Puritama Hot Springs: A Relaxing Escape in the Atacama Desert

San Pedro de Atacama, it’s really more than just a desert town; it might be a springboard to some very amazing adventures, arguably. Between the star-filled night skies and otherworldly landscapes, one gem that is super worth discovering might just be the Puritama Hot Springs. If you’re planning your escape from city life, or just trying to chill after some seriously epic hikes, soaking in these geothermal waters just might hit the spot. But, what’s the real deal with Puritama? And what should you kinda expect? Come along, so let’s take a good look!

What Makes Puritama Special? Natural Pools in the Desert

The name “Puritama” that you get is from the Kunza language, the language of the Atacameño people, and it kinda means “hot waters,” actually. That’s quite descriptive! Unlike man-made pools, these hot springs really are a series of eight pools that are naturally terraced into a canyon. Very hot water is coming from an underground spring that is, sort of, warmed by geothermal activity. The water temperature is more or less steady around 28-32°C (82-90°F) and the pools are connected by wooden walkways, alright.

Something really special about Puritama just might be the mineral composition of the water. It is rich in minerals such as sodium, lithium, and boron, very popular for easing muscle pain, really boosting circulation, and giving your skin that good, healthy glow. Plus, just soaking in hot springs in the midst of the driest desert on Earth, very well, it is quite the surreal thing.

Getting There: How to Reach This Oasis

Puritama Hot Springs, that is nearly 30 kilometers (about 18 miles) north of San Pedro de Atacama. While renting a car could be an option and really giving you freedom to explore, getting there often can just mean joining a tour, too it’s almost. Tours are quite handy; they sort of take care of the transport. Driving’s alright if you really want, but the road is gravel, so it tends to need a sturdy vehicle.

If you’re driving there from San Pedro:

Take Route B-245 north.
Stay on this road for more or less, say, 30 kilometers.
Look for signs that say “Termas de Puritama”; that’s kinda easy to spot, actually.

Tour options really are aplenty from San Pedro, that. A bunch of agencies offer half-day trips that pretty much include transportation and entrance. Sometimes, though not always, that includes extras such as towels and robes, that. Look around a bit, alright!

What to Expect: Your Visit to Puritama

Imagine coming into a stone canyon with clear, geothermal pools cascading from one to the next; sounds great? The experience might go like this:

Entrance and Facilities: You check in at the entrance, usually having pre-booked as they like your reservations to limit capacity. Then there really are changing rooms, alright, lockers to secure your belongings, so really feel free to leave your items there. The infrastructure kinda respects the natural setting, too, very simple and functional, so that could be great for some folks.
The Pools: As you walk around to get to the pools, there will be stone and wood paths to guide you. Very different pool temperatures mean you’re able to find a comfy spot, really. Pools nearer the source might be warmer. You know the deepest sections are generally about chest height, yet the bottom is often rocky.
Relaxing Time: Spend sometime soaking, of course; also enjoy some air as well; then maybe soak more again, basically. Lots of guests enjoy going under for awhile to feel the warmth of the water and letting the minerals work their magic. It feels very great against that backdrop!
Food and Drink: Puritama used to have like a snack bar, really. The snacks sold may not appeal to some, anyway, bringing some things, actually your own snacks and water that you know tastes alright might be better, alright.

Essential Tips for Visitors: Make the Most of Your Trip

Making the most of that Puritama Hot Springs time needs like planning. Here are tips from experienced people:

Reservations Are Pretty Helpful: Space kinda does fill quick; very quick if you’re talking busy season (specifically, that really could be June through August). Securing that reservation will prevent issues for people on the day, so maybe plan earlier rather than not, right?
Timing is almost everything: Sunrise or shortly before closing can provide a fewer crowds moment; it really depends if you just can get around on such timings. If not feasible; there might be tour options that sort of give slightly separate entries on selected hours, anyway, perhaps consider that, actually.
What to Wear: Don’t be all about super stylish clothes! Grab the swimwear that’s easiest. Really think waterproof shoes given ground areas surrounding pools, alright.
Stuff you may think of taking: Sunscreen really is number one! Then, maybe some repellent too since the sun shines on you the whole time there. Then a water bottle for those thermal heated moments, honestly; don’t underestimate hydration as much, even in colder weather. A towel makes life convenient, alright. Consider, actually, buying a water-proof bag; phones never enjoy that dive too much, alright.
Follow all of the Rules: There may be some signs displayed and some tips made. Generally speaking; the staff may know how best to help given changing settings, basically. Listen in just to have a positive time and a fun setting, honestly.

Health and Safety: Considerations Before You Soak

Most often relaxing here is all pretty safe; being mindful helps make sure people go safe with all kinds of settings like this:

Hydration is a must: With elevation comes all the impact it has. Hydration really becomes much important in avoiding those dizzying moments as you arrive. Water breaks and hydration habits through days before will prevent unexpected situations.
Altitude Concerns: If people come from lower-altitude zones; staying acclimatized at like San Pedro helps when avoiding health events at more elevated pool sites there, that. Move around gently for a bit on first getting in, honestly.
Medical factors that are key: Expectant folk, people in physical illness; consider doctor tips first before swimming there. Geothermal minerals will bring surprises to anyone who wasn’t as aware when joining activities in general, alright.
Open Sores Protection Some open injuries might allow bacteria issues getting inside there; cover these by protection fully prior coming, that is pretty basic.

