The town of Aguas Calientes

 Machu Picchu pueblo

Aguas Calientes is a very small town on the Urubamba River in Peru. Aguas Calientes is located in the district of Machu Picchu, province of Urubamba, department of Cusco. It is located at the western spring of the Vilcanota Mountains, bounded by the Apurimac and Urubamba rivers. It's Altitude is: 7,920 feet above sea level, and it’s average temperature is 55ºF/13ºC. It's rainy season is from November to March.

Just about the only reason that tourists travel to Aguas Calientes is that it is a place where the tourist catches a bus to be transported to the ruins of Machu Picchu, which is 8km distant. As such, quite an industry has developed there which brings income to the local people in the area.

Aguas Calientes is also known for its natural hot baths, which give the town its name ("hot waters" in Spanish).

Another interesting bit of trivia is that the main street is actually a railway line rather than a road.

Trains, as well as helicopters always leave their passengers at this small village before they are taken by busses to Machu Picchu.

The village is located about 2 km from the Puerto Ruinas station and it is the place chosen by most travelers to spend the night. This small town has a few hotels, hostels and restaurants as well as discos with different prices.

About 800 m east of Aguas Calientes, are its famous thermal waters, which give their name to this town. They are sulfur waters at different temperatures, springing up from the rocky soil.

Pools have been constructed to serve as thermal baths. The average temperature of these waters is between 38º to 46º Celsius. Also, there are cloakrooms, restrooms and a small snack bar. The pools are open from 5 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Presently, the Pueblo Hotel at Aguas Calientes is the most luxurious.

Currently the government of Aguas Calientes prefers to call the town Machu Picchu.