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Ecuador🇪🇨 | landmarksPapallacta Hot SpringsVolcanic pools, hot-cold circuits, páramo pass, village trout | things to do and best time to go

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Backpacking in Papallacta Hot Springs
🏆 Top pickunique site ranked #2
By Johan Kruseman 🇳🇱 | Updated October 19, 2026

Papallacta Hot Springs is a valley of separate bathing complexes, not one spa, and the polished resort and the cheaper local pools differ sharply in price and atmosphere. You’ll find it in the north of Ecuador, in the Andes east of Quito, where the road climbs a high pass before dropping toward the Amazon. Weekends bring Quito families and queues for the best pools, and the resort entry costs more than most backpackers spend on lunch. Still, the geothermal water is hot, mineral-rich and set against steep, cloud-wrapped green slopes, and you can sleep nearby instead of racing back. I still hear the hiss and gurgle of water pouring from a rusted pipe into a stone pool, mixed with the low chatter of strangers trading route tips. Go early, grab a pool by the river, and watch steam rise off the water toward the pale peaks.

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✨ Why go?
Ranked #2 unique site in EcuadorThe unique appeal for travelers

Papallacta Hot Springs gives you a proper rest stop on a route that otherwise tends to be all buses and altitude. The valley sits in the Andes between Quito and the Amazon lowlands, so it works as a decompression day before you head east toward Tena or the jungle, or on your first full day after landing in the capital. Your lungs get a chance to adjust, and your legs recover from hiking. The place is also unusually varied. Termas de Papallacta offers a polished complex of pools at different temperatures, while Termas Jamanco has a more local, family-style feel and a lower price. Together they let you choose your comfort level instead of paying for one fixed experience. The setting adds real value too, because the Cayambe Coca National Park begins just outside the village, with páramo trails … read more 👉
Papallacta Hot Springs gives you a proper rest stop on a route that otherwise tends to be all buses and altitude. The valley sits in the Andes between Quito and the Amazon lowlands, so it works as a decompression day before you head east toward Tena or the jungle, or on your first full day after landing in the capital. Your lungs get a chance to adjust, and your legs recover from hiking. The place is also unusually varied. Termas de Papallacta offers a polished complex of pools at different temperatures, while Termas Jamanco has a more local, family-style feel and a lower price. Together they let you choose your comfort level instead of paying for one fixed experience. The setting adds real value too, because the Cayambe Coca National Park begins just outside the village, with páramo trails and lagoons within reach of your soaking schedule. A night or two here costs far less than the sights it replaces.

💡 HighlightsPlaces and moments you shouldn't skip

  1. Termas de Papallacta pools: The best-known complex has a run of outdoor pools at varied temperatures, roughly 30 to 40 degrees Celsius, fed by volcanic springs and set among gardens. Day entry is usually around US$10 to 15, with higher prices on weekends.
  2. Termas Jamanco: A simpler, more local option in the same valley, with big shared pools and a casual crowd. It is the better pick if you want hot water without resort pricing.
  3. The cold plunge pools: Alternating between steaming water and a cold dip is the local ritual, and the contrast leaves you pleasantly wrung out. Do two or three rounds rather than one long soak.
  4. Cayambe Coca National Park trails: The park borders the village and protects high-Andean páramo, with spongy grass, small lakes and frequent fog. Shorter walks are manageable even
… read more 👉
  1. Termas de Papallacta pools: The best-known complex has a run of outdoor pools at varied temperatures, roughly 30 to 40 degrees Celsius, fed by volcanic springs and set among gardens. Day entry is usually around US$10 to 15, with higher prices on weekends.
  2. Termas Jamanco: A simpler, more local option in the same valley, with big shared pools and a casual crowd. It is the better pick if you want hot water without resort pricing.
  3. The cold plunge pools: Alternating between steaming water and a cold dip is the local ritual, and the contrast leaves you pleasantly wrung out. Do two or three rounds rather than one long soak.
  4. Cayambe Coca National Park trails: The park borders the village and protects high-Andean páramo, with spongy grass, small lakes and frequent fog. Shorter walks are manageable even if your legs are tired from travel.
  5. Laguna de Papallacta and the pass road: The road above the village crosses open páramo at around 4,000 meters, with cold lakes and long views on clear mornings. It is a quick photo stop and a useful way to feel how high you really are.
  6. Trout in the village: Papallacta has small eateries that serve fresh trout, often grilled and served with rice and patacones. After a long soak, a plate of it is exactly the right meal.
If time is short, skip the lagoon stop on the pass road and spend every spare minute in the pools.
Spotted a mistake or missing something? Contact us.

