The Maras salt pans cascade down a steep hillside above the Sacred Valley, fed continuously by a naturally salty spring that locals channel into thousands of small terraced pools. The evaporation technique used to harvest the salt predates the Inca and is still practiced by families in the area today.
Visitor Profile
Best Season: Dry season, May–Sep, for active salt harvesting
Best Time of Day: Morning, before tour buses peak
Facilities: Entrance booth, restrooms, small shop
Permits Required: Entrance fee
Crowd Level: Busy midday with tour groups
Photography: Outstanding — thousands of pools in varying tones of white and tan
What's Worth Your Time
One of the Sacred Valley's most photogenic stops, best combined with nearby Moray on the same trip.
Must-See Highlight: The overlook near the entrance showing the full terraced expanse of pools cascading down the hillside
Local Tip: Buy a small bag of the harvested salt from local vendors on site — it's a direct way to support the families still working the pans
Skip If Rushed: Walking all the way down through the pans isn't necessary — the upper viewpoints give a full sense of the scale
Getting There
A taxi from Urubamba takes about 25–30 minutes on a mix of paved and dirt roads; many tours combine Maras with a stop at Moray, a short drive further on.
$10–15 USD taxi one-way · 25–30 min from Urubamba center
Maras Salt Mines Entry Pricing
Entrance fee (adult): ~$4 USD
Maras Salt Mines Vibe
Crowd: moderate · Noise: quiet · Best time: Morning
salt pans, traditional harvesting, photo stop
Safety Notes
: Walkways between the pools can be slick with salt crust and water — wear grippy, closed footwear.
Urubamba → Maras Salt Mines → Moray Archaeological Site
Visit in the morning for good light and fewer crowds, walk the upper viewpoints and lower pools, then continue to Moray on the same trip.
Combine the visit with Moray — they're close enough to cover both in a single half-day excursion.
Frequently Asked Questions
How old is the salt harvesting here?
The evaporation technique predates the Inca, and the same basic method is still used by local families today.
Is there an entrance fee?
Yes, a small entrance fee applies, separate from the regional Boleto Turístico.
Can I buy the salt?
Yes, local vendors sell bags of harvested salt on site, a good way to support the families who work the pans.
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