The Puritama hot springs are eight terraced thermal pools along the Puritama River, in a gorge about 30 km north-east of San Pedro de Atacama and at around 3,500 metres above sea level. Tickets are bought online and in 2026 cost between CLP 35,000 and CLP 38,000 per adult, depending on the sales channel. There are two sessions a day, one in the morning and one in the afternoon, and you cannot turn up without a booking.
*Updated on 26 October 2026.* The hot springs' official website (termasdepuritama.cl) could not be accessed while this guide was being prepared, so prices and opening hours come from the sales channels that publish them, with their dates. Confirm them when you buy.
Puritama hot springs at a glance
| Fact | Detail | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Location | Puritama River gorge, Guatín sector, municipality of San Pedro de Atacama (Antofagasta Region) | Tur.com; Wikipedia |
| Distance | About 30 km from San Pedro de Atacama | Nomades; Wikipedia |
| Altitude | Between 3,475 and 3,500 metres above sea level | Wikipedia; Nomades |
| Pools | 8, linked by wooden boardwalks along about 1 km of the river | Wikipedia; Nomades |
| Water temperature | Between 28 °C and 33 °C, depending on the source | Tur.com; Nomades |
| Management | Explora, since 2011, according to Wikipedia | Wikipedia |
The water rises from geothermal springs and is of the sodium sulphate type, according to Wikipedia, which notes that the Atacameño people used them for medicinal purposes for centuries and that their opening to the public is relatively recent. The boardwalks, changing rooms and viewpoints were designed by the architect Germán del Sol, who published the project in the journal ARQ in 2004.
Puritama hot springs entrance fee in 2026
The amounts do not match across sales channels, probably because they were published on different dates. This is the comparison with what each one reports:
| Ticket type | Tur.com (April 2026) | Nomades (October 2026) |
|---|---|---|
| Adult | CLP 35,000 | CLP 38,000 |
| Child | CLP 17,000 (aged 3 to 10) | CLP 20,000 |
| Senior | CLP 17,000 | CLP 17,000 |
Sources: Tur.com and Nomades, accessed on 26 October 2026. In January 2026, SoyChile reported a price of CLP 35,000 for adults and CLP 17,000 for children. Several agencies say there is a discount for members of the Atacameño peoples with a Conadi certificate; we could not confirm this with an official source. Places are limited and, according to operators, tickets are not sold on site.
Opening hours and what the ticket includes
| Session | Entry | Leave the site by |
|---|---|---|
| Morning | From 9:30 | 13:30 |
| Afternoon | From 14:30 | 18:00 |
Source: Tur.com, entrance listing for the Puritama Conservation Reserve. The ticket includes use of the pools, lockers (with a padlock lent in exchange for an ID document, or your own padlock), a picnic area, toilets and boardwalks. The car park is about 500 metres from the entrance. Transport from San Pedro, food and towels or robes are not included.
Do you run a hotel, an agency or a restaurant in San Pedro de Atacama? Reach travellers planning their itinerary through the desert.
See advertising optionsHow to get to the Puritama hot springs
From San Pedro de Atacama, take the road north towards the El Tatio geysers; the turn-off to the hot springs is before the Guatín sector. The drive takes 30 to 40 minutes and the last stretch is dirt road, with a descent to the car park: avoid very low cars, especially after rain.
| Option | Reference cost | Detail |
|---|---|---|
| Rental car | Fuel and rental | Freedom of schedule; book your session in advance |
| Shared transfer | CLP 25,000 per person, excluding entry | Nomades; minimum 6 passengers, morning or afternoon departures |
| Private transfer | From CLP 22,000 per person depending on group size | Nomades |
| Combined tour | Varies | Some agencies add it to the El Tatio geysers excursion |
Rules and tips for your visit
- Not allowed: smoking, drinking alcohol, lighting fires, camping, flying drones and using balls or inflatables, according to the Tur.com listing.
- Bring: ID or passport, your booking QR code, a card for the cafeteria and warm clothes in autumn and winter: when you get out of the water, the high-altitude wind cools you down fast.
- Altitude: at 3,500 metres it is best to arrive after one or two days of acclimatisation in San Pedro, drink water and not stay too long in the hot water.
- Sunscreen and a hat: radiation on the altiplano is intense even in winter.
- Stay on the boardwalks: walking off them damages the gorge's vegetation.
Morning or afternoon? When to go
The morning session fits well with the El Tatio geysers excursion, which leaves before dawn and returns to San Pedro around midday along the same road: some agencies stop at the hot springs on the way back. The afternoon session is more convenient if you do not want to get up early, and the air is warmer then. Either way, the desert cools down very quickly once the sun goes down.
| Season | What to expect | Tip |
|---|---|---|
| January and February | Highest demand of the year and altiplano winter rains, which can cut dirt roads | Book weeks ahead and check the road conditions |
| March to May | Clear days and cold nights | A good time to combine with El Tatio |
| June to August | Very cold air, especially in the morning; the water stays warm | Bring thermal clothing for getting out of the water |
| September to December | Mild, stable days | The afternoon session is usually the most pleasant |
Winter school holidays and long weekends also fill San Pedro de Atacama: on the 12 October 2026 holiday it was the destination with the highest hotel occupancy in the country, as we reported in occupancy over the last holiday.
What else to see nearby
| Attraction | Why go | Our guide |
|---|---|---|
| El Tatio geysers | The most visited geothermal field in the north, at sunrise | El Tatio geysers |
| Valle de la Luna | Sunsets over the Cordillera de la Sal | Valle de la Luna |
| Laguna Cejar | Float in salt water on the Atacama salt flat | Laguna Cejar |
| Piedras Rojas | Altiplano lagoons above 4,000 metres | Piedras Rojas |
To compare with other hot springs in the country, see our guide to hot springs in Chile, from Puritama to Puyehue.
Frequently asked questions
How much is the entrance fee to the Puritama hot springs?
In 2026, between CLP 35,000 and CLP 38,000 per adult depending on the sales channel; children between CLP 17,000 and CLP 20,000 and seniors CLP 17,000. Confirm the amount when you buy.
Do I need to book?
Yes. Places are limited and tickets are bought online; operators say they are not sold on site.
How far are they from San Pedro de Atacama?
About 30 km, 30 to 40 minutes by car.
How warm is the water?
Between 28 °C and 33 °C, depending on the source.
