Termas de Tolhuaca

Reached by an improved gravel road that heads north out of Curacautín [1] for 35 kilometers, the once humble hot springs resort of Termas de Tolhuaca has morphed into a spa, but it’s still a pretty good value by international standards and a good alternative for those who want to visit Parque Nacional Tolhuaca [2] but don’t want to camp in the park, which is nine kilometers farther on by road. The resort began in 1898, but today’s facility is a dramatic improvement over the rustic Russian-built original.

Accommodations at the 100-bed Hotel Termas de Tolhuaca (Calama 240, Curacautín, tel. 045/881164, www.termasdetolhuaca.cl [3], US$72 pp with full board) include unlimited access to pools and baths; it has its own restaurant. Camping costs US$15 per site for up to six people; public-pool access is US$11 per person (US$5.50 for children), and there are limited supplies on-site.