Where to stay in Machu Picchu. 5 stars hotel or budget – a guide to finding the best hotels in Machu Picchu, Peru

 

Finding good hotels in Machu Picchu is far from easy. Finding the best hotel for your budget is even harder. In fact, the Lost City of the Incas is one of the rare places on this planet you can’t just visit on a whim. You really need to plan your stay months ahead. One of the reasons is its inaccessibility the other issue is accommodation. Unlike other highlights around the world, it is not feasible to do Machu Picchu on a day trip (say from Cusco) and see the full scope of the Inca ruins.

If you want to spend more than 3 hours in the ruins, there is no way around staying overnight. But it gets worse. Except for one single high-end luxury option, there are no hotels in Machu Picchu itself. All other hotels are located some 400 meters lower in Aguas Calientes, which is a 30 minutes bus ride away. Here is an overview of the best hotels near Machu Picchu (sorted from luxury to budget):

Note: I get commissions for purchases made through links in this post. I had no association with the hotels features in this article whatsoever when writing this review. My opinions are my own, as was the money that paid for my stays.

Belmond Sanctuary Lodge Machu Picchu

The Belmond Sanctuary Lodge Machu Picchu. Seen here: the view from the pool

Belmond, formerly (and perhaps better) known as Orient Express, runs the only hotel in front of the entrance. The outstanding luxury hotel is by far the closest hotel to Machu Picchu (literally 5 meters away from the main entrance) and is called The Belmond Sanctuary Lodge. This gives tourists the chance to be the first in and the last out of Machu Picchu. There is even a spa with a view of the ruins.

Be aware that the Sanctuary Lodge is not exactly the cheapest hotel alternative for visiting the famous Inca ruins. For the rare chance to sleep in a hotel on top of Machu Picchu, Belmond charges more than 1,000 USD per night. Since the space so close to the entrance is very limited, there are also only a very limited amount of rooms – these sell out quickly (despite their high price).

>>Get the price here<<

The spa of the Belmond Sanctuary lodge luxury hotel in Peru, Machu Picchu

The Belmond Sanctuary Lodge also has an á la carte restaurant and a buffet style restaurants in Machu Picchu. Both are open to the public, though again not exactly cheap. That being said, the food is of a very high quality and well worth its price. Besides those two restaurants are literally your only option if you want to eat lunch (or an early dinner) in Machu Picchu.

Check out my full review of the Belmond Sanctuary Lodge [including a video]

Other 5 stars hotels in Machu Picchu

If you cannot afford the Sanctuary Lodge (which really is not something to be ashamed of) or there are no vacancies, you still got a couple of other luxury hotels in Machu Picchu. Fear not, you are not going to have to sleep on the street.

Inkaterra Machu Picchu Pueblo Hotel

Rooms of the Inkaterra Machu Picchu Pueblo Hotel

The second most famous hotel in Machu Picchu (and the best hotel in Aguas Calientes) is the Inkaterra Hotel (officially called Inkaterra Machu Picchu Pueblo Hotel). There is a standing cooperation with PeruRail. You can opt to have lunch at this hotel right after you arrive by train at a discount place. The hotel appears to be some colonial-style property and is only a couple of meters away from the train station. Everything is very spacious. There is even an orchid garden you can explore.

If you are looking for traditional design, a lovely view and a very open architecture, then this is your perfect hotel in Machu Picchu.

>>Get the price here<<

Sumaq Machu Picchu Hotel

Rooms of the Sumaq Machu Picchu Hotel

Very close to the river passing by Aguas Calientes, there is another 5-star property. Sumaq Machu Picchu Hotel offers you comparable modern design, a wonderful setting, and spacious rooms. There is also a little spa. The hotel has a capacity of 60 rooms and is the largest of the luxury hotels in Machu Picchu.

If you are looking for modern design, oppulent luxury & a good location, this is your hotel.

>>Get the price here<<

Best Budget hotels in Machu Picchu

Hotel in Aguas Calientes, Peru
Hostels & appartments along the river flowing through Aguas Calientes.

