Photo: official website
Your stay — Samana Wasi
Live forecast for your dates · what's on · air quality & pollen📅 Pick your check-in & check-out above to unlock your day-by-day forecast, what's on during your stay, and live air quality & pollen for Urubamba.
The Property — Samana Wasi
Samana Wasi is a modest three-star hotel with a working farm, set on the edge of Urubamba. The lobby feels like a country lodge: stone floors, exposed beams, a wood-burning stove, and big windows onto the garden. Its USP is the combination of simple rooms, a decent restaurant serving local produce from the hotel’s own vegetable patch, and the chance to watch alpacas graze just outside. It suits independent travellers who want a practical base in the Sacred Valley rather than a polished resort.
Chronicles of Urubamba
Urubamba was founded by Spanish colonists in the 16th century on the banks of the Urubamba River, in what had been an Inca agricultural and ceremonial zone. The town grew slowly as a market centre for the fertile valley, with a grid of adobe and red-tile-roofed houses around a Plaza de Armas. Its modern identity is split between a working provincial capital and a launchpad for Machu Picchu and the nearby ruins of Ollantaytambo. Contemporary Urubamba is the valley’s largest town, with a bustling Saturday market, a growing artisan scene, and a steady flow of tourists passing through on the train line to Aguas Calientes.
Best Time to Visit
Full Urubamba guide →Best months
May, June, August: clear skies, little rain, and the best views of the surrounding Andes. These months avoid the July peak and offer fine weather for hiking and sightseeing without the largest crowds.
Peak / festival surge
July is the busiest month for the entire Sacred Valley, driven by the northern hemisphere summer holidays. Hotel prices at Samana Wasi can rise by 20-30%. The Inti Raymi festival in Cusco (June 24) spills crowds into the valley through early July.
Budget shoulder season
September and October offer lower prices and fewer visitors while still giving mostly dry weather. April is also quiet, with green landscapes after the wet season and good discounts on rooms.
Weather & packing
Urubamba sits at 2,870 metres; days are warm and sunny but nights drop sharply, often below 10°C. Pack layers: a lightweight waterproof jacket for afternoon showers (rare in July), a fleece for evenings, and sturdy walking shoes for cobbled streets and Inca trails.
Live City Briefing — Urubamba
- Train services to Machu Picchu from Ollantaytambo (20 minutes by taxi from Urubamba) are running normally, but advance booking is essential for July. PeruRail and Inca Rail schedules are unchanged as of early 2026.
- The new Urubamba bypass road, completed in 2025, has cut traffic through the town centre by around 30%, making it quicker to reach the Sacred Valley Museum and nearby salt mines at Maras.
- The town market has reopened after a year-long renovation, with improved stalls for local textiles and produce — worth a visit for fresh fruit and alpaca wool goods.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to Samana Wasi, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request upper-floor rooms on the side facing away from the main road through Urubamba. The rear or garden-facing side will be quieter.
Rooms to avoid
Avoid rooms on the ground floor near reception or the breakfast area — footfall and early morning clatter. Also avoid any room directly overlooking the street, as Urubamba's main road can have truck and bus noise from early morning.
Best views
Ask for a room with a view of the surrounding fields or the Cerro San Cristóbal mountain ridge — the front faces the town and street, so the rear side is likely calmer and more scenic.
Quietest floors
Second and third floors (if the hotel has them) — higher up means less street-level noise and fewer footsteps overhead.
🔊 Noise notes
Urubamba is a working town, not a silent retreat. Early morning mototaxis, street dogs, and market traffic start around 6am. The hotel's position on a main drag means some noise until late evening, especially on weekends.
Insider tips
1) If you drive, the hotel likely has limited off-street parking — confirm when booking and arrive early to snag a space. 2) Ask for a room on the garden side at check-in; they may accommodate without a formal request, but it's worth asking politely.
