Top 11 Best Thermal Destinations and Hot Springs in Colombia

Sometimes traveling can be stressful. There are so many plans you have to make and some activities may be physically demanding. But if you visit Colombia, there is no need to worry.

Thanks to its several volcanoes, Colombia boasts beautiful hot springs for tourists to relax after long, exhausting days of exploring the amazing nature destinations in the country.

Below are the hot springs in Colombia that you should visit.

Main hot springs around Colombia

Santa Rosa de Cabal Hot Springs

Santa Rosa de Cabal is a town part of the Coffee Cultural Landscape known for two things: its chorizos santarrosanos and its hot springs. 1 hour from Pereira and 1.5 hours from Manizales, you can have the best wellness experience in the country.

Termales Santa Rosa de Cabal are the most recognized hot springs in Colombia since they are tasteless and odorless! You may be awe-struck to see the 95-meter high waterfall with 5 streams of cold water and enjoy the pools with therapeutic thermal waters.

This place has stunning landscapes full of life where tourists can experience rest, relaxation and fun in a mountainous natural environment – also suitable for birdwatching.

Those looking for soothing stress can be well-served at the spa, which offers a facial and body ritual for every taste. Also, those who love hiking can join the .

In this tour you will know the thermal water springs, the spectacular natural waterfall of thermal and cold water, a natural Turkish bath and different species of flora and fauna unique in the world.

There are different accommodation options for you to spend the night in the spa resort.

San Vicente Hot Springs 

Also in Santa Rosa de Cabal, San Vicente Thermal Reserve exists for more rustic travelers. ‘The most natural hot springs in Colombia’ is what these are known for.

Enjoy different thermal pools amidst the mountains of the Coffee Region, fed by geysers and algae, the Turkish bath and the unique thermal river surrounded by lush vegetation and singing birds.

You can visit the San Vicente Spa to have sand and mud therapy along with relaxing massages. Hosts have access to restricted hot springs and pools, for a more private wellness experience.

Whether you stay at the hotel or not, you cannot miss hiking along the ecological trails to discover the riverbanks of the Campoalegrito river, some cold water cascades, wooden bridges and much more.

Paipa Hot Springs

Paipa is a pretty town in Boyacá, about 1 hour from its capital Tunja and almost 2 hours from the famous colonial city of Villa de Leyva. Apart from the Sochagota lake, Paipa boasts several hot springs that attract hundreds of national and international tourists.

There are various resorts offering thermal baths, spas and aquatic sports, of which Parque Termal de Paipa stands out.

Pozo Azul is the source of the several thermal pools of the resort, with an average temperature of 75°C. Mineral salts, mud and algae are the components of the hot springs with medicinal powers, used in all kinds of treatments.

Parque Termal de Paipa offers its visitors a complete well-being circuit including a hydrotherapy center, massage therapy, spa and an aquatic park for the family. Your cravings will be catered at the park’s restaurant and cafe.

Termales del Ruiz Hot Springs

En route to Nevado del Ruiz, in Los Nevados National Natural Park’s buffer zone, Termales del Ruiz Hotel excels as one of the best spa resorts in Colombia. A luxurious hotel at 3,500 meters above sa level in the middle of a natural environment welcomes visitors looking for a relaxing stay in the Coffee Region.

The resort was built in 1937 and has hot springs at 39°C, which help you treat pain, respiratory and skin conditions and other types of health issues.

You can either have an amazing day trip if you are visiting Manizales and enjoy other activities such as ecologic hiking trails and birdwatching or spend one night in a comfortable room overviewing the forest.

Approximately 197 bird species get to the Caldas department, including the shining sunbeam (Aglaeactis cupripennis), the Greybreasted Mountain Toucan (Andigena hypoglauca), the Rainbow-bearded Thornbill (Chalcostigma herrani), the Buff-winged Starfronlet (Coeligena lutetiae), the Blackthighed Puffleg (Eriocnemis derbyi), and the Golden-fronted Whitestart (Myioborus ornatus).

Hacienda Termales la Quinta

La Quinta is located 25 kilometers from Villamaría, Caldas on the road to Nevado Santa Isabel. The main house has 6 rooms with their respective bathrooms and maximum capacity up to 16 people.

A comfortable social area, heated with a tube coil, through which the thermal water also passes, making this area warmer. Also from its corridors and social area, we can observe the waterfall “Las Nereidas” with a spectacular beauty.

As it is such an old house for riders, with stairs to access some of its rooms and because its arrival is on foot or on horseback, it is not advisable for people with some physical disability, children under 7 years old and adults over 70 years old.