Things to do around Papallacta Hot Springs

Papallacta Hot Springs & Cloud Forest Reserve Private Tour

Papallacta Hot Springs & Cloud Forest Reserve Private Tour

5.0(78) 7h
From €109
per personViator
Termas de Papallacta Hot Springs full day tour from Quito

Termas de Papallacta Hot Springs full day tour from Quito

4.9(82) 8h
From €117
per personViator
8-Day Ecuador Multisport Once in a Life Time

8-Day Ecuador Multisport Once in a Life Time

4.9(75) 192h
From €2,157
per personViator
12-Day The Best Of Ecuador & Galapagos

12-Day The Best Of Ecuador & Galapagos

4.9(69) 288h
From €3,536
per personViator
Private Full Day Experience at Papallacta Hot Springs

Private Full Day Experience at Papallacta Hot Springs

5.0(58) 7h
From €100
per personViator
Looking for a Relax Day? Papallacta's Termal Springs Private Tour

Looking for a Relax Day? Papallacta's Termal Springs Private Tour

4.9(53)
From €76
per personViator
5 Days Ecuador Hot & Cold Guided Motorcycle Tour

5 Days Ecuador Hot & Cold Guided Motorcycle Tour

5.0(45) 120h
From €1,860
per personViator
7-Day The Best of Ecuador

7-Day The Best of Ecuador

5.0(27) 168h
From €1,288
per personViator
4 Days Cotopaxi, Quilotoa, Baños and Amazon with hotel and activities included

4 Days Cotopaxi, Quilotoa, Baños and Amazon with hotel and activities included

5.0(26) 96h
From €816
per personViator
Papallacta Thermals Pools Private Day Trip from Quito

Papallacta Thermals Pools Private Day Trip from Quito

5.0(22)
From €103
per personViator

Ratings based on Tripadvisor reviews. When you book through this link, you support our work at no extra cost to you.

🌤️ When to go?Weather, crowds, and seasonal trade-offs

The drier stretch from December to February gives you the most reliable soaking weather, though at 3,300 meters Papallacta is cool and damp whenever you visit.
  • Dry Season (Dec to Feb): Fewer drizzly days and better odds of seeing Antisana and Cayambe peaks. Daytime 10 to 16°C (50 to 61°F), nights near 3 to 5°C (37 to 41°F). Daylight stays near 12 hours all year.
  • Wet Season (Mar to Jun): Frequent cloud, drizzle and fog over the páramo. Steam rises thickly off the pools, which many people love. Lodging prices stay flat midweek.
  • Cool Months (Jul to Sep): Wind picks up and mornings feel sharp, so a hot pool feels best. Ecuadorian school holidays in the Andes bring more visitors in July and August.
  • Weekends and Holidays: Quito families fill the pools on Saturdays, Sundays and during Carnival, Easter
… read more 👉
The drier stretch from December to February gives you the most reliable soaking weather, though at 3,300 meters Papallacta is cool and damp whenever you visit.
  • Dry Season (Dec to Feb): Fewer drizzly days and better odds of seeing Antisana and Cayambe peaks. Daytime 10 to 16°C (50 to 61°F), nights near 3 to 5°C (37 to 41°F). Daylight stays near 12 hours all year.
  • Wet Season (Mar to Jun): Frequent cloud, drizzle and fog over the páramo. Steam rises thickly off the pools, which many people love. Lodging prices stay flat midweek.
  • Cool Months (Jul to Sep): Wind picks up and mornings feel sharp, so a hot pool feels best. Ecuadorian school holidays in the Andes bring more visitors in July and August.
  • Weekends and Holidays: Quito families fill the pools on Saturdays, Sundays and during Carnival, Easter and early November. Entry and rooms can cost 10 to 30 percent more.
  • Weekdays Year-Round: Pools are quietest from Monday to Thursday, and you can often have a pool nearly to yourself.
Arrive when the pools open and you will soak before the day-trip buses from Quito arrive.


