The Santa Teresa district is one of the fourteen districts of the La Convención Province, located in the Department of Cusco Perú, under the administration of the Cusco Regional Government.
From the hierarchical point of view of the Catholic Church it is part of the Apostolic Vicariate of Puerto Maldonado.
The Santa Teresa district is located in the province of La Convencion in the Cusco region. As a tourist point, the Santa Teresa district is interesting because of the thermal baths it presents in its territory, as well as the natural resources it has.
Location
Santa Teresa in Cusco Perú, is located 6.5 km northwest of Machu Picchu and is on the axis of several important routes that lead to this archaeological center, including alternative routes to the ruins (previously the railway was the only way to get to Machu Picchu).
History
It was created by Law 12849 of October 11, 1957 during the government of President Manuel Prado Ugarteche. From pre incas and incas times the district of Santa Teresa was populated by farmers and in the Inca period the cultivation of coca was emphasized. At the time of the Spanish invasion, mining activity took place in the Yanama and Totora areas. A clear example is the Victoria mine. During the republic in this district the peasant struggle against the landowners was conceived, which led to their expulsion and the birth of the agrarian reform.
In 1998 a huayco went down the Aobamba river and completely destroyed the old capital, at that time located at the foot of the confluence of the Salkantay, Saqsara and Vilkanota rivers. After that tragedy the town was rebuilt 50m higher in a flatter and safer area.
Geography
Its capital is the city of Saint Teresa of Jesus Christ the Redeemer which is at 1511 meters above sea level, on the right bank of the Vilcanota river, located between the Saqsara, Salkantay and Vilkanota rivers on the Pacpapata hill.
In the district of Santa Teresa in Cusco Perú are the thermal baths of Cocalmayo.
Demography
The Santa Teresa district has a population of 5,972 inhabitants according to the 2017 Peruvian Census.
Tourism in Santa Teresa Cusco Perú
Regarding the thermal baths, in Santa Teresa you can find at least 4 thermomedical sources, these are: the Ccolpani Baths, the Quellomayo Baths, the Urpipata Baths and the Colcamayo Baths.
Of the previous ones, the Ccolpani Baths, also known as the Collpani Baths, are a thermomedical source with quite rustic characteristics where the visitor can enjoy warm waters that reach the pools, after having been tempered at 42 ° C. of these baths, those of Quellomayo, present ten degrees more of temperature than the previous ones, and like those, they do not have a modern infrastructure, but rather rustic pools that, in general, have a higher percentage of visits from neighbors of the area.
Of the two remaining baths, Urpipata represents a great place to visit if you want to have a good time in warm waters, although you must be careful not to consume them due to their high content of arsenic. The others, the Colcamayo baths, are the most popular in the district, those are almost on the banks of the splendid Urubamba River, and have three pools with tempered water at 44 ° C; The waters of these hot springs are believed to be ideal for treating skin conditions, as well as bone problems. The popularity of the resort has made it count with a significant number of visits and an adequate infrastructure to receive them, which is why admission to these last baths is not free.
In the Santa Teresa district, in addition, the traveler will be able to find other natural settings to know, and in which to spend pleasant experiences; One of these is the Sambaray valley, which has recreational centers in its territory where it is possible to find swimming pools, sports fields, and even restaurants.
In Santa Teresa, the traveler will also be able to find archaeological resources, such as the Choquequirao Complex, this complex shares the stage with other districts of Cusco and stands out for having been the refuge where the last Incas stayed. It is known that one of the first expeditions that reached the resort, started from the town of Santa Teresa, crossing the Apurímac River for this; Due to the difficulty of access from this district, the construction of a bridge over the aforementioned river has been promoted, making it easier to get from the town of Santa Teresa to Choquequirao.
If you want to know the town of Santa Teresa, especially on its most important dates, it is recommended to go to the district for celebrations such as its Party for the Anniversary of Political Creation, which takes place every October 11.
Santa Teresa Hot Springs in Cocalmayo Cusco
The Santa Teresa Hot Springs in Cocalmayo are the most beautiful in Cusco. They are immersed in nature, on the banks of the Urubamba River and at the foot of the mountain.
A unique experience to enjoy during your trip to Cusco, in which you can relax your body and mind while contemplating the native landscape.
The Santa Teresa Hot Springs are located in Cocalmayo, Sacred Valley of the Incas, Cusco.
The thermal complex, located at a height of 1,600 meters above sea level, is built on the slopes of the mountain and on the banks of the Urubamba River.
A unique space, in which visitors enjoy a pleasant moment immersed in the warm waters of Santa Teresa while contemplating unmatched natural beauty.
The Santa Teresa thermal baths are made up of three pools of different sizes and depths, which are supplied with medicinal water that varies between 40ºC and 44ºC.
Medicinal waters have healing properties to treat skin ulcers, bone pain and rheumatism.
The pools of the Santa Teresa Hot Springs are surrounded by nature. Its bottom is made up of soft sand and is surrounded by rocks, vegetation, the sound of the Urubamba river and the mountain.
