Santa Teresa Cusco: The Cheapest Route to Machu Picchu 2027

Published: 28 October 2022 | Update: 01 August 2026 | Reads: 142

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The district of Santa Teresa, located in the province of La Convención, in the Cusco region, is a geographical point that has gained popularity as the economical alternative route to access the citadel of Machu Picchu. Its capital, the town of Santa Teresa, is located at an altitude of 1,550 meters above sea level, on the right bank of the Urubamba River.

The town of Santa Teresa is characterized by a jungle brow climate, offering a notable contrast with the cold of the highlands. Besides its logistical function for budget travelers, the area is known for its natural attractions, such as its thermal baths and its closeness to the Hydroelectric train station.

Choosing this route allows travelers taking their vacations in Cusco to significantly reduce the costs associated with the train, which is the biggest expense for reaching Aguas Calientes. This guide will detail the step-by-step logistics of the route, from Cusco to Hydroelectric and the final walk, providing the necessary information to make this trip towards the Inca citadel.

Where is the Town of Santa Teresa located?

The town of Santa Teresa is located on the edge of the jungle in the Cusco region, a key factor in its geography and weather. This famous district belongs to the La Convencion province and has become a mandatory stop on the economic route to Machu Picchu.

Distance to Machu Picchu: In a straight line, Santa Teresa is only 6.5 kilometers away from the Inca citadel. However, due to the mountainous geography of the area, the actual trip to the citadel is done in sections, combining transport and walking.

Breakdown of the Amazon route:

Initial trip: Starting from the city of Cusco, the town of Santa Teresa is 203 kilometers away by road. This land trip is the longest section and the main source of logistical savings on the alternative route to Machu Picchu.
Santa Teresa – Hydroelectric Station: 11 kilometers by road, a trip of about 40 minutes in a shared taxi.
Hydroelectric – Aguas Calientes (Machu Picchu Town): 10 kilometers of flat walking following the train tracks, which is completed in about 2 to 3 hours.
Aguas Calientes – Machu Picchu Citadel: Final section of 10 kilometers going up. You can go up in the Consettur ecological buses (30 minutes) or on foot up the stone stairs (1.5 to 2 hours).

What to do in Santa Teresa?

The Santa Teresa district offers travelers various alternatives for relaxation, logistical services, and adventure sports, making it a destination with its own value beyond just being a stopover towards Machu Picchu.

Relaxation and Health

Cocalmayo Hot Springs: The main attraction of the town are the medicinal hot springs of Cocalmayo. This natural complex has several warm water pools at different temperatures, surrounded by vegetation. It is an ideal resting point for travelers who arrive exhausted after the long overland journey or the trek.

Adventure Sports and Nature

Rafting: The flow of the nearby Vilcanota (Urubamba) river is suitable for rafting with moderate rapid levels (Class II and III), offering an exciting experience in the jungle brow.
Zipline: Several companies operate zipline circuits in the surroundings, allowing visitors to slide on cables over the river and the valley, enjoying aerial views of the landscape.
Hiking: Santa Teresa is the logistical starting point for the popular walk along the train line from the Hydroelectric station to the town of Aguas Calientes (Machu Picchu Pueblo).

Tourist Services and Logistics

The town of Santa Teresa has developed a complete tourist infrastructure to serve travelers on the alternative route, offering:

Lodging: A variety of hostels, lodges, and camping areas for overnight stays.
Gastronomy: Restaurants and bars that offer local food, ideal for refueling before or after the final stretch to Machu Picchu.
Transport: Access to taxis and colectivos (shared taxis) that connect the town with the Hydroelectric station.

Santa Teresa Valley Peru

How to get to Santa Teresa?

There are two ways to get to Santa Teresa from the city of Cusco, each with different benefits depending on the traveler's budget and available time.

A.- By road: From the city of Cusco, the route goes through the Abra Malaga Private Reserve (4,350 m.a.s.l.), goes around the Urubamba Snowy Mountain, and passes through the town of Ipal before going down to the high jungle. It is 203 kilometers that take about 5 to 6 hours to cover, due to the many sharp curves typical of the mountain geography.

