Banos Termales de Monterrey, Peru

Quick Facts

Experience

Public Pools & Parks

Access Level

Easy to reach (no hike)

Safety Level

Be mindful

What to Wear

Swimsuit required

Family Friendly

Yes

Entry Fee

Paid

Wheelchair Access

Address

Centro Poblado Monterrey, Carretera Huaraz-Caraz, Huaraz, Ancash, Peru

Overview

About Banos Termales de Monterrey

Banos Termales de Monterrey, Peru is a paid thermal spring complex at Centro Poblado Monterrey, 7 km north of Huaraz in Ancash, at approximately 2,700 metres elevation in the Callejon de Huaylas valley. The springs produce water at up to 49 degrees Celsius. The water is inodorous and colourless in small amounts but turns a characteristic dark green in the larger public pools from its high content of iron, sulfate, zinc, and chloride. The pH is approximately 7.0. The thermal waters are linked to the volcanic geology of the Cordillera Blanca. Open daily from 6 am to 6 pm.

The complex has three public swimming pools of different sizes, individual private soaking rooms (pozas), and family pozas for three to five people. The pozas have adjustable hot and cold water mix and a 20 to 30 minute session limit. A restaurant adjacent to the baths serves lunch. A hotel with accommodation is located nearby. Monterrey is routinely the final stop on Huaraz city tour itineraries offered by local operators.

Among the hot springs near Huaraz, Monterrey is the most accessible and most visited thermal site in the Callejon de Huaylas valley, and is considered the standard thermal excursion for visitors based in Huaraz.

Location & Access

Getting to Banos Termales de Monterrey

Banos Termales de Monterrey is at Centro Poblado Monterrey on the Carretera Huaraz-Caraz, 7 km north of Huaraz. From Huaraz, the drive takes approximately 15 to 20 minutes. Shared taxis from central Huaraz cost around 2 soles per person. Public colectivos on the Huaraz-Caraz route also stop at or near the entrance. Private taxis are available from Huaraz for a fixed fare. The entrance is clearly signed from the main valley road.

From Lima, Huaraz is approximately 407 km north, reached by overnight bus (approximately 7 hours) from Lima's northern bus terminals, or by a 45-minute domestic flight to Comandante FAP German Arias Graziani Airport at Anta (20 km northwest of Huaraz), with onward taxi or colectivo to the city and then to Monterrey.

The valley road north from Huaraz is paved and in good condition along the Monterrey stretch. The complex has a dedicated parking area for private vehicles. For visitors on organised half-day city tours from Huaraz, the thermal baths are often the final stop after the Ancash Regional Museum, the trout farm, and the Huaraz viewpoint. For those seeking hot springs near Huaraz as a standalone excursion, Monterrey requires no specialist transport and is reachable by any local colectivo heading north on the valley road.

Suitability & Accessibility

Who Should Visit Banos Termales de Monterrey

Banos Termales de Monterrey suits families, independent travellers, trekkers recovering from mountain hikes, and anyone staying in Huaraz who wants a relaxing half-day excursion in the Callejon de Huaylas valley. The combination of public pools and private soaking rooms means the facility works for both social group visits and quieter individual soaks. The 7 km distance and 15-minute ride from Huaraz make it the most accessible thermal option in the region.

Trekkers returning from the Cordillera Blanca or Negra commonly visit Monterrey for muscle recovery. The mineral-rich water at up to 49 degrees Celsius is traditionally associated with relief from rheumatic conditions, muscle fatigue, and skin conditions. The adjustable-temperature pozas accommodate visitors with varying heat tolerance, including those who prefer a more moderate soak. Family pozas accommodate three to five people.

Wheelchair accessibility is not documented. The complex has not published step-free access information in sources used for this listing; visitors with mobility requirements should contact a Huaraz tour operator directly before visiting. The altitude of approximately 2,700 metres is generally well tolerated by acclimatised visitors. The dry season from May to November offers the most pleasant valley conditions and clearest mountain views. Families seeking hot springs near Huaraz on a structured day trip will find Monterrey the most convenient and well-serviced option in Ancash.

Safety & Etiquette

Banos Termales de Monterrey Safety Tips

Banos Termales de Monterrey is generally safe for most visitors. The source water reaches 49 degrees Celsius, which is very hot; both the public pools and the pozas draw from this supply and may require cold water to be mixed in to reach a comfortable soaking temperature. Always test the water before entering. Adjust the temperature in the pozas using the mixing tap before immersing yourself. The 20 to 30 minute session limits in private rooms are enforced for safety reasons; respect them and exit the water promptly if you feel dizzy, nauseous, or excessively hot.

