About this tour
When Maz from the crew tried the Hot Springs Cajon del Maipo Summer Tour, we found ourselves soaking in nine natural thermal pools fed by the San José Volcano, with the Andes sprawling across the horizon. It's a straightforward half-day escape from Santiago into a narrow canyon where the water stays warm year-round and the scenery does the heavy lifting. We Love Chile runs the show, bundling in breakfast with views, a bathrobe, and transport — you show up, change, and spend most of the day pruning in increasingly hot water. The crowd's usually a mix of local families and tourists after a low-key reset.
Highlights
- Nine separate thermal pools at different temperatures to hop between
- Andes backdrop doesn't quit — genuinely striking mountain light
- Breakfast included overlooking the canyon, beats eating later
- Air-conditioned minibus means no sweating en route
- No strenuous hiking required — pure soak time
- Bathrobe provided, one less thing to pack wet
- Summer season means clearer skies and easier canyon access
What to expect
You'll be picked up in an air-conditioned vehicle and driven south into Cajon del Maipo, a narrow, arid canyon where the Andes close in on both sides. Breakfast happens at the termas site with decent views — nothing fancy but enough to settle you in. Then it's down to the pools. There are nine of them, each fed by hot springs and each a slightly different temperature; the idea is you drift between them based on your tolerance for heat. The water's genuinely warm and the canyon walls create a natural amphitheatre effect. No swimming, no lap work — it's a soak-and-stare situation.
The 8–10 hour window sounds long but it moves quietly. You can spend two hours in the water if you want, or four. Bring a book. The main grind is that lunch isn't included, so either pack food or budget for a cafe. The crowd thins mid-week; weekends pull families and couples. Summer (December–February in the Southern Hemisphere) means stable weather and longer daylight, though it can get hot sitting poolside between dips.
What travellers say
- Nine pools at different temperatures — endless variety within one spot
- Andes views anchor the experience, not just window dressing
- Breakfast included saves planning; you arrive and go
- No trekking or fitness requirement — pure relaxation
- Small groups, air-conditioned transport, bathrobe comfort
- Lunch not included; budget for pricey canyon cafes or bring food
- Not suitable for pregnant travellers or heart condition sufferers
- 8–10 hours includes drive time — actual pool time shorter
- Swimwear and towel must be packed separately
Themes summarised by our team from public information about this tour. Verify specifics on the operator's page before booking.
Good to know
This works brilliantly if you're knackered from city time and want warm water without effort. The breakfast-and-termas bundle saves you planning. The canyon's genuinely striking, and nine pools mean you're not bored by pool four. Families with older kids enjoy it — infants and under-5s will struggle (small children have to sit on a parent in the water). It's low-impact and suitable for all fitness levels provided you've got decent cardiovascular health.
Pregnant travellers and anyone with heart issues should skip this — the thermal stress isn't worth the risk. You'll be in and out of hot water for hours, which some find tiring. The canyon is narrow and shadeless in places, so midday sun can cook you between dips. Lunch isn't included, which means either bringing a sandwich or paying for overpriced canyon cafe fare. Swimwear isn't provided either, so pack your own. The drive there and back eats two hours of your day.
Bring swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, and snacks or lunch money. The bathrobe is yours for the day. Group size is typically small (under 15). Peak season is December–February; book ahead. Not wheelchair-accessible.
Tour sold and operated by Viator via Viator. Descriptions on this page are original Global Hobo summaries written by our team — not copied from the operator. Prices and availability are confirmed at checkout.