El Chorro at Agua Caliente
El Chorro is the easiest to find. From Santiago, a dirt road of about 5 miles leads to Agua Caliente; signs in the village point to the springs (Termas de El Chorro). Warm, mineral water flows out of the canyon into a large pool held by a small dam against the rock wall, and a short, easy trail leads up the canyon past smaller pools and little falls.
The spring is on community land and a small cash entrance fee has been charged in the past. We could not confirm a 2026 amount, so bring pesos. There are few or no facilities: no food, maybe no bathrooms.
Santa Rita near San Jorge
Santa Rita is a few minutes farther into the hills, reached from Agua Caliente by the road toward San Jorge, which crosses two streams before climbing to the village. The spring itself is a small warm pool in a rocky canyon, and you have to scramble over boulders to reach it. It is quieter and feels more remote than El Chorro. The local ejido charges an entrance fee.
Stream crossings can be impassable after heavy rain, and the road is rough at the best of times. A high-clearance vehicle is strongly recommended, and so is a local guide or a Spanish speaker if it is your first time.
Getting there and planning the day
Santiago is about 1.5 hours from Villa 1 on Highway 1, past the airport and Miraflores. Allow another 20 to 30 minutes on dirt roads to the springs. Cell signal fades quickly, so download offline maps. Car rental advice is in our getting around guide.
The springs combine well with the Cañón de la Zorra waterfall, which is on the same side of Santiago: cold pool in the morning, warm one in the afternoon. The best time is November to March, when the air is cool enough to enjoy warm water; in summer, the heat makes it much less appealing, and the rainy months (July to September) can wash out the roads.
Who it suits and what to bring
This is for travelers who like back roads and small villages, not for anyone expecting changing rooms and a café. If you want a hot-water soak with service, book a massage at a resort spa instead, or use the hot tub at the Hacienda Beach Club spa next to the villa.
Bring cash, water, snacks, a towel, water shoes, sunscreen and a trash bag. Respect the ranches you pass through: close gates, drive slowly past homes and animals, and do not use soap in the springs.
