Termales del Ruiz

The springs sit high on the flank of Nevado del Ruiz at around 3,500 metres, on the road up towards Los Nevados park, and the appeal is the contrast - hot mineral water in a stone pool with paramo temperatures and often mist or sleet around it. The other reason people stop is birds: the gardens around the hotel are planted with the flowers hummingbirds feed on and hung with feeders, and at this altitude that means high-Andean species, including the buffy helmetcrest, which lives on this volcanic massif and nowhere else, along with rainbow-bearded thornbill and shining sunbeam. Birders come specifically for that. The volcano is active and access on the road can be restricted when the alert level rises.

What you actually see

• A hot pool at about 3,500 metres - in paramo cold and mist.
• Hummingbird feeders in the gardens - high-Andean species.
• The buffy helmetcrest - endemic to this volcanic massif.
• The road towards Los Nevados - subject to volcanic alerts.

When to go

December to March and July to August. Half a day.

Honest expectations

Volcanic activity closes the road and the park above at times - check before setting out. It is cold, wet and windy outside the water. Altitude affects visitors from lower ground. The site is small.

Nearby

Los Nevados park is above; Manizales is below.