Termas de Papallacta, Papallacta

This place is a little piece of heaven. Beauty surrounds the pools, each at a different temperature. We opted to pay the $22 to go into the more private pools and I think it is worth it. My aunt also received a massage package which included and chocolate wrap and she loved it, it was around $100 and included 3 hours of treatment and entrance fee, worth the price she declared. I having lived in Ecuador for over a year, I am not used to paying spa/resort prices for food. You pay a good amount and do not receive a large quantity, this would be the only draw back.

Thermal pools were great, even though it was rainy and cool, the water was awesome.

Please do yourself a favor and book a room for at least 2 night. When you book a room you have access to a few small shallow pools which you can use any time you like. Also, you have access to another 14 pools which are a small walk from your room. They have two types of suits, for couples and for families, all with private bathrooms. There is a Spa at an extra cost with jet pools but no other difference. Lastly, I would recommend at least one of the treatments in the spa as it is relaxing.

Beautiful backdrop, if the weather is good. I was on a Gate 1 tour, coming back from the rain forest. This was a lunch stop, that included some time in the water. Very nice facility. Multiple pools at different temperatures. Pools are not very natural, but they are pleasant enough. Large, clean, spacious changing areas. Lunch was very good. I had the locally raised fish. Staff was wonderful. Note: We did not spend the night here, only ate and soaked.

We went here as a day trip, and it was great! On par with some of the nicer onsens in Japan. Beautiful scenery, and it's co-ed (so hubby and I could soak together). Some pools are hotter than others, and some pools have cooler areas if the water is too hot for you (but it wasn't full of tepid or cool water pools). It had clean water, and we saw one being drained and cleaned, which gave the reassuring impression that they keep the place very clean and tidy (many in other spas had water that looked murky and scary). The scenery is breathtaking, and it has a relaxing atmosphere and lots of pools. I only regret that we couldn't go on any hikes around the area. Downer: The shower and dressing facilities are all outside, which is cold, so you have to dry off and dress in dressing stalls that are wet and cold. But in comparison to the other baths we visited in Ecuador, this was hands-down the best.