6 of Chile's Best Hot Springs
Chile, a land where snow-capped peaks kiss turquoise fjords and fiery volcanoes sculpt dramatic landscapes, holds a hidden treasure – its natural hot springs. These geothermal havens, cradled by diverse ecosystems and fueled by the planet's fiery heart, offer a unique blend of relaxation, adventure, and cultural immersion.
From the ancient Mapuche communities who revered hot springs as sacred places of healing to the Spanish conquistadors who marveled at their therapeutic properties, Chile's thermal waters have long held a mystical allure. Today, these whispers of the past echo in the tranquil pools, inviting you to connect with the rich cultural heritage of this fascinating land.
The Best Time to Visit Chile’s Hot Springs
Each season offers its own unique charm at Chile's natural hot springs:
Spring (September-November): Enjoy pleasant temperatures, vibrant wildflowers, and fewer crowds. Perfect for combining your soak with hiking and outdoor activities.
Summer (December-February): Bask in the sunshine, ideal for enjoying the pools and surrounding landscapes. Be prepared for larger crowds, especially during holiday periods.
Autumn (March-May): Witness the colorful transformation of the landscapes and enjoy milder temperatures. A perfect time for relaxation and soaking in the tranquility of the springs.
Winter (June-August): Escape the snow and experience a unique contrast in the Atacama Desert, where hot springs offer warmth amidst the cool desert air. Be prepared for limited access to some spring locations due to snow.
Health Benefits of Chile’s Hot Springs
Chile's natural hot springs are as diverse in their mineral content as they are in their settings. Here's a glimpse into the magic of their waters:
Lithium: Found in springs like Termas de Puritama, lithium has calming and mood-boosting properties, ideal for stress relief and relaxation.
Sulfur: Present in springs like Termas Geométricas, sulfur is known for its anti-inflammatory properties and can be beneficial for skin conditions.
Magnesium: This "relaxation mineral" present in springs like Termas Geometricas and Termas El Tatio can ease muscle tension and promote stress relief.
Calcium: Trace amounts of calcium found in springs like Baños Puritama can be beneficial for bone health and skin health.
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.
Stay in town at the Hotel La Casa de Don Tomás with free wifi, breakfast and parking and cool off with a drink at the outdoor swimming pool.
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.
The Termas de Puritama are 28 kilometers north of San Pedro de Atacama p or Route B-245. There is no public transport to the hot springs, so, if you go without a tour, you will have to do so by private vehicle.
It was created and managed by Explora, with the mission of protecting, promoting and developing sustainable tourism with emphasis on Atacama's natural and cultural heritage. In 2018, Explora received the National Environmental Award for the work he does in this place.
Its water has an important concentration of minerals, including calcium, magnesium, sodium and boron, all revitalizing elements for the body and mind.
They only allow the use of natural solar blockers that do not impact the aquatic ecosystem.
No smoking or fire is allowed.
Pets are not allowed.
Admission or ingesting alcohol is not allowed inside the place.
You can eat only in the picnic sector.
The use of glass is not allowed.
Water Quality: 4 stars - Crystal-clear turquoise pools, slight sulfur scent adds to the mystique.
Ease of Access: 2 stars - Requires a long driveon unpaved roads, advance booking crucial.
Ability to Be Alone: 5 stars - Secluded pools at varying temperatures, minimal crowds due to remote location.
Water Temperature: 4 stars - Multiple pools catering to individual preferences, some pleasantly hot for extended soaking.
Health Benefits: 5 stars - Rich in lithium and magnesium, potential benefits for mood, stress, and muscle tension.
Nearby Amenities: 2 stars - Limited options near the springs, bring essentials, accommodation further away.
Termas de Geometricas
”Eighteen stone pools stuffed with pure hot hot water without filtering or heat in the middle of native forests of the Villarrica National Park.”
