Aguas Calientes Vacations, Aguas Calientes Vacation Reviews, Tourism Guide

For tourists, Aguas Calientes is best known as the ending train station on the trip from Cusco to Machu Picchu. As one would expect with the "Gateway to Machu Picchu", Aguas Calientes has developed into a town that basically runs on the tourist industry. The small size of the town, the cobblestones and the repeating shops and restaurants reminds one of Main St. USA at Disneyland -- kind of like a stripmall with a theme.

But don't fret, there are nooks and crannies in Aguas Calientes that are often overlooked. From the "street" by the train tracks with its laid back, dusty little whistle-stop town vibe, you can watch Incan ladies chat and the train go by. Or, you can feed into the touristy vibe by drinking 4-for-the-price-of-1 sangrias and people watching in the square. Hit some mediocre hot springs, and revel in the incongruity that is Whistle-Stop-Inca-Disney Aguas Calientes.