Termas de Polques, Bolivia - Off The Beaten Path Hot Springs In Bolivia

Termas de Polques hot springs Bolivia with amazing views of Salar de Chalviri

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Aguas termales de Polques, Bolivia – hot spring dreams coming true in the remote Bolivian Altiplano!

On our way from San Pedro de Atacama in Chile to the Uyuni salt flats in Bolivia, we stopped at the most dreamy hot springs in Bolivia – Termas de Polques.

In this Bolivia hot springs post, we’ll give you useful information about the Polques hot springs as well as how to visit these hot springs in the middle of the Andes.

Termas De Polques – Bolivia Hot Springs

Table Of Contents

Uyuni Hot Springs
Termas de Polques Hot Springs
Termas de Polques Location
How To Get To Termas de Polques Hot Springs?
Best Time To Visit Termas de Polques
What To Pack For The Hot Springs?
Facilities
More Hot Springs Nearby In Atacama, Chile

Uyuni Hot Springs

Due to the fact that Termas de Polques is a stop on the Uyuni salt flats tour, the natural hot springs are often also referred to as the Uyuni hot springs.

Termas de Polques Hot Springs In Bolivia

The Aguas Termales de Polques in Bolivia are the most remote hot springs we have been to so far and probably ever will be. Or at least for the time being. (We have said this before and then we ended up here. So we will see where future adventures will take us, but so far for almost 2 years now, Termas de Polques are the most off-the-beaten-path hot springs we have been to.)

We really liked these remote hot springs in Bolivia, because taking a bath in the warm thermal water was a really nice and relaxing treat after the bumpy off-road ride to get here.

But, the best thing about the Andes hot springs is the view from the thermal pools overlooking the picturesque pastel landscape of Salar de Chalviri.

Termas de Polques Location

Termas de Polques are located at the Salar de Chalviri salt flat in the heart of the Eduardo Avaroa Andean Fauna National Reserve which is located in the Bolivian Altiplano between San Pedro de Atacama and the Uyuni salt flats.

How To Get To Termas de Polques Hot Springs?

Located in the Bolivian Altiplano, Termas Polques hot springs are only accessible with a guided tour. Either coming from closer by San Pedro de Atacama in Chile or from the Uyuni salt flats in Bolivia.

Unless you have a true off-road car and know your ways around in the Altiplano, an off-road tour is your only option to get to Aguas Termales de Polques in Bolivia.

Termas Polques Tours From San Pedro de Atacama

Find tours leaving from San Pedro de Atacama to Uyuni here.

Termas Polques Hot Springs Tours From Uyuni

If you are in Bolivia already, check tours from Uyuni here that visit Termas de Polques.

We stopped by the Polques hot springs on our way from Chile to Salar de Uyuni.

Pastel views of Salar de Chalviri from Termas de Polques hot springs Bolivia — Aguas termales de Polques, Bolivia

Best Time To Visit Termas de Polques

Since everyone has to take a tour to get to Aguas Termales de Polques and these tours come and go to different places in Chile and Bolivia, during all times of the day, it is hard to plan a specific time to be there.

Usually, the morning hours, when there are the least amount of people, is the best time to visit Termas de Polques. Depending on when your tour starts the day, you may be able to see the sunrise there.

We were really lucky when we got to the hot springs, as we had a pool all to ourselves. For some reason, all the people were bathing in another thermal pool and no one paid attention to the second one.

But once we claimed that pool, it only took 5 mins until we got plenty of company. Seems like, someone has to always make the first step, and then others will follow…

During winter, when the outside temperatures are low and the water is cozy warm, Termas Polques are especially nice to warm up.

What To Pack For Visiting Termas de Polques Hot Springs?

The Polques hot springs are located high up in the Altiplano of the Bolivian Andes, so the sun is very strong. Therefore, bring sunscreen with you and sunglasses.

In addition, flip-flops and a quick-dry towel will come in handy too at the hot springs.

Oh, and of course, bring your bathing suit and don’t forget your photo camera!

If you need to use the bathroom, you should bring your own toilet paper and hand sanitizer. Very important!

Facilities

As mentioned, there are toilets at the hot springs, however, they are very basic. There is running water to wash your hands.

To change in and out of your bathing suit, there are two little changing rooms, one for women and one for men. There are no lockers, but there are little shelves where you can put your belongings.

Since lots of tours stop at the thermal pools and the Chalviri Salt Flats there is a small basic hostel, a little shop to buy basics like water and snacks. There is also a food hall, where your tour may stop and have lunch or breakfast.

More Hot Springs Nearby In Chile’s Atacama Desert

There are two more hot springs nearby in the Atacama desert in Chile that you can visit on your South America Andes trip – Termas de Puritama and El Tatio Geysers & Hot Springs.

Termas de Puritama

The Puritama Hot Springs in the Atacama desert are quite different than Termas de Polques. The hot springs pools of Termas de Puritama are built in a hot volcanic river.

Cascading down the stream from one pool to another the temperatures of the thermal pools change from very hot at the top to warm down at the last pool.

They are some of the best hot springs in Chile that we absolutely recommend visiting when traveling to the Atacama desert.

El Tatio Geysers & Hot Springs

The best visit to El Tatio Geysers and hot springs is early in the morning for sunrise via a tour. After watching the desert sunrise over the steaming geysers, you get to warm up in the geothermal pools and have breakfast after.

Termas de Polques Hot Springs In Bolivia

If our off-the-beaten-path trip to these pretty Bolivia hot springs awoke the adventurer in you, check out our related posts about the Uyuni salt flats and the Atacama desert to find out more about epic adventures in the Andes in South America.

If you liked the Termas de Polques hot springs, check out these incredible hot springs in Chile that we visited.