Aguas Calientes is the colloquial name for Machu Picchu pueblo, a town on the Urubamba River in Peru. It is best known as the closest town to the tourist attraction Machu Picchu, which is 8km away. It has many hotels and restaurants for tourists, as well as natural hot baths, which give the town its name ("hot waters" in Spanish). It's very, very touristy.

Getting there
The only way to get to Aguas Calientes is by train or helicopter. Peru Rail departs from Cusco twice daily. The journey through the Sacred Valley takes about 4 hours. Tickets should be bought in advance at the train station in Cusco.

There is a local train which leaves from Ollantaytambo at 8pm. This is currently the cheapest way in.

If you're on a budget, or just adventurous, it's possible to hike up the railway tracks from Ollantaytambo (44kms) or Santa Theresa (3 hours). To reach Santa Theresa, take a local bus to Santa Maria from Cusco or Ollantaytambo. At Santa Maria, take a connecting bus to Santa Theresa. You'll probably have to spend the night here. The next morning, walk or hitch a truck ride to the hydroelectric plant (planta hidroeléctrica). From there, it's two hours of walking to Aguas Calientes through the beautiful Sacred Valley. Pick some bananas, soak your feet in a stream and wave to the tourist trains passing by.

Getting around
The town is compact, with few cars. At the end of town there are buses that will take you up the winding road to Machu Picchu.