Aguas Calientes, also known as Machu Picchu Pueblo, is the small village at the base of Machu Picchu, and it is the train depot for Machu Picchu. This tiny town is located 5 miles (8 km) away from of Machu Picchu at 6,500 feet above sea level (2000 meters) and has trains that depart daily for the ruins.
There’s not a lot to do in Aguas Calientes – it doesn’t rate as a particularly pretty town, being built mostly of concrete, but it does have its own individual charm and character. There’s a feel of a frontier town about it, with the railway forming the high street and the steamy jungle-clad mountains closing in on all sides. There are plenty of restaurants and hotels in the town and its main attraction are the thermal springs, which give Aguas (waters) Calientes (hot) its name. The town’s economy is based around tourism providing all the necessary services such as hotels and restaurants, as well as its fair share of souvenir shops. However, take note, there is NO BANK or bank machine in Agua’s Calientes so prepare accordingly.
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