source: climatestotravel.comJANJanuary: fair for travelingFEBFebruary: fair for travelingMARMarch: fair for travelingAPRApril: good for travelingMAYMay: highly recommended for travelingJUNJune: excellent for travelingJULJuly: excellent for travelingAUGAugust: excellent for travelingSEPSeptember: excellent for travelingOCTOctober: highly recommended for travelingNOVNovember: good for travelingDECDecember: fair for traveling
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🛏️ Where to stay?Where staying makes the most sense

Papallacta village itself is the best place to sleep, because it puts you within walking distance of the public pools and the trailheads.

The village is a single strip along the highway, with simple family-run hostels and guesthouses at the budget end. Rooms are small and plain, but many include a private hot-spring-fed bath or pool access, which saves you time and money. Travelers who want company usually find it in the shared dining rooms, where hikers, overlanders and weekend visitors from Quito swap trail advice over soup and trout. The setting is safe, quiet and compact, with little crime … read more 👉
Papallacta village itself is the best place to sleep, because it puts you within walking distance of the public pools and the trailheads.

The village is a single strip along the highway, with simple family-run hostels and guesthouses at the budget end. Rooms are small and plain, but many include a private hot-spring-fed bath or pool access, which saves you time and money. Travelers who want company usually find it in the shared dining rooms, where hikers, overlanders and weekend visitors from Quito swap trail advice over soup and trout. The setting is safe, quiet and compact, with little crime and almost no nightlife, so plan on early nights.

The road toward the public pools, a short walk or quick taxi from the center, suits you if you want to be first in the water. Some pricier lodges sit beyond the village, up hillside tracks, and feel more remote. Solo travelers may prefer staying in the village, where other guests and local restaurants are within a few minutes on foot.

If you want more social energy, Quito is the alternative. Its Mariscal and Old Town hostel scenes are lively, and the drive out takes roughly 1.5 to 2 hours, so you can visit the springs as a long day trip.
Best hostels in Ecuador


Best quality hotels in Ecuador

👛 Costs (as of 19 October 2026)Travel costs and budget guide for Papallacta Hot Springs

Expect to spend about US$58 per person per day at Papallacta Hot Springs, including a bed, meals and pool entry.
CategoryBudget RangeLocal Reality
Hot Spring EntryUS$8 to 15Public municipal pools cost less than the larger private thermal complex, which charges more on weekends.
Accommodation (high season)US$15 to 35A dorm or basic private room in a village guesthouse. Rooms with a private thermal bath cost more.
Accommodation (low season)US$12 to 25Weekday prices drop and bargaining for longer stays is often possible.
FoodUS$10 to 18Set lunches (almuerzos) run US$3 to 5. Grilled trout with sides is typically US$7 to 12.
TransportUS$6 to 12Buses from Quito’s Ofelia or Quitumbe terminals to Papallacta run roughly US$2 to 4 each way. Local taxis to the pools cost a couple of dollars.
Hiking and ExtrasUS$0
… read more 👉
Expect to spend about US$58 per person per day at Papallacta Hot Springs, including a bed, meals and pool entry.
CategoryBudget RangeLocal Reality
Hot Spring EntryUS$8 to 15Public municipal pools cost less than the larger private thermal complex, which charges more on weekends.
Accommodation (high season)US$15 to 35A dorm or basic private room in a village guesthouse. Rooms with a private thermal bath cost more.
Accommodation (low season)US$12 to 25Weekday prices drop and bargaining for longer stays is often possible.
FoodUS$10 to 18Set lunches (almuerzos) run US$3 to 5. Grilled trout with sides is typically US$7 to 12.
TransportUS$6 to 12Buses from Quito’s Ofelia or Quitumbe terminals to Papallacta run roughly US$2 to 4 each way. Local taxis to the pools cost a couple of dollars.
Hiking and ExtrasUS$0 to 5Entry to Cayambe Coca National Park trails is usually low or free, and tea or snacks cost US$1 to 3.
Total Daily BudgetUS$39 to 85About US$58 using mid-range figures with high-season lodging. Travelers pay in US dollars.
⚠️ Prices can change and everyone travels differently, so take this as a rough guide. Hope it helps you plan your adventure!

