Papallacta Hot Springs

Papallacta Hot Springs are a further demonstration of the hydrothermal wealth of Ecuador, also present in such emblematic sites as the city of Baños de Agua Santa (Holy Water Baths) or Baños of Cuenca city. The hot pools are located in Cayambe-Coca National Park and Ecological Reserve, near Quito city, the capital of the country.

Papallacta is a village located at 3.250 meters above sea level in the Eastern Cordillera of the Ecuadorian Andes, on the road that leads from the city of Quito to the Amazon jungle. The hot springs’ waters originate in the Chacana volcanic complex that has 3 million years of activity, conformed by a huge caldera of 35 kilometers North-South and 15 kilometers East-West, which has half a hundred tributaries of hot springs.

 

The hot waters that feed the water sources of Papallacta arise from deep geological layers to the surface, with all their healing potential. The temperature varies between 60 and 70 degrees Celsius and the pools temperature between 36 and 38 degrees Celsius. Odorless, colorless and slightly brackish flavored, are the physical characteristics of these waters. Among their chemical properties are sulfate, sodium, calcium, chlorine and magnesium.

Since 1994 the Papallacta Hot Springs were remodeled as a visitors’ attraction. Before, they were considered only as municipal swimming pools. Today the tourists can enjoy a private hotel complex, with 9 pools of hot water and 4 pools of cold water and a spa thermal club. There is guiding service and horse rental to go to nearby sites such as Rancho del Cañón, the river and island trails, Mintala, Pailón and the waterfall in the Cayambe-Coca National Park to observe flora, fauna, wildlife or volcanoes such as Cayambe, Antisana and Sumaco.