This part is also one of the most amazing of the trip, the landscape changes little by little from the cold puna and snowy mountains to the tropical plants and the coffee and cocoa farms of the high jungle. This trip can be done by:

Public bus or shared van: The cheapest option, with regular departures from Cusco.
Private transport or organized tour: More comfort and photo stops along the way, ideal for those who prefer not to rely on fixed schedules.

B.- By train: This trip starts from the town of Ollantaytambo, passes through Machu Picchu Town, to the final station called Santa Teresa Hydroelectric. This trip takes only 3 hours and is more comfortable, although much more expensive than the road route, which is why it is less used by travelers looking for the cheap route.

Tourism in Santa Teresa

Santa Teresa in Cusco Peru has become in recent years an alternative route to visit Machu Picchu crossing the cocoa and coffee plantations. It is only 14 km from Machu Picchu.

Cocalmayo Thermal Baths. It- Composed of 3 pools of different sizes, temperatures, and depths. It has showers, dressing rooms, and wooden and carved stone kiosks that respect the natural environment. Located just 10 min by bus from the center. There are comping places in the area and it is open 24 hours.
Choquequirao.- From Santa Teresa, it is also possible to visit this important regional Conservation Area and the archaeological complex itself.
Adventure sports.- Like trekking, rafting, kayaking, and the monkey tail canopy.

Machu Picchu Santa Teresa

Hot Springs of Santa Teresa in Cocalmayo Cusco

The Santa Teresa Hot Springs is located in Cocalmayo, Sacred Valley of the Incas, Cusco.

The thermal complex, located at an altitude of 1,550 meters above sea level, is built on the slopes of the mountain and the banks of the Urubamba River.

Cheapest way to Machu Picchu

A unique space, in which visitors enjoy a pleasant moment immersed in the warm waters of Santa Teresa while contemplating an incomparable natural beauty.

The thermal baths of Santa Teresa in Cocalmayo Cusco are made up of three pools of different sizes and depths, which are supplied with medicinal water that varies between 40ºC and 44ºC.

The medicinal waters have healing properties to treat skin ulcers, bone pain, and rheumatism.

The pools of the Santa Teresa Hot Springs are surrounded by nature. Its bottom is composed of soft sand and is surrounded by rocks, vegetation, the sound of the Urubamba river, and the mountain.

Near the pools, there are jets of cold water from the Uripata lagoons, which provide a very pleasant sensation. And a hydromassage system.

The hot springs of Santa Teresa in Cocalmayo Cusco are fully equipped with bathrooms, showers, dressing rooms, soccer fields, a camping area, a cafeteria, a kiosk (where the visitor can buy food and drinks), and a viewpoint.

Cocalmayo Cusco Peru

It is a very pleasant place to rest after visiting the ruins of Machu Picchu, the Inca trails, Choquequirao, and other tours in Cusco.

The hot springs of Santa Teresa in Cocalmayo Cusco are open every day of the year, almost 24 hours a day. Its wide time slot allows you to enjoy the starry nights inside the pools, which is amazing since the stars are reflected in the crystal clear water as if they were a mirror.

Chemical composition of the water in the Santa Teresa hot springs:

The thermal baths of Santa Teresa in Cocalmayo Cusco differ from the other hot springs in Peru for their crystal clear waters.

The thermal waters of Cocalmayo or Santa Teresa are composed of minerals such as calcium, sodium, bicarbonate, sulfate, magnesium, among others.

TRAVEL TIP! Don't forget to bring mosquito repellent to your visit to the Santa Teresa Hot Springs.

Nature offers us a unique and incomparable setting in these medicinal waters, but it also presents the typical insects of the jungle areas. With a repellent, you will avoid small mosquito bites.

How to get to the Santa Teresa Hot Springs?

The Santa Teresa Hot Springs, popularly known as Cocalmayo, are located on the left bank of the Urubamba River, very close to the town of Santa Teresa. Once you arrive in the town (see the previous section on how to get to Santa Teresa), access to the hot springs is quick and easy:

By taxi: About 10 minutes from the Main Square of Santa Teresa.
On foot: Between 20 and 30 minutes walking, a popular option among travelers on a tight budget.

Note: If you arrived in Santa Teresa by the railway route (via Hidroelectrica), the trip to the hot springs is just as short once you are in the town.