Termas Geometricas is located 16km from Conaripe on the side of a volcano in Villarica National Park. If you don’t have your own car, the other easy way to get to Termas Geometricas is on an organized tour. You can set your home base in Pucon and enjoy one of dozens of highly rated boutique hotels.
The pools are filled with pure thermal water from more than 60 sources that spring up naturally to 80C and cool to 45C. Open every day of the year from 10 to 7 p.m. Long weekends and holidays from 9 to 9 a.m. 9 p.m. Children pay 12,000 CLP ($20) all day, while adults prices vary from 21,000 to 25,000 CLP ($35-41) depending on the time of day.
Some are as big as a swimming pool, while others present a more intimate experience for just a few people. For the truly brave, you can take a dip in the waterfall pool – a whopping 6C (43F) or enjoy a chilly but refreshing shower near the entrance.
Upon paying your admission fee, you’ll be given a big fluffy towel and a lock with key for each person (we found that we only needed two lockers for our family, and so returned the spares). The locker rooms and bathrooms are open-air but do have lockable doors.
Water Quality: 4 stars - Clean pools with a slight mineral scent, unique architectural setting.
Ease of Access: 4 stars - Paved road access, short walk to the pools, ample parking.
Ability to Be Alone: 3 stars - Larger pools with limited secluded areas, moderate crowds during peak season.
Water Temperature: 4 stars - Comfortable soaking range, natural variations add to the experience.
Health Benefits: 4 stars - Noticeable mineral presence, potential benefits for relaxation and general well-being.
Nearby Amenities: 5 stars - Restaurants, hotels, shops, and adventure activities within walking distance.
Termas de Colina
Termas de Colina or Termas del Valle de Colina is one of the most popular tourist attractions of the Maipo Cajón.
Las Termas Valle de Colina are located 109 km from the center of Santiago (2.5 hours by car), in the heart of the Andes Mountain Range, in the basin of the Colina River.
Consisting of 9 thermal water poles, with temperatures ranging from 25C to 55C, which have incredible views of the mountain range.
Have all your papers and the car documents for this trip in hand, at the fork to Embalse el Yeso, there is a police station (the Carabineros), where you might be solicited to stop.
There is a CLP 8.000 fee to enter Termas Colina (make sure to bring change, this will prevent delays and frustrations). The fee includes the parking lot, access to the camping sight and the use of the thermal pools for 24 hours.
When night falls there is no artificial lighting in the grounds. Thus, if the plan is to watch the sun set in Termas Colina, take a headlight with you. Shady spots are virtually non-existent in Termas Colinas. Sunscreen, a little hat or an umbrella and lots and lots of water bottles are simply mandatory! Particularly if the kids are coming.
There are no restaurants or coffee shops nearby the pools. If your plan is to spend all day or most of the day enjoying the warm thermal waters, pack some chocolate cheeses, bread and Chilean wines for a stylish picnic.
Water Quality: 3 stars - Clean pools with a distinct sulfur scent, rustic atmosphere amidst rainforest.
Ease of Access: 3 stars - Requires a moderate hike through stunning scenery.
Ability to Be Alone: 4 stars - Secluded pools available, quieter atmosphere compared to popular spots.
Water Temperature: 4 stars - Comfortable soaking range, natural variations add to the adventure.
Health Benefits: 4 stars - Noticeable mineral presence, potential benefits for skin and respiratory issues.
Nearby Amenities: 2 stars - Limited options near the springs, bring essentials, accommodation further away.
Termas de Jahuel
Jahuel is located in the pre Andean area, 98 kms. from Santiago, in a beautiful natural setting. Primitively called Jahuel baths, the hot springs belonged to the Guilisasti Family of Santa María. Located in the heart of Aconcagua’s valley, the hotel is a place surrounded by a unique nature that renews the energy of all visitors.
Termas de Jahuel Hotel & Spa allows you to enjoy many types of massages: relaxing, de-contracting, lymphatic drainage, with aromatherapy, podal massage, coffee, grapes, corporal polishes; different type of facials moisturizing, nutritious, revitalizing, treatments with thermal mud, relaxing thermal baths, moisturizing to reduce muscular pain, bone-joints.
