Hot Springs in Machu Picchu

Hot Springs in Peru: About 400 known thermal sources spot Peru's regions, but only some are open to tourism. Such abundance of thermal waters is caused by subduction, an ongoing volcanic geological phenomenon that pushed the Nazca Plate under the South American Plate during the Mesozoic. Thermal flows filtering through these geological faults warm up the ground and superficial water filtrations that rise to the surface at various temperatures.

Waters are classified as bicarbonates, chlorinated, and sulfated (sulfur, calcium, lithium, iron, bromide, iodine, chlorine, manganese, potassium, oxygen, bicarbonate and silica) and by their temperature. They contain ions in solution as part of their chemical composition. Thermal waters are 20°C (and as hot as 89°C), and mineral waters contain over 100 mg/l ions in solution. Their main use is therapeutic and for tourism, and to a lesser degree thermal waters are used in heating cities (as a geothermal source of energy).

Hot Springs in Machu Picchu (Aguas Calientes) is a distance of 800 m. east of the Machu Picchu Town, there are under ground hot sulfur springs which bubble up from the rocky under ground at varying temperatures. The especially-built pools at this resort are the basis of its use as hot mineral baths.

The Hot Springs offer natural resources for medical therapy, and also is a great treatment for rheumatism. It help to rid of stress and toxins, enhance your metabolism and avoid high blood pressure.

The average temperature of the water runs from 38° to 46°C. There are also changing rooms, bathroom sand a small snack bar.

Cost per person: S/. 10.00 (US $ 3.20 aprox.)
Open from 6 am to 8 pm
Address: Av. Pachacutec S/N (7 minutes away from the main square)