Pregnant? Safely Relax In These Hot Springs
Between your swollen feet, aching back and dry, itchy skin, there’s never a time you’ll need a hot spring or spa more than when you’re pregnant. But can you go to a hot spring or spa when pregnant?
First, if you have any concerns or are at risk, it’s crucial to consult your healthcare team before trying any activities outside of your usual routine.
The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) states that becoming overheated in a hot tub is not recommended during pregnancy. ACOG also recommends that pregnant women never let their core body temperature rise above 102.2º F.
According to Healthline, water temperature in the hot tub should never exceed 104°F (40°C). Sitting in hot water can easily raise the body temperature, which can cause health issues for you and your developing baby.
Also, saunas are definitely a no-go because they can both raise your body temperature and heart rate, while potentially dehydrating you.
But pregnancy is actually an ideal time to plan a spa day—it’s the calm before the storm of late nights, diapers and feeding schedules take over your waking hours.
So, take a look at cooler hot springs and spas and other services they offer like mud baths, scrubs, and massages (if they are experienced in prenatal massages).
Water Temperature And Your Body
During pregnancy, your body temperature shouldn’t rise above 102.2°F (39°C). That can easily occur if you spend more than 10 minutes in a hot tub with a water temperature of 104°F (40°C).
This precaution is especially important during the first trimester when a rise in temperature can cause birth defects, such as brain and spinal cord defects. According to WebMD, the most common neural tube defect is spina bifida. This birth defect happens when the baby’s neural tube doesn’t close all the way, and as a result, the backbone, which is supposed to protect the spinal cord, doesn’t form correctly.
A 2006 study published in Birth Defects Research found that mild exposure before the embryo is implanted in the uterus and more severe exposure during the first trimester might result in various birth defects and even pregnancy loss.
While exposed to a high temperature, your body sends more blood to your skin’s surface to cool you down by sweating. Combined with the hormonal changes that come with pregnancy, this can reduce blood flow to your brain — leading to fainting.
Overheating can also make you feel dizzy. Just like fainting, this is caused by a lack of blood flow to your brain. This place you at risk of falls, which can potentially harm your little one.
Hot Tub and Hot Spring Germs
Germs are another concern related to using a hot tub while pregnant. The warm, small body of water can be a breeding ground for harmful bacteria. But regular maintenance and constant monitoring can help ensure the water chemistry is properly balanced.
If you don’t own the hot tub but want some peace of mind, test the water or ask the manager of the place to ensure that the water is tested regularly.
While not common, certain types of bacteria and amoebas thrive in warm freshwater. Looking up the specific hot spring you plan to go to is recommended.
Hot Spring Safety During Pregnancy
If you’re in your first trimester, the general advice is to avoid the hot springs. Even if you keep the time to under 10 minutes, it can be dangerous for your baby-to-be.
For your baby’s sake, skip the dip during the first three months.
According to the Cleveland Clinic, you can still sit on the edge of the tub and soak your feet and calves.
If you’re past the first trimester and want to use the hot tub after getting your doctor’s approval, here’s how to stay safe:
Use the tub for no more than 10 minutes at a time and allow for plenty of cooling off in between sessions.
If you feel sweaty, step out of the tub right away and cool yourself down.
Try to keep your chest above the water if possible. It’s even better to sit where only your lower half is in the hot water.
If you stop sweating or experience any kind of discomfort such as dizziness or nausea, get out immediately and monitor your condition to make sure your body is back to normal.
Don’t use the hot springs if you have a fever.
Finding Hot Springs Typically Below 104°F (40°C)
I’m a bit of a nerd and always bring a thermometer and water quality testing kit when I go to hot springs. The springs below are known to have hot springs below 104F. But I recommend bring a digital pool thermometer or asking the owner to tell you the temperature - this is a common question and they usually know.
Albania - Benja Thermal Baths
The hot water flows down the river unless you or others make pools to trap it. Temperature of the four springs is 23 to 32 degrees Celsius. You’ll have to walk up the canyon to find them all - so be careful of slippery rocks.