Temperature of the pools: outdoor thermal pool; 22º C.: indoor thermal Pool; 32º C.: thermal Jacuzzi; 37ºC
Jahuel farm produces organic olives and olive oils the ones that are both consumed and used as base for the most exclusive natural health and beauty treatments in the spa.
Even more exciting, Charles Darwin, the father of evolution, in his exploration of the Beagle, visited Jahuel.
“August 1834. I cross San Felipe, a beautiful small town like Quillota. In the afternoon we arrived at Jahuel, I stayed there for 5 days. What a pleasure I experienced during my stay in Jahuel, climbing those immense mountain … The weather is beautiful, and the atmosphere is of an extraordinary purity”
Water Quality: 3 stars - Clean pools with a slight sulfur scent, surrounded by dramatic canyons.
Ease of Access: 3 stars - Paved road access, short hike required, potentially challenging for some.
Ability to Be Alone: 4 stars - Secluded pools available, quieter atmosphere due to the adventurous access.
Water Temperature: 4 stars - Comfortable soaking range, natural variations add to the thrill.
Health Benefits: 3 stars - Moderate mineral presence, primarily offers relaxation and stress relief amidst adventure.
Nearby Amenities: 2 stars - Limited options near the springs, bring essentials, accommodation further away.
Termas de El Tatio
The Tatio Géisers are a geothermal field of volcanic origin where water and steam sprout violently from the depths of the earth. They are more than 4,000 meters above sea level, making them the highest geysers in the world.
They are 90 kilometers from San Pedro de Atacama and have their peak hour between 05:30 and 07:00 in the morning, when the height of the steam jets reaches 10 meters high.
On the way back, you can take advantage of the Termas of Puritama, which are natural water pools.
In town, enjoy free breakfast by the pool at Casa Solcor Boutique Bed & Breakfast.
Water Quality: 3 stars - Clean pools with a strong sulfur scent, unique geyser and volcanic experience.
Ease of Access: 1 star - Extremely remote location requiring a long drive on rough roads, high altitude access.
Ability to Be Alone: 3 stars - Moderate crowds, especially during sunrise, but vast area offers some solitude.
Water Temperature: 3 stars - Varying temperatures depending on pool, some can be too hot for extended soaking.
Health Benefits: 4 stars - Noticeable mineral presence, potential benefits for muscle recovery and skin health.
Nearby Amenities: 1 star - No amenities near the springs, bring essentials, accommodation requires advance booking.
Termas de Puyehue
The Puyehue Hot Springs (Spanish: Termas de Puyehue) is a series of hot springs located 76 kilometers along Route 215-CH east of Osorno. The Puyehue Hot Springs are part of the 117,000 hectares of the Puyehue National Park, a protected area.
The baths collect geothermal waters from five different sources with water temperatures ranging from 41 to 54 °C (106 to 129 °F).
Termas Puyehue, Hotel & Thermal Spa is located at the springs and enjoy hikes by beautiful paths through Cinnamon trees, Coigues, Laurel trees, Ulmos, Cypresses and Myrtles.
Amenities include indoor and outdoor pools, saunas, hydro massages, and a spa offering a range of services.
Water Quality: 3 stars - Clean pools with a slight sulfur scent, nestled amidst majestic landscapes.
Ease of Access: 3 stars - Paved road access, short walk to the pools, moderate parking availability.
Ability to Be Alone: 3 stars - Moderate crowds, especially on weekends, but secluded areas available.
Water Temperature: 4 stars - Comfortable soaking range, natural variations add to the experience.
Health Benefits: 3 stars - Moderate mineral presence, primarily offers relaxation and scenic enjoyment.
Nearby Amenities: 4 stars - Restaurant and hotel on-site, additional options in the national park.
