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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:

• Hospedaje Munay Tikay
• Hotel Los Caminantes
• Hostel Amaru
• Hostal Joe
• Supertramp Hostel
• Hostal Sol de Oro
• Camping Municipal
• Hostel Continental
• Hostal John

 

Mid range:

• Hostal Varayoc
• Hotel El Tumi
• Rupa Wasi
• Wiracocha Inn
• Gringo Bill’s

 

Spurge:

• Inka Terra

Beautiful Tourist Places to Visit in Peru, America

Peru is a country in South America geographically placed at 8.2333° S 76.0167° W, surrounded by Brazil in the east, Ecuador and Colombia in the north, Chile in the south, Bolivia in the southeast and the Pacific Ocean towards west. Lima is the capital and largest city and Nuevo sol is the currency of Peru.

 

Geography of Peru:

With an area of 1,285,216 sq. km, Peru is the 20^th largest country in the world.

The major cities of Peru are listed below:

• Lima
• Chiclayo
• Arequipa
• Trujillo
• Piura
• Cusco

 

History of Peru:

It is believed that, Peru derives its name from the local ruler Biru who ruled during the early 16^th century. Peru was conquered by the Spanish Empire during the middle of the 16^th century and ruled until July 28, 1821 when Peru became independent from Spanish. Before the Spanish entry, Inca Empire was active in Peru.

Getting Peru:

Jorge Chavez International Airport is the prime airport of Peru located in the capital city, Lima with frequent air services to the major North American cities including Dallas, Houston, Los Angeles and Toronto and many other European and South American locations.

Peru is connected with Leticia in Colombia and Tabatinga in Brazil by boat through Iquitos city. Peru also has well facilitated railway system.

Buses and taxis are the major options for local travel, buses generally cost US$0.20-0.40 within the Lima city and taxis charge US$2-2.40 in Lima.

The major bus companies serve Lima in Peru are as follows:

• Transportes Linea
• Movil Tours
• Cruz del Sur
• Expreso Cial

 

Culture, Food and Shopping in Peru:

Peru people follow a mixed culture of Amerindian and Spanish traditions. Spanish is the official as well as widely spoken language all over the country.

Usual dishes of Peruvian natives include anticuchos, ceviche and pachamanca. Lima city is ideal for both traditional and modern shopping.

 

Places to see in Peru:

Historic Centre of Lima:

Being one of the major identities of Peru, Historic Centre of Lima is situated in the heart of Lima city home to many colonial structures including the Museum of Italian Art, Archbishop Palace, House of Oidor, Goyeneche House and Basilica Cathedral. In 1988, it was declared as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

 

Sanctuary of Las Nazarenas:

Sanctuary of Las Nazarenas is a church housing the Lord of Miracles which is a painted picture of Jesus Christ in the 17th century. The festivity takes place in the month of October which is the major religious event in Lima and one of the major event of Peru.

 

Punta Hermosa:

Punta Hermosa is one of the districts of Peru, situated around 42 km south of downtown Lima renowned for world class beaches and resorts. Other beach districts are Lurín, Santa María del Mar and San Bartolo. Summer months are best to visit.

 

List of other places of interest in Peru include:

• Machu Picchu
• Sacred Valley
• Municipal Palace of Lima
• Huayna Picchu
• Saksaywaman
• Paracas National Reserve
• Huaca Pucllana
• Museum of the Nation
• Qurikancha
• Larco Museum
• Monastery of San Francisco
• Escuela Nacional Superior Autónoma de Bellas Artes
• Cathedral of Santo Domingo

 

Ideal time to visit Peru:

From April to November is the best time to enjoy holidays in Peru.

 

Accommodation options in Peru:

Peru is famous for its rich culture and tradition as well as world class hotels and resorts. Here is the list of the prominent hotels in Peru (Lima):

• Swissotel Lima
• Tierra Viva Miraflores Larco
• JW Marriott Hotel Lima
• Hotel Atton San Isidro
• The Westin Lima Hotel & Convention Center
• Hilton Lima Miraflores
• Miraflores Park Hotel by Orient-Express
• B Arts Boutique Hotel
• Business Tower Hotel
• Hotel San Antonio Abad
• Hotel Vila Santa Miraflores
• Peru Star Apartments Hotel
• Radisson Hotel Decapolis Miraflores
• NM Lima Hotel
• DUO Hotel Boutique