Termas de Cauquenes

The springs at Cauquenes were being used by the seventeenth century and formally developed from the eighteenth, and the establishment that grew around them is one of the oldest continuously operating spas in Chile. The bath hall, built in the nineteenth century, is a long gothic-arched gallery with individual marble tubs in cubicles - the water is delivered to the tub rather than a shared pool, which is the older European model and unusual to find still working. Charles Darwin stayed here in 1834 during the Beagle voyage and recorded the visit; Bernardo O'Higgins was also a guest. The hotel around it has been through several restorations.

What's there

• Springs used since the 1600s - among Chile's oldest spa sites.
• A gothic bath gallery - individual marble tubs in cubicles.
• The older European model - water to the tub, not a shared pool.
• Darwin's stay in 1834 - recorded during the Beagle voyage.

When to go

Year round. Half a day.

Things to know

This is a private hotel and spa, so access is by day pass or as a guest. The building has had periods of neglect between restorations. It is a bathing establishment, not a modern wellness resort. Booking is sensible.

Nearby

Rio de los Cipreses reserve is east; Rancagua is west.

Key facts