It costs 200L for parking at the site. It is possible to hike there from the nearby town of Përmet. There are no changing facilities so it’s a quick change in car.
Belgium - Château des Thermes
Chaudfontaine, near Liège, is unique in Belgium for having the only naturally warm spring in the country, with water emerging at a natural temperature of 37C. You can also enjoy the relaxing foot bath and salt room.
Chile - Termas de Puritama
The Puritama Conservation Reserve, located in the depth of an Andean canyon of the Atacama Desert, covers a unique ecoregion in the world, where the Altiplano of the Andes and the driest desert on the planet converge on the great lake of the Salar de Atacama.
Located in the middle of a canyon, surrounded by foxtails, the Termas de Puritama, which means Water (Puri) and Hot (tama), has thermal waters that have a temperature between 28 degrees and 31 degrees celcius, suitable for the whole family.
Its water has an important concentration of minerals, including calcium, magnesium, sodium and boron, all revitalizing elements for the body and mind.
China - Rehai Hot Springs
Rehai Hot Springs, which is the second-largest hot field in China, with a maximum water temperature of 102 degrees Celsius. It is the best place for geothermal therapy in China. Next to it, you can find hot spring eggs (five yuan for two), peanuts, and other items for sale. There are also two large "steam boilers" where visitors can experience the joy of steaming and cooking eggs themselves (available outside the scenic area for five yuan for four eggs). The saying "Yunnan's Eighteen Wonders, selling eggs on a string" originated from here.
Costa Rica - Eco Termales Hot Springs
The smallest of the Arenal hot springs, Eco Termales is geared toward privacy and relaxation — it does not accept more than 100 visitors at one time.
Four geothermal pools vary in temperature, with the coolest being 91º F (32 C) and the hottest being 105º F (41 C). One of the pools has a refreshing, cascading waterfall that you can stand beneath — enjoy the exhilaration without the usual chill. Paths laid with volcanic silt run throughout the complex, connecting the pools, changing rooms, and restaurant — making it easy and safe for you to navigate the pools and property as a whole.
Croatia - Aquae Vivae Krapinske Toplice
Aqua Vivae Krapinske Toplice got its name thanks to the ancient Romans who noticed the warm and crystal clear spring, which they dubbed živa voda (living water).
The village houses numerous saunas, hot tubs and pools. Here, the water temperature at the springs is 39-41ºC (102° – 107° F) and rich in calcium, hydrogen, and magnesium mineral content. In March 2023, the village opened the biggest complex of indoor pools in Croatia – something that’s definitely more of a family-friendly vibe.
Ecuador - El Salado Hot Springs
El Salado Hot Springs is in a mountain setting just minutes from the town of Banos. It’s the termales all the locals soak in the early mornings.
There are 2 smallish pools at the top of about 36 degrees each, 2 smaller pools below of about 38 degrees and a cold one, and finally one covered hot pool (about 42 degrees) which makes 6 pools altogether. There is also a cold river that circles the bottom pools.
Bear in mind children are never allowed to go on the hot pools and you need a cap as well.
Hungary - Csiszta Spa
The cozy thermal bath at Csiszta Spa can be found 10 kilometres from Balatonfenyves, open all year round, which can also be reached by narrow gauge railway in summer. With 5 swimming pools and a sauna, the Csiszta Spa offers indoor and outdoor thermal pools and a children’s pool.
Enjoy temperatures of 32 - 40 C and mineral benefits of magnesium, carbonate and sulfur.
Greece - Kyllini Baths
The thermal springs of Kyllini's Castle are located on the northwest beach of the Peloponnese.
The waters of the Kyllini thermal baths are rich in sulfur, radon, chloride, and other minerals. The temperature of the baths is 26C. The spa is open from June to October every year and is ideal for treating conditions such as: bronchial and allergic asthma (inhalation therapy), allergic rhinitis – sinusitis (nasal rinses – nasal inhalation), rheumatic arthritis (baths – hamam), chronic bronchitis, emphysema, neuralgias, migraines, laryngitis and skin ailments.
