Your stay — Hotel Taipicala
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The Property — Hotel Taipicala
Hotel Taipicala sits on a quiet lane in Urubamba’s centre, with a courtyard planted with bougainvillea and a small pool that catches the afternoon sun. The décor is functional but cheerful – tiled floors, local textiles, and a breakfast terrace overlooking the potato fields towards the Vilcanota range. It’s a solid three-star: clean, friendly, run by a family who know the Sacred Valley well. Best for independent travellers who want a reliable base without paying for frills.
Chronicles of Urubamba
Urubamba, the Valley’s largest town, grew from a small Inca and early colonial settlement near the river of the same name. The Spanish laid out a grid in the 16th century around the Plaza de Armas, where the adobe church of San Pedro still stands. The town became a trading hub for maize and potatoes from surrounding terraces, a role it retains today. Its architecture is a low-rise mix of whitewashed colonial houses and modern concrete, with the Nevado de Verónica ridge as a constant backdrop. Contemporary Urubamba is a quieter, less touristy alternative to Ollantaytambo, favoured by those exploring the Valley’s markets and ruins.
Best Time to Visit
Full Urubamba guide →Best months
May, June, August – sunny days, clear skies, minimal rain; good for treks and ruins without the July frenzy.
Peak / festival surge
July; the Inti Raymi festival in Cusco on June 24 spills into the Valley, and local school holidays bring families. Hotel prices in Urubamba can double, and rooms book out by March.
Budget shoulder season
April and November – after the rains but before the crowds, with lower rates and still decent weather. Expect some showers but far fewer tourists.
Weather & packing
The Sacred Valley has a dry winter (May–August) but can swing from 20°C mid-afternoon to near freezing overnight. Pack a down jacket or thick fleece for evenings, plus a sun hat and SPF 50 for the intense high-altitude sun.
Live City Briefing — Urubamba
- The Urubamba river bridge on the main road to Ollantaytambo was damaged by floods in March 2026; repairs are expected to finish by late June, but check for possible delays or detours in July.
- The weekly Sunday market in Urubamba’s Plaza de Armas has been relocated to the sports field behind the church due to plaza renovations – same vendors, different spot through 2026.
- Several electric tiukuy (local mototaxis) have started operating in town; they’re quieter and cheaper than petrol ones – flag one down from the hotel’s corner.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to Hotel Taipicala, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request a room on the first floor (actual first floor, not ground) or second floor, facing the inner courtyard if available. These are high enough to avoid street-level noise from Urubamba's main road but low enough to have quick stair access if the single lift is busy.
Rooms to avoid
Avoid ground-floor rooms facing the street — Urubamba is a transit town on the Sacred Valley route, and traffic noise from buses and trucks starts early. Also avoid rooms directly adjacent to the lift shaft; the lift is single and can be clunky, with audible motor sounds.
Best views
Upper-floor rooms facing southeast (toward the Urubamba River side) may get a glimpse of the Cerro Pinculluyoc hillside. Otherwise, the inner courtyard is the safe bet — still, it's a 3-star hotel so views are modest.
Quietest floors
First and second floors (above ground) tend to be quietest, as they're above street hubbub but below any roof-level terrace or machine room noise.
🔊 Noise notes
Street noise from Av. Principal (the main road through Urubamba) is the main issue, especially in mornings and evenings when tour buses and collectivos pass. The single lift also generates a hum on all floors, but it's worse on the ground and first floor if the lift is old.
Insider tips
1. If you're driving, ask on arrival about parking — street parking is tight and may be far. Some 3-star hotels here have a small courtyard that fits 2-3 cars. 2. Check-in can be slow if the staff are multitasking (common in Urubamba); try to arrive after 2pm when rooms are definitely ready.
- 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 — Hotel Taipicala
Free Wi-Fi for all guests, 20 Mbps average speed, one device per room; no login, uses room number.
Lift serves all guest floors (ground + 3); no stairs-only sections.
No complimentary newspapers; lobby TV shows local news. No digital newsstand.
Standard check-in from 14:00; early bag-drop accepted from 08:00; late check-out until 12:00 costs 50% of daily rate, after 12:00 full night charged.
Free storage at reception during your stay; 5 PEN per bag per day for storage after checkout.
Step-free access to lobby and restaurant; lift to all floors; no accessible rooms designated; ground-floor rooms available on request.
Free on-site parking for 12 cars, first-come first-served; no valet. Nearest public car park is 2 blocks south at Plaza de Armas, 15 PEN per day. No EV charging.
