Pereira & San Vicente, Colombia

After Salento, we wanted to break up our bus trip a bit so we decided to spend a couple nights in Pereira to catch up on work and just relax in the Baladar Hostel downtown. It’s a secure little place with some great people-watching spots around the neighborhood.

After wandering around the neighborhood we decided to ask our hostel of anything we could maybe do around town and they recommended we visit San Vicente thermal spa. The office was right around the corner from our hostel so we made a stop and after hearing more about it, we couldn’t resist.

San Vicente is a natural thermal springs spa in the middle of a gorgeous setting of mountains and waterfalls. There is also select spa treatments that you can pay for in addition to the use of the hot springs. We arranged for our transport to San Vicente, entrance to the hot springs, lunch and transport back to Pereira all for around 70,000 pesos ($22).

The drive takes about 30-45 minutes depending on what the road is like and as you can see the road was a bit rough. There had been a landslide that was being moved from the road but our bus had a bit of s struggle to pass. So we all had to get off the bus as they continued to clear the road a bit before our driver was finally able to pass. lol Oh Colombia! This was such a fun adventure just getting to San Vicente de Thermales.

The bus dropped us off at the entrance and we walked up the hill. There is a locker room where you can rent lockers with deposit of about 8000 pesos ($2.50) that is returned after turning in the key. I was just in awe of this amazing place. You can see the waterfall off in the distance and I decided I definitely wanted to do that first so I could then just relax in the hot springs. It was short little hike and the waterfall was freezing but it was stunning.

After enjoying the waterfall I made my way back down to check out what spa services they offered and how to schedule them before hoping in the hot springs for a bit. There are 7 or 8 different pools with varying temperatures but all extremely inviting and relaxing.

San Vicente offers different types of massages, facials and some specialty services like a sand burying treatment. Of course I had to check out what that was all about! The sand treatment starts with us sitting in a natural steam room for about 5 minutes or as long as you can, then you lay down in what is essentially a sand box situated above some natural hot springs so the sand is hot. After laying down in the sandbox we are buried in the sand and left to bake. After a bit of time the tech assisting will come and scrub you down. After the scrub you sit in the steam room again for a few minutes before rinsing off in the outside shower. My skin was so baby soft!

After the sand treatment I had scheduled a relaxing massage! I was ready to just unwind and have the kinks in my neck worked out. Before continuing I want to say that I really enjoy checking out the different relaxing treatments in different countries. I find them to always be an interesting experience and as this was my first massage in Colombia and in South America I was ready to see how it was.

I walked into a large room and immediately realized that all the massages are in the same room. There were about 10-12 beds all lined up in a row. Initially there wasn’t anyone else in the room but not long after we started another couple was guided in to the other end of the room. Now I don’t know how traditional the massage was but I will say that discretion was not on the menu, lol. In all honesty the massage was okay. I wouldn’t say it was great but, you know, it was nice. People seemed to come and go from the room despite the fact that my ass was exposed or my boobs while I was on my back. I was on the bed closest to the door and had to decide how big of a deal it was… I mean in all reality I don’t think boobs are a big deal… they are just boobs so I tried to relax and enjoy it as much as possible. Returning to the hot springs after the massage was the real treat though. It was glorious and I soaked up every possible minute before we had to make our way back down the hill and board the bus back into town.

All in all I would say this little day spa excursion to San Vicente de thermales was definitely worth it and I have found not many people seem to know about it. Not a bad way to spend a relaxing day in the Southern part of Colombia I would say!