Indonesia - Banjar Hot Spring
Banjar Hot Springs, locally referred to as ‘Air Panas Banjar’, are located approximately 5km southwest from the famous Lovina coast in North Bali. Enjoy a stay at a number of villas along the beach in Banjar.
The hot water springs complex comprises four main pool sections, with the largest and central bathing pool featuring a restaurant perched high above the northern side.
Banjar Holy Hot Springs has a sulfur content of 26% and a temperature of ± 38 C.
Italy - Saturnia Hot Springs
Immerse yourself in the cascading waterfalls and steaming pools of Cascate del Mulino, known for their milky blue waters and sulfurous scent. The temperature at Saturnia hot springs is around 38C.
Arrive early to secure a spot near the waterfalls and bring a picnic for a complete experience. There are two free, outdoor waterfalls, the Cascate del Mulino and the Cascate del Gorello. There are no public changing rooms, so you may want to come dressed in your bathing suit.
Laos - Big Hot Springs
The Big Hot Springs, or Nam Hom, are located 69 km east of Phonsavan and 19 km from Muang Kham town and near ASA hot springs. You can stay at the Coecco Xieng Khouang Hotel.
This hot spring is a natural creation, where the water temperature is about 40 degrees Celsius.
The resort is now equipped with a number of tourist amenities, including restaurants, a guesthouse, a ferry wheel, a small swimming pool and nature trails among pine-lined walks.
Morocco - Abayou Springs
Abaynou springs, a tiny little concrete-and-mud place in a plain of stones, seems known for two things: hot springs and Britta Dancy.
Located 15 km southwest of Guelmim, in the middle of a palm and olive trees oasis, this station features separate pools for men and women, reception services, and accommodations.
Its waters, rich in calcium, sodium and magnesium among other components, are renowned for their therapeutic properties against skin problems, rheumatism and asthma. The water comes out of the source at a temperature of 38°C and flows into two basins.
New Zealand - Hanmer Hot Springs
Hanmer Springs is a charming alpine village renowned for its natural thermal pools, nestled amidst a stunning mountain landscape.
Hanmer hot springs boasts a staggering 22 thermal pools, fed by geothermal water that has been rising from deep beneath the mountains for centuries.
You can find yourself drifting in a calm, rock-lined thermal pool one minute, and enjoying the contrast of a sulphur pool the next. The private thermal pools are a highlight for those seeking intimacy, providing a secluded 30-minute soak that feels worlds away from the main complex. The temperature range is extensive, with pools starting at a comfortable 28°C and ascending to a deeply therapeutic 42°C.
Norway - Stave Hot Pools
Stave Hot Pools is surrounded by the wild and spectaular beauty of Andøya's west coast and offers visitors the unforgettable adventure of soaking in 38° heated outdoor hot pools overlooking the ocean. Before or after a soak in the hot pools, take part in sea kayaking, paddle boarding, or surfboarding in the brisk ocean water. Equipment is available to rent right from the Stave facility.
When you’re done in water enjoy forest bathing. Forest bathing – or “friluftsliv” – is the practice of getting out into the wild, breathing in the fresh air, and enjoying views of natural landscapes.
Panama - Caldera Hot Springs
There are three natural hot springs to soak in at Caldera Hot Springs. Each pool is a naturally formed pool made from rocks. The pool temperatures are 38°C (100°F), 40°C (104°F), and 45°C (113°F). The waters are rich in minerals and sulfur (thankfully there was no odor from the sulfur).
Only 45 minutes by car from Boquete, but requires high clearance or 4x4 vehicle. There are colectivos or public buses that go from Boquete to Caldera.
Peru - Cocalmayo Hot Springs
Cocalmayo Hot Springs, also known as the medicinal baths of Santa Teresa, are a popular destination near Machu Picchu, offering relaxation and potential therapeutic benefits.
There are 4 large pools for you to choose from. Officially temperatures range from 38°C (100°F) to 44°C (111°F). For some people this doesn’t really qualify as “hot” springs, more “warm” springs. It does feel like you’re getting in a giant bath.