Near the pools, there are jets of cold water from the Uripata lagoons, which provide a very pleasant feeling. And a whirlpool system.
The Santa Teresa hot springs are fully equipped with toilets, showers, changing rooms, soccer fields, camping space, cafeteria, kiosk (where the visitor can buy food and drinks) and a gazebo.
The Santa Teresa hot springs in Cocalmayo Cusco is a very pleasant place to rest after visiting the ruins of Machu Picchu, the Inca trails, Choquequirao and other tours in Cusco.
The hot springs are open every day of the year, almost 24 hours a day. Its wide time slot allows you to enjoy starry nights inside the pools, which is amazing since the stars are reflected in the crystal clear water as if it were a mirror.
Chemical composition of the water of the Santa Teresa thermal baths in Cocalmayo Cusco:
The thermal baths of Santa Teresa differ from the other hot springs in Peru for their crystal clear waters.
The Santa Teresa thermal waters of Cocalmayo Cusco are composed of minerals such as calcium, sodium, bicarbonate, sulfate, magnesium, among others.
TRIP TIP! Don't forget to bring mosquito repellent on your visit to the Santa Teresa Hot Springs.
Nature offers us a unique and incomparable setting in these medicinal waters, but it also presents the typical insects of jungle areas. With a repellent you will avoid small mosquito bites.
How to get to the Santa Teresa hot springs in Cocalmayo Cusco?
The Santa Teresa hot springs in Cocalmayo Cusco are located at kilometer 135 of the former Cusco - Quillabamba railway line, on the left bank of the Urubamba River.
To get to the thermal baths from the city of Cusco you can choose to do it by bus, bicycle, motorcycle, train or ATV.
The best time to visit the Santa Teresa Thermal Baths in Cocalmayo Cusco
The best time to go to the Hot Springs of Santa Teresa (Cocalmayo) is during the months of April to October.
Santa Teresa has grown quite a bit in recent years due to the investments that have been made in Accommodations, Restaurants and other tourist services.
Prices of the Thermal Springs Santa Teresa - Cocalmayo
The values of the entrances to the Termas de Santa Teresa in Cusco:
Foreign adult ……………………… S /. 10
National adult …………………………. S /. 5
Local Adult ………………………………. S /. 2.50
Also, this is the best time to hike the 4 day Inca Trail Tour, 2 day Inca Trail, Machu Picchu 3 day hike, 2 day Inca Trail with camping, one day Inca Trail.
How to get to Santa Teresa?
There are two ways to get there:
By road, from Ollantaytambo, passing the Abra Málaga Private Reserve (4,350 masl), surrounding the Nevado Urubamba, passing through Huyro. There are 152 km that are done in about 5 hours.
By train, from Ollantaytambo, passing through Machu Picchu, to the final station called Hidroeléctrica de Santa Teresa. This tour takes only 3 hours.
By Bus from Cusco to Santa Teresa
To take a bus from Cusco to Santa Teresa, you must go to the Cruz del Sur - Santiago Bus Terminal, in the city of Cusco.
There take the bus that goes to the Santa María district. This journey (Cusco City - Santa María) lasts approximately 5 hours.
Once in the town of Santa María, take a taxi or a means of transport to Santa Teresa. The duration time is approximately one hour.
The total trip by bus from Cusco to Santa Teresa takes 6 hours approximately.
Having arrived in the town of Santa Teresa, walk for 20 minutes to the thermal baths or take a taxi whose journey takes only 10 minutes.
By train from Cusco to Santa Teresa
Go to the San Pedro train station, in the city of Cusco. Get off at the end of the tour, at the hydroelectric power station.
From there take a taxi, combi or walk to the Plaza de Armas de Santa Teresa. From here, take a shuttle service back to the thermal baths (this last journey takes approximately 10 minutes). While if you want to do it walking, it will last approximately 20 minutes.
If you want to get to the thermal baths of Santa Teresa from the hydroelectric power station, you should know that the journey will take approximately 2 hours.
By train from Ollantaytambo to Santa Teresa
If you are in Ollantaytambo and bought your Train ticket to Machu Picchu, get off at the hydroelectric power station and, as it says in the previous point, take a taxi or remise to Santa Teresa (20 minutes) OR walk to the thermal baths for around 2 hours.
By bicycle or motorcycle to Santa Teresa
Some tour operators offer bicycle tours as part of their Adventure Tourism program.
Tours generally last 4 days.
It departs from the city of Cusco to Ollantaytambo, then to the Abra de Malaga reserve, located at 4,350 meters above sea level surrounding the snowy Urubamba and continue to the Santa María district.
The next day, the trip continues to Santa Teresa where you can enjoy the hot springs at night.
The tour ends in Machu Picchu Pueblo to visit the ruins of Machu Picchu the next day.
This excursion is also done on a motorcycle, in this case the duration of the tour is shorter.
