Maras Salt Mines: A Complete Guide to Peru's Ancient Salt Pans

The Maras Salt Mines (Salineras de Maras) are a network of roughly 3,000 to 4,500 terraced evaporation pools carved into the slope of Qaqawiñay hill at about 3,200 meters (10,500 feet) in Peru's Sacred Valley. They sit 40 kilometers northwest of Cusco, about a 1-hour 20-minute drive, and entry costs S/20 (around $5) for foreign adults, cash only in soles. Unlike most archaeological sites in the region, these pans are not a ruin: they are a working, family-owned saltworks that has operated since before the Inca.

What to See and How to Visit the Salt Pans

A natural brine spring called Qoripujio emerges near the top of the ravine and feeds the pools through a hand-dug channel system. Each pool is roughly 5 to 20 square meters, less than 30 centimeters deep, and owned by a specific family from the communities of Maras or Pichingoto. The sun and wind do the rest, leaving a crust of salt that workers scrape by hand on a rotating cycle. The colors shift with the light and the season — white, pale pink, gold, and sometimes a dull ochre after heavy rain.

Since 2019, visitors cannot walk among the pools. The authorized route is a marked viewing path along the rim, and a full loop takes 45 minutes to an hour at an easy pace. You will see workers bent over the pans, and you may see them filling bags with the pink salt sold at the small stalls near the entrance. The path has a few short, gentle slopes, but at this altitude even a slight incline can leave you short of breath. Take it slowly.

The Two Viewpoints

The first viewpoint sits above the entrance, before you descend to the pans, and gives you the classic postcard shot of the whole amphitheater. Most tour groups stop here for ten minutes and then move on. The second viewpoint is lower, closer to the pools, and better for watching the harvest work. It also gets congested by late morning. If you arrive before 9 a.m., you can often have the lower path almost to yourself.

Practical Details: Tickets, Hours, and Cash

The site is not included in the Cusco Tourist Ticket (Boleto Turístico). The entrance fee is set by the local community and collected at the gate. As of 2026, foreign adults pay S/20 and Peruvian adults pay S/15; children under 8 or 10 often enter free, depending on the gate attendant, and students with valid ID sometimes get a discount. Carry small bills — a S/100 note may not be broken at the rural ticket booth. There is no ATM on site, and the nearest ones are down in Urubamba.

Opening hours run from about 7 a.m. to 5 or 6 p.m., with ticket sales usually stopping around 4 or 4:30 p.m. depending on the season. Fees and hours can change without notice, so check with your tour operator or the official site before you go.

Getting There and Choosing Your Timing

The most common route is a guided half-day tour from Cusco that combines Maras with the Moray terraces and sometimes Chinchero. These tours cost roughly $30 to $50 per person, include transport and a guide, but often exclude the S/20 entrance fee. Private transport is more flexible: a taxi or hired car from Cusco takes about 1 hour 20 minutes and costs around S/280 to S/340 round trip, or you can book a one-way private transfer for as little as 13 to 25 euros per seat. Public transport is cheaper but slower: buses from Cusco to Urubamba or Maras take 1.5 to 2.5 hours, and from the Maras junction you can take a colectivo taxi for about S/7 or walk 1 to 1.5 hours along a scenic dirt road.

If you are driving yourself, note that the last stretch is a narrow dirt road with steep drop-offs. In the rainy season it can be muddy and slick. Drive slowly and honk on blind curves.

Best Season and Time of Day

The dry season, May through October, is the best window. The ponds are full, the salt is bright white, and the harvest is in full swing. April and October are the sweet spot — the pans have recovered from the rains, and the crowds are thinner than in June or July. From November to April, the colors turn brownish and the pans are less photogenic, but the surrounding hills are intensely green and you will share the site with far fewer people. February is the worst month for salt viewing, as heavy rain can halt harvesting and turn the access road to mud.

For photography, arrive as soon as the gate opens at 7 a.m. or after 3 p.m. Midday sun is harsh and flat on the white salt, and the tour buses from Cusco start rolling in around 10 a.m. The low-angled morning light brings out the textures and the pink tones in the ponds; the afternoon light is warmer and slightly softer. Either way, bring sunglasses — the glare off the white terraces is intense even on cloudy days.

What to Bring and How Long to Stay

Allow one hour for the site itself. That covers the upper viewpoint, the lower path, and a stop at the salt stalls. If you are combining Maras with Moray, which is 7 kilometers away, plan a half-day total. A hat, high-SPF sunscreen, and a light jacket are essential; the weather can shift from sunny to cool and windy within an hour. Wear comfortable walking shoes with decent grip — the path is packed dirt and can be slippery after rain. There are basic toilets near the entrance, but no restaurant; the nearest food is in Maras village or Urubamba.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Maras Salt Mines entrance fee included in the Cusco Tourist Ticket?

No. The salt pans are community-owned and charge their own separate entrance fee of S/20 for foreign adults, payable in cash in Peruvian soles at the gate. The Cusco Tourist Ticket covers sites like Moray, but not Maras.

Can you walk among the salt pools?

No, since 2019 visitors must stay on the marked viewing path along the rim. The restriction protects the fragile clay and salt crust of the pools and keeps the working areas clear for the families who harvest there.

How do you get to the Maras Salt Mines without a tour?

Take a bus from Cusco to Maras or Urubamba (1.5 to 2.5 hours, about S/6), then a colectivo taxi to the salt pans for around S/7. Alternatively, a private taxi from Cusco takes about 1 hour 20 minutes and costs S/280 to S/340 round trip.

What is the best time of day to visit Maras?

Arrive at 7 a.m. when the gate opens, or after 3 p.m. The light is softer, the crowds are thinner, and the pans look their best. Midday brings harsh glare and the heaviest tour bus traffic.

Is the site open on Sundays?

Yes, the gates are open daily, but the salt pans are traditionally not worked on Sundays. You can still visit and walk the viewing path, but you will not see harvesters at work.