Sacred Valley Accommodation
Rustic or luxury
The three towns in the Sacred Valley with the most options for accommodations are Pisac, Urubamba and Ollantaytambo. Each town has a slightly different flavor.
Pisac is closest to Cusco and is known for spiritual tourism and ayahuasca retreats. There is a strong expat population, many of whom have lived in Pisac for decades. Another draw for Pisac is the Inca ruins, high on the canyon wall above town.
Urubamba is the least touristy of the three, though it also has a thriving expat population. There aren’t any notable Inca ruins, beyond the palace of Huayna Capac, which has not had much restoration work. Urubamba has several large hotels and is a great place if you want to spend time in the countryside, escaping the main tourist circuit.
Ollantaytambo has the most impressive Inca ruins in the Sacred Valley and is also the town where you catch the train to Machu Picchu. It’s much smaller than either Pisac or Urubamba, naturally restricted by canyon walls in the narrow end of the Sacred Valley.
There aren’t a lot of truly budget places in the Sacred Valley. Whether the vibe is a rustic farm, a hippie hostel or a 5 star luxury experience, you’re likely to find prices are higher than in Cusco.