Are There Hot SpringsAre there hot springs in Ecuador?
Yes. Ecuador's volcanic Andes heat termas from the Imbabura highlands in the north to Baños de Cuenca in the south; the best known are Papallacta near Quito and the pools of Baños below Tungurahua volcano.
The town of Baños, named for its baths, has public pools fed by the volcano, some very hot and some ice-cold. Papallacta, at about 3,300 m, has a resort and village pools with mountain views, and Cuenca's spa suburb of Baños has mud baths and steam caves.
Public pools are cheap and often ask you to wear a swim cap; resorts cost more but include spa areas.
Hot springs in Ecuador map
Every one of the 9 hot springs on this page, with natural springs, resorts and pools shown by pin shape.
© OpenStreetMap contributors
Best hot springs in Ecuador
The hot springs most visitors fit into an Ecuador trip.
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Resort
Termas Papallacta
Papallacta, NapoOutdoor hot pools at about 3,300 m in the Andes, about 1.5 hours from Quito, with a spa and cabins.
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Public pools
Termas El Salado
Baños, TungurahuaVolcanic pools on the edge of Baños, from very hot to ice-cold. Bring a swim cap.
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Public pools
Termas de la Virgen
Baños, TungurahuaHistoric pools in the centre of Baños, right below a waterfall.
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Resort
Santagua Termas de Chachimbiro
Urcuquí, ImbaburaA thermal resort in the northern highlands with pools, a spa and cabins.
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Spa
Piedra de Agua
Baños de Cuenca, AzuayA thermal spa just outside Cuenca with hot pools, mud baths and steam caves.
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Public pools
Termas Nangulví
Apuela, ImbaburaCommunity-run mineral pools in the Intag cloud forest.
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Public pools
Balneario Municipal Cunuyacu
Tumbaco, PichinchaInexpensive municipal thermal pools about 16 km from Quito.
Famous hot springs in Ecuador
All 9 hot springs we list in Ecuador, A to Z, from the northern highlands to the coast.
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Public pools
Balneario Municipal Cunuyacu, Ecuador
Municipal thermal pools in the Tumbaco valley, about 16 km from Quito.
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Spa
Piedra de Agua, Ecuador
Thermal spa just outside Cuenca with hot pools, mud baths and steam caves.
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Resort
Santagua Termas de Chachimbiro, Ecuador
Thermal resort in the Imbabura highlands with pools, a spa and cabins, about 22 km from Ibarra.
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Public pools
Termas de la Virgen, Ecuador
Historic town-centre pools below the Cabellera de la Virgen waterfall, with hot and cold plunges.
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Mud baths
Termas de San Vicente, Ecuador
Mud and thermal baths near the coast at Santa Elena, a day trip from Guayaquil.
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Public pools
Termas El Salado, Ecuador
Volcanic pools at the edge of Baños, fed by Tungurahua, from very hot to ice-cold; swim cap required.
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Hot springs
Termas Jamanco, Ecuador
Hot pools in the village of Papallacta, a cheaper alternative to the big resort.
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Public pools
Termas Nangulví, Ecuador
Community-run mineral pools in the Intag cloud forest, with cabins and a restaurant.
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Resort
Termas Papallacta, Ecuador
High Andean resort at about 3,300 m with outdoor hot pools, a spa and cabins, about 1.5 hours from Quito.
How to visit hot springs in Ecuador
Seasons
All year. The Andes have a drier season from about June to September, but rain is possible any time. In Baños, the public pools open very early, and early morning is the quietest time.
Entry fees
Municipal and community pools cost a few dollars; Ecuador uses the US dollar. Resorts such as Papallacta sell day passes for their pools and charge more for the spa.
Access and travel
Papallacta is about 1.5 hours east of Quito by road, and Baños is a few hours south by bus. Chachimbiro and Nangulví are reached from Ibarra and Otavalo, and Piedra de Agua is a short taxi ride from Cuenca.
Hot spring safety and etiquette in Ecuador
Ecuador's public pools have a few rules worth knowing.
- Keep valuables in lockersUse the lockers where they are offered.
- Shower before you get inShowers are at the pool entrances.
- Alternate hot and coldBaños pools have cold plunges; locals switch between them.
- Pace yourself at altitudeAt Papallacta, take breaks and drink water.
- Wear a swimsuitSwimwear is required everywhere.
- Bring a swim capMany public pools, including those in Baños, require one.
Your questions about Ecuador hot springs
Are there hot springs near Quito?
Yes. Papallacta is about 1.5 hours away, Cunuyacu is in the Tumbaco valley next to the city, and Chachimbiro is a longer trip north.
Do you need a swim cap in Ecuador's hot springs?
At many public pools, yes, including those in Baños. Bring one or buy one at the entrance.
When is the best time to visit the pools in Baños?
Early in the morning, when they open and before the crowds arrive.
Are there hot springs near Cuenca?
Yes. Baños de Cuenca, a few kilometres from the city, has thermal spas such as Piedra de Agua.
Is it cold at Papallacta?
Yes. At about 3,300 m the air is cold, especially in the evening, so the hot pools feel even better.
How much do Ecuador's hot springs cost?
Public pools cost a few dollars; resort day passes cost more.
Pictures of hot springs in Ecuador
Photos of Termas de la Virgen, a hot spring 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.
Sources and verification
Information here was checked on against the sources below.
- Ecuador Travel (official tourism site)
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