Urubamba
Urubamba, Peru at a Glance
Costs: Moderate-peruvian budget - $45-$90 daily; affordable guesthouses, market food and tour options to nearby sites.
Safety: Generally safe, altitude caution - generally safe for tourists; be mindful of petty crime and altitude-related health issues.
Best Time: May-September (dry season) - may-September is dry season and best for trekking and visiting ruins.
Why Visit Urubamba, Peru?
Urubamba sits in Peru’s Sacred Valley as a cultural and culinary hub between Pisac and Ollantaytambo. The town’s markets, traditional weaving and seasonal festivals showcase Andean life, and local cuisine-roasted corn, pachamanca and cuy-ties food to ancient farming practices. Travelers use Urubamba as a base for exploring Inca terraces, nearby ruins and the railway routes up toward Machu Picchu.
Best Things to Do in Urubamba, Peru
Valley
Sacred Valley
Peruvian Andean valley with Inca archaeological sites
Archaeological Site
Inca Trail to Machu Picchu
Ancient trekking route leading to Machu Picchu ruins
Archaeological Site
Sacsayhuamán
Massive Inca fortress with impressive cyclopean stonework
Square
Plaza de Armas (Cusco)
Central colonial square surrounded by historic churches
Archaeological Site
Moray (Inca ruin)
Circular Inca agricultural terraces used for crop experiments
Church
Cusco Cathedral
Colonial cathedral on Cusco's Plaza de Armas
Archaeological Site
Tambomachay
Inca ceremonial baths with precise stone fountains
Archaeological Site
Qenko
Pre-Inca carved rock shrine near Cusco
Urubamba, Peru Bucket List
Don't Miss
Plaza de Armas de Urubamba - Central square with colonial church, cafes and a good base for valley excursions.
Mercado de Urubamba - Lively market selling fresh Andean produce, textiles, and regional street-food specialties.
Local weaving cooperatives - Small artisan shops where traditional weavers demonstrate techniques and sell handwoven goods.
Hidden Gems
Kuchuy Qosqo viewpoints - Less-visited terraces and viewpoints near small Inca ruins offering panoramic valley scenes.
Andean farm visits - Family-run farms offering insight into traditional potato varieties, llamas and local agriculture.
Riverside picnic spots - Shaded riverbanks ideal for relaxed lunches with views of surrounding Andean peaks.
Day Trips
Machu Picchu (via Ollantaytambo) - Iconic Incan citadel reached by train from Ollantaytambo, accessible as a full-day excursion.
Maras and Moray - Salt terraces at Maras and the circular, experimental agricultural terraces of Moray close by.
Nearby Cities #
Best Time to Visit Urubamba, Peru
Urubamba is best visited in the dry season (May-September) for reliable trails and clear views of the Sacred Valley. The wet months bring lush landscapes but more travel disruption and cloud cover.
Dry Season
Clear skies, sunny days and cold nights - the best time for trekking, ruins and high-altitude sightseeing with minimal rain disruption.
Wet Season
Frequent afternoon showers and lush scenery - fewer tourists and dramatic cloudscapes, but trails can be slippery and misty.
Cool Season
Crisp, chilly early mornings and very cold nights - ideal for clear mountain views but bring warm layers for evenings at altitude.
Urubamba's climate is classified as Cold Semi-Arid - Cold Semi-Arid climate with consistently warm temperatures year-round. Temperatures range from 4°C to 24°C. Moderate rainfall (507 mm/year) with a pronounced dry season.
| Month | Comfort | Temp | Feels | Rain | Sky | Humidity | Wind | UV | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | Good | 9° - 21° | 15° | 96 mm | overcast | 83% | 1.5 m/s | 2.5 extreme | 12.7h |
| February | Good | 9° - 22° | 15° | 92 mm | overcast | 84% | 1.6 m/s | 2.5 extreme | 12.4h |
| March | Very Good | 9° - 22° | 15° | 74 mm | overcast | 85% | 1.5 m/s | 2.4 extreme | 12.1h |
| April | Very Good | 8° - 22° | 15° | 36 mm | partly cloudy | 84% | 1.5 m/s | 2.2 extreme | 11.7h |
| May | Excellent | 6° - 22° | 14° | 10 mm | some cloud | 81% | 1.4 m/s | 2.1 extreme | 11.4h |
| June | Excellent | 5° - 22° | 13° | 3 mm | some cloud | 78% | 1.5 m/s | 1.9 very high | 11.2h |
| July | Excellent | 4° - 22° | 13° | 7 mm | mostly sunny | 75% | 1.6 m/s | 1.9 very high | 11.3h |
| August | Excellent | 5° - 23° | 14° | 7 mm | some cloud | 72% | 1.8 m/s | 2.2 extreme | 11.6h |
| September | Excellent | 7° - 23° | 15° | 11 mm | partly cloudy | 72% | 2.0 m/s | 2.3 extreme | 11.9h |
| October | Excellent | 8° - 24° | 16° | 31 mm | partly cloudy | 74% | 2.0 m/s | 2.5 extreme | 12.3h |
| November | Very Good | 9° - 24° | 16° | 54 mm | partly cloudy | 76% | 1.9 m/s | 2.7 extreme | 12.6h |
| December | Very Good | 9° - 22° | 16° | 86 mm | overcast | 80% | 1.8 m/s | 2.5 extreme | 12.8h |
How to Get to Urubamba, Peru
Urubamba sits in Peru’s Sacred Valley and is reached via Cusco (CUZ). The usual route is flying into Cusco and continuing by road (private transfer or colectivo) or combining train and road travel via Ollantaytambo for rail connections.