The hot springs in Cocalmayo are rich in calcium, magnesium, bicarbonate and sulfate.
Portugal - Termas da Curia
Just 15 km from Luso, Termas da Curia is set within a magnificent 14-hectare park with an artificial lake. Its bicarbonate-rich waters are sought after for treatments of metabolic and digestive disorders.
The water has sulphur, calcium and magnesium, a temperature of 19ºC, with a pH of 7.2 and the total mineralization of hypersaline (+ -1900mg / L).
Puerto Rico - Coamo Hot Springs
Coamo thermal pools located in the southern city of Coamo are the only hot springs in Puerto Rico. An employee will greet you and check you in at the entrance. They’ll direct you to the shop to pay the entrance fee – five dollars per person ($3.50 for residents).
The property is well-landscaped and located next to a small stream. Decorative trees, bushes, and flowers surround the two pools. One pool is around 95º and the other 105º.
Go in the spring and everything is in bloom, butterflies and hummingbirds fly from flower to flower. Hidden speakers play calming spa music like chimes and ambient noise.
Serbia - Vrnjačka Banja
This picturesque town of Vrnjačka Banja with a long spa tradition boasts impressive architecture, charming parks, and a lively atmosphere. Immerse yourself in the sulfur-rich waters, renowned for their therapeutic properties since Roman times.
Snežnik-located in the Vrnjačka River zone. In 1978/80, for the needs of the new pavilion, a recapture was done and old pavilions were replaced with a new. Water belongs to alkaline- alkaline earth carbonic acid acrotopegs. Its temperature is 17C.
Switzerland - Walliser Alpentherme & Spa
The Walliser Alpentherme spa offers a tranquil, adult-focused experience. It features indoor and outdoor thermal pools, a unique Roman-Irish bath, and the largest sauna village in the Alps.
The Walliser Alpentherme & Spa Leukerbad (open daily from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.) features two mineral-rich indoor thermal pools with temperature that ranges from 34°to 40°C.
Thailand - Phon-Rang Hot Springs
Phon-Rang hot springs located in Ngao National Park are far larger and more elaborate than Rahsa Warin hot springs in Ranong town.
There are 3 temperatures for different pools: 41C, 40C, and 39C. After soaking, there is a natural stream that allows you to cool down. In this stream are the little fish which eat the dead skin off your feet. Amazing feels for tired feet.
United States - Black Rock Hot Springs
Black Rock Hot Springs is located north of Taos, west of the quaint village of Arroyo Hondo, across from the John Dunn Bridge on the west bank of the Rio Grande. Pool temperatures are usually about 97 F depending on how high the river is. Black Rock is well known and easy to reach, so don’t expect to be alone. Locals consider it to be a nude hot springs and 90% of locals go nude.
United States - Bozeman Hot Springs
Bozeman Hot Springs is a family-friendly destination in Montana known for its lively atmosphere and multiple pools. The spring water feeds a variety of soaking options, from a family pool to a more secluded adult pool.
Bozeman Hot Springs is a highly developed and expansive facility offering a diverse range of soaking experiences across 12 pools, with temperatures varying widely from 57°F to 106°F.
The indoor space also includes a steam room and a dry sauna, perfect for post-soak unwinding. The outdoor pools are a more recent addition, boasting appealing rock fixtures and in-pool lighting, and frequently serve as a venue for public events, including musical performances every Thursday and Sunday, and annual holiday-themed gatherings.
United States - Carson Hot Springs
Carson hot springs is another resort style spa in Nevada, used by folks during the gold rush. It was once home to a bottling company.
Nine private pools have pool temperatures from 100-104 degrees and vary according to the natural flow of the spring. Private pools do not have a strict capacity limit, but comfortably accommodate groups of 4-5 people.
The heart of the action – Carson City – is nestled just minutes from world-famous Lake Tahoe, electrifying Reno, historic Virginia City and the majestic Sierra Nevada mountain range.
United States - Castle Hot Springs
From deep within the Bradshaw Mountains of Arizona, a mineral elixir debuts above ground in a stunning canyon at Castle Hot Springs. What starts as rain, sinks through cracks in the ground and flows through underground streams to be warmed by the earth and filled with a unique mineral blend.