FAQCommon questions from travelers

Papallacta Hot Springs is a cluster of natural thermal pools fed by volcanic water on the eastern slope of the Andes, at about 3,300 meters in Cayambe Coca National Park. Water temperatures range from roughly 30 to 40°C (86 to 104°F) across the pools. You can choose municipal public pools or a larger private complex with more pools, and entry usually runs US$8 to 15.
Plan on 3 to 5 hours for a soak, or a full day if you add a walk in the páramo above the village. Staying one night lets you visit early or late, when crowds are thinner, and many travelers do a day trip from Quito. Two nights suit hikers who want time in Cayambe Coca National Park.
Papallacta Hot Springs lies roughly 65 to 70 km east of Quito, a drive of about 1.5 to 2 hours on the paved road toward Baeza and Lago Agrio. Buses from Quito’s Ofelia or Quitumbe terminals cost around US$2 to 4, and the driver can drop you in the village. A private taxi from Quito typically runs US$60 to 90 one way, and the pools are a short walk or taxi ride from the village center.
⚠️ Things can change over time, so always validate details locally before you go.

Other Ecuadorian landmarks near Papallacta Hot Springs

Explore more nearby:

  • Laguna Quilotoa—Crater lake, 3,900-meter rim, sandy descent, Tigua art| 100 km away
  • Pailón del Diablo—Pastaza plunge, tunnel window, gorge stairs, Baños waterfall road| 117 km away
  • Mirador Indichuris—Pastaza canopy deck, Puyo valley, leafcutter ants, Kichwa name| 146 km away

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We 💚 feedbackSumming up the experience

Papallacta Hot Springs trips go wrong when travelers cram a soak between buses and rush back to Quito damp and stiff. Get it right by staying one night in the village, soaking when pools are quiet, and keeping your pass-road walk for the next morning. Bring flip-flops, a towel and a light rain jacket, because fog can arrive fast.

✈️ When did I visit Ecuador?
Ecuador I visited during my half year trip through South and Central America back in 2003

✍️ Help improve this page!
The information on this page is based on my own backpacking experience in Ecuador, supplemented with up-to-date research and feedback from other travelers. Travel details can change, so if you notice anything outdated or incomplete, feel free to let me know.



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Johan, backpacker and founder of TakeYourBackpackHi, I’m Johan (Netherlands 🇳🇱), the creator of TakeYourBackpack. Over the past 3 decades, I’ve backpacked through 90+ countries across six continents, gaining extensive experience with independent travel, long-term trips, and overland routes.

This site is built on a combination of firsthand travel experience and carefully curated insights from other backpackers. Many guides are based on places I’ve personally visited, while others bring together tips, observations, and practical advice shared by trusted travelers I’ve met along the way.

The goal is to provide realistic, experience-driven guidance — not generic itineraries — so you can explore destinations with better context, clearer expectations, and more confidence.

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