Private Full Day Experience At Papallacta Hot Springs

It was a beautiful ride with scenic views of mountain, animals, fog, and the village the way people love their lives everyday. The experience was amazing, it was so relaxing. I could spend hours and hours in the hot pool. Our guide was also very helpful and kind and patient. There were a lot of people as expected in this area for it is beautiful and worth the visit. Families with small children are of course welcome to come and they will enjoy it. The price we paid is worth it. They have restaurant inside and massages but I never tried the massage but tried the restaurant.

Andres was very kind and knew a lot about the area. He checked on us and moved at our pace. Took us to delicious local lunch. Great experience!

The springs are a lovely and relaxing time. It is a pretty long track up a mountain but well worth the effort. I had a hot stone massage and enjoyed the springs. There's also a cold plunge pool. Our guide Ruben was excellent, professional & personable!

Andres was an amazing guide. He took great care of me throughout the entire tour and thoughtfully customized the itinerary based on my requests. I also loved the local restaurant he recommended—it was absolutely delicious! Papallacta was a truly beautiful natural hot spring with breathtaking views. I enjoyed a bamboo massage and a facial treatment, and the therapist was incredibly skilled. It was such a relaxing and memorable experience. I truly loved this tour and would highly recommend it to anyone visiting Ecuador.

You must take the massage - best I have ever had! Andres is the most knowledgeable, kind guide. Patient, flexible- nothing isi too much trouble. The drive up to the doings was spectacular. The springs were AMAZING! Seven fantastic pools! The massage was out of this world and only £40 for 45 mins! I felt happy and fantastic after! Thank you Andres! You are a special person !

My wife and I spent a magical day at the Papallacta Hot Springs with Andrés as our guide, and we couldn't have asked for a more perfect experience. From the moment he picked us up, it was clear we were in excellent hands. The drive through the Andes was stunning, and Andrés transformed it into a living classroom — sharing the history, culture, and landscapes of Ecuador with genuine passion and warmth. He has a remarkable gift for storytelling that made every mile of that journey as memorable as the destination itself. At the hot springs, we were never once made to feel rushed. Andrés gave us all the time we needed to soak in the thermal pools and simply breathe in the breathtaking mountain surroundings. By the time we reluctantly made our way back, we were refreshed, relaxed, and full of gratitude for the day he had given us. What truly set Andrés apart was his genuine care for us as people, not just as passengers. His English is excellent, his personality is warm and easy-going, and his enthusiasm for sharing his country is infectious. By the end of the day, it felt like we'd spent it with an old friend who happened to know Ecuador inside and out. As the tour wound down, Andrés capped off the day by sharing restaurant and activity recommendations for our remaining time in Quito — every one of them was a hit. His suggestions shaped our entire following day in the city, extending his wonderful influence well beyond the tour itself. If you're visiting Quito, do not miss this tour — and make sure you request Andrés. He made our day absolutely extraordinary, and it stands out as one of the highlights of our entire trip.

The Papallacta hot springs are beautiful, especially when the cool mist rolls in through the mountains. They are clean and well managed and a great way to relax. Andrés took care of us very well. He got in touch straight away about preparations and was very responsive to messages beforehand. We loved the delicious local lunch (chicken soup and trout). Highly recommend the trip as a very enjoyable way to see the hot springs.

Me and my mum had an amazing time at the Papallacta hot springs! The guide has been very thoughtful, informative and kind. The scenery was beautiful at the hot springs, it was the most relaxing time for us during our trip to Ecuador. The guide has shown us incredible local food and we learned a lot during this tour. We had the best time, definitely recommend! Thank you very much!

My guide was amazing. He made it a perfect trip for me. He gave a very balanced, almost personalized right for me, tour. It was both fun and informative! Also, he made my experience at the spa great! He was helpful in moving through the experience with ease

Great experience with hot springs, very relaxing. The dinner at local restaurant was fantastic ! Simple bur bur very tasty. Highly recommended.

