Hot Springs in Chile

Are there hot springs in Chile?

Yes, along the whole country. Chile's volcanoes heat termas from the Atacama Desert, where Puritama sits in a canyon at about 3,500 m, to the Lake District around Pucón and the fjords of Patagonia.

Pucón is the easiest base, with Termas Geométricas, Huife, Menetúe and the rustic Los Pozones all within a short drive. Near Santiago, thermal hotels such as Jahuel and Cauquenes make easy day trips, and high Andean pools like Valle de Colina open in the warmer months.

Almost every spring charges entry, from cheap rustic pools to resort day passes.

Hot springs in Chile map

The map shows all 18 hot springs we cover in Chile. Zoom in on the larger map for more detail.

Best hot springs in Chile

The termas most visitors plan a trip around, from the desert to Patagonia.

• Hot springs

  Termas Geométricas

  Coñaripe, Los Ríos

  Seventeen hot pools joined by red wooden walkways in a fern-filled canyon, a short drive from Pucón.

• Natural

  Puritama Hot Springs

  San Pedro de Atacama, Antofagasta

  Eight hot pools on a stream in a desert canyon at about 3,500 m, with timed visits.

• Resort

  Hotel & Termas Huife

  Pucón, Araucanía

  A resort on the Liucura River with thermal pools, a spa and cabins.

• Rustic pools

  Termas Los Pozones

  Pucón, Araucanía

  Rustic stone pools beside the river, popular for evening soaks after a day on the volcano.

• Lodge

  Puyuhuapi Lodge & Spa

  Puyuhuapi, Aysén

  A fjord lodge reached by boat, with hot pools at the water's edge.

• Public pools

  Termas Aguas Calientes

  Puyehue National Park, Los Lagos

  Thermal pools inside a national park, with an outdoor pool beside the river.

• Resort

  Nevados de Chillán Thermal Pools (Valle Hermoso)

  Chillán, Ñuble

  Volcanic pools at a ski resort, open to day visitors all year.

• Thermal hotel

  Termas de Cauquenes

  Machalí, O'Higgins

  Historic thermal baths near Rancagua that Charles Darwin visited in 1834.

• Natural

  Termas Valle de Colina

  Cajón del Maipo, Santiago Metropolitan

  Natural terraced pools high in the Andes, open in the warmer months.

Famous hot springs in Chile

All 18 hot springs we list in Chile, A to Z, from the Atacama to Patagonia.

• Natural

  El Tatio Geysers Pool, Chile

  A warm pool at the El Tatio geyser field, at about 4,300 m, where dawn tours stop for a soak.

• Thermal hotel

  Hotel Termas de Mamiña, Chile

  Thermal hotel in an oasis village at about 2,700 m inland from Iquique, with mineral baths.

• Resort

  Hotel & Termas Huife, Chile

  Resort on the Liucura River near Pucón with thermal pools, a spa and cabins.

• Resort

  Nevados de Chillán Thermal Pools (Valle Hermoso), Chile

  Volcanic pools at about 1,800 m at a ski resort, with day passes available.

• Natural

  Puritama Hot Springs, Chile

  Eight hot pools linked by boardwalks in an Andean canyon at about 3,500 m, with timed visits.

• Lodge

  Puyuhuapi Lodge & Spa, Chile

  Fjord lodge reached by boat, with outdoor hot pools at the water's edge and an indoor spa.

• Public pools

  Termas Aguas Calientes, Chile

  Thermal pools inside Puyehue National Park, with an outdoor pool by the river.

• Thermal hotel

  Termas de Cauquenes, Chile

  Historic thermal baths in the hills near Rancagua, visited by Charles Darwin in 1834.

• Resort

  Termas de Jahuel, Chile

  Mountain resort about 100 km from Santiago with mineral spring pools and a spa; day use available.

• Resort

  Termas de Menetúe, Chile

  Thermal resort in the forest near Pucón with outdoor pools and cabins.

• Thermal hotel

  Termas de Panimávida, Chile

  Historic thermal hotel in the Maule countryside with mineral pools and baths.

• Thermal hotel

  Termas de Puyehue, Chile

  Grand thermal hotel near Osorno with indoor and outdoor thermal pools.

• Rustic pools

  Termas del Amarillo, Chile

  Rustic hot pools in the forest near Chaitén, off the Carretera Austral.

• Natural

  Termas del Flaco, Chile

  Natural hot pools high in the Andes, reached by a mountain road open only in summer.

• Thermal hotel

  Termas El Corazón, Chile

  Thermal hotel about 1.5 hours from Santiago with indoor and outdoor pools and day passes.

• Hot springs

  Termas Geométricas, Chile

  Seventeen hot pools linked by red wooden walkways in a fern-filled canyon in Villarrica National Park.

• Rustic pools

  Termas Los Pozones, Chile

  Rustic stone pools beside the Liucura River near Pucón, popular for evening soaks.

• Natural

  Termas Valle de Colina, Chile

  Terraced natural pools high in Cajón del Maipo near the Argentine border, open in the warmer months.

Chile hot springs: questions and answers

Plan your Chile hot springs trip

When to go

The Lake District and Patagonia termas are open all year; winters are wet but a hot soak in the rain is part of the charm. Atacama springs are open all year but very cold early in the day. High Andean pools such as Valle de Colina and Termas del Flaco are reachable only in the warmer months.

What it costs

Nearly every spring charges entry. Rustic pools are cheapest, while resorts sell day passes that may include lunch. Book ahead in summer and on holiday weekends, and check whether a spring sells timed entry.

Getting there

Pucón is the base for the Araucanía and Los Ríos termas, with tours and shuttles. Puritama and El Tatio are reached on tours from San Pedro de Atacama. Cajón del Maipo and the thermal hotels near Santiago are day trips by car, and Puyuhuapi is on the Carretera Austral.

Hot spring safety and etiquette in Chile

Chilean termas are relaxed, with a few practical rules.

• Shower before you get inMost termas have showers by the pools.
• Pack for altitudeAt Puritama and El Tatio, mornings are freezing; bring warm layers and drink water.
• Wear a swimsuitSwimwear is expected everywhere.
• Leave no trashRustic and natural pools have few or no bins.
• Keep to your time slotPlaces with timed entry enforce it to limit crowds.
• Check the roadMountain roads to high Andean pools can close with snow or rain.

Pictures of hot springs in Chile

Photos of Termas Geométricas, Puritama Hot Springs, Hotel & Termas Huife, Termas de Cauquenes and Termas Valle de Colina, all hot springs in this guide. We only use photos whose license allows reuse and credit the photographer under each one. The full credits are on our photo credits page.

Other countries in South America with hot springs

Every other country in South America with a hot springs guide.

• Argentina
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• Peru

See every country with hot springs