Cocalmayo Hot Springs

Before the days of high-tech spa treatments, wellness seekers made their way to the hot springs. On your trip to Machu Picchu in Peru, you can take time to take a hot bath, in an impressive environment of abundant vegetation next to a huge river; the place seems taken out of a fantasy, but you can buy beers and snacks. Hot springs are the method of mother nature to instill relaxation in tired bodies. The hot springs of Colcalmayo are a popular destination among travelers seeking a connection with the land and its balance.

Cocalmayo thermal baths

There is nothing better than taking a hot bath in nature, while enjoying a drink of “aguaymanto”. Taking a bath in the Thermal Baths of Cocalmayo, is a great experience. It is situated between a huge river and a small mountain. In Cocalmayo bathers can enjoy outdoor swimming pools fed by natural hot springs, built between a small mountain full of vegetation and the Urubamba river. You will find 3 swimming pools of different sizes and depths. The water temperature varies between 38 and 44 ºC and unlike most hot springs in Peru, it has clear waters. Cold showers are very close to the pools, the water comes from the Uripata lagoons and is very refreshing; The mixture of waters will give you a very comforting feeling.

Where are the thermal baths of Cocalmayo?

The thermal baths of Cocalmayo are in the valley of the Urubamba River (Vilcanota) in a cozy and relaxing place, its naturally heated pools reach 44 ºC. They are located 20 minutes from the town of Santa Teresa in the province of the Convention, in Cusco – Peru; precisely at kilometer 135 of the railway line between Cusco and Quillabamba, at 1,600 m.a.s.l.

 

How to get?

No matter what route you take; By train, by bus or by walking, before or after visiting Machu Picchu, the tour will be exciting. We recommend you relax in the pools before returning to your daily routine.

By bus from Cusco to Santa Teresa

Take a bus from the city of Cusco to Quillabamba and get off at the town of Santa Maria, the trip takes approximately 5 hours and is 221 km per paved track.
Santa Maria is at 1280 m.a.s.l., the weather is warm. The next destination is Santa Teresa, which is 25 km from Santa Maria. From here you must take another vehicle to travel for 1 hour until you reach Santa Teresa.

By train from Ollantaytambo – Santa Teresa

If you already take your train from Ollantaytambo and you are on your way to Machu Picchu, you can take the train and get off at the “hydroelectric” stop, from this point you can take a vehicle, which will take you in 20 minutes to Santa Teresa, or if you wish you can Walking, it will take 2-3 hours to get to Santa Teresa.

From whaters Calientes to Santa Teresa

After having visited Machu Picchu or if you have time before entering it, then you are very likely to want to know these baths. Make plans to visit the thermal baths of Cocalmayo, it is a relaxing, unique and memorable experience, and unlike the thermal baths of Aguas Calientes, it has clearer and hotter waters. There are two ways to reach the thermal baths of Cocalmayo from Aguas Calientes (Machu Picchu Pueblo).

Walking

If time permits, you can walk from Aguas Calientes (Machu Picchu town). First you must go to “Hydroelectric”, this will take between 2 and 3 hours, cross tunnels, bridges and the beautiful jungle landscape of the valley, following the train tracks. Once in Hydroelectric, walk for 1 hour and a half more to the town of Santa Teresa.

 

By train

The train tracks after leaving Aguas Calientes, reach “Hydroelectric”; The trip will take around 20 minutes and has a cost of S /. 5.00 for nationals and USD $ 31 for foreigners, are 6 km of beautiful jungle landscapes. From here you can continue to Santa Teresa by car or on foot.

 

From Santa Teresa to the baths of Cocalmayo

By car: The bathrooms are 4 km from the city of Santa Teresa, the collective cars leave every 20 minutes, from the main square of Santa Teresa and will take you in 10 minutes to Cocalmayo.
Walking: You can also walk from Santa Teresa to the baths of Cocalmayo, it will take you around 30 minutes following the road. On the way you will see the people who arrive after traveling the Inca Jungle Trail to Machu Picchu.