Day 2 in Quito and we chose the full day experience at Papallacta Hot Springs. Shortly after booking, Andrés was in contact to introduce himself and provided us with what we needed for the visit. The night before he provided the pick up time. On the day of the trip he promptly arrived to our hotel and we were on our way. He provided insights about Quito, his home since he was born. Our trip through the Andes to get to Papallacta was stunning. We were very lucky when Andrés spotted a bear and cubs. We stopped for some photos and then on our way. After arriving to the Hot Springs, we scheduled our spa treatments (which were awesome) and then spent time in the thermal pools and cold pool. Upon leaving, Andrés took us to a local family restaurant (Casita de Palo) he and his family had visited. My wife had the chicken soup, I had trout and we shared a Pilsner. We lucked out once again because there were some local friends playing music and singing. What a pleasant surprise and enjoyable late lunch. We left full and arrived back to the hotel about 7 and 1/2 hours after the day began. Andrés was extremely knowledgeable and friendly, easy to talk to and his English is spectacular. He never rushed us at the hot springs and because of this he made the day a total enjoyment. Can’t recommend him enough. We’ll definitely be in touch with him should we return to Quito.

Day 2 in Quito and we chose the full day experience at Papallacta Hot Springs. Shortly after booking, Andrés was in contact to introduce himself and provided us with what we needed for the visit. The night before he provided the pick up time. On the day of the trip he promptly arrived to our hotel and we were on our way. He provided insights about Quito, his home since he was born. Our trip through the Andes to get to Papallacta was stunning. We were very lucky when Andrés spotted a bear and cubs. We stopped for some photos and then on our way. After arriving to the Hot Springs, we scheduled our spa treatments (which were awesome) and then spent time in the thermal pools and cold pool. Upon leaving, Andrés took us to a local family restaurant (Casita de Palo) he and his family had visited. My wife had the chicken soup, I had trout and we shared a Pilsner. We lucked out once again because there were some local friends playing music and singing. What a pleasant surprise and enjoyable late lunch. We left full and arrived back to the hotel about 7 and 1/2 hours after the day began. Andrés was extremely knowledgeable and friendly, easy to talk to and his English is spectacular. He never rushed us at the hot springs and because of this he made the day a total enjoyment. Can’t recommend him enough. We’ll definitely be in touch with him should we return to Quito.

Andres was a good driver and answered all our queries. We stopped in a couple of mirador areas. Beautiful. The Termas springs was a relaxing experience.

Andres was an absolutely wonderful guide for my visit to the Papallacta Hot Springs. He reached out to me three days in advance to introduce himself, which immediately put me at ease and showed his professionalism. On the day of the trip, he was right on time for pickup and throughout the day was incredibly sweet, warm, and easy to talk to. He took amazing photos of me at the hot springs and never made me feel rushed. I had prearranged a massage and body wrap, and Andres was so patient and relaxed about timing—I never once felt stressed or hurried, which made the entire experience even more enjoyable. He is an excellent and safe driver, and what truly set him apart was how caring and attentive he was beyond the tour itself. When I became anxious about finding a taxi for my very early 4:15 a.m. airport ride, Andres went out of his way to arrange transportation for me, giving me complete peace of mind. I couldn’t have asked for a better guide. Andres is kind, professional, thoughtful, and genuinely cares about his guests. I highly recommend him to anyone looking for a seamless and memorable experience in Ecuador.

The drive to the hot springs is very scenic, the grounds were beautiful, and the spa was a nice add on. Andrés was the best guide and an excellent driver. He knew all the spots for great photos and the best place for a delicious lunch on the way back. I would highly recommend this trip with Andrés as your guide.

The highlight of our 6 day trip in Ecuador. The hot springs were some of the best in the world we have been too. But what made the experience even better was Andres. He was so professional and the perfect host. He knows the best time to go and even the best restaurants to eat at. He was so good we cancelled our tour on Wednesday just to book with him again. I highly recommend Andres services!

I had a fun morning tour to the Papallacta hot springs with Andrés! He was an awesome communicator, he was knowledgeable, and he was gracious enough to take pictures while we were at the spa. He also took me to a local restaurant for lunch where we had caldo de gallina.

