Papallacta Hot Spring, Guango Birdwatching Reserve Private Tour

We have enjoyed many hot springs around the world, and this is one of our absolute favorites. The architecture of the gardens and the buildings is breathtaking. The water is divine. On a busy Saturday, it didn't seem overcrowded at all - there was room for everyone. The massage therapists were top-notch and excellent at their profession. The restaurant is excellent - tasty and reasonably priced. We would have stayed overnight had we known how great this place is!

We had a great time with Christian as our guide. I have learned that getting a private tour is the best way to explore a new country. We went to the Papallacta Hot Springs and enjoyed a few hours there. We did not do the hike because the road was blocked due to a lot of rain, and I also preferred to prioritize time at the spa. There had even been some mudslides in the area, but it was still safe to travel there. The spa is wonderful. We both got a massage which was excellent. The springs are made up of about six different thermal pools and one cold pool for people who want to alternate between hot and cold water. The springs were so wonderful for relaxing. We spent about one and a half hours in the water. There is a restaurant there, too, but we didn't have much time left to fully enjoy that. It took about two hours driving from the Hilton in Quito to the spa each way. You have to go through some higher elevations and mountains with lots of fog and mist to get there. The air was very cold and rainy that day, but the springs were so warm and relaxing. This was a good day to do something easy. I don't know how adding a hike would have even fit into the schedule. Christian was also great for telling us about Quito and Ecuador. He explained everything very clearly. I highly recommend the spa for a relaxing time to do something at a slower pace, maybe after a few days of touring other parts of the city.

What an amazing day! Guango lodge was unbelievably lush and beautiful, we could have stayed for hours just to spend more time viewing the beautiful hummingbirds and greenery. Papallacta was clean and welcoming - a perfect place to unwind after an active vacation in Ecuador. Our guide Arnold was a major highlight of our tour - he was punctual, super knowledgeable, and kind. He went above and beyond to make sure we had a great experience. I highly recommend this day trip! It was the perfect complement to our otherwise packed itinerary.