The district of Santa Teresa (la Convención) Cusco – Peru
Santa Teresa is a Peruvian town located in the province of La Convención in the department of Cusco, Peru, and is located at an altitude of 1550 meters above sea level.
The district of Santa Teresa is a very important connection point for many tourist attractions in the region of Cusco, Peru. From Santa Teresa you can reach the Inca city of Choquequirao (Machupicchu’s sister) and it is also part of the access route to the citadel of Machupicchu.
Table of Contents
Cusco to Santa Teresa
There are different ways to get from Cusco to Santa Teresa:
Via cab or bus (4h30m)
- Take a cab service from Cusco to Santa Teresa ($ 110 – $140)
- Take the bus from Cusco to Quillabamba and get off in the town of Santa Maria and take a bus to Santa Teresa, this is a reference price 2023 ($ 26 – $ 29).
Mention that there is no direct service from Cusco to Santa Teresa, this is why we mention the most used alternatives to get to Santa Teresa.
Renting a car to go on your own (4h)
- To go on your own it will take a distance of 211 km (131 miles).
- Take the route of highway 3S and highway 28B from Cusco.
What to do in Santa Teresa?
Visit the thermal baths of Cocalmayo which are well known and visited for their healing properties.
Enjoy the tourist services offered by the town such as lodging, restaurants, bars, camping sites, among others.
To practice adventure sports such as ziplining and canoeing in the Vilcanota River.
To hike from Santa Teresa to Hidroeléctrica to Machupicchu town in a walk of more than 4 hours.
Santa Teresa Cocalmayo
The hot springs of Colcalmayo or also known as thermal baths of Santa Teresa is the most visited place in this district and a place to relax after an adventure in the tourist circuits of Salkantay or Inca Jungle becoming one of the obligatory stopping points to relax after a long hike.
Cocalmayo is located in the valley of the Urubamba River (Santa Teresa) in the province of La Convención region of Cusco, Peru. It is located 14 kilometers from Machupicchu, the hot springs of Cocalmayo is located within a beautiful landscape in the sub tropical jungle and consists of 3 large pools with crystal clear and transparent waters from underground, the water temperature varies between 37 ° C to 45 ° C.
3 ways to get to Machupicchu
If your goal is to reach Machupicchu there are 3 ways to get there which are via train from Cusco or Ollantaytambo, take the traditional or short Inca Trail, Alternative Route.
- By train: this route links Cusco with the town of Aguas Calientes in Machupicchu which starts in the town of Ollantaytambo or from the city of Cusco, this is the most common way to get to Machupicchu all because of the safety and speed of travel.
- Inca Trail: this route has an average of 40 km that leads through Inca trails to Machupicchu which is offered to tourists through tours of 4 and 2 days, with a particularity that the entrance to the citadel of Machupicchu is done from the Puerta del Sol, this income only has the people who make the Inca Trail.
- Alternative route: this route is a long bus ride to reach Hidroeléctrica and then start the hike to Machupicchu Pueblo or Aguas Calientes, keep in mind that this hike can also be started from Santa Teresa.
- A very important detail, there are also tours that lead you to Machupicchu such as the Inca Jungle tour, Salkantay and Choquequirao that are organized from 4 days.
How much does it cost to get to Machu Picchu via Santa Teresa?
This is the most economical route to get to the citadel of Machu Picchu.
Cusco – Santa Maria – Santa Teresa – Hydroelectric – Aguas Calientes – Machupicchu
- Bus Cusco – Santa Maria: $ 10 USD
- Collective cab Santa Maria – Santa Teresa: $ 3 USD
- Collective cab Santa Teresa – Hidroeléctrica: $12 USD
- Hike Hidroeléctrica – Aguas Calientes: $ 0 USD
- Bus Aguas Calientes – Machupicchu (optional): $ 15 USD
Questions and answers about the alternative route Santa Teresa to Machu Picchu
1. How much is the entrance fee to the thermal baths of Santa Teresa or Cocalmayo?
The entrance fee is 10 soles (3 USD) for tourists and foreign tourists.
2. What altitude is the town of Santa Teresa?
The town of Santa Teresa is at an altitude of 1550 masl (5085 ft)
3. How is the climate in Santa Teresa?
The climate in the town of Santa Teresa is tropical, that is to say it has a climate that varies between 11°C and 28 °C.
4. How much is the train ticket from Hidroeléctrica to Aguas Calientes?
The train ticket from Hidroeléctrica to Aguas Calientes has an approximate cost of 35 US dollars per person, this price may vary according to availability, for this reason tourists want to take the 10 km walk instead of using the train.
5. Where to sleep in Santa Teresa?
The town of Santa Teresa offers a great variety of lodgings, another option to choose is to go camping outdoors.
6. When is it best time to visit Sana Teresa?
The dry season (April – October) is definitely considered the best time to visit Santa Teresa, the other months from May to July are very hot, but ideal for hiking.
7. What to bring if I travel to Machu Picchu via Santa Teresa?
If you chose this route it is necessary to bring a hat, sunscreen, mosquito repellent, hiking shoes, bathing suit, towel, light clothing, rain poncho and water.