My wife and I had a layover in Quito before we went to the Galapagos. We had a long travel day the day before and needed to get acclimated to the elevation. We HIGHLY recommend this spa day tour with Andres. You get a local’s perspective of the whole area and the thermal baths exceeded our expectations. We got massages that we booked as soon as we got there so no need to book ahead and we went on a Saturday. After the spa, Andres brought us to a local lunch spot called Mí casita de palo. We got the chicken soup and fried trout. Before lunch we got a quick tour of the farm where they have sheep, chickens, and farmed trout. We saw the cook/farmer catch the trout and fried it on the spot. Everything was delicious. Nothing like a local meal with a local guide watching soccer in the mountains of Ecuador. Andres is the man and can’t recommend this tour enough. Thank you Andres!

Andres was so nice and very knowledgeable. It makes me want to visit Ecuador again and explore other regions. He let us go our own pace and we never felt rushed. The hot springs and the massage was so relaxing. He also took us to a local restaurant which I loved. He was so helpful to my mom who needed assistance. She said this was the best part of our trip so far. This is coming from a lady who is hard to please!

This was a great trip. My child and I didn’t feel rushed while we were at the hot springs and the place we visited for lunch was delicious. They were even able to accommodate my picky child who does not care for seafood and he ended up with an equally tasty seco de pollo.

My family had an awesome day at the Papallacta Hot Springs! Andres was the perfect tour guide. He helped my family book massages once we arrived in Papallacta and made sure that everything went smoothly. The hot springs were such a treat in the cool, foggy weather and the hot stone massages were incredibly relaxing. Andres then took us to a small local farm for some chicken soup which was the best that we've ever had! He also gave us a quick tour of the family's farm and my kids loved seeing the sheep on the hillside. Such a great experience and I would highly recommend the tour!

This made my whole trip! The Tour Company is extremely professional and organized a well thought out experience. The flexibility and attention to detail made this really standout! The staff at the Spa and Hotel were exceptional and very friendly and accommodating. The spa was a true gem. The surrounding nature trails were very well manicured. An incredible local lunch was even included at the end and the food was delicious. Thank you so much!

This tour was amazing 🤩. Thanks Andres for your punctuality and very informative about the country. Love the spa and the hot springs . Massage was fantastic. What a beautiful country .

It was a great experience! The hot springs was so relaxing and lunch was delicious! Would recommend!

Andrés was a great tour guide and our trip to Papallacta Hot Springs was a lot of fun. On our way to the hot springs, he stopped at a little stand for Helados de Salcedo, a delicious ice cream treat very popular in Ecuador. Papallacta was a wonderful, relaxing experience after our long travel to Quito. There were multiple pools at the Hot Springs, all at varying temperatures. The scenery around Papallacta was stunning with the steep Andes and beautiful flora. We also had the hot stones massages. They were great! The best massage I’ve ever had and at a very reasonable price. Highly recommend the massage. We were there during the week and it was not crowded at all. Following the hot springs, we stopped at a little family-owned eatery for some delicious chicken soup. I highly recommend Andrés and this tour.

Andres is great….knowledgeable, kind, easygoing. Nice trails outside entrance buiIding are nice. I booked my massage a day ahead (first by phone and then online). Locker is about 4’ tall. Flip flips/crocs recommended for pools bc of the mist.

Our guide (Andres) was amazing!! It was like traveling with a long time friend as he provided us with an overview of Ecuador and stopped along the way so we could see various points of interest. The Papallacta Hot Springs was the best hot springs we have ever visited with five pools with varying temperatures. It was a very relaxing day which is just what we needed after a hectic day of travel to Quito. On the way back to our hotel Andres took us to a farm to table restaurant where we had some delicious chicken soup and rainbow trout freshly caught by the restaurant owner. My wife and I loved this tour and our guide (Andres) made the day even better!!

It was amazing! Picked us up on time, food was very good. Highly recommended! Price well worth it for sure.

