Termas de Pica
Pica, Tarapaca Region, Chile
- Location
- Pica, Tarapaca Region, Chile
- Water type
- bicarbonate
- Temperature
- 36 °C
- pH
- 8
Water profile
Thermicity
Neutral
LowHigh
Soothing — neither hot nor cold, perfect balance.
Mineralisation
Restorative
LowHigh
Loaded with major ions — the essential minerals (Ca, Mg).
Buoyancy
Standard buoyancy
LowHigh
Soft water — natural, classic buoyancy.
BicarbonatesSodiumCalcium
In Pica, the only true oasis in the Atacama Desert, in Chile's Tarapacá region, thermal waters emerge amid a landscape shaped by centuries of history: founded in 1540, the town once served as a stop on the Inca Trail before becoming a thriving agricultural and wine-producing centre under the Viceroyalty of Peru. Its centrepiece is La Cocha Resbaladero, a natural pool cradled between two volcanic-rock hollows and framed by cane groves, continuously fed by a warm spring.
Insider tip — Termas de Pica is an oasis spring in the Atacama Desert of northern Chile, where Andean meltwater percolates through volcanic rock before surfacing at the edge of this remote desert town at roughly 36°C. The contrast of lush mango and guava trees against the surrounding bone-dry pampa is striking. The spring has been used since pre-Columbian times and remains the social heart of Pica, famous throughout Chile for its citrus fruits.
Nearby
Frequently asked questions
How hot is the water?
The water is neutral here, around 36 °C — a perfect balance, neither too hot nor too cold.
What type of water is found here?
This spot features bicarbonate water.
What is the best season to visit?
The most favourable period for this spot is: Saison sèche.