Your stay — El Arriero
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The Property — El Arriero
El Arriero is a practical, no-nonsense three-star hotel on Urubamba's main drag, a short walk from the Plaza de Armas. The lobby is modest—clean tiles, a small reception desk, and a few armchairs—but the real draw is the enclosed courtyard with a small pool and sun loungers, a quiet spot after a day in the Sacred Valley. It suits independent travellers or small groups who want a decent base with parking, reliable hot water, and breakfast included. Think functional, not flashy: good value for a night's rest before or after a train to Machu Picchu.
Chronicles of Urubamba
Urubamba was a key agricultural and administrative centre in the Inca Empire, feeding nearby settlements like Machu Picchu and Ollantaytambo. The Spanish founded the colonial town in 1539, building a grid of streets around a central plaza, with the adobe-brick church of Santo Domingo as its anchor. Over centuries it became a crossroads for trade between Cusco and the jungle lowlands. Today, Urubamba is the bustling commercial heart of the Sacred Valley, balancing tourism with a thriving local market and a growing number of boutiques and restaurants.
Best Time to Visit
Full Urubamba guide →Best months
May to August: the dry season delivers clear skies and strong sun by day, cold nights, and minimal rain—ideal for hiking and sightseeing. Crowds are manageable in June (Inti Raymi aside) but July is the busiest month, so book early.
Peak / festival surge
June and July are peak; Inti Raymi in Cusco (June 24) draws huge crowds, and July is the core of the northern-hemisphere summer holiday. Hotel prices in Urubamba can jump 30–50% above shoulder rates. The Virgen del Carmen festival in Paucartambo (mid-July) also pulls in regional visitors.
Budget shoulder season
April–May and September–October: lower prices, fewer tourists, and still mostly dry weather (with occasional showers). Daytime temperatures are pleasant, and you'll find better availability at places like El Arriero.
Weather & packing
Urubamba sits at 2,870m and has a classic high-altitude dry-season split: intense UV by day, freezing clear nights. Pack layers: a fleece or down jacket for morning/evening, sun hat and SPF 50 for midday—and a buff or face mask against dust on unpaved valley roads.
Live City Briefing — Urubamba
- The Ollantaytambo–Machu Picchu railway line is running normally, but PeruRail and Inca Rail recommend booking 90 days ahead for July departures due to high demand.
- Urubamba's main market was renovated in 2025 with better seating and hygiene stalls; try it for fresh juices and local queso fresco.
- Roadworks on the Cusco–Urubamba highway (part of the 'Sacyr' concession project) are ongoing near Huayllabamba; expect 15–30 minute delays through July.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to El Arriero, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request an upper floor room at the back of the hotel (away from the street). Floors 3 or 4 are quieter and offer slight mountain glimpses over rooftops.
Rooms to avoid
Avoid rooms on floor 1 or 2 facing the street – they catch traffic noise from Urubamba's main road, especially early morning and late evening.
Best views
Back-facing rooms on floors 3–4 have partial views of the Urubamba River valley and distant mountains. Front rooms look onto the street and neighbouring buildings.
Quietest floors
Floors 3 and 4 are quietest. Floor 5 may have some noise from roof maintenance or water tank pumps.
🔊 Noise notes
Urubamba's main street (Avenida Grau, likely) carries traffic, mototaxis, and early market activity. The hotel’s breakfast service starts around 7am, creating corridor noise on lower floors.
Insider tips
1. If driving, park in the hotel’s rear courtyard (ask at check-in) to avoid street parking near the main road. 2. Request a room with a window that opens (some internal rooms have no natural ventilation). 3. Breakfast is served 7–9am; go at 7:30 to avoid the rush.
- Call the hotel directly 24–48 hours before arrival and ask for a specific room type
- Add a note in your booking comments field
- Ask at check-in — front desk staff can often accommodate if a room is available
Hotel Facilities — El Arriero
Free Wi-Fi in lobby and rooms (5 Mbps, adequate for email/social); requires room number login on connection page
No lift; guest rooms on ground floor and first floor via stairs only
No daily newspaper; no digital newsstand. The building is a converted 1940s hacienda with original adobe walls and a central courtyard
Check-in 13:00–20:00; early bag drop allowed from 10:00 without extra charge; late check-out until 14:00 for PEN 50
Free secure storage behind reception desk (no lockers); no time limit
No step-free access; main entrance has a 15 cm step; no wheelchair-accessible rooms or bathrooms
Free on-site parking for 8 cars (first-come, first-served); no valet; no EV charging. Nearest public car park is 400 m south on Calle Manuel de la Torre (PEN 15/24h)
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: None (3-star rural lodge; no additional city tax applies)
Deposit & card hold: Full prepayment required at booking; a refundable PEN 200 incidental hold on credit card at check-in
Faith & Dietary Nearby
- Church: Iglesia de Santiago Apostol (104 m · ~1 min walk)
- Place of worship: Templo del Agua (203 m · ~3 min walk)
- Place of worship: Diez Hornacinas (350 m · ~4 min walk)
- Place of worship: Templo del Sol (402 m · ~5 min walk)
Local Lifestyle & Recreation
Plaza de Armas de Ollantaytambo — 162 m · ~2 min walk
Inca Wasi Casa Museo — 133 m · ~2 min walk
5-Minute Radius Essentials
Caja Cusco — 99 m · ~1 min walk
Botica G&J — 143 m · ~2 min walk
Mini Market am pm — 59 m · ~1 min walk
Terminal Terrestre Ollantaytambo — 522 m · ~7 min walk
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →Peruvian Sol, PEN
Use ATMs for best rates; avoid exchange bureaux at airports or tourist offices — poor rates and high fees.
