Baños de Cuenca: How to Visit the Hot Springs in Cuenca

Baños de Cuenca is home to several accessible and rejuvenating hot springs. Just 20 minutes west of the city, these aguas termales emerge from a fault line known as Loma de los Hervideros. Naturally heated to around 75 °C (167 °F), the water is cooled to a soothing 36–40 °C (97-104 °F) before reaching the pools.

With several aguas termales in Cuenca Ecuador to choose from, I wasn’t sure which were worth visiting. So, with friends who live in Cuenca (and love hot springs as much as I do), we spent three days discovering the best of them, including one hidden gem you won’t find in most guides.

Along with practical tips, I’ve included how to get to each of these hot springs and what to expect at each location so that you can choose the right experience for your trip. The thermal baths in Cuenca offer a quiet connection to the land—heated by the earth, surrounded by mountains, and rich with minerals that locals have turned to for generations.

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Piedra de Agua Hot Springs

If I could only visit one of the hot springs in Cuenca, it would be Piedra de Agua. The entire spa is built from striking red volcanic rock, from the walls around the pools to the cave-like interiors. It gives the place a warm, earthy feel as if the thermal baths have always been part of the spa.

Piedra de Agua has three thermal pools, four contrasting hot-and-cold baths, and four steam baths. The pool at the back is the hottest, and its curved kidney shape creates small pockets that feel more private than a wide-open hot spring pool.

They offer 2 for 1 promotions throughout the week:

• Spa Circuit – Mondays and Fridays, $40 for 2
• Underground Thermal Spa – Tuesdays and Thursday $70 for 2
• General Entrance Fee – Monday to Friday $20 for 2

Since my friends and I visited on a Monday, we chose the Spa Circuit which I’ve detailed below. My friends later returned to celebrate a birthday and said the Underground Thermal Spa was just as fabulous!

Spa Circuit at Piedra de Agua

At Piedra de Agua, a staff member guides each reservation through the package, timing it so that each group experiences the services privately. While we were waiting to begin, we started with the Turkish bath next to the lockers, which I highly recommend you do as well.

Then we were led to the outdoor mud baths. First up was an exfoliating, firming, mineral-rich red clay that we applied to our face and bodies. After a nice soak we moved to the second pool and applied a hydrating blue clay mixed with quartz. We ordered sparkling water to make sure we stayed hydrated while in the hot springs.

Next came the underground hot and cold pools. The rock walls curved around us in natural shapes, glowing softly under the warm candlelight. Alternating between the plunge and the heat left me feeling both deeply relaxed and re-energized, as if my body had been reset.

The circuit continued with steam boxes, which might feel like a tight fit if you’re claustrophobic, though your head stays outside. Then we had free time to soak in all of the hot springs at the resort.

Among the aguas termales in Cuenca, Piedra de Agua stands out for its design, atmosphere, and variety of experiences.

Novaqua in Baños de Cuenca

Novaqua is another popular choice for hot springs in Baños de Cuenca. It’s a peaceful, adults-only setting designed for relaxation.

The main thermal area consists of a large outside hot spring pool surrounded by tables and chairs as well as a small grassy area with loungers. While the pool is more communal than cozy, it’s still a good spot to unwind.

When you arrive you’ll need to decide which package to choose. I’ve detailed the two most popular below. The others include mini spa treatments and/or dinner from the restaurant.

The Thermal Relax package also includes access to herbal tea inside the restaurant and a snack of coffee with an empanadas de viento – a traditional food of Ecuador, filled with cheese and puffed up with air when fried.

You’ll receive a robe upon entry and use the modern changing area with lockers. For the locker key, you’ll need to provide an ID. They accepted just one for our group, but it’s not a bad idea for everyone to bring theirs just in case.

Tip – Before heading back to Cuenca, I highly recommend walking to the stand just down the road (map) for a fresh coconut to help restore your electrolytes.

Termas Pumamaqui

If you’re looking for private hot springs near Cuenca, Termas Pumamaqui offers a completely different experience. Located about 30 minutes past Baños de Cuenca, the drive alone is worth the trip. It winds through the dramatic highland scenery along the backside of Cajas National Park.

These thermal baths sit alongside a river near the town of Soldados, surrounded by peaceful nature and cool mountain air. There are two hot spring pools built of stone, both rustic and scenic.

The second pool felt slightly hotter, with a few areas where you could feel the heat rising straight from the bottom. We were able to eat our included snack (a slice of pizza and a cup of herbal tea) while soaking, though there’s also a small enclosed space with tables if you prefer to dry off first.

To visit Aguas Termales Pumamaqui, you’ll need to reserve in advance (FB page or Instagram). Each two-hour time slot gives you exclusive access to the hot springs, making it a great option for couples or small groups. I recommend going during the day or late afternoon. When we visited at night it was a bit chilly.

How to Get to Pumamaqui Hot Springs From Cuenca

Since we were a group of four, we hired a local driver to take us to Pumamaqui, wait, and drive us back. The cost was $40 USD which I think is manageable when you can split it with a group. Otherwise you would need to rent a car in Cuenca and drive.

Tip – Since we were a little early, we asked our driver to stop at this restaurant on the way. We ate dessert and had a cocktail. Although I don’t usually like mixing wellness and alcohol, it was a fun stop and it could easily be a stop on the way back instead.

How to Get to Baños de Cuenca

Baños de Cuenca is about 8 miles (13 km) west of Cuenca Ecuador. If you’re traveling solo or on a budget, you can catch a local bus from Terminal Terrestre in Cuenca. Just look for one headed toward Baños or ask for help at the terminal.

Since we were a group of four, it made more sense to split the cost of a taxi. The ride took about 20 minutes and cost $3-4 each way, which is well worth the convenience especially once you consider traveling to the bus station.

Why Visit the Aguas Termales in Cuenca?

Soaking in natural hot springs isn’t just relaxing. It’s long been considered a therapeutic practice. These mineral-rich waters can support both physical and mental wellness. 

When you soak in these thermal waters, your body temperature rises slightly, improving circulation and oxygenation while helping to eliminate toxins. The warmth also helps relax tight muscles, ease joint stiffness, and calm the nervous system.

The hot springs in Cuenca contain minerals like calcium, potassium, magnesium, and sulfur.  Whether you’re soaking to unwind or support recovery, regular use of thermal baths may help with:

• Chronic pain and joint inflammation
• Circulatory and respiratory support
• Stress reduction and better sleep
• Skin issues like eczema or psoriasis

Benefits of a Turkish Bath

At both Novaqua and Piedra de Agua, the Turkish-style steam baths offer another layer of wellness. Steam can improve metabolic functions, open the respiratory system, and promote lymphatic flow. It’s also a gentle way to prepare the body for other treatments, like contrasting pools or clay masks, by relaxing the muscles and softening the skin.

Benefits of Natural Clay Masks

Cuenca hot springs often feature volcanic clay treatments thanks to their rich mineral content. The clay not only exfoliates and nourishes the skin, but may also help with detoxification and calming inflammation.

Wrapping Up Your Baños de Cuenca Visit

Baños de Cuenca is more than just a place to relax. These mineral-rich hot springs in Cuenca support wellness and recovery, whether you visit Piedra de Agua Spa or the private aguas termales tucked into the Andean landscape. 

It doesn’t matter if you’re soaking for health or peace of mind, it’s hard not to leave feeling grounded, refreshed, and ready to keep exploring.