Alejandro Velasco Astete International Airport (CUZ), Cusco: Cusco is the main air gateway for visitors to the Sacred Valley. From Cusco to Urubamba the road transfer typically takes about 1-1.5 hours by car depending on traffic; private transfers and colectivos (shared vans) are common.
Juliaca / Lima connections: International visitors may arrive into Lima (LIM) and connect by domestic flight to Cusco; from Cusco continue by road to Urubamba. There are no direct commercial flights into Urubamba itself-use Cusco as your hub.
Train: The railway in the Sacred Valley (PeruRail and Inca Rail) serves stations such as Poroy (Cusco), Ollantaytambo, and Aguas Calientes; Urubamba is close to Ollantaytambo and served by taxi/van from those stations. Tourist train routes are scheduled and priced by service class.
Bus / Colectivo: Shared minibuses (colectivos) and private buses run Cusco-Urubamba and connect valley towns; travel time is usually around 1-1.5 hours by road and fares are modest-colectivos depart when full from designated pickup points.
How to Get Around Urubamba, Peru
Use Cusco as your base: take a private transfer, colectivo or a combination of train (to Ollantaytambo) plus taxi to reach Urubamba. Shared vans are the budget choice; private transfers are faster and more comfortable.
- Private transfer / taxi from Cusco (S/60-200 (approx.)) - Private taxis or transfers from Cusco provide the fastest, most comfortable door-to-door option to Urubamba-useful with luggage or for early starts to archaeological sites. Confirm the fare and include any waiting time.
- Colectivo (shared van) (S/5-25) - Colectivos run regularly between Cusco and Sacred Valley towns including Urubamba; they are economical and drop you at central points. They depart when full and are the common transport for budget travelers.
- PeruRail / Inca Rail (via Ollantaytambo) ((varies by service class)) - Tourist trains operate on routes through the Sacred Valley; Ollantaytambo is a rail hub where you can transfer by short taxi to Urubamba. Train services have different classes and prices-book early in high season.
- Bus / regional coach (S/10-50) - Intercity buses serve Cusco-to-valley routes and can be comfortable for groups; schedules vary and some services target tourist itineraries. Buses may stop at multiple valley towns en route.
- Car rental / self-drive (S/120+/day) - Driving in the Sacred Valley allows flexibility but watch for narrow mountain roads and local driving practices. Renting a car can be useful for visiting dispersed sites but is less common than guided tours or transfers.
- Walking - Urubamba town center is compact and easy to walk, and many local attractions are accessible on foot or a short taxi ride; altitude awareness is important if you plan strenuous walks.
Where to Stay in Urubamba, Peru
Budget
Downtown Urubamba - $15-45/night
Low-cost guesthouses and hostels cluster near the central plaza; options are limited compared with Ollantaytambo and Pisac so book early in high season.
Sol y Luna (budget rooms) - Simple rooms in a lodge atmosphere
Urubamba budget listings (Booking) - Range of small guesthouses listed nearby
Mid-Range
Sacred Valley / Near plaza - $50-120/night
Comfortable mid-range hotels and boutique lodges, many offering guided valley excursions and on-site restaurants for easy logistics.
Sol y Luna Lodge & Spa - Comfortable boutique lodge with spa
Hotel Siglo XVI - Central, traditional style hotel
Luxury
Riverfront/Sacred Valley resorts - $150-400+/night
A few high-end resorts and haciendas sit in the valley offering full services, spa treatments, and excursion arrangements; book well ahead.
Tambo del Inka, a Luxury Collection Resort & Spa - Large resort with riverfront grounds
Inkaterra Hacienda Urubamba - High-end eco-focused hacienda stay
Where to Eat in Urubamba, Peru
Breakdown of cuisine types found across Urubamba, Peru’s restaurants and food venues, based on OpenStreetMap data.
Nightlife in Urubamba, Peru
Nightlife in Urubamba is modest - quiet bars and restaurants provide evening meals and occasional live music, but there’s no major club scene. Most travellers head to larger towns or enjoy relaxed dinners in local eateries.
Shopping in Urubamba, Peru
Urubamba’s main market serves both locals and visitors with fresh produce, Andean textiles and basic crafts; it’s a good place to buy local foodstuffs and everyday handicrafts. For a broader selection of artisan goods, nearby Pisac and Ollantaytambo have larger tourist markets.