For the perfect relaxing escape from Bogota’s smog, look no further than Termales de Choachi Colombia, a Bogota spa just one hour from the city. Termales de Choachi is the most convenient and relaxing spa Bogota Colombia offers.
Why Visit Termales Colombia?
After two months in Bogota, I was in serious need of a few things:
- Fresh air
- Relaxation
- Heat
- Self-care/pampering (that wouldn’t break the bank)
- A crazy bus ride over the mountains
Okay, maybe I didn’t need the last one…but trying to navigate public transport to a new place in Latin America is always a fun adventure!
Quick Tip: Book accommodation, tours, and transport ahead of time online to save money and stress.
Best Bogota Tours: Click here to check out the top Bogota tours
Best Bogota Accommodation: Click here to check out the best accommodation in Bogota
Best Bogota Transport: Click here to book a bus, ferry, or train in Bogota
This Bogota massage spa is an hour from the city via bus, making it a fantastic day trip. The area is also much warmer since these Colombia hot springs are at a lower altitude than Bogota. I can’t explain how happy I was to walk around in my swimwear after months of wearing my coat in the city!
Need Transportation in Colombia?
I highly recommend booking Colombia transportation with GottoGo. You can search for buses, shuttles, ferries, and flights on their website—I love their customer service. I know them personally from my time living in Guatemala, and they genuinely care for their customers. If a delay occurs and you miss your bus, call them for help.
If you book through GottoGo, you will pay more than at the bus station, but it’s worth it for the ease and security. Click here to search for transportation in Colombia.
Hot Springs Colombia: Termales de Choachi Bogota Spa
The water in the Termales Colombia pools comes from a mineral hot spring, so it’s a bit smelly. However, I didn’t find it too overbearing. I noticed it more on my skin and hair traveling back on the bus than in the water. There are five main pools in the spa Bogota complex, including:
- A large swimming pool
- A small children’s swimming pool
- A jacuzzi
- Two small hot pools
- Two saunas (typically, only one works during the week)
Termales de Choachi is also a Bogota massage spa with treatment rooms. While I would have loved a massage, I couldn’t find any booking information. There is also a restaurant and a snack bar. The food is on the pricey side for Colombia, which is what you expect at most spas. We had a decent meal and fruit juice, though it was nothing special.
If you want to stay overnight at the hotel, you can also access a private guest-only area. The cost of a day pass to these Colombia hot springs is surprisingly reasonable. It’s $20mil COP on a Monday, $25mil Tuesday through Saturday, and $35mil on Sundays and public holidays.
Things to Do in Termales de Choachi Spa Bogota Colombia
I regret not staying overnight at Termales Colombia. While driving through, our tuk-tuk driver gave us a lot of information about cool places to stay. I was kicking myself! Sadly, I couldn’t stay—I needed my laptop to teach the following day and didn’t bring it. If I could do another hot springs Colombia trip, I would 100% stay overnight.
Where to Stay Near the Bogota Spa
If you stay overnight, take the 9:30 a.m. bus from Bogota and ask around town for the best places to stay. I suggest one of the “fincas” between the city and the Bogota spa. You can get a tuk-tuk to drop you off. Don’t forget to take the driver’s number so you can call when you need to go anywhere.
While Termales de Choachi Colombia is a small town, it looked like a nice place to explore for an afternoon and eat local food. The fincas seemed peaceful and perfect for a night away from Bogota. Sadly, I didn’t get to explore the town or stay myself. However, I plan to return and spend more time exploring Termales Colombia!
Quick Tip: View my full Colombia packing guide here including a downloadable checklist. And check out my Colombia Essentials shopping list here.
Getting to the Bogota Massage Spa
The bus from Bogota to Termales de Choachi is straightforward and cheap.
Take the Transmilenio to Tercer Milenio (one stop south of AV Jimenez on the Caracas line). When you leave the station (on the south side), you will see a large police station on your right. Cross the road towards the police station and walk down that road (Calle 6).
