12 of the coolest hot springs in the world
Stressed out? Plan your next vacation at a natural hot spring for a relaxing getaway.
Not only are they therapeutic, hot springs can offer a glimpse into local culture and history. Many have been in use for centuries and were previously regarded as sacred.
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There are hot springs all over the world, but these unique baths are relaxation worth traveling for.
Blue Lagoon, Iceland
You'll smell the Blue Lagoon before you see it, but that's no reason to stay away.
Located in the middle of a lava field, the geothermal spa stays naturally at 100° Fahrenheit year-round. The water, although it appears to be a saturated aqua color, is actually milky white due to the large deposits of silica, algae and natural minerals.
The lagoon was formed in the 1970s and has been popular ever since for the water's skin-healing effects.
Arenal Hot Springs, Costa Rica
Feeding off the heat of the still-active Arenal Volcano, the Arenal hot springs are hidden in a rainforest just below.
The hot spring system, made up of 11 different baths, varies widely in temperature and level of luxury, to cater to each visitor's taste.
However every single bath offers the same, relaxing glimpse into Costa Rica's incredible biodiversity.
Yangbajing, Tibet
Up in the snow-capped Himalayas sits the highest hot spring in the world.
According to legend, the hot spring at Yangbajing was formed when a phoenix flying overhead took pity on the local people living in darkness and dropped his shining eyeball to the ground. A fairy then took the eyeball and created a giant lamp in the sky. However, a man was jealous of the fairy's lamp and shot an arrow of his hatred, shattering the lamp in a million pieces. These pieces fell to the Earth and created the hot spring.
Either that, or geothermal heat from a bed of magma created the tourist attraction.
Deception Island, Antarctica
For those debating whether the world will end in fire or ice, a visit to Deception Island is in order.
The thermal bath is caused by an active volcano off the coast of Antarctica. The unique melange of hot and cold created an island and a confusing tourist destination — and one of the the only places in the world where ships can pass directly over an active volcano.
Pamukkale, Turkey
Large deposits of calcium form the white coating on the cotton candy colored cliffs in western Turkey.
People have been visiting the area's hot springs for at least 1,000 years. The water at Pamukkale is called "champagne water" because of unique tiny bubbles that float up from the ground.
According to local legend, a section of the pool was a gift from Marc Anthony to Cleopatra.
Banjar Hot Springs, Bali
Although you probably don't need any more heat if you're hanging out in Bali, the temperatures of Banjar Hot Springs are a sacred source of heat, hidden away in the middle of a jungle in northern Bali.
The water, which is believed to cure many skin and rheumatic diseases, gushes out from eight stone dragons into the pool below.
Visitors who want to keep the aquatic theme going even after leaving Banjar can head to nearby Lovina Beach for an entire day in the water.
Cascate del Mulino, Italy
For budget-conscious travelers, Cascate del Mulino is the perfect geothermal choice: It's free.
The water that runs underneath a picturesque Tuscan villa is loaded with sulphur and stays at almost 100° Fahrenheit year-round. Add in a free massage by grabbing a seat at one of the upper pools, directly underneath the waterfall.
Ma'In, Jordan
The springs at Ma'In date back to biblical times — King Herod allegedly bathed there — but they've been brought into the 21st century with a modern spa.
The religious site is composed of three different waterfalls that stream down from above, collecting heat as they descend past 60 geothermal springs.
Visitors should be careful as the water gets blisteringly hot: Temperatures can reach up to 145° Fahrenheit.
Szechenyi Bath, Hungary
Underneath the city of Budapest is a hot spring network that heats more than 50 baths around the city.
Szechenyi Bath is not only Budapest's most iconic bath, it is also one of largest and most luxurious in all of Europe. The bath dates back to the late 19th century, but its Saturday night rave parties are a new, 21st century invention.
Bath, England
The whole city of Bath is a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its well-preserved Roman sites and geothermal springs.
There are two different ways to enjoy the natural baths of Bath: at the modern rooftop Thermae Bath Spa or at the historic Roman Baths. Those who prefer luxury should choose the former, while history buffs should go with the latter to step back in time.
Jigokudani Monkey Park, Japan
Relaxