Salinas de Maras

An ancient salt evaporation operation featuring thousands of small square salt ponds cascading down a hillside in a stunning geometric pattern. The site has been used for salt production since Incan times and remains a functioning community enterprise.

Things to do

• Photograph the salt ponds — Capture the geometric patterns of thousands of white and ochre-colored square ponds cascading down the mountainside, best photographed in early morning or late afternoon light.
• Walk the pond perimeter trails — Follow the narrow paths that wind between the salt ponds, getting up close to the evaporation process and visiting working salt ponds still maintained by local families.
• Visit the salt shop and museum — Browse the small cooperative shop selling locally harvested salt in various forms and learn about the history of salt production through displays and informational signage.
• Meet salt farmers at work — Observe or chat with local farmers who still harvest and process salt using traditional Incan methods passed down through generations.
• Hike to the natural spring source — Trek uphill to the Fuente de Agua (water spring) that feeds the salt ponds with mineral-rich water from underground sources.
• Explore nearby agricultural terraces — Walk through the surrounding Andean crop fields and stone terraces that showcase traditional farming techniques alongside the salt operation.

Food to try

• Local quinoa with salted cheese — Freshly prepared quinoa from Sacred Valley farms paired with creamy local cheese and sea salt harvested from the ponds.
• Ceviche with Salinas salt — Fresh fish or seafood cured in lime juice and finished with the distinctive mineral-rich salt from Maras for enhanced flavor.
• Picnic lunch at the ponds — Pack local bread, cheese, and traditional Peruvian charcuterie to eat while overlooking the salt terraces during your visit.
• Potato causa limeña — A layered potato dish common in the Sacred Valley, seasoned with the local Salinas salt for authentic Andean flavor.
• Herbal tea from local plants — Sip traditional Andean tea made from locally grown herbs and served warm at the site's small refreshment areas.

Local customs & good to know

• Respect working areas — Stay on marked paths and do not disturb the salt ponds, as families still actively harvest salt and your footsteps can damage the delicate crystallization process.
• Support the cooperative — Purchase salt and souvenirs directly from the community-run shop, as profits go back to the local families who maintain this ancient practice.
• Hire a local guide — English-speaking guides from the community can explain the Incan origins, salt harvesting techniques, and family histories that make Salinas culturally significant.
• Visit during dry season — May through September offers the best conditions to see active salt crystallization, whereas the wet season (November-March) limits pond visibility and access.