Francisca
Marketing · Vivencias Travel
Cajón del Maipo, Puritama in Atacama and the southern hot springs. Which are worth the trip, what to expect, and what nobody tells you: altitude, mountain sun, and why none of them is a spa.
Not every trip has to be a list of things to do. The trend travel consultancies point to for 2027 is exactly this: calm, disconnection and nature, and 95% of Brazilians say they prioritise travel tied to health and quality of life.
In Chile that has a very concrete address: the hot springs. Naturally heated water coming out of the Andes, in places with no phone signal. This guide covers the main ones, what to expect from each, and what nobody tells you beforehand.
Cajón del Maipo: the hot springs closest to Santiago
The Cajón del Maipo is the mountain valley that begins about an hour from the capital and climbs into the Andes. It is the most accessible nature trip for anyone based in Santiago.
- Termas Valle de Colina. The best known, at around 2,500 metres. Natural terraced pools stacked one above the other, with the whole mountain in front of you. These are not a spa: the facilities are rustic, the last stretch of road is unpaved, and the trip from Santiago takes most of the day. That is precisely what makes the place worth it.
- Baños Morales. Smaller and simpler, on the way up. Open seasonally.
The Cajón pairs well with the Embalse El Yeso, the turquoise reservoir behind nearly every photo of Santiago online.
Termas de Puritama: the desert oasis
About 30 km from San Pedro de Atacama, in a hidden canyon, a thermal stream forms a series of pools linked by wooden walkways. It is hard to imagine anything less likely in the driest desert on earth, and that is exactly why it lands.
Two practical details that shape the experience: entry is paid and daily visitor numbers are capped, so you need to book ahead; and it sits above 3,000 metres, so it is not a first-day outing, let your body acclimatise first.
Further south: Termas Geométricas and Termas de Chillán
On a longer trip, it is worth knowing Chile has even more spectacular hot springs outside the Santiago-Atacama axis.
- Termas Geométricas, near Villarrica in the lakes and volcanoes region: dozens of stone pools linked by red walkways inside a rainforest canyon. It is the country's most photographed hot spring.
- Termas de Chillán, which combine thermal waters and a ski resort in one place.
What nobody tells you beforehand
- Altitude. Colina sits at 2,500 m and Puritama above 3,000 m. Hot water plus altitude dehydrates fast: drink more than thirst asks for, and do not spend the whole afternoon in the water.
- Mountain sun. Radiation in the Andes and the desert is far stronger than on the Brazilian coast. Sunscreen and a hat, even when it is cold.
- Bring everything. Sandals, towel, water, cash. Several hot springs have no shop, no restaurant and no phone signal.
- Do not expect a spa. Chile's natural hot springs are nature, not hospitality. If you want a massage and a robe, look at hotels with spas instead.
And in Argentina?
Bariloche is not a hot springs destination, but it may be the best place among our destinations for the same intention: slowing down. The lakes, the Circuito Chico and the freshwater beaches around town work for exactly that: days with no schedule and a mountain in front of you. If the point of the trip is to rest rather than tick off an itinerary, it is as valid as any hot spring.
Frequently asked questions
Which hot springs are closest to Santiago?
Those in the Cajón del Maipo. Termas Valle de Colina, at around 2,500 metres, are the best known: natural terraced pools facing the mountains. They are rustic, the last stretch of road is unpaved, and the round trip from Santiago takes most of the day.
How do the Termas de Puritama in Atacama work?
They sit about 30 km from San Pedro, in a canyon, with pools linked by wooden walkways. Entry is paid and daily visitor numbers are capped, so you need to book ahead. They are above 3,000 metres: not an outing for your first day in the desert.
Are Chile's hot springs spas?
The natural ones are not. They are nature: rustic facilities, often with no shop, restaurant or phone signal. If you want a massage, a robe and hotel service, look at hotels with spas rather than mountain hot springs.
What should you bring for a day at the hot springs?
Sandals, a towel, plenty of water, sunscreen and a hat, and cash. Altitude combined with hot water dehydrates quickly, and the sun in the Andes and the desert is far stronger than on the Brazilian coast.
