Urubamba

Urubamba is a small town in Peru within the Sacred Valley of the Incas that is 48 km from Cusco.

Understand
It is calmer and less tourist-oriented than Cusco and most other towns in the Sacred Valley, although it largely lacks their historic sites. At 3000 m of elevation, it's a good place to adjust to the altitude for a day or two. The town is a crossroads from which you can change buses or colectivos for various local destinations.

By taxi
Ask your hotel to arrange a taxi, or if you pick up a taxi on the street, make sure it’s licensed. S/50-S/60.

By taxi, it is about 45 min from Cusco airport.

By shared taxi (colectivo)
Get a colectivo from the taxi terminal on Pavitos Street from early morning to 18:30. 1 hour, S/7 per person. Colectivos leave when they have four passengers. Safer, quicker and more comfortable than the bus.

By car
The city of Cusco has poor signage, congestion and no real rules of the road in operation. Get out of Cusco as quickly as possible, then enjoy the beauty of the region. Hertz, Avis, and Budget have agencies in Cusco.

By bus
From the bus terminal on Grau Street. 1½-2 hours until Cusco. Buses leave every 15 minutes from dawn until 18:30. S/3.50.

Get around
The main town is small enough to get around by foot; it's centered around the Plaza de Armas.

Do
Perfect place for starting a journey to the Southern Andes.

Urubamba has an ordinary, non-touristy fruit and vegetable market that's good.

Visit Moray and Salineras.

Buy
Textiles and handicrafts are for sale as usual. The local market is a good place to try Andean produce.

Eat
Anywhere! The restaurants around town cater to locals, and are often menu places, meaning they have a set option, arroz con pollo or lomo saltado usually with sopa as a starter, all for a reduced rate usually S/3-5. If you are craving American style fair, try The Muse, right off the main plaza. Try their camote chips, superburger, and brownie with icecream.



Go next

 * Cusco – the former Inca capital remains the region's major city, and it's full of ancient historic sites.
 * Ollantaytambo – a centuries-old town built on foundations of Inca stonework, surrounded by mountains dotted with ruins, with train service to Aguas Calientes (where you can continue to Machu Picchu).
 * The Inca Trail – some tour operators can pick you up in Urubamba for the famous four-day trek on the Inca highway through the mountains to Machu Picchu