The unique water is particularly rich in lithium, magnesium, and bicarbonates, which help lift your mood, calm your mind, and ease aching joints and muscles.
From the top pool, the water cascades into the next while cooling to an ideal temperature of about 96F. Best for extended soaking enjoy the canyon walls and the feel of natural desert floor under your feet, grounding you to the natural environment and heightening the senses.
From the first two pools, the water meanders down the canyon into the deepest pool where the temperature hovers around 86F. An idyllic desert swimming hole, surrounded by towering palm trees.
United States - Dr. Wilkinson’s Backyard Resort
With over 62 years of service in northern California, Dr. Wilkinson’s Backyard Resort & Mineral Springs is an iconic wine country bathhouse. Visitors can experience Calistoga’s distinctive mineral waters and volcanic ash, highlighting the health advantages of hot mineral springs and mud treatments.
The water from our hot springs contains minerals like sulfur, zinc, magnesium, calcium, and bromine. They offer 3 pools from 85° F to 104° F - this last one is adults-only.
When you are done, lumber in one of their hammocks, take one of the bikes for a spin or glide in the air on one of their tree swings.
United States - Evans Plunge Mineral Springs
The water at Evans Plunge and in Hot Springs in South Dakota is 87 degrees fahrenheit year-round, which means it is slightly cooler than body temperature but also quite warmer than other pools. Also, the water is warmest on the north end of the pool, near where the largest spring bubbles up.
There also is a jet slide, a whale slide, two kids’ pools, a frog slide, two hot tubs, a sauna and a steam room, plus concessions and a gift shop.
United States - Homestead Crater
Homestead Crater is a one-of-a-kind hot spring experience in Utah. Nestled within a beehive-shaped limestone dome, the crater features a large, naturally heated pool perfect for soaking. The unique geologic setting and crystal-clear water create a breathtaking atmosphere. While there's only one soaking area, its vast size allows for a sense of seclusion.
With a depth of 65 feet and an average temperature of 95 degrees, the hour-glass shaped geothermal hot spring located on the property of Homestead.
It makes it faster for people to get into the water if you come with your swimsuits on already. If you book swimming, you are allowed to bring your own mask and snorkel. Everyone is required to wear a life jacket at all times while in the water. They don't have shower facilities available.
United States - Sol Duc Hot Springs Resort
Sol Duc Hot Springs Resort in Washington offers three Mineral Hot Spring soaking pools and one Freshwater Pool. The spring water comes from rain and melting snow, which seeps through cracks in the sedimentary rocks where it mingles with gasses coming from cooling volcanic rocks.
Located off of the Sol Duc Hot Springs Road, this resort offers seasonal day use of three mineral pools and one fresh water pool. These pools are tested daily to comply with safety and health regulations. The pools are only accessible when the resort is open.
The springs range from 50 to 104 F and two are wheel chair accessible.
United States - Summer Lake Hot Springs
Summer Lake Hot Springs is a hidden gem located in the Oregon Outback, just two hours southeast of Bend.
The pools include a large indoor pool (98 F), along with outdoor rock pools (104 F). Summer Lake Hot Springs offers day use for non guests. Summer Lake is open 24 hours a day for soaking. Guests with accommodations have all access to the hot springs. The hot springs bathhouse has a bathroom, changing rooms and showers. Summer is pet friendly. Dogs must be kept on a leash at all times in resort area. Stay over at one of 10 cozy, geo-thermally heated cabins.
United States - WorldSprings
Located in the Dallas area at Grandscape in The Colony, WorldSprings is a brand new 10-acre outdoor social-wellness destination designed to help guests of all ages recharge, reconnect and improve their wellbeing.
The property is home to 46 pools, ranging in temperature from 55°F (12.7°C) cold plunge pools to 104°F (40°C) bodies of water.
Four minerally dense destination areas designed to replicate the soaking experience of the Americas, Europe, Asia and South Pacific regions of the world.