This was my first time using viator, so I was a little apprehensive, but the trip with Andres was like hanging out with a friend for the day. He is a timely and safe driver, attentive to my needs, and knowledgeable about the area. Though its an early start and a long yet scenic drive, the spa in the morning was great as we practically had the whole place to ourselves at first. Afternoon seems busy. Lunch was fresh and delicious at a cozy, local family spot. Just a note, if you book this "private" tour, you may be with one or two other people. Luckily, if you're joined by someone interesting, it makes the tour more fun. Andres answered my hundreds of questions about Ecuador with patience. The nice part about booking a tour like this instead of a bus full of people is being able to accommodate my needs with personal and specific recommendations and information. Would totally rrecommend. Thank you for this wonderful experience. (=

When cold, rainy weather hits, Papallacta is the perfect place to be. And Andrés is the perfect guide - well-connected, knowledgeable, personable, knows when to leave people in peace and when to get involved. The whole day was flawless because of him. Even when his usual lunch spot ended up being closed, he was able to offer quality alternatives. Great tour, highly recommend!

My guide Andres made all the difference. Once booked, he was in contact so meeting up was easy. He oversaw all the details of my visit to Papallacta which greatly enhanced my experience. He booked us in for dinner at a local restaurant. The food outstanding and hospitality stellar. Yes, Papallacta is the best spa I have visited - in front of the blue lagoon in Iceland, radium hot springs in Canada and reserve in Carmel. A must visit and make sure your guide is Andres!!!

Andres was excellent. Felt so safe and comfortable with him. He was in contact with us prior to our trip and was able to change pick up and drop off locations last minute as our hotel plans changed mid trip. He answered all questions we had. Great experience.

An excellent half-day trip to relax after trekking in Quilotoa and Cotopaxi. Even the road to the hot springs is stunning, making it a pleasure just to gaze out the window. Andrés was very attentive; he contacted us on WhatsApp in advance, provided recommendations on what to bring, and clarified details for lunch. Throughout the trip, he was very friendly, answered our questions, and gave us space to rest and enjoy the scenery when we wanted. For lunch, he suggested stopping by a local family’s home. While the place might not look particularly appealing, the chicken soup was the best I’ve ever had—absolutely delicious and incredibly filling for just $4. Overall, we highly recommend this tour as the perfect conclusion to your trip to Ecuador, and we strongly recommend Andrés as a guide for any of your adventures!

My visit to Papallacta Hot Springs was an unforgettable experience, made even better by my exceptional tour guide, Andres. From our first introduction, his warm and engaging personality set the tone for an incredible day. Andres also shared fascinating insights about the region and his culture, making the drive as enjoyable as the destination. The hot springs themselves were pure bliss, with crystal-clear thermal waters surrounded by lush, serene mountain landscapes. The spa services were top-notch, offering the perfect massages to help me relax and rejuvenate. I highly recommend this tour for anyone seeking natural beauty, relaxation, great food and a seamless experience. Thank you, Andres, for making this a truly magical day!

I had an AMAZING time! Andres was the best! He was very friendly and personable. He stopped along the way for me to take pictures and pointed out various sites. We had lunch at a great restaurant and recommended menu items which was very delicious! I highly recommend booking ANY tour with him and will definitely book tours with him in the future!!!

Great day trip with Andes. He was attentive and focused on me having a good experience. I definitely recommend the afternoon tour. I didn’t see that the afternoon was an option, but when leaving the termas around 3:45, the pools looked very inviting and better than being there at 12:00. I should have read all the info! :)

We had an amazing day relaxing in the hot south in the Andes Mountains where the Amazon begins. Our tour guide Andres is very knowledgeable about the area and very helpful offering recommendations.

Andres went out of his way to make this a special experience by visiting a local restaurant and going on a scenic hike with cows and llamas. He was very open about sharing about Ecuadorian culture . Definitely recommend!

We booked a day at the Papallacta Hot Springs with LatitudeTripec, through Viator. Andrés picked us up at our hotel at the arranged time (he was a few minutes early). We then headed out of Quito towards the hot springs, with a few stops to admire the scenery along the way. Andres is knowledgeable, personable and fluent in English, making for good conversation along the drive. The Papallacta Hot Springs were truly amazing and the cool air made them even more enjoyable. Andres helped us get checked in and checked on us throughout our soak but allowed as much time in the pools as we wanted. It was a truly relaxing and magical experience. Supper was at a local, authentic Ecuadorian restaurant. Nothing fancy but the food was delicious. This tour was the perfect combination of fun and relaxing and I would highly recommend it.

