Elevation
3,380 m
Location
50 min from Cusco
Character
Salt & Soil
Best For
Agriculture · agritourism
Maras: The Salt and Soil of the Sacred Valley
Maras is a small high-plateau town between Chinchero and the Sacred Valley floor, famous for two of Peru's most extraordinary landscapes — the Salineras salt pans and the Moray agricultural terraces. Both have been working sites since pre-Inca times, and both continue to define the character of the surrounding land. For real estate buyers, Maras offers a combination of agricultural potential, tourism upside, and proximity to the new Chinchero airport.
The Salineras
The salt pans at Salineras are one of Peru's most photographed sites. Thousands of small terraced ponds cascade down a hillside, fed by a natural saline spring that emerges from the mountain. Local families have harvested salt here for over a thousand years, and many of the individual pans are still owned by the same families that have worked them for generations.
The site draws steady tourist traffic and has become a brand of its own — Maras salt is now exported globally. For investors, the surrounding land offers opportunities tied to the tourism flow and to artisanal food production.
Moray and the Agricultural Terraces
A short distance from Maras, the circular terraces of Moray descend in concentric rings into the earth. The site was an Inca agricultural laboratory — each terrace level created a distinct microclimate, allowing the Incas to test how crops would perform at different elevations and conditions. Moray is one of the most fascinating archaeological sites in the region and a major tourist draw.
The combination of Salineras and Moray makes Maras a fixed stop on the Sacred Valley tourist circuit. That base of visitor demand supports a growing local economy.
Real Estate in Maras
Maras real estate is mostly agricultural. The plateau soil is among the most fertile in the region, producing potatoes, grains, and vegetables. Large parcels are available at prices that would seem impossible closer to Cusco or Urubamba.
The proximity to the future Chinchero airport (less than 15 minutes) is reshaping the market. Land that was purely agricultural a few years ago is now drawing developer interest for boutique hotels, glamping operations, and farm-to-table hospitality concepts.
Living in Maras
The town itself is small and traditional. Most residents are Quechua-speaking farmers whose families have lived on this plateau for centuries. The pace is rural Andean — sunrise farming, market days, and long views in every direction.
Contact Perfecto Homes to explore Maras real estate and capture land in one of the Sacred Valley's most distinctive areas.
Why Maras
What you'll find when you choose Maras.
Real Estate Range
From in-town homes to working farms and view parcels. Inventory turns over slowly — we keep a tight pulse on what comes available.
Local Lifestyle
Markets, food, festivals, and walking pace. The kind of daily rhythm that doesn't exist in most modern cities anymore.
Investment Outlook
The Chinchero airport opens in 2027 and is already reshaping land prices across the region. Buying ahead matters.
Trusted Local Team
Bilingual support, on-the-ground due diligence, and a network of legal partners who handle Peruvian title and water rights.
Ready to explore Maras?
Our team handles every step — from the first walk-through to closing day. Reach out when you're ready.
