Aguas Termales Cocalmayo de Santa Teresa – Peru

Aguas Termales Cocalmayo de Santa Teresa, or Banos Termales de Cocalmayo, is a hot springs resort nestled in the Southern Peru. It’s located northwest of Cusco, close to the town of Machu Picchu Pueblo/Aguas Calientes.

Cocalmayo Hot Springs is secluded in Santa Teresa, Peru next to the Urubamba River. The resort is located about 20 minutes from town, which lies in the province of the Convention, in Cusco. It’s often visited about travelers during their trek to Machu Picchu. We stopped by Cocalmayo during our 5 day Salkantay Trek. It also included Vertikal Zipline, another can’t miss attraction in town.

Hot Springs Pools

Cocalmayo Hot Springs Peru — Hot springs pools of Cocalmayo.

The hot springs of Cocalmayo feature 3 pools of various sizes and temperatures. It generally varies between 38 and 44 degrees Celsius or 100 to 111 degrees Fahrenheit. They are fed by natural hot mineral water. The forested mountain besides in the valley creates the perfect ambiance for relaxation.

The water here is actually clear and not murky like other Peruvian hot springs. There are cold showers fed by the lagoons of Uripata to clean up before and after soaking. There is a bar selling beers and snacks.

The mineral rich water includes bicarbonate, calcium, magnesium, sodium and sulfate, among others. They are known to heal your tired joints and muscles. It’s great for the skin too.

Overnight Accommodations

While the hot springs of Cocalmayo is only a day resort, there are a few top hotels in the nearby town of Santa Teresa.

Booking.com

Getting There

From Santa Teresa – The resort is located about 4 kilometers away. You can take a car shuttle from town, which picks up every 20 minutes from Plaza de armas de Santa Teresa. You can also walk to the hot springs in about 30 minutes from town, following the road.

From Aguas Calientes – Take the train from the village of Machu Picchu Pueblo to the Hidroeléctrica stop. After 20 minutes on the train you’ll depart. From here you can walk to Santa Teresa or take a car. The walk is an addition 1.5 hours to reach the town, then another 30 minutes onto the hot springs by foot.