  Karina Jozami
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Our last stop in the tour around the Aysén region were the Puyuhuapi hot springs.
We had already found out about the distance and the road conditions to get there by car through the Queulat National Park.
And to think that, until a few years ago, the Puyuhuapi village could only be reached by boat. This harbor village lodges 537 inhabitants and emerged as a result of the impulse generated by German colonists. A land road was built in the 1980's. The same layout designed by the dwellers was taken as a basis to continue the Southern Road towards the South.
We left early escorted by a persistent drizzle that escorted us during most of the journey. We crossed the Cisnes River and the community of Lago Verde, before entering the Queulat National Park. The Queulat reserve, which means “faraway lands”, spreads across 154,093 hectares, most of them inexplored, where there are plenty of rivers and glaciers amidst a fantastic untouched rainforest. We went along the rubble road that crossed an abundant lushness as we discovered hidden cascades and waterfalls. |
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Five kilometers before reaching Puyuhuapi, stands Puerto Unión, where there is a dock from where boats leave towards the hotel. In less than 10 minutes, we were on the launch crossing the Dorita Bay in the Ventisquero Inlet in order to be lodged at a dream place.
Pacific Waters
The quietness of the Pacific Ocean bathing the shores of the spa is confusing. It seems like a large lake without waves or wind. As we approached the pier, we could appreciate the hotel architecture in cozy harmony with the environment. In 1989, the German architect Eberhard Kossman resolved to show the world this privileged nook where sea currents, thermal water wells and spring waters meet. |
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After settling down, we wanted to take advantage of the rest of the afternoon in the outdoor thermal water pools. It was a real pleasure to get into the warm waters, whose temperature reached 40º, and watch the quietness of the bay surrounded by a lush rainforest greenness. We did not do the exercise of alternating between the pool and the sea -where the waters temperature was under 10º-, because it began to rain and the warm temperatures were more tempting than the idea of diving in one place and the other in order to reactivate blood circulation. |
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About 6 in the afternoon, we met Rodrigo at the hotel lobby to have a pisco sour and chat about the various programs available at Puyuhuapi. He told us that Paulina would be awaiting us at the spa in the evening in order to celebrate “the ceremony of the water”. At the time agreed, wearing a bathing suit and a robe, we joined the group of visitors who had just arrived at the spa. In the candlelight, Paulina explained that we were in one of the few sites in the world where three kinds od water meet: marine, thermal and spring waters. A privileged nook to enjoy a reunion with nature and harmonize the body. Afterwards, she invited us to make a toast with spring water. The lights turned on and we could see the lit up pools from the footbridges. We started a sort of purification ceremony, first by diving into the thermal water at 30º, then we passed into a strong spurt of water from the cascade and ended up in a thermal or marine water jacuzzi and then repeated the cycle. |
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Little by little, we felt as if our body was floating in total relaxation. With that feeling of well-being, we left the spa and got ready for dinner. |
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Rodrigo and Guillermo Muñoz, former chef of the well-known Valle Nevado ski resort were expecting us at the restaurant. While we were talking about the history of Puyuhuapi, we tasted some hake ocochas in white wine and some conger croquettes with mussel sauce. After dinner, we went for a rest because an intense day awaited us the following morning.
Sports and Beauty
It was a fantastic morning. Therefore, after breakfast, we resolved to take advantage of the nice weather and enjoy the quiet bay. We went for a kayak ride with Rodrigo in order to observe the beauty of the place from a different perspective. The tour goes along the Los Choritos beach and the Pinipe Island, but we remained near the resort because I had an appointment at the spa before my departure. When we returned, everything was ready and Soledad, Paulina and Rosi were expecting us. First of all, we had a relaxing massage session in a privileged corner overlooking the sea. And to finish with the pampering, a sea algae treatment based on “talaterm” therapies, which consist in spreading algae in the shape of a face mask and getting into a steam capsule so that the skin can absorb all the algae properties. The feeling on the skin and the well-being of the body made me feel quite renovated. |
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With these praises, the people from the hotel spa said their good-byes to us. Undoubtedly, Puyuhuapi is a site where to recompose the body and the soul. And to see all the attractions treasured by the Aysén region. |
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