OVERVIEW
The Cocalmayo Hot Springs are not a luxury spa or a tourist development. They are a series of natural thermal pools fed by geothermal activity beneath the Andean mountain range, surrounded by cloud forest, positioned on the banks of the Santa Teresa River, and accessible only to those who have made the journey down into the valley to reach them. That combination of natural origin, remote setting, and genuine seclusion is what makes them one of the most satisfying stops on the entire Inca Jungle route.
After a morning of rafting and an afternoon of cloud forest hiking, arriving at the Cocalmayo pools is a specific kind of relief that the human body recognizes immediately. The water is the right temperature. The setting is the right kind of quiet. And the experience of soaking in a thermal pool surrounded by forest with the sound of the river nearby, while the muscles that carried you down from Abra Málaga the day before begin to unknot, is one of those moments that earns a permanent place in the memory of everyone who has it.
QUICK FACTS
- Location: Cocalmayo, near Santa Teresa, Sacred Valley
- Altitude: approximately 1,580 m / 5,183 ft
- Pool temperature: 35 to 42 degrees Celsius
- Time at pools: approximately 1 to 2 hours
- Entrance fee: 10 soles per person (not included in the tour price)
- What to bring: bathing suit, towel, sandals for the changing area
- Difficulty: None
- Minimum age: No restriction
- Availability: Visited on Day 2 of the Classic and Extended tours
DAY BY DAY ITINERARY
- THE POOLS
The Cocalmayo complex consists of several pools of varying temperatures, ranging from approximately 35 to 42 degrees Celsius. The pools are set at different levels on the riverbank, with the warmer pools positioned higher and the cooler pools closer to the river. The water has a high mineral content from its geothermal source and is believed locally to have therapeutic properties for muscle recovery and joint inflammation, claims that feel entirely plausible after two days of Inca Jungle activities.
The surrounding environment is dense cloud forest, and the pools are built to integrate with rather than replace the natural setting. The sound of the Santa Teresa River runs through the experience constantly, and on clear evenings the sky above the canopy as the light fades is worth staying in the water for.
- PRACTICAL INFORMATION
The hot springs are located a short distance from Santa Teresa and are reached by a brief transfer from the rafting takeout point. The group typically arrives in the mid to late afternoon and spends between one and two hours at the pools before continuing to the accommodation in Santa Teresa for the night.
A bathing suit is required. Towels are recommended. The pools are open to day visitors as well as tour groups, so the atmosphere is lively without being crowded. Basic changing facilities are available on site.
- TIPS
Bring your bathing suit in your daypack rather than your main bag on Day 2. You will not have access to the main bag when you arrive at the pools and discovering your swimsuit is in the vehicle after a day of rafting and hiking is a uniquely frustrating experience.
The warmer pools fill up first. If you want the hottest water, head to the upper pools as soon as you arrive and work your way down as the afternoon goes on.
Give yourself at least 90 minutes at the pools if possible. The first 30 minutes are for the body to adjust and the muscles to start releasing. The real benefit of a thermal pool happens in the second half of the visit.
Do not bring glass bottles or containers into the pool area. Reusable water bottles in plastic or metal are fine. Staying hydrated in thermal water is important and easy to overlook when you are comfortable and warm.
