Puritama Hot Springs

Puritama sits in a narrow canyon about an hour from San Pedro de Atacama, at around 3,500 metres. A series of warm, natural pools step down along a stream, connected by wooden walkways. The water is clear, mineral-rich, and stays between 25°C and 33°C year round. The canyon walls rise on both sides, framing a strip of blue sky above. It is a place to slow down: you move between pools, find the temperature you like, and stay as long as you want. The drive there crosses high desert and passes through Guatin, a green gorge where cacti and shrubs grow along a watercourse. The contrast between the dry plateau and the hidden warmth of the springs is part of what makes the visit.

• A chain of warm natural pools stepping down a desert canyon
• Water between 25°C and 33°C, clear and mineral-rich
• Wooden walkways connecting the pools, easy to walk
• Quiet setting at 3,500 metres, far from the road
• The drive passes through the green gorge of Guatin
• Ideal for families and for unwinding after days at higher altitude