When you come to Ecuador, this spot is a must! The hot springs are amazing and the massage was excellent. It would be sad to miss this spot!

We had a lovely time with Andres going to Papallacta. The weather was foggy and rainy, so the views along the way were not as great as expected, but that was not Andres' fault. He did an excellent job of introducing us to Papallacta and made sure we felt comfortable taking as much time as we wanted at the spa. The rain actually made the hot springs even more enjoyable, and another highlight of the trip was the lunch at a small local farm. This was a great relaxing day for us even though we would normally choose something more active.

This is the best tour for Termas de Papallacta! Andres was prompt, accommodating, very knowledgable about Ecuador, and knew all of the great local spots. I had the best time ever. Thank you Andres!

Andres was awesome! As soon as we booked the excursion he messaged me on WhatsApp and asked about timing and a picture of what we looked like. It was nice to know that we would be taken care of. He was great at showing us sights and pulling over so that we could take a few photos. The small family restaurant that he brought us to for lunch was one of the best meals that we ate on our trip and it felt good to support a local family. My husband talked his ear off about sports on the way out and he was responsive and didn’t seem to mind. I was so relaxed on the way home that I fell asleep knowing that we were in good hands. Would highly recommend!

Andres was great, from the moment he picked us up.. on the drive up to the springs he stopped and allowed us to take photos of the beautiful landscaping, forgot my bathing suit, he stopped so I could buy one. He was very professional and helpful. The springs were amazing, relaxing and the massage was the best I’ve ever had.. Nikki and Jess OMG best masseuses ever hands down. On our way back he stopped at a local place for us to eat and then dropped us back to our Airbnb. It was a lovely day. Would definitely recommend.

Andrés is a very knowledgeable guide, extremely friendly and made the drive to the thermal waters an enjoyable one by engaging on conversation and shared his knowledge not only about the site we were visiting but also a bit of history of the country. Will definitely use his services in the future.

Great! I real highly recommend this trip with Andres. I am traveling alone and Andre provide me many information about Ecuador. The temperature is only 9 with rain, I do think it is just perfect day to have hot spring during rainy day and trip. Put all tired away. The lunch places is just wonderful with traditional food, really original taste as grandma.Wonderful

I had the delightful experience of visiting the Papallacto Hot Springs with the personal guidance of Andrés Castillo. He was timely, professional while including personal sharing and economical insights. He was always willing to try and alter plans based on my interests within the trips parameters. As an older single woman traveling alone, I highly recommend using a dependable personal guide like Andres to make your travels feel safe, efficient and worry free.

We had a relaxing day at the spa. I got 2 massages (for extra fee) and we soaked in different hot springs (like hot tubs). The spa is located in the mountains, so the view was great! Andres was very nice and accommodating.

My friend and I just wrapped up the most amazing Papallacta Hot Springs tour today. Our guide was an absolute gem, making the journey a breeze right from our 8 am hotel pick-up. The scenic drive was a treat in itself, but the real magic began at Papallacta. We indulged in a hot stone massage, which set the tone for pure relaxation. The thermal waters, surrounded by breathtaking vistas, offered an unforgettable experience. The place was not only beautiful but also impeccably clean, and the service was top-notch. The culinary journey was a delight too! The morning chamomile tea and humitas on our way was delightful. We went back to this charming place for lunch, and my friend raved about the chicken soup, calling it the best she’s ever had. As a vegan, I was thrilled to savor a delicious meal of beans and steamed veggies. Our schedule flowed seamlessly, and the guide ensured we captured stunning photos of us against the backdrop of the Andean landscape. The bilingual guide’s communication was excellent, and the entire experience felt tailor-made. We can’t recommend this private tour enough – a perfect blend of relaxation, gastronomy, and natural beauty. Five stars all the way!