Termas de Papallacta Spa
Baeza, Ecuador, 170130
For a day of pampering, drive from Quito through the Amazon rainforest to this privately-owned hotel spa and resort. Set on 625 acres (253 hectares) between the Cayambe and Antiisana volcanoes, Termas de Papallacta Spa features several natural thermal baths and nature trails along the banks of the Papallacta, a gentle river that flows across the property.
The Basics
Besides nine hot-water thermal pools and three cold-water pools, the spa offers hydro massages, facials, reflexology, and aromatherapy. In between treatments, hike along paths through the forest, filled with an abundance of animals and plants, including 160 species of birds. Full-day tours typically leave from Quito and may include a journey into the cloud forests near Cayambe-Coca Ecological Reserve for more hiking before soaking sore muscles at the spa. Multi-day tours are available if you’d like to combine legs to different areas of Ecuador such as the Galapagos Islands or deeper explorations into the Amazon or the Andes.
Things to Know Before You Go
- Termas de Papallacta is ideal for all kinds of travelers who love spas and hot springs.
- An entrance fee is required for certain parts of the spa; entrance fee includes a towel, bathing cap, and a storage locker.
- For hotel guests, entrance to the hot springs is free. A locker is available for a fee.
- On-site restaurants offer meals using ingredients from their organic vegetable garden.
- A research and interpretation center offers audiovisual displays about local species.
How to Get There
Termas de Papallacta is located about 40 miles (67 kilometers) east of Quito, through the Amazon. Drive or take a taxi to the hot springs. By car, it is approximately an hour away from Mariscal Sucre International Airport and two hours away from downtown Quito, making it perfect for day trips.
When to Get There
The spa is open to the public every day from morning until night. It is best to come to Papallacta to rest and relax after spending a few days touring around Quito, ideally after the solemn Semana Santa in April or the joyous Fiestas de Quito in November.
Nearby Hummingbird Farm
About ten minutes east of the spa is a delightful hummingbird farm. A hotspot for biodiversity, Ecuador is home to over 130 hummingbird species, and many can be found here. Spend some time hiking in the forest as the colorful hummingbirds flit through trees. If you have the time, stay overnight at the lodge.
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