Puritama Hotsprings AM or PM

About This Experience

Feel Atacama's Puritama trip covers the transport and the entrance ticket for the Termas de Puritama, hot springs in a green canyon about 40 minutes' drive north of San Pedro de Atacama, at around 3,500 m. Explora, which runs the springs, offers no transport and there is no public transport, so a trip like this saves you arranging a car. It starts from $85 per person and has a 4.2 rating from 9 reviews.

You are picked up at your hotel, and the driver drops you at the springs and agrees a time to collect you. The Puritama River runs through the canyon, and the listing describes seven naturally hot pools that are fairly shallow, which suits children. Afterwards you ride back to the centre of San Pedro.

The entrance ticket (CLP 38,000) is included. Choose the morning or afternoon session: the springs run a morning block from 9:30 am to 1:30 pm and an afternoon block from 2:30 to 6:00 pm, and places are limited. Arrive with your swimsuit on and bring a towel; food is not provided, so pack a snack or some fruit.

One reviewer describes several WhatsApp chats and a form asking for personal details before the trip, plus a mix-up between the morning and afternoon groups, so check your session after booking.

Highlights

• About 40 minutes' drive north to the Puritama canyon
• Soak in naturally hot pools along the Puritama River
• Hot springs at about 3,500 m in the Andes
• Choice of a morning or afternoon session
• Shallow pools that suit children

What's Included

• ✓ Hotel pickup in San Pedro de Atacama
• ✓ Return transport, ending in the town centre
• ✓ Termas de Puritama entrance ticket (CLP 38,000)
• ✓ Drop-off at the springs with a set pickup time
• ✓ Use of the pools, lockers and toilets that come with entry

Not Included

• Food and snacks (bring a snack or fruit)
• Towel and swimwear
• Drop-off at your hotel (the trip ends in the town centre)
• Alcohol (not allowed)

What to Bring

• Passport or ID card
• Towel
• Water
• Swimwear

Good to Know & Caveats

• Wear your swimsuit under your clothes and bring a towel, water and your passport or ID card.
• The springs run a morning block (entry 9:30 am, exit 1:30 pm) and an afternoon block (entry 2:30 pm, exit 6:00 pm); leave the pools 15 to 20 minutes before exit time.
• Puritama is at about 3,500 m, higher than San Pedro, so take it easy if you have just arrived.
• Places at Puritama are limited and often sell out, so book ahead.
• Drones are not allowed.

Meeting Point

Pickup from your hotel in San Pedro de Atacama; the driver drops you at the hot springs, sets a pickup time and brings you back to the town centre.