The best time to visit the thermal baths of Santa Teresa

The best time to go to the Hot Springs of Santa Teresa (Cocalmayo) is from April to October.

Santa Teresa in recent years has grown a lot due to the investments that have been made in Accommodations, Restaurants, and other tourist services.

Prices of the Hot Springs Santa Teresa - Cocalmayo

The values of the tickets to the Termas de Santa Teresa in Cusco belong to the 2027 rate.

Foreign tourist: PEN 10
National tourist (Peruvian): PEN 5
Local tourist (Cusco resident): PEN 2.50

Santa Teresa Trek in Cusco

How to get to Machu Picchu through Santa Teresa?

To get to Machu Picchu through the town of Santa Teresa, you must follow the alternative route to Machu Picchu, starting from the city of Cusco.

To get to Machu Picchu through this route you must follow these 5 steps:

Take a bus (on Antonio Lorena avenue) from Cusco to the town of Santa María. The trip takes approximately 4 hours 30 minutes.
In Santa María you must take a ‘collective taxi’ in the direction of the town of Santa Teresa. The journey takes approximately 1 hour.
Once in Santa Teresa, take a ‘collective taxi’ again to the famous Hydroelectric station. The journey takes 30 minutes.
In Hydroelectric, the tourist must walk to Aguas Calientes (approximately 2 hours). Another option is to take a train (30 minutes). This walk is an incredible experience due to the landscapes that are there.
Finally, you must take a bus from Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu (30 minutes). The other option is to walk up (approximately 2 hours).

How much does it cost to get to Machu Picchu through Santa Teresa?

The alternative route to Machu Picchu is the cheapest way to get to the Inca City. It has an approximate cost of 27 US dollars per tourist.

These are the approximate costs of the alternative route to Machu Picchu:

ROUTE CUSCO - HYDROELECTRICA - MACHU PICCHU	PRICE IN AMERICAN DOLLARS
Travel by bus Cusco - Santa María	10 USD
Collective taxi ride Santa María - Santa Teresa	5 USD
Collective taxi ride Santa Teresa - Hidroeléctrica	3 USD
Hydroelectric Walk - Aguas Calientes	0 USD
Travel by bus Aguas Calientes - Machu Picchu	12 USD
Total cost:	27 USD

Questions and answers about the alternative route to Machu Picchu

How much does the entrance to the thermal baths of Santa Teresa cost?
The entrance to the Cocalmayo de Santa Teresa thermal baths costs 10 Peruvian soles (approximately 2.70 USD) for foreign tourists, 5 soles for national tourists and 2.50 soles for local (Cusco) visitors.
How high is the town of Santa Teresa?
The town of Santa Teresa is located at 1,550 meters above sea level (5,085 ft).
How is the weather in Santa Teresa?
Santa Teresa has a tropical climate that varies from 11ºC (52ºF) to 28ºC (82ºF). From November to April is the rainy season, and from May to October is the dry season, with little rain.
How much does a train ticket cost from Hidroeléctrica to Aguas Calientes?
The train ticket from Hidroeléctrica to Aguas Calientes has an approximate cost of 30 US dollars per person. However, most tourists choose to walk this 10 kilometer stretch instead, following the flat trail along the railway.
Where to sleep in Santa Teresa?
The town of Santa Teresa offers a variety of lodging options, from 1 to 3-star hostels and lodges. Another good option is to choose an inexpensive campsite for those who prefer to rest outdoors.
When is the best time to visit Santa Teresa?
The dry season (from April to October) is the best time to visit the town of Santa Teresa. The months of May, June, and July are especially warm with little rain, making them ideal for outdoor sports and hiking.
What to bring if I travel to Machu Picchu on the route through Santa Teresa?
If you choose to reach Machu Picchu through the Santa Teresa route, don't forget to bring a hat, sunscreen, mosquito repellent, hiking shoes, a swimsuit, a towel, light clothing, a rain poncho, and mineral water. Check our complete packing list guide for more details.
Can I go to Machu Picchu on the Santa Teresa route through a tour?
Yes. There are different tour operators that offer trips to Machu Picchu through the alternative Santa Teresa route. You can book one of these services online or directly in the city of Cusco.

More Information:

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