Machu Picchu Restaurants, Nightlife and Shopping

Aguas Calientes also hosts many good restaurants. Most are clustered around the old train station and on Av. Pachútec.

Toto’s House, Av. Imperio de los Incas s/n, Aguas Calientes - $5-$20

The mammoth sized Toto’s House can fit a staggering 400 people and this scale is only matched by the variety of food on offer. The vast array of dishes are available through an all you can eat buffet and an a la carte menu. The Urubamba River flows outside remaining visible through all of the windows – its booming wake fits in nicely with the grandiose nature of Toto’s.

The Indio Feliz, Lloque Yupanqui 4-12, Aguas Calientes - $8-$18

The Indio Feliz (happy Indian) may not be the best description of how the Spanish treated the Incas during the conquest. Nevertheless, Aguas Calientes's best restaurant would be sure to make any reveler happy. This is a delightful upscale restaurant which offers great value for money. Verdant plant decorations adorn the interior making it almost feel adjoined to the jungle outside. The restaurant offers an a la carte menu but much better value is the Peruvian criollo menu which includes many national favorites sopa a la criolla and trout seasoned with garlic and lemon.

Pueblo Viejo, Av. Pachacútec 108, Aguas Calientes - $5-$15

The cozy Pueblo Viejo stands out firstly for its lively appearance yet it retains a more subdued and relaxing dining atmosphere on the interior. This is complimented by a roaring fire and live Andean music, both of which spread the warmth of Peruvian hospitality. The house specialty is parrilladas (barbeques) on which are thrown lamb, pork, alpaca and trout (the local favorite). This is a much more affordable option with various Peruvian menu options and courses and delicious pizza is also on offer.

Chez Maggie, Av. Pachacútec 156, Aguas Calientes - $5-$10

This is a branch of the friendly and popular Chez Maggy in Cusco and stays true to the brand with a relaxing atmosphere to enjoy a tasty home cooked pizza accompanied with a cold cuzqueña beer. Alongside the popular Italian favorites of pizza and pasta is a whole range of typical Peruvian dishes and also Mexican. The pizza is definitely the hot favorite here though.

MACHU PICCHU BARS AND NIGHTLIFE

There is a scattering of bars and even a nightclub in Aguas Calientes for those who can’t resist a quick boogie. Nothing is particularly spectacular however and the prices can be much steeper than in other parts of Peru.

MACHU PICCHU SHOPPING

Shopping in Aguas Calientes and Machu Picchu is again relatively inflated in comparison to other parts of Peru. Shoppers are advised to buy souvenirs in the Sacred Valley or Cusco where they will usually find fairer prices and better value for money.

That said, there are some good markets around the train station and along the Urubamba selling paraphernalia such as hand-woven Andean textiles, Alpaca sweaters and scarves, ponchos, handcrafts and the ubiquitous Andean Hat. Travelers can haggle with vendors to try and bring the prices down. Check out our newsletter article for some Haggling Tips.