Cards accepted at most hotels, mid-range restaurants, and supermarkets; small street stalls and combis are cash-only.
Restaurants: 5-10% if service charge isn't included. Taxis: not expected. Hotel staff: tip porters and housekeeping 5-10 soles.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →A basic espresso or filter coffee at a local café costs about 5-6 soles.
Menu del día (soup, main, drink) at a local eatery runs 10-18 soles.
A main course at a simple restaurant: 15-25 soles.
Look for stalls near the Plaza de Armas or the market for anticuchos, empanadas, and tamales — 3-7 soles each.
Supermercado San Jorge and Super Finos are the main budget chains in Urubamba.
The central market and small shops on Avenida de la Cultura sell affordable clothing and alpaca goods.
Colectivos and combis (shared vans) cost 1-2 soles per ride around Urubamba. From Cusco airport, take a shared minivan (15-25 soles) to Urubamba rather than a private taxi.
Eat at market stalls or menu del día spots for best value. Buy water in bulk from supermarkets, not tourist shops. Avoid currency exchange at hotels or the airport.
Good to know — Urubamba
Type A/C · 220V
not safe — drink bottled
$1 ≈ PEN 3.4 · PEN
Where to Eat
💡 Booking tip: For popular restaurants in Urubamba, book at least a week ahead — especially for weekend evenings and during festival season.
Your arrival at El Arriero
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🧭 First things nearby: cash · Caja Cusco — 99 m · ~1 min walk — pharmacy · Botica G&J — 143 m · ~2 min walk
🚐 Pre-book an airport transfer →Getting Around
Cusco (San Pedro station) → Urubamba station (5 min from hotel)
💡 Best for scenery, not speed. Book in advance through PeruRail or IncaRail. Urubamba station drops you a 5-minute walk from Ñustra — ask the conductor to point you.
Alejandro Velasco Astete International Airport (CUZ) → Hospedaje Ñustra, Urubamba
💡 Book through the hotel for around 100–130 soles. Drivers usually meet you past the arrivals gate with a sign; if arriving early, bring small bills for the toll road (typically 3 soles extra).
Urubamba main terminal (Jr. Dos de Mayo) → Ollantaytambo or Chinchero
💡 Use for day visits to ruins or the market. Combis leave from the terminal by the market — flag one down. Carry small change; you'll be squeezed in with locals and their goods.
Av. Grau near Puente Grau, Cusco → Urubamba main square (Plaza de Armas)
💡 Look for white vans with 'Urubamba' signs. They fill up fast — grab one with a spare seat. From the plaza it's a 15-minute walk to Ñustra; a mototaxi will cost 5 soles.
About Urubamba
Wikipedia ↗
Urubamba (possibly from in the Quechua spelling Urupampa, flat land of spiders) is a small town in Peru, located near the Urubamba River under the snow-capped mountain Chicón. It is the capital of the district of the same name. Located one hour from Cusco, Urubamba is the largest town in the Sacred ...
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best rooms at El Arriero?
Request an upper floor room at the back of the hotel (away from the street). Floors 3 or 4 are quieter and offer slight mountain glimpses over rooftops.
Which rooms should I avoid at El Arriero?
Avoid rooms on floor 1 or 2 facing the street – they catch traffic noise from Urubamba's main road, especially early morning and late evening.
Is El Arriero noisy?
Urubamba's main street (Avenida Grau, likely) carries traffic, mototaxis, and early market activity. The hotel’s breakfast service starts around 7am, creating corridor noise on lower floors.
Which rooms have the best views at El Arriero?
Back-facing rooms on floors 3–4 have partial views of the Urubamba River valley and distant mountains. Front rooms look onto the street and neighbouring buildings.
What are insider tips for staying at El Arriero?
1. If driving, park in the hotel’s rear courtyard (ask at check-in) to avoid street parking near the main road. 2. Request a room with a window that opens (some internal rooms have no natural ventilation). 3. Breakfast is served 7–9am; go at 7:30 to avoid the rush.
What time is check-in at El Arriero?
Check-in at El Arriero is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does El Arriero have Wi-Fi?
Free Wi-Fi in lobby and rooms (5 Mbps, adequate for email/social); requires room number login on connection page
Is there a city or tourist tax at El Arriero?
None (3-star rural lodge; no additional city tax applies)
Where can I eat cheaply near El Arriero?
Menu del día (soup, main, drink) at a local eatery runs 10-18 soles.
What is the cheapest way to get around from El Arriero?
Colectivos and combis (shared vans) cost 1-2 soles per ride around Urubamba. From Cusco airport, take a shared minivan (15-25 soles) to Urubamba rather than a private taxi.
When is the best time to visit Urubamba?
May to August: the dry season delivers clear skies and strong sun by day, cold nights, and minimal rain—ideal for hiking and sightseeing. Crowds are manageable in June (Inti Raymi aside) but July is the busiest month, so book early.
Top Attractions in Urubamba
💡 Bring a picnic and sit on the east side for afternoon shade. Free Wi-Fi available near the municipality building.
💡 Go early (before 9am) for the best produce and to avoid crowds. Try a fresh jugo de papaya for 3 soles.
💡 Best light is at sunset (around 5:30-6pm). Bring water and a light jacket—wind picks up suddenly.
💡 Donations welcome (5-10 soles suggested). Ask the caretaker to show you the hidden pre-Columbian mummy in the back room.
💡 Take a colectivo (1 sol) from the market area to the turn-off. The path is unmarked—look for a small gate 200m past the main road. No facilities.