After you pass the police station on your right, you will see a bus stop and a few street vendors. Look to your right and see a small indoor (garage) bus station. Go to the ticket booth and ask for the bus to go to Choachi. The cost is $8mil each way.
Did You Get Travel Insurance Yet?
The Insurance companies I recommend are Hey Mondo and Safety Wing
Hey Mondo is great if you are looking for a great value flexible policy. They offer single-trip cover, annual multi-trip cover, and long-term travel cover. Safety Wing is great value, with monthly coverage starting at $45.08. It’s super easy to use, and it just renews each month. I currently use them as they offer me free cover for my son as part of my policy.
Read my full travel insurance post here, where I go into detail about all companies.
Once you arrive in Choachi Colombia, grab a taxi or a tuk-tuk and ask them to take you to the Termales. It should only cost $5mil one way. Ask for your driver’s phone number to call them to pick you back up. When I left the hot springs, several drivers were waiting to transport people back into town.
Getting the bus back to Bogota is a matter of luck. Return to the bus stop by 4:30-4:45 p.m.—the last bus is at 5:00 p.m. There are many daily buses, but there’s no set timetable. When I tried asking the driver, he just shrugged his shoulders. I think they just come and go whenever!
Where to Stay in Bogota
If you are staying longer than 24 hours, I recommend Chapenero over La Candelaria. Hotels I recommend include:
Hotel Morrison
Selina Chapinaro
Hotel Living 55
93 Luxury Suites & Residences
If you are only in town for one night, I suggest these La Candelaria accommodations:
Selina La Candelaria
Casa Artistica
Arche Noah Boutique Hostel
For a convenient airport hotel, check out the Radisson AR Bogota Airport.
Colombia Travel Guide Planning
🧳 Any recommendations on what I should pack for Colombia?
Yes! I have created a whole packing guide to Colombia which you can read here and you can also check out my packing list for Colombia on Amazon here.
🚗 Where can I book bus or private transportation while I’m in Colombia?
I strongly recommend using GottoGo. You can book almost all transport in the major tourist destinations through them online. They don’t just cover buses they also cover shuttles, ferries, and private drivers.
🎫 Where can I buy tickets for museums, attractions, and tours in Colombia?
I recommend either Viator or GetYour Guide. They have a lot of options!
👩⚕️ What is the best insurance to have while traveling?
I recommend using Heymondo for a great value policy. The app also offers you 24/7 Dr Chat. For Digital Nomads check out SafetyWing digital nomad insurance.
I have also written a blog post covering all my recommended travel insurance here
✈️ Any flight recommendations?
WayAWay offers you cheap flights with cashback. You can use this code CLAIRE22 to get 10% off. Otherwise Skyscanner or Expedia are my go-to flight searching platforms.
📱What do you use for internet connection while traveling?
I’m a big fan of personal WiFi devices and they have saved my ass so many times when traveling. I wrote a full review of the top travel WiFi devices you can read here. I personally use GlocalMe as I can either pop in a physical sim card or use their local carrier.
With regards to my phone connection, I use e-sims while traveling, so rather than having to swap out my regular sim card I can download the app and buy a virtual sim card. I recommend using eitherAirhub or Alosim. Both have great coverage of multiple countries and are very easy to use.
🛏️ What is the best platform to use for booking accommodation?
The 3 best platforms that I normally use are Booking.com, Hotels.com, and Expedia They offer great deals and multiple options. I always check all three to be sure of the best deals.
🛅 Do you have any luggage recommendations for traveling?
I do have a complete list of the best packing and luggage products that I recommend, you can check the list here. I’m currently traveling with this suitcase and this backpack.
Termales de Choachi Bogota Spa and Colombia Hot Springs: Final Thoughts
Termales de Choachi Colombia is a must-visit Bogota spa just an hour from the city. Getting there is easy, and the Colombia hot springs are reasonably priced. Tourists of all ages will enjoy exploring this Bogota massage spa!
This post was proofread by Grammarly.