Papallacta Hot Springs: Relax in Ecuador’s Andes Mountain Range

Recommended by 100% of travelers

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Quito, Ecuador

6 hours (approx.)
Pickup offered
Group discounts
Mobile ticket
Offered in: English

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Overview

Escape to the serene Papallacta rejuvenating thermal springs, nestled between the Cayambe-Coca and Antisana National Parks, for a private day of relaxation and natural beauty. Departing from Quito with hotel pickup, enjoy breathtaking Andean scenery before soaking in the mineral-rich thermal pools, known for their therapeutic benefits like muscle relaxation, stress relief, and improved circulation. Surrounded by lush landscapes and volcanic history, this retreat is the perfect way to rejuvenate your body and mind.

Relax in medicinal hot springs surrounded by volcanic nature
Admire snow-capped peaks at the gateway to the Amazon
Heal your body and mind with the springs' soothing minerals
Enjoy a private tour with hotel pickup from Quito

What's Included

Professional Guide/Driver with private transportation
Pick up from Quito or airport
Entrance fee to Papallacta Hot Springs

Travel Insurance
Body Treatments or therapeutic massages
Lunch and tips

Meeting and Pickup

Pickup points

Select a pickup point

Pickup details

We offer pick-up travellers from the Quito airport at no extra cost

Operating hours
.7:30 am

What To Expect

Papallacta

Additional Info

Confirmation will be received at time of booking
Not wheelchair accessible
Near public transportation
Not recommended for pregnant travelers

No heart problems or other serious medical conditions
Most travelers can participate
This is a private tour/activity. Only your group will participate

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Cancellation Policy

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.

Traveler Photos

Gallery picture 1 (from a traveler's review)

Gallery picture 2 (from a traveler's review)

Gallery picture 3 (from a traveler's review)

Gallery picture 4 (from a traveler's review)

Gallery picture 5 (from a traveler's review)

Featured review

Sarah_R

This was such an amazing experience and I am so happy we went through with the booking! There unfortunately isn’t a lot of information or details about this experience so I wasn’t fully sure what we were getting ourselves into but WOW. Worth every penny. Our guide, Kevin, picked us up promptly at the agreed upon time and on the drive to Papallacta shared many fun and interesting facts about Quito and the surrounding areas. He stopped multiple times on the way there for photo ops and even recommended a FABULOUS stop for one of the best soups we have ever tried in our lives. He was very knowledgeable about Ecuador, we felt safe, and throughly enjoyed our time with him. The spa itself was the best spa we have been to in all of our travelers. Very well organized and incredibly clean. We optd to add on a massage and left feeling so relaxed. All in all we’d HIGHLY recommend this experience to anyone!

Reviews

4.9

based on 17 reviews

Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor

We perform checks on reviews

10/10 Would book again! - Ask for Kevin!!

Sarah_R, Apr 2026

Our guide made the entire...

alinda_d, May 2025

Our guide made the entire trip! He stopped so many times on the way for us to take photos and was so knowledgeable.

Relaxing and recharging

Tony_N, Aug 2024

Relaxing and calm. Did the small hike and enjoyed the day at the spa for this trip it was a great way to end a trip to Ecuador

Spa day

Marco_P, Aug 2024

Loved it. It was really beautiful. The spa was reasonably priced. Get there early before the crowds.

Great exploration of nature, plus hot springs

Timothy_I, Aug 2024

Eduardo is an excellent and extremely knowledgeable guide. This tour will pick you up early and zip you out of Quito before traffic gets too bad. Then, depending on weather and your preferences, you'll do the following in the order that works for you... - Papallacta Spa: OPTIONAL set up an appointment for later - Papallacta Spa restaurant: have breakfast - Papallacta Hot Springs: soak in the hot baths! - nature hike Papallacta Hot Springs / Termas De Papallacta are a whole resort complex that contain a spa, the soaking pools, and three restaurants, plus hiking paths. Depending on fog and cloud cover, and your energy level, you could do a longer hike or shorter hike. We ended up spending about 2.5 hours in the hot springs themselves. Keep in mind that (like most trips out of Quito) you'll have to drive at least 90 minutes one way, so budget for about 3 hours in a car! Theoretically, you could spend a LITTLE less if you just wanted to hire a ride to and from Papallacta and soak in the hot springs all day. But with Eduardo, you get the driving and a nature hike and information on indigenous history and every flora and fauna in the area. I literally pointed at a dozen cool plants and asked "What's that!?" and he knew every single one, by heart, in great detail. Definitely a great option for a day trip from Quito, just keep in mind drive times!

Excellent and relaxing tour. Eduardo is amazing!

Monica_O, Aug 2024

We had an excellent time. Eduardo was an excellent tour guide- very patient and flexible with planning. Amazing knowledge and English is perfect. Papallacta is a great 1 day excursion 45 minute drive from the airport hotel. We chose the Banos side- which had more pool options and was posh enough for us. The Spa-side restaurant for lunch was excellent. Children enjoyed the relaxing time away from the busy city of Quito.

Amazing

Hilda_M, Jul 2024

Eduardo was an amazing tour guide, had all and any answer to all our questions! Had a fun car ride and hike, sang for good weather and got it! Eduardo made sure we had checked everything and if we wanted to stop and see something he would get us to a better spot! The springs were so relaxing perfect way to end the day!

Nature meets relaxation!

Bianca_G, Apr 2024

This tour was amazing! Our guide Eduardo was very knowledgable about this history and ecology of both Quito and Papallacta. I loved listening to his stories and facts during the drive. The experience at the hot springs was unlike anything I've ever seen. It was so relaxing and beautiful. It was very enjoyable to cap off the tour with a refreshing hike and a scenic drive back to Quito.

Fun and relaxing

Amy_L, May 2021

The driver was friendly and a safe driver. He took us on a few stops and one of them was a hummingbird lodge with a small hike to a river. The hot springs was relaxing and fun to try out the different temperatures. Don't skip out on the restaurant at the hot springs because the food was fresh and so good. The driver was timely on the agreed upon time to meet up after we were finished with the hot springs. My friend left his sneakers in his car and he was kind enough the next day to drop it off.

Termas de Papallacta

Eddy_V, Sep 2024

Todo el recorrido fue muy lindo. Las Termas de Papallacta y todo lo que ofrece el sitio es maravilloso. La caminata a las orillas del Rio Papallacta fue lo mejor de todo. Marcelo tiene mucho conocimiento de la flora y la fauna de la región y fue muy especial con nosotros. Gracias por tan maravilloso itinerario y experiencia!