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

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!

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

We couldn’t have been happier with this tour. Eduardo arrived at our hotel promptly and whisked us out of the city and into the mountains. He thoroughly explained the cultural and historical significance of where we passed. The trip to the spa lasted a bit over an hour and his stories and explanations kept us entertained. The hot springs and spa were excellent. Eduardo helped us make reservations for some treatments, made some helpful suggestions, then gave us a time to meet for the return to Quito. The ride back to our hotel was great and we were safely returned to our hotel. It was a perfect way to spend our first day in Ecuador.

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

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

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!

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.

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!

Eduardo was an amazing tour guide! He was very knowledgeable about Ecuador, the altitude, and local culture. We stopped at a roadside stand for breakfast and herbal tea with beautiful mountain views. We also went on a bird watching hike in Quijos. Papallacta was relaxing and rejuvenating. I would highly recommend visiting Ecuador and booking this tour!

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.