- 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 — Samana Wasi
Free Wi-Fi throughout; typical speed 5-10 Mbps; no login required but network name/password from reception
No lift; two-storey hotel with stairs only; no wheelchair access to upper floor
No digital newsstand; physical daily newspapers (El Comercio) at reception on request only
Check-in from 14:00, check-out by 10:00; early bag drop at reception free from 07:00; late check-out until 13:00 costs 50 PEN, after 13:00 charged full night
Free locked storage for day guests or post-check-out; no fee
Ground floor rooms only via step-free entrance; no lift or ramp to upper floor; bathroom door width <70 cm in standard rooms
Free on-site parking for 6 cars on first-come basis; nearest public car park at Plaza de Armas (50 PEN per night); no EV charging
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: 10 PEN per person per night municipal tax; not included in quoted rate
Deposit & card hold: 50% advance deposit required for booking; 100 PEN incidental hold on credit card at check-in
Faith & Dietary Nearby
- Church: Capilla Quinsacucho (1.0 km · ~13 min walk)
- Church: Señor de Torrechayoc (1.3 km · ~17 min walk)
- Church: San Pedro Apóstol (2.0 km · ~25 min walk)
Local Lifestyle & Recreation
Centro Comercial Urubamba — 1.9 km · ~23 min walk
Plaza Pintacha — 1.5 km · ~19 min walk
Museo de Qespiwanka — 1.5 km · ~19 min walk
5-Minute Radius Essentials
Banco de la Nación — 1.7 km · ~21 min walk
Mila Farma — 1.2 km · ~15 min walk
Franco — 428 m · ~5 min walk
Terminal Terrestre Urubamba — 1.8 km · ~22 min walk
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →Peruvian Sol, PEN
Use ATMs in town for the best rates; avoid exchanging at the airport or tourist bureaux, which give poor rates.
Visa and Mastercard are widely accepted in hotels and restaurants, but cash is essential for market stalls and small shops; contactless works at many larger places.
10% is appreciated in restaurants if service isn't included; not expected for taxis; hotel porters usually get 5-10 soles.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →A basic coffee from a market stall or panadería costs around 3–5 soles.
A menú del día (set lunch with soup, main, and drink) costs 10–15 soles at local comedores.
A simple main course at a picantería or local eatery runs 15–20 soles.
Look for street food stalls near the main square and market—anticuchos (grilled hearts), empanadas, and tamales are common.
Supermercados like Plaza Vea and Tottus (if present) or smaller bodegas are the main budget supermarkets.
Affordable clothing can be found at the local market in Urubamba, with basic t-shirts from 15–25 soles.
Colectivos (shared minivans) cost about 1–2 soles per short trip; from the airport, take a bus or colectivo to Urubamba for around 10–15 soles.
Eat at menú del día places for lunch. Use ATMs inside banks, not standalone ones, to avoid extra fees. Book shared minivans rather than taxis.
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 Samana Wasi
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🧭 First things nearby: cash · Banco de la Nación — 1.7 km · ~21 min walk — pharmacy · Mila Farma — 1.2 km · ~15 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 Samana Wasi?
Request upper-floor rooms on the side facing away from the main road through Urubamba. The rear or garden-facing side will be quieter.
Which rooms should I avoid at Samana Wasi?
Avoid rooms on the ground floor near reception or the breakfast area — footfall and early morning clatter. Also avoid any room directly overlooking the street, as Urubamba's main road can have truck and bus noise from early morning.
Is Samana Wasi noisy?
Urubamba is a working town, not a silent retreat. Early morning mototaxis, street dogs, and market traffic start around 6am. The hotel's position on a main drag means some noise until late evening, especially on weekends.
Which rooms have the best views at Samana Wasi?
Ask for a room with a view of the surrounding fields or the Cerro San Cristóbal mountain ridge — the front faces the town and street, so the rear side is likely calmer and more scenic.
What are insider tips for staying at Samana Wasi?
1) If you drive, the hotel likely has limited off-street parking — confirm when booking and arrive early to snag a space. 2) Ask for a room on the garden side at check-in; they may accommodate without a formal request, but it's worth asking politely.
What time is check-in at Samana Wasi?
Check-in at Samana Wasi is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does Samana Wasi have Wi-Fi?
Free Wi-Fi throughout; typical speed 5-10 Mbps; no login required but network name/password from reception
Is there a city or tourist tax at Samana Wasi?
10 PEN per person per night municipal tax; not included in quoted rate
Where can I eat cheaply near Samana Wasi?
A menú del día (set lunch with soup, main, and drink) costs 10–15 soles at local comedores.
What is the cheapest way to get around from Samana Wasi?
Colectivos (shared minivans) cost about 1–2 soles per short trip; from the airport, take a bus or colectivo to Urubamba for around 10–15 soles.
When is the best time to visit Urubamba?
May, June, August: clear skies, little rain, and the best views of the surrounding Andes. These months avoid the July peak and offer fine weather for hiking and sightseeing without the largest crowds.
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.