Daily Departures: Papallacta Termas Spa Small-group Tour

Spa pools were adequate and changerooms were clean and organized. However it's chilly outside when you get out of the pool and with a wet towel, it's not very pleasant...it wasn't that relaxing of an experience. Had the chocolate wrap which was decent but the '10 minute water therapies'' described on the website was just being hosed down with a fire hose after the wrap. Hummingbird visit was a joke - it's a park with the entrance off the parking lot of the spa...I saw 3 hummingbirds at a distance, two of which were in the pool area. Food at restaurant was very good but the service lacked. They demanded I pay cash when I knew I could pay by credit card. And then... wanted me to pay before I was finished. Local transportation/service provider was poor at communication and the guide was not at all friendly or very informative. I couldn't wait for the return trip back to Quito to be over. I wouldn't recommend this. Not good value for you money or time.

Great experience. My driver was Ivan, and he provided some great insights about Ecuador along the way. The spa experience is also pretty high-end - 6 or 7 pools of volcanic hot springs (including 1 pool with chilled icy water), with beautiful green pastures and cows grazing on them everywhere you look. This was also the day the anti-government protests kicked off in Ecuador, so the ride was, shall we say, interesting, but props to Ivan for finding alternative routes.

We had a wonderful day with our informative and friendly guide Alfonso, whose English is impeccable . The countryside is very scenic on the way there and back. The snow capped Cotopaxi volcano was in full view. The hot springs were very nice but the highlight by far was the hummingbird centre. There were so many varieties and many of them. Hold still if they are flying around you. One landed on my hand that was holding my camera. It was incredible!