Highlights
- Hot springs tour from Santiago to Baños Colina in Maipo Canyon
- Stroll through the village of San José and stop for a cup of coffee
- Soak in eight rustic, open-air mineral baths that range in temperature
- Admire views of nearby San José volcano and Andes mountaintops
- Explore the natural surroundings or just relax!
- Picnic lunch and round-trip hotel transport included
Useful Information
Enjoy spectacular views of the Andes from the hot springs!
Stroll through the streets with your knowledgeable guide and see crafts made from lava rock and alabaster. Stop for a cup of coffee (included) before heading to the market, where you can purchase snacks such as almonds and stone fruit common to the region.
Next, head toward the border of Argentina. The winding road heads east along the River Maipo; you will pass fields of pines and a small mining outpost. Enjoy an outstanding view of a cascading waterfall at the end of the paved road.
Finally, you’ll see San José volcano before reaching Baños Colina hot springs at its base, 8,366 feet (2,550 meters) above sea level. When you arrive at the rustic thermal springs, walk up a short path to a series of natural hot pools. Put on your bathing suit (changing rooms and shower are available) and dip into the water for a lazy afternoon soak. Choose from eight terraced baths of varying temperature, ranging from 77 to 140 degrees Fahrenheit (25-60 C). Built into the hillside, the hottest pools start at the top.
Enjoy stunning views, including the snowcapped peaks of the Andes, and breathe in the crisp mountain air. If you’re lucky, you might see condors flying above or notice a herd of wild horses grazing nearby. Explore the rugged terrain on foot if you’d like and enjoy a picnic lunch before jumping back into the water.
The therapeutic quality of the mud and calcium-rich mineral water will leave your skin silky and your mind tranquil. After spending several hours at the hot springs, you’ll get back to your hotel in Santiago feeling renewed.
Make sure to bring bathing gear and towel, warm layers for chilly afternoons, comfortable shoes and sun protection (sunglasses, sun block and hat).
Reviewed by BigKev, May 2013
Long drive to the Springs. Drive can get exhausting and driver never followed any road rules, little precautions, overtaking regularly across solid and double lines. Last part of trip on rural , unsealed roads. The best part of the trip is the scenery. Beautiful mountains. Enjoyable once there. Simple lunch that the driver bought for the two of us. Pools themselves are nothing spectacular. Enjoyable day out.
Reviewed by Fernando F, December 2012
This was a great trip with a great guide. My only suggestion is that they provide towels. We borrowed towels from our hotel, but another couple could not. The lunch was awesome and the tour was a nice reprieve from the city. Be prepared fpr bumpy roads to get there, but well worth it!
