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Cadence · Joined: 12 Jul 2006 Posts: 1

Hello,

Just wanted to see which one of the two hot springs anyone would recommend. I only want to choose one of the two...and we're staying at Otavalo and Quito at one point during our 8 day trip in Ecuador, before going out to the Galapagos.
Is either hot spring worth the time it takes to get out there from either Otavalo or Quito?

Please advise!

Thanks!

Gadyl · Joined: 08 Jul 2006 Posts: 7

I had a very nice time at Papallacta - several very cozy log cabins surrounding a series of hot pools, in the high altitude paramo. All very nice. Plus some hiking trails in the area. Only 2 hours from Quito. A great overnight destination. I have not heard of Chachimbiro - but that doesn't mean it couldn't be a great spot too.

Fiama · Joined: 06 Jul 2006 Posts: 5

Papallacta can arrange transportation for you - they have a van I think, it's pricey. You can also take the bus for cheap. Staying the night is great, the hotel rooms are nice - $85 for a double, and you have private pools in front of your room for a late night dip. The cabins are great too, but more expensive - $150 and up (I just was there last weekend).

You can however do a day trip easily if you dont have time to spend the night, I've had several guests who have done that, and loved it. The trail I know of at Papallacta is a one-hour self guided thing, not serious hiking, more of a nature walk. There is also a spa there, where you can get massages, mud wraps, and other treatments - I highly recommend it! There are two sets of pools - public pools for $6, which are very nice, and pools at the spa, for $15, which are even nicer, and less crowded. (On the weekends the public pools get pretty full.) At the expensive pools you get a locker and can rent a robe for $2.50 - at the public you get a basket to tote your stuff around in. If you do a day trip,be sure to leave by 5:30pm at the latest - the portion of the road near Papallacta is curvy and foggy and you dont want to be in a bus or car at night on that road. Just coming home this weekend I saw a semi truck flipped over on the road. It's a bad stretch at nighttime.

Chachimbiro is also great, about an hour from Otavalo, I don't know about transportation but imagine they would also arrange for you. It's cheaper too - $8 for baths and lunch. You can also stay the night there, and they have hikes, but I haven't done that there so can't comment on it

Definitely either is worth a visit!