Hot Springs Spots Close to Cusco Worth Checking Out
Hey travelers! So, you’re in Cusco, Peru, and probably doing a bunch of cool stuff like exploring old ruins or hiking some tough trails. Cusco sits pretty high up, around 3,400 meters (about 11,200 feet). After all that walking and seeing amazing places, your body might feel it. What’s a great way to chill out and feel better? Hitting up some natural hot springs! These spots are awesome for relaxing your muscles and just taking a break while still seeing cool nature and areas nearby. We’ll tell you about a few hot springs not too far from Cusco and give you some pointers for your visit.
Cocalmayo Hot Springs (Near Santa Teresa)
Many visitors really like the Cocalmayo pools. Unlike some others, the water here looks really clear. The water temperature is usually between 38°C and 44°C (like 100°F to 111°F). Imagine soaking in warm, clear water with green plants and mountains all around you. It’s perfect for loosening up after a big walk, like maybe heading towards Machu Picchu.
Stuff You Should Know:
- They have three pools, and yep, each one is a different temperature.
- There are basic changing rooms and showers available.
- It feels pretty peaceful there.
- Where It Is:
This spot is in the Urubamba River valley. It’s about 20 minutes from a town called Santa Teresa, which is around 1,550 meters (about 5,085 feet) high. Getting there from Cusco takes about 3 hours by car. If you’re coming from Hidroeléctrica (a common point before Machu Picchu), it’s just a quick 30-minute ride.
- How to Get There:
Okay, so from Cusco, you could hop on a bus going towards Quillabamba. You’d get off in a town called Santa María, and from there, find another ride heading to Santa Teresa.
If you’re on your way to Machu Picchu already, maybe you took the train part of the way to Hidroeléctrica. From Hidroeléctrica, you can easily grab a vehicle to Santa Teresa. You can hang out at the hot springs and then keep going on your trip to Machu Picchu.
Or, if you’ve already seen Machu Picchu and are coming from Aguas Calientes (Machu Picchu Town), head back to Hidroeléctrica first. From there, get a ride to Santa Teresa, enjoy the springs, and then figure out your way back to Cusco.
Hot Springs in Aguas Calientes (Machu Picchu Town)
This one is super convenient if you’re visiting Machu Picchu because the hot springs are right there in the town of Aguas Calientes. This town is also known as Machu Picchu Pueblo and sits around 2,040 meters (about 6,690 feet) high, right below the famous ruins. The place itself is simple, but soaking here feels really good. The water comes up from underground between rocks and fills the pools. It looks a bit yellowish, kind of dull, because of sulfur in the water – yeah, it might smell a little funny too, like eggs! If you did a big hike around Machu Picchu, maybe up Huayna Picchu mountain, walked to Intipunku (the Sun Gate), or did the whole Inca Trail, stopping here is a must-do.
Stuff You Should Know:
- The water is usually between 38°C and 41°C (around 100°F to 106°F).
- There’s a snack bar and a place to rest nearby.
- People say the water can help you feel more relaxed and maybe has healing vibes.
- Where It Is:
The hot springs place is located about 10 km (roughly 6 miles) away from the actual Machu Picchu ruins, right at the edge of Aguas Calientes town. The town itself is really small, like you can walk everywhere. You definitely don’t need a car or bus to get around the town or find the hot springs.
- How to Get There:
Seriously, from anywhere in Aguas Calientes town, you can just walk to the hot springs. It takes about 15 to 20 minutes. Just ask anyone who lives there; they’ll point you in the right direction.
Lares Hot Springs
These hot springs are located in a valley surrounded by mountains, which is pretty cool. The water here has minerals that are supposed to help with stress and tired muscles. It’s a perfect stop for travelers who are doing the Lares trek. This hike is a less crowded option compared to the famous Inca Trail, offering a different vibe and chance to see local communities. Lares town is located around 3,100 meters (about 10,170 feet) high.
Stuff You Should Know:
- Water temps vary from about 36°C to 44°C (97°F to 111°F).
- The views are beautiful, and the place feels really calm.
- You can often see and experience a bit of local life with communities nearby on the Lares trek route.
- Where It Is:
This spot is about 150 kilometers (around 93 miles) away from Cusco. It’s in the La Convención area and takes about 3 or 4 hours to drive there.
- How to Get There:
You can catch a bus from Cusco to a town called Calca. From Calca, you’ll need to get on a ‘colectivo’ (that’s like a shared van or car, common local transport) that goes to Lares.
Tips and Advice for Soaking in the Andes
Hitting up hot springs is a great part of the Peru travel experience. Here are a few things to keep in mind to make it smooth:
Good Ideas for Visiting:
- Timing is Key: Try going really early in the morning or later in the afternoon/evening. Fewer people usually means more space to relax.
- Check Times: Before you go, it’s smart to quickly check when they open and close. Stuff can change.
What to Pack:
- Swim stuff, obviously, and sandals or flip-flops for walking around.
- A towel! And make sure you have a set of dry clothes to change into afterward.
- Sunscreen (yeah, even when soaking, the sun can be strong) and bug spray, especially in greener areas like Santa Teresa or Aguas Calientes.
Things to Be Careful About:
- Don’t stay in the really hot water for too long all at once. Like, maybe limit it to 30 to 40 minutes before taking a break.
- If you have high blood pressure or if you’re pregnant, it’s a good idea to be extra careful or maybe check with a doctor first, just to be safe. Altitude can also affect people differently here.
Helping Keep it Nice:
- Be cool and follow the rules of the hot springs place.
- Seriously, don’t leave your trash laying around. Help keep these natural spots clean for everyone else. It’s the right thing to do.
Traveling around Cusco often involves a lot of physical activity, whether you’re walking around the city itself or doing a big hike to places like Machu Picchu or Rainbow Mountain. Soaking in hot springs is really the perfect way to unwind, connect with nature, and just enjoy the vibe. It’s totally worth planning some time for!
Note: The original text didn’t include prices for entry to these hot springs, so a price table cannot be provided.