The dark green colour of the large public pools is a natural result of the iron and sulfate mineral content and does not indicate contamination. The pools are described as clear enough to see the floor despite the colour. Monterrey follows a weekly cleaning and refill cycle; the upper pools are typically drained on Monday and Tuesday, cleaned, and refilled with fresh water by Wednesday or Thursday, making mid-week the best time for the cleanest pool experience. The altitude at Monterrey is approximately 2,700 metres; visitors who have recently arrived in the region and are still acclimatising should take extra care with hot water immersion, which can increase physiological stress. Drink water before and during your visit.

Pool surrounds and changing room floors are wet and slippery; wear flip-flops or sandals throughout the facility. Swimsuits are required for all pools and are available for purchase or rental at stalls near the entrance if needed. The facility closes at 6 pm; plan your visit to allow enough time to soak, change, and return to Huaraz before closing. Bring cash as card payment is unlikely to be available; the nearest ATMs are in central Huaraz, 7 km south.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between the piscinas (public pools) and the pozas (private rooms) at Monterrey?

Banos Termales de Monterrey has two distinct soaking options. The piscinas are large public pools shared by all visitors at the same time, similar to a public swimming pool. These have a set water temperature and the dark green mineral water characteristic of the Monterrey springs. The pozas are private enclosed rooms with individual or family soaking tubs. These can be booked for 1-2 people (individual) or 3-5 people (family), have a mixing tap to adjust the water temperature between hot spring water and cold water, and have a strictly enforced session limit of 20 to 30 minutes. The pricing for piscinas and pozas is charged separately. The pozas are popular because they allow a private experience and temperature control; the public pools are more social and generally less expensive.

Why is the water dark green at Monterrey?

The dark green colour of the large public pools at Banos Termales de Monterrey is a natural result of the high mineral content of the spring water, particularly its iron, sulfate, zinc, and chloride compounds. In small amounts, such as in the private pozas, the water appears colourless or very lightly tinted. As the volume of water increases in the larger pools, the mineral concentration makes the colour visible as a deep green. The transparency of the water is generally good despite the colour; visitor accounts describe being able to see the floor of the pools clearly. The mineral content is considered the therapeutic quality of the water and is the same characteristic that makes the springs valuable for traditional treatment of rheumatic and muscular conditions.

What is the best day to visit Monterrey for the freshest water?

According to visitor accounts from the site, the upper public pools at Banos Termales de Monterrey are drained, cleaned, and refilled on a regular weekly cycle. The pools are typically emptied and cleaned on Monday and Tuesday, and refilled with fresh water so that by Wednesday and Thursday the water is at its freshest. Visiting mid-week generally gives the cleanest pool experience. By the weekend, and particularly on Sunday, the water has been in use for several days and is at its most heavily used. If a very clean pool is your priority, a mid-week visit in the morning is the recommended approach.

How does Monterrey compare to other hot springs near Huaraz?

Banos Termales de Monterrey is the closest and most easily accessible thermal site to Huaraz, at only 7 km north. Other thermal springs in the Callejon de Huaylas valley include the Banos de Chancos, located further north with clear transparent water and temperatures between 68 and 72 degrees Celsius - significantly hotter than Monterrey. Chancos is considered by some visitors to have better water quality due to its clarity. Banos Termales de Vicos near Carhuaz and Banos de Huari are other options further along the valley. Monterrey's main advantage is its proximity to Huaraz, its private poza facilities, and its inclusion in standard city tour itineraries, making it the easiest hot spring to visit without additional planning.

Is Monterrey good to visit year-round?

Yes. Banos Termales de Monterrey is open daily throughout the year and the thermal pools are comfortable to soak in during all seasons. The dry season from May to November is generally considered the most pleasant time to visit, when daytime temperatures in the Callejon de Huaylas are warmer, the mountain views are clearer, and the valley roads are at their most reliable. The wet season from December to April brings afternoon and evening rain; the pools remain operational but the surrounding landscape can be overcast and the roads occasionally interrupted by rain. The thermal baths are covered and protected from rain in the private pozas section, making a wet-season visit still viable. Winter visits in the dry season, when the air is cool, make the contrast of soaking in 49-degree water particularly enjoyable.