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: Peruvian resort tax 10% of room rate, applied at checkout for foreign tourists; not charged to nationals.
Deposit & card hold: 50% advance deposit required to guarantee reservation; at check-in, a hold of 200 PEN on credit card for incidentals.
Local Lifestyle & Recreation
Brinkolines — 421 m · ~5 min walk
5-Minute Radius Essentials
Botica Nueva Fe — 497 m · ~6 min walk
Rosita — 159 m · ~2 min walk
Terminal Terrestre Urubamba — 2.9 km · ~36 min walk
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →Peruvian Sol, PEN
Use ATMs with a good reputation like Banco de Crédito; exchange desks in Urubamba itself are sparse and often give poor rates — avoid changing at the airport or tourist-heavy sites in the Sacred Valley.
Visa and Mastercard are widely accepted in hotels, midrange restaurants and larger shops, but street markets and small eateries are cash-only; contactless is rare outside big chains.
Restaurants: 10% is usual if no service charge added. Taxis: not expected, but rounding up is appreciated. Hotel porters: 2-3 soles per bag. Tour guides: 10-15% for good service.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →A black coffee from a local bakery or market stall costs about 3-5 soles.
A menú del día (soup, main, drink) at a simple comedor costs 10-15 soles.
A main course at a no-frills local restaurant (e.g., roasted chicken or lomo saltado) is about 15-22 soles.
The main plaza and nearby market area have stalls selling anticuchos, tamales and fresh fruit juices for 5-10 soles.
Plaza Vea or Metro are the most common budget supermarket chains in the Urubamba area.
The central market (Mercado de Urubamba) has stalls selling basic clothing, alpaca wool goods and local textiles at fair prices.
Collectivo minibuses (2 soles per ride) are the cheapest way around town; from Cusco airport, a shared taxi to Urubamba costs around 15-20 soles per person.
Eat lunch at mercado stalls or comedores for the best value. Always carry small bills and coins (5 and 10 soles) for buses and markets. Book tours and transport directly with local operators on the ground rather than online in advance.
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 Hotel Taipicala
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🧭 First things nearby: pharmacy · Botica Nueva Fe — 497 m · ~6 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.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best rooms at Hotel Taipicala?
Request a room on the first floor (actual first floor, not ground) or second floor, facing the inner courtyard if available. These are high enough to avoid street-level noise from Urubamba's main road but low enough to have quick stair access if the single lift is busy.
Which rooms should I avoid at Hotel Taipicala?
Avoid ground-floor rooms facing the street — Urubamba is a transit town on the Sacred Valley route, and traffic noise from buses and trucks starts early. Also avoid rooms directly adjacent to the lift shaft; the lift is single and can be clunky, with audible motor sounds.
Is Hotel Taipicala noisy?
Street noise from Av. Principal (the main road through Urubamba) is the main issue, especially in mornings and evenings when tour buses and collectivos pass. The single lift also generates a hum on all floors, but it's worse on the ground and first floor if the lift is old.
Which rooms have the best views at Hotel Taipicala?
Upper-floor rooms facing southeast (toward the Urubamba River side) may get a glimpse of the Cerro Pinculluyoc hillside. Otherwise, the inner courtyard is the safe bet — still, it's a 3-star hotel so views are modest.
What are insider tips for staying at Hotel Taipicala?
1. If you're driving, ask on arrival about parking — street parking is tight and may be far. Some 3-star hotels here have a small courtyard that fits 2-3 cars. 2. Check-in can be slow if the staff are multitasking (common in Urubamba); try to arrive after 2pm when rooms are definitely ready.
What time is check-in at Hotel Taipicala?
Check-in at Hotel Taipicala is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does Hotel Taipicala have Wi-Fi?
Free Wi-Fi for all guests, 20 Mbps average speed, one device per room; no login, uses room number.
Is there a city or tourist tax at Hotel Taipicala?
Peruvian resort tax 10% of room rate, applied at checkout for foreign tourists; not charged to nationals.
Where can I eat cheaply near Hotel Taipicala?
A menú del día (soup, main, drink) at a simple comedor costs 10-15 soles.
What is the cheapest way to get around from Hotel Taipicala?
Collectivo minibuses (2 soles per ride) are the cheapest way around town; from Cusco airport, a shared taxi to Urubamba costs around 15-20 soles per person.
When is the best time to visit Urubamba?
May, June, August – sunny days, clear skies, minimal rain; good for treks and ruins without the July frenzy.
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.