Many visitors to Aguas Calientes or Machu Picchu Pueblo as it is now officially called, are a little disappointed by just how developed and tourism oriented the town serving Machu Picchu is. Tacky tourist shops and streets of restaurants and cafes all touting the same menu is not what many have in mind when booking their dream trip to visit these ancient ruins….

Worry not however, as your faith can be quickly restored by a stay at the Rupa Wasi eco-lodge, a small guest house with just six rooms, tucked away in a plant-filled oasis up one of the back streets in Machu Picchu town. Set up by eco-tourism advocates Francisco and Oscar, this little gem is in our opinion one of the best examples of sustainable tourism in the Sacred Valley and one of the best places to stay on a mid-range budget in Aguas Calientes.

The buildings are all made out of reclaimed wood and any plastics that guests leave behind are collected and made into bricks for the next building project. Cleaning products are all natural. Bathrooms and bedrooms are cleaned with a vinegar and lemon mix and filtered water is available to guests in reception to reduce the amount of plastic used. The owners vision is to create a place of peace and tranquillity. Don’t expect any tv’s here although they do have a fairly good wifi connection.

Book great rates at Rupa Wasi here

Rooms are stunningly simple and minimalist.  All wooden floors and walls with crisp white linen provide a restful night’s sleep while balconies in some of the rooms provide incredible views of the surrounding mountains and a great space to sit and relax. This is not a luxurious hotel so don’t expect fancy amenities or five star service but if you are looking for a more than decent place to stay (which trust us, is not always easy to find in Aguas Calientes) Rupa Wasi’s comfortable simplicity and friendly, helpful staff is definitely a good place to start.

Best of Peru Travel Recommends:

  • They have recently added the ‘honeymoon suite’ a beautiful minimalist, all-wood structure with stunning views of Machu Picchu Mountain and a great bath! Ask for this room if you want privacy, romance and  something a bit different!
  • Room 5 is another of our favourite rooms and has along with the honeymoon suite the best view of the surrounding mountains but it doesn’t have a balcony. If you want a cheaper option the standard rooms are great but are a bit dark and don’t have a view. Rooms 3 and 4 both have a balcony and a view are slightly cheaper.
  • Do book well in advance as these rooms fill up fast.
  • Book a table at the adjacent Treehouse restaurant for a culinary treat. See our Treehouse restaurant review here.

Click here to see more hotels in Machu Picchu

Information on how to get to Machu Picchu