There are, all in all almost 100 hotels in Aguas Calientes. In fact, the town consists of little else. That being said, it is very hard to take a pick. Basically, I recommend you to check out the latest deals on booking.com (which I use) or similar hotel search sites. You can usually score a nice bargain there. Most of the hotels near Machu Picchu are quite similar in their pricing structure and the service offered. That being said, I can recommend:

Casa del Sol Machupicchu

The standard room of the casa del sol hotel machu picchu

The Casa del Sol Machupicchu is a very lovely 4-star hotel at a reasonable price. They have their own spa, a more than decent restaurant in a modern setting, not lacking traditional elements. For me, it’s the perfect mid-range hotel in Aguas Calientes.

>>Get the price here<<

Tierra Viva Machu Picchu

Rooms of the Tierra Viva Machu Picchu hotel

The Tierra Viva Machu Picchu is a three-star hotel and one of the most popular budget hotels in Machu Picchu. With a room price averaging around 120 US-Dollar per night, it is among the cheaper options in Aguas Calientes, while not being downright shabby. In fact, it is located inside a very modern building, with very clean and spacious rooms.

>>Get the price here<<

Hotel Taypikala Machupicchu

Hotel Taypikala Machu Picchu, Peru

This hotel is located a bit further in town. Again it is very modern, very clean and most rooms offer a wonderful view. With roughly 100 US-Dollar per night and room, it is among the cheaper hotels in town, while still offering you the comfort of a three-star property.

>>Get the price here<<

Machu Picchu Hostels

A street lined with hotels in Aguas Calientes Peru
The main street through Aguas Calientes

Peru is very popular among backpackers, so it is little wonder plenty of hostels can be found in Aguas Calientes. Since Peru is, generally speaking, safe to travel, and Machu Picchu is a very popular destination, there are no major concerns preventing you from booking a hostel.

Adelas Hostal

rooms at the Adelas hostel Machu Picchu

This is, as far as hostels in Machu Picchu goes, your luxury option. There is no dorm room, all rooms have their private bathroom and the location is fairly central as well. With roughly 40 US-Dollar per night, it’s also one of the most expensive hostels in Aguas Calientes.

>>Get the price here<<

The Tayto Hostel

Rooms of the Tayto hostel in Machu Picchu

The Tayta Hostel is the hostel in Machu Picchu with the most and currently best reviews. The charming little hostel is located a bit further upstream, in a quieter part of Aguas Calientes. The rooms are fairly big, have their own private bathroom and even breakfast is included!

>>Get the price here<<

Casa Machu Picchu

The Casa Machu Picchu hostel in Aguas Calientes - the cheapest hostel

If you are looking for dead-cheap and bunk beds, then you will find heaven in the Casa Machu Picchu. The traditional hostel has over a thousand reviews on booking.com and offers starting from 7 US-Dollar a night in a 4-bed dormitory room.

>>Get the price here<<

Camping in Machu Picchu

Camping in Machu Picchu, Peru

Machu Picchu is not exactly cheap to visit. Train tickets, entrance tickets, bus tickets – there are many strains on a tight budget that are hard to avoid. Still, there is a good way to save on accommodation. Aguas Calientes has a camping ground (quite rare for a pueblo). It is situated on the road towards Machu Picchu, so a little outside Aguas Calientes. (Sorry they do not have a website I can point you towards.)

What sounds like a disadvantage actually comes in quite handy in the morning, if you plan to hike up to Machu Picchu instead of taking the bus. The municipal campground in Machu Picchu features bathrooms and a little booth where you can buy snacks and drinks. They charge 15 soles (about 5 US-Dollar) per night and per tent – so absolutely your cheapest option to stay overnight in Machu Picchu. Wondering if you can do it? People doing the Inca Trail only sleep in camps, which proofs it’s utterly feasible. Just absolutely remember to bring insect repellant!!

