch included
- Oxygen bottle and first-aid kit on board
Free cancellation
From 19 € / person
📍 Cusco · Inka Altitude (12-13.5 h)
The most photographed turquoise lake in the region, tucked at 4,200 m below Apu Salkantay (6,230 m). 2 h of steep climbing from Soraypampa, but the final panorama delivers on every promise (4.9/5).
- 3 km hike · altitude 4,200 m
- Breakfast + buffet lunch in Mollepata
- Horse option (80 PEN) if the altitude gets to you
Free cancellation
From 21 € / person
📍 Cusco · Peru Andes Top (12 h)
The option for those skipping the night in Aguas Calientes: bus, Vistadome train, shuttle and guide chained together from start to finish, with 2 h inside the Inca citadel.
- Panoramic train Ollantaytambo ↔ Aguas Calientes
- Machu Picchu entry + 2 h guided tour included
- Pick-up at your hotel in the historic centre
From 277 € / person
📍 Cusco · Apu Ausangate Trek (6.5 h)
The ideal half-day for your first or last day in Cusco: a Quechua weaving workshop in Chinchero, the concentric terraces of Moray, then the 3,000 white pools of Maras.
- Quechua weaving workshop in Chinchero
- Inca agricultural laboratory of Moray
- 3,000 pre-Inca salt pools of Maras
Free cancellation
From 13 € / person
In conclusion
There we go! If you had any doubts, I hope I’ve already convinced you that spending a night in Aguas Calientes can be worthwhile if you have the time, because it lets you make the most of Machu Picchu and its surroundings.
Obviously I couldn’t show you every place to stay, because firstly there are too many, and secondly not all of them are worth it. But the ones here should definitely interest you, depending on your budget, your needs, or simply what you fancy.
And if not, don’t hesitate to take a look at the other places to stay in Aguas Calientes to find what suits you!
If you’d like to know more about Machu Picchu, here are the articles I’ve written:
- How to visit Machu Picchu – all the essential information to prepare your visit to the citadel
- How and where to buy your ticket for Machu Picchu – to avoid the traps and go through official agencies
- Visiting Machu Picchu from Cusco – here’s how you can do the round trip in a single day
- Which circuit to choose to visit Machu Picchu – 3 circuits, 10 different paths. I explain it all!
- Taking the bus from Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu – don’t fancy walking up? take the bus! I tell you where to buy it
- The Machu Picchu map – in an interactive map, find all the interesting points of Machu Picchu, Cusco and the Sacred Valley
But here are also some other articles about Peru that could be useful to you
- Travelling to Peru – all the information so you can organise your trip to Peru
- The most beautiful places to see in Peru – here are 16 sites you absolutely must see!
- What to see in Lima – discover the most beautiful spots in the Peruvian capital
- What to see around Cusco – you can’t imagine everything there is to see there!
- The most beautiful spots in the Incas’ Sacred Valley – because there’s so much to see!
- What to do in Arequipa – to discover a superb city and its region
- Why visit Lake Titicaca – to see the Uros Islands and much more, of course. But you can also sleep on the lake in a dreamlike setting!
- What to do at the Colca Canyon – superb landscapes and the condors
- What to do in Chachapoyas – a little-known place in the Amazonas but an incredible culture
