Termas de Puritama, San Pedro de Atacama – Puritama Hot Springs Guide

Nestled in a canyon high up in the Atacama desert in the North of Chile you will find a lush oasis in the driest desert on earth – Termas de Puritama Hot Springs.

In our guide to Termas de Puritama, San Pedro de Atacama we will show you amazing photos of the geothermal springs and give you tips on how to visit these natural hot springs in the Atacama desert.

Puritama Hot Springs Guide

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Termas de Puritama In San Pedro de Atacama

Puritama Hot Springs Atacama Desert

An unexpected but very welcome surprise was to find the Termas de Puritama hot springs in the middle of the Atacama desert, the driest desert on earth.

At an altitude of about 3500 meters above sea level, the Puritama springs are one of the highest thermal baths.

Relatively close to San Pedro de Atacama down in a canyon runs a volcanic river feeding the surrounding area and creating a lush oasis in the middle of absolute dryness.

Hot Spring Pools

At Termas de Puritama the volcanic river was turned into 8 natural pools along the run of the stream.

Hot Spring Temperatures

Temperatures vary between 28° and 31° celsius depending on where along the river you enter.

Facilities At The Puritama Thermal Baths

 There are shaded picnic areas, restrooms, and changing rooms as well as optional lockers to put your belongings.

How To Get To Puritama Hot Springs?

Getting There By Car

From San Pedro de Atacama it takes about half an hour by car to get to the Puritama thermal pools. The first part of the road is paved but the second half is on a dirt road.

We rented a 4×4 SUV and it was an easy ride with the occasional bump/pothole here and there. A regular car can also make the trip if the roads haven’t changed dramatically.

Once you are there, you will pay the entrance fee and park your car at the top of the canyon and walk down to the river. It’s a 500-meter downhill walk but the lush green oasis cannot be missed!

Renting A Car

You can rent a car at Calama airport. This is where you arrive in the Atacama desert by air.

Make sure to book a car before you arrive in San Pedro de Atacama, since rental cars are limited, and renting one on the day off is really expensive.

Getting There With A Tour

If you don’t have a car you can take a tour to visit Termas de Puritama from San Pedro de Atacama.

Check here to reserve a transport to Termas de Puritama online.

Atacama – Exploring the Driest Desert on Earth

Termas de Puritama Tours

The easiest way to get to the San Pedro thermal baths is via tour.

You will be picked up and dropped off in San Pedro de Atacama and don’t have to worry about anything. Check out the Termas de Puritama tours below.

When Is The Best Time To Visit The Atacama Hot Springs?

Visiting During Chilean Summer

The Atacama desert gets really hot during the day! If you visit in the summer months of the Southern Hemisphere (our wintertime), visiting the natural hot springs in the mornings or early evenings will give you a better experience. Temperatures are a lot cooler during these times.

In addition, you will most likely encounter fewer people as well.

Visiting During Chilean Winter

During Chile’s wintertime, it can get really cold in the Atacama desert, so a warming thermal bath is a good idea during all hours of the day to heat up.

Termas de Puritama Hours

The thermal springs are open all year round, every day of the week. The opening hours are from 9:30 am to 5:30 pm.

Puritama Hot Springs Entry Fee

The entrance fee to Termas de Puritama is 30,000 Chilean Pesos for adults and 15,000 CLP for children.

Some people find this expensive, but we think the thermal pools are incredible and worth every penny. Or peso in this case! 😉

Puritama Clothing? Optional?

Contrary to many remote hot springs in the US, taking a dip au natural at the Atacama hot springs is not a thing. In fact, we have never seen any people without their bathing suits. So make sure to bring your hot spring attire!

Termas de Puritama Altitude

The Atacama hot spring pools are located on the Chilean high plateau at an altitude of 3,500 meters / 11,500 feet above sea level.

What To Bring To The Thermal Baths In San Pedro?

You can bring food to the site but you are not allowed to eat it near the natural pools. There are designated pick-nick areas for it. Water is allowed everywhere and recommended to bring.

Flip flops or water shoes are also recommended, but not absolutely necessary. The wooden boardwalks are in pretty good shape.

Since the Puritama hot springs are located in an open canyon in the desert at a high altitude, there is a lot of direct harsh sunlight during the day without any shade. Therefore, bringing sunscreen is recommended if you burn easily.

Taking a quick-dry towel and a water bag with you is always useful.

Where To Stay Near Termas de Puritama?

The closest town and best option to stay near the Atacama hot springs is San Pedro de Atacama. The other option would be Calama, which is further away.

Check places to stay in San Pedro de Atacama here.

More Hot Springs In Atacama & The Bolivian Altiplano

El Tatio Geysers & Hot Springs

There is another geothermal spring in the Atacama desert – El Tatio Geysers & Hot Springs.

People usually visit the El Tatio Geysers early in the morning for sunrise via a guided tour.

After watching the spectacular sunrise over the steaming geysers, you get to warm up in the nearby geothermal pools and have breakfast.

Termas de Polques In Bolivia

Not located in Chile, but very close by across the border in Bolivia’s Reserva Nacional de Fauna Andina Eduardo Avaroa, you will find another set of incredible geothermal pools – Termas de Polques.

You can only reach these hot springs via an off-road tour. The Polques hot springs are a stop on the way from San Pedro de Atacama, Chile to the Uyuni Salt flats in Bolivia.

See our post about the 4-day Uyuni tour, if you want to know more.

For more info on the geothermal pools, see our post Termas de Polques Hot Springs In The Bolivian Altiplano.

Other Amazing Hot Springs In Chile

Two other amazing hot springs in Chile that you must visit when in the area are Termas Geométricas and Termas Colina.

Termas Geométricas is located in the South of Chile near Pucón in the Villarrica National Park and is an absolutely magical place.

Termas Valle de Colina is located in Cajón de Maipo in the Andes mountains and is a popular day trip from the nearby capital Santiago.

Termas de Puritama, San Pedro de Atacama, Chile

We hope you found this Atacama Hot Springs Guide inspiring and helpful for your visit to the Baños de Puritama thermal pools near San Pedro de Atacama.

Read more about other incredible hot springs in Chile here.

The Best Hot Springs In Chile

Julia & Felipe

Follow our adventures on Instagram! @piscoandbier

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