Papallacta Hot Springs (officially Termas de Papallacta) is located surrounded by the Andes Mountains, but near the large metro city of Quito, Ecuador and is a popular destination for both locals and tourists. The springs consists of multiple pools at varying temperatures from what I would consider cold to extremely hot!
Papallacta Hot Springs is located in Papallacta, Ecuador at km. 65 via Quito – Baeza, Papallacta, Ecuador about an hour to an hour and a half from the South American town of Quito.
There are four ways to get to the Papallacta Hot Springs from Quito. I personally took an Uber to the hot springs and a taxi back and both were within .07-cents of each other. I preferred the taxi for reasons listed below.
DRIVE: The drive is very easy and is about about an hour to an hour and a half from Quito to Papallacta, Ecuador through Tumbaco and via E20. The address is km. 65 via Quito – Baeza, Papallacta, Ecuador. The road to Papallacta, Ecuador from Quito is a 4-lane highway most of the way.
UBER: Uber is easily available in Quito and as of time of publishing this article, costs about $20 to $30 to get there depending on your location. It is harder to find an Uber back since Uber drivers usually do not stay in Papallacta long after dropping someone off. Taxis and buses are easily available to return if Uber says no drivers are in the area. I paid $20.07 to get to the hot springs in an Uber and $20 to get back in a taxi. My friends visited a few days later and it cost them about $30 since they left from the opposite side of Quito than I did.
TAXI: Taxis are an easy way to get to the Papallacta Hot Springs and I preferred this more than the Uber because it was a set price and the drivers had time to pull off at an overlook and the lake near Papallacta for a quick 30-second photo.
BUS: Buses from Quito to Papallacta are the cheapest for of travel, but the longest amount of time and less direct way to get from Quito to Papallacta Hot Springs. From the Dos Puentes bus station, you would have to change buses at the Terminal Quitumbe to get into Papallacta, then take a taxi the last 3- to 4-miles from the bus station to the Papallacta Hot Springs. It will take you more than 3-hours to get between Quito and Papallacta Hot Springs on a bus.
As of the time this article is being published, the cost is,
$23 for adults,
$15 for Children
$15 per adult guest
$11.50 per child guest
Papallacta Hot Springs is open everyday. The hours are,
Sunday through Thursday: 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Friday, Saturday and holidays: 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Yes! You will be given at towel when you check-in at the front desk.
Yes! Papallacta Hot Springs offers separate men and women’s locker rooms, plus multiple changing rooms.
Yes! Papallacta Hot Springs has hot showers with solid pressure in the men and women’s locker rooms and includes soap, shampoo, and conditioner. They only offer a few showers, so you might have to wait a few minutes if you visit on a busy day.
Yes! You will be assigned a large locker and given a key when you check-in. Lockers are large enough to easily put two backpacks and hang clothes in.
Yes! Papallacta Hot Springs has pressurized water jets, hydrojets, air injectors, and waterfalls to massage your aches away!
Yes! Papallacta Hot Springs has one polar pool. I only put my toes into it and what was enough cold for me!
Yes! Papallacta Hot Springs has covered and open seating areas with comfortable chairs.
Yes! Papallacta Hot Springs has restrooms in the locker rooms, as well as separate facilities near the pools.
Yes! Papallacta Hot Springs has plenty of food and drinks to choose from, including the best lemonade I have ever had! Expect a variety of quality appetizers, entrees, soups, and snacks. Everything I saw looked very fresh and delicious!
As of the time of publishing this article, the restaurant is open everyday. The current hours are,
Monday through Friday: from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays: 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Robes are available, but at an additional cost.
Yes! Shower caps are required at Papallacta Hot Springs and I have the tan line to prove it!
No! Pet fur and jets do not mix.
No! Bar-b-que and anything that messy and sticky is not allowed.
Papallacta Hot Springs is located at 3,250-meters or 10,660-feet with spectacular views of the Andes Mountains that surround it!
Yes! Stay safe and lather up!
Yes! Claro, Movistar, and CNT all have towers in the area. I used Claro and it worked flawlessly at Papallacta Hot Springs.
Since Papallacta Hot Springs sits at 3,250-meters (10,660-feet) in elevation, expect temperatures to be somewhat cold and humid. In others words, perfect for soaking in the healing springs!!!
Yes! Papallacta Hot Springs accepts all major credit cards and cash. They do not accepts checks.
Papallacta Hot Springs offers groups discounts, but only to corporations and those discounts cannot be applied on Saturdays or holidays.
No, but they are recommended. If you are visiting during a weekend or holiday, I would recommend making reservations about 2-weeks or more in advance. I visited during the day in the middle of the week and had to wait about 5-minutes. Papallacta Hot Springs recommends making reservations about a week out during the week and 15-days on holidays.
Yes! Papallacta Hot Springs has its own lodging including a hotel with private hot springs areas for its lodging guests only, rooms with Jacuzzis, family cabins, and suites. All are in a beautiful setting and includes amenities like WIFI, hairdryers, robes, filtered water, and more!
As of March 2022, it is recommended that guests stay 2-meters (6-feet) apart and masks were required to enter, but not in the pool or locker room areas.
Papallacta Hot Springs/Termas de Papallacta website can be found at https://www.termaspapallacta.com
You can find a list of Papallacta Hot Springs’ policies at https://www.termaspapallacta.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/SPApoliticas.pdf