The logistic team will be in charge of mounting the luggage on mules and guiding them on a horse ride through the horseshoe paths to the main house.

Popayán Hot Springs

The Pacific region in Colombia offers great hot springs too. Near the capital of Cauca, Popayán -‘the white city’, you can find the Coconuco hot springs. From Popayan, a 1-hour drive will take you to Agua Tibia and Agua Hirviendo thermals, which are popular destinations for day trips.

Termales Agua Tibia is a private spa resort that offers accommodation (whether an apartment or a camping zone), a thermal lake with option to have canoe rides and practice sport fishing, 6 non-sulfur hot spring pools with crystal clear waters ranging from 27°C to 40°C, and a medicinal mud Jacuzzi.

For a more fun experience, there is even a 53-meter long slide with thermal waters, a 300- meter zip line and a playground for children.

Termales Agua Hirviendo belongs to the Kokonuko indigenous reserve, an important native community in the region.

The entrance to the spa resort is just COP$10,000 for adults and COP$7,000 for children up to 8 years old. You can taste typical dishes at the restaurant and spend one night in one of the cabins, having more time to connect with nature in this harmonious place deemed as sacred.

Jurubirá Hot Springs

The Colombian Pacific coastal department of Choco is a remote nature destination, recently gaining prestige among travelers interested in nature tourism and ecotourism.

Jurubira is the second most populated village of Nuqui, one of the places where you get to see humpback whales up close. Apart from the jungle-fringed beach, the hot springs are a renowned tourist spot in Jurubira.

The tourism is managed by the Jagua indigenous community, which provides tourists a cultural insight of the region. Bathing in a hot spring in the middle of a rainforest is something everyone should experience.

Las Termales de Rivera, Huila

A more luxurious offer exists in the department of Huila, in the warm municipality of Rivera, 30 km from Neiva.

Las Termales de Rivera spa resort is a great option for a relaxation experience in connection with nature. Its waters spring from the ground at a temperature of 70ºC and descend through the waterfalls until they reach the thermal pool at 50ºC.

There is another pool with heated water and a 10-meter slide that ends in a lukewarm pool. Of course there is no complete experience without regional delicacies offered at the restaurant and the option to spend the night in a comfortable room.

Hot Springs near Bogotá

There are different destinations to head to if you feel like having a relaxed day in hot springs near Colombia’s capital.

Termales Santa Mónica, Choachí

On the foothills of the Eastern cordillera, just one hour east of Bogotá, this spa resort offers thermal waters that provide its pools, Jacuzzi, sauna and Turkish bath rooms with medicinal powers.

Termales Santa Monica is 10 minutes from the village of Choachi, formerly inhabited by Muisca peoples, which is surrounded by marvelous nature destinations such as La Chorrera waterfall -the highest in the country- and the Cruz Verde paramo.

You can have a quite relaxing day trip to this place where you can enjoy the Fuente de Piedra Spa, a resting space surrounded by native vegetation that offers massages and therapies with essential oils for your peace of mind, and the hot springs that help you stimulate your blood circulation, relax your muscles, detox your skin and relieve bone and muscle pains. Not bad!

Have a typical Colombian lunch at the restaurant and if you don’t want to rush back to Bogota, you can stay at the 3-building hotel with 48 rooms that have a view of the mountain or the resort. There is a bar where you can have a drink while dancing.

Chocontá and Machetá Hot Springs

The village of Macheta is located over 80 km from the north of Bogotá. There you can find spa resorts such as Los Volcanes and Nápoles.

Termales Los Volcanes is a sustainability committed resort that offers 4 thermal pools, a steam bath, a spa, accommodation and restaurant, all in a peaceful and natural environment.

Termales Nápoles is perfect for family recreational and ecotourism plans. It is in a paramo ecosystem that surrounds the Valle de Tenza region, so you can find many flora and fauna species. Its hot spring allows visitors to have a medicinal therapy and the lodge offers a calm stay.

Gachetá and Guasca Hot Springs

Other towns near Bogotá are Guasca and Gacheta, 54 and 100 kilometers from the city respectively, belonging to El Guavio province. In this zone you can find natural hot springs for reinvigorating your body and mind.

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About the author

Ana María Parra

Modern Languages professional with emphasis on business translation. Interested in cultural adaptation of written and audiovisual content.  Passionate about knowing new cultures and languages, tourism and sustainable living.

Sara Colmenares

Current director of Sula. Doctor in Biological Sciences. Her main interests are to explore and understand the organism – environment interactions, taking advantage of emerging knowledge for the management and conservation of species and ecosystem services. She is currently working as a consultant in functional ecology, ecosystem services and conservation projects in Colombia related to ecotourism and birdwatching.