Beyond the Soak: Other Activities in the Area

After enjoying like the relaxing water that Puritama offers: go explore around it:

Valle de la Luna (Moon Valley): Check surreal, unearthly sights at short drives from that spot, too it’s almost! Sunrise hours are often amazing to admire, honestly. Very different kinds of geologic things might be interesting given desert terrain setting too here, honestly.
Stargazing Events at Atacama: That darkness within Atacama serves the chance in spotting distant star stuff with observatories and tour options here as the chance presents too, too it’s almost.
Tatio geyser viewing events: View them at sun rise! Viewing is quite unforgettable too if morning hours don’t throw anything wrong on all events while reaching too, still it does warrant preparing ahead whenever coming just like all activities mentioned during.
Sandboarding nearby at the Valle de la Muerte; also called the valley death zone for some travellers: If high adrenalin fun sounds kind enough that trip part does sounds ideal as activity next round. Prepare appropriate items that prevent harsh conditions always whenever travelling, just in matter when getting wounded less to prevent those.

What People Say: Reviews of Puritama Hot Springs

Taking thoughts from travelers is quite useful to get all honest expectation before you pay for it.

Natural pool settings: ” The thermal scene with its raw side provides quiet like nothing like that often gets near! I appreciate natural setting so quite much.”
Water characteristics:” Soaks provided that relief I needed at muscular end thanks so good for having all such minerals! Absolutely made travel easier following these soak periods quite sure enough in all respects, almost basically I travelled.”.
General settings:” Some did felt like they need make facilities greater or maintained better just to compete with high price!” Still all seems appreciate given such pristine area overall; just expect this may happens.”.
Remember on the experience to soak carefully. All sounds amazing! But prepare beforehand since altitude or sunlight there just won’t forgiving so plan right items to avoid accidents here before start!”

Budgeting and Costs: Plan Your Visit Affordably

To all coming here be sure come knowing of price breakdowns so knowing where funds best getting assigned always; so there can’t exist surprises for guests arriving around zones.

Pass fee schedule often starts nearing somewhere $35 dollars and going high depends seasonality times: It will fluctuate as things move! Check for pricing online to prevent being short prepared cash-wise. There aren’t much other discounted ways but to view all travel tour inclusive, those travel tour operators may provides slight value pricing if that comes by bundle rather.
transport fares. Taking taxis all day probably costs lot there: consider joining shuttle rides given various provider offers to cut travel budget needs so funds stays accessible along other means necessary during.
Snacks expenses vs dining funds Bringing personally the items to snack avoids all being forced take inflated amount for small eats out around areas which adds total travel expenditure quickly otherwise! If not available store then plan otherwise those cost extra from budgets coming so better plan here with items and funds allocated appropriately earlier rather later that journey days gets all mess given over costs not aware ahead on it still at travel end round anyway.

Frequently Asked Questions About Puritama Hot Springs

Is it alright to visit Puritama year-round?

Yep it really is almost something travelers do view across seasons even then each of which offers some type benefits. Hot temperatures occurs during all summers meanwhile milder temperatures during cooler period, each allows the visitors getting all nice something when viewing. Expect snow in elevations for that site; these occur though through months often at winters still.

Are little guys allowed around Puritama always when I wanna experience together being small family still when there too so badly?!

Those zones may stay unrestricted to get any young visitors always; but if there is plans; then parents should closely check how active all these kid remain when touring round it plus there shouldn’t some too hard rules when safety might compromised just ever, right?! Always keep eyes so focus always and when kids enjoy some splash sessions there all great!

Does this locale present wheelchair accesses still what needs made to accommodate visitors requires aids and not walking abilities by physical aspects?!

I hope here may needs help. Pathways at terrain area made getting access challenging plus given nature set, areas overall stay more inaccessible overall to any one using physical wheeled based accessibility aids to all various setting that time overall regardless what; so hopefully accessibility stays viewed further at those pools.

When’s the top chance whenever fewer heads might comes or if it warrants avoid high head travels often as choice so what advice can have for here!

Viewing occurs mornings; just when launch tours might ends always whenever tour travel peaks stays down, also often around sundown when weather may plays effect that few folks come tour; or then on months rather than at summer for least visitor counts still at travel here all that duration ever anyway even right.

Is being around at elevations may creates chances about altitude issues still any precaution is advised regarding this situations from trip from those zones.

It serves imperative so one will adjust the elevation by stages instead fast reaching those at the tour start itself. Spend time adjusting by areas at the lowest just near like maybe for 2- 3 evening at San Pedro for prevent illness occurring at rise itself there. Don’t neglect too; hydrating, eat lighter meals along bypass; too- taxing works. Avoid liquors before those tour travels itself as this may bring too quick troubles, right? Those possessing chronic illness should seek suggestions too with doctors earlier these travelling the hills by far always given needs. Followed by it whenever senses show too wrong then don’t shy stopping around viewing, or asks help too soon! These may brings travel days better in hill routes than having regrets on too bad tour days done here earlier.

Atacama can’t simply viewed through maps, brochures or perhaps videos either still to senses; the hot-water-zone makes ideal destination that needs exploration across tour there themselves just since what offers can barely summarized! Hopefully the guidance does ease; better travels to what you have whenever wanting just too relax out into all zones by desert landscapes right?