Daytrip from Cusco

The PeruRail train from Cusco to Machu Picchu at the train station in Ollantaytambo
The train from Cusco to Machu Picchu

Last but not least you could opt to not stay overnight in Aguas Calientes at all. Day trips from Cusco are possible. If you hop on the very first train in the morning (which leaves around 6 am) you’ll reach Aguas Calientes around 9 am. The last train from Machu Picchu usually leaves around 7 pm. Calculate 90 minutes for bus transfers (Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu and back), that will leave you, ideally speaking, 6 hours to explore the ruins. Definitely count on less available time, though.

Here’s my comprehensive guide on how to get from Cusco to Machu Picchu.

Obviously, you will not be able to see the sunrise in Machu Picchu – nor the sunset. You will also not be able to see all parts of the lost citadel either. But if you don’t want to climb Huayna Picchu or Machu Mountain, a day-trip is actually feasible.

Instead of Cusco, you could also opt to start from the way closer Ollantaytambo (read all about the last fortress of the Incas here). Most people prefer to stay overnight in Aguas Calientes, though. In fact, there are many people deciding to visit Machu Picchu on two consecutive days. There is plenty to see inside the ruins to keep you occupied for more than two days, it decreases the chance of having bad weather and obviously, it gives you more time to enjoy the sublime beauty of the site.

Next steps towards Machu Picchu

Booking your hotel (or hostel) way in advance is quite important if you are planning to visit Machu Picchu. The best properties usually sell out very fast, especially in the high season. I know, it’s not that easy to decide where to stay in Machu Picchu, but I hope I was able to help you a bit. To ensure you come prepared, here are some further articles on Machu Picchu.

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The best hotels in Machu Picchu, Peru. A detailed list of the best accomodations and hotels in Aguas Calientes. 5 star luxury hotel or budget or hostel, find your perfect hotel near Machu Picchu, the famous Inca ruins in Peru.

Picture credits: Madeleine Deaton

 

10 COMMENTS

    • Hey Kelsey,
      I couldn’t possibly make that decision. The differences are rather small. Personally speaking, I always take the hotel that sends the best vibes…it’s a gut feeling. After all, you will have to sleep in that bed. So pick the one where you get the best vibes ;-)

  1. This looks absolutely amazing and such a great piece of art.Machu picchu can amaze every traveler. Would you recommend to bring the warm hiking gear? Or is this something you could rent there?

  2. This photo is amazing! Well from the photograph it pretty clean that you are very good photographer. Thanks for sharing this lovely travel experience with us
    I went to Peru in spring of 2012 and the crown jewel of any Peruvian getaway is Machu Picchu. We also were able to snap a few pics with limited people since we waited out a rain storm. But we were treated to the clouds climbing up Machu Picchu which was beautiful! 😊

  3. My husband and I went to Peru for our honeymoon in 1982. Other than the hotel up at the site and a small guesthouse in Aguas Calientes, there were no other overnight accomodations to stay at Machu Picchu, so the place really cleared out when the tourist train left to return to Cuzco. We were able to take a photo of from the Sun Gate with no people in it before sunset. We climbed Huayna Picchu. I was terrified for a good part of the climb. The day before our climb, a guide warned us to be careful when reaching up to grab hold of a rock overhang because there could be a viper sunning on it. That was underscored when we came upon a dead viper by the side of the trail leaving Machu Picchu. There is an old photo of me at the top, clinging anxiously to a rock near the edge. That climb is right near the top when I think back over my reverse bucket list (i.e. wonderful things I’ve already done and seen.) 😊

    • Hey Fariha,
      thank you for sharing those beautiful adventures with us! and those vipers seemed to have disappeared now (scared away by to many tourists, i guess)

  4. Very detailed and helpful review of your trip to Peru! Enjoyed reading without getting bored in a bit. Simple, straight and full of useful info. Great job guys! Carry on travelling and sharing! 💙

  5. Nice post!
    I think that when you start a trip, you need to prepare everything like transportation, accommodation, clothes,…and other things. But budget is the most important for you, because you must pay for everything effectively.

  6. When you want to travel to anywhere, one of the important thing for you is budget. If you have much money, you can choose the best hotel for your family.

  7. Hi everyone,
    I am deciding on traveling to Machu Picchu, so I want to find out the list of the best hotels in this place. I think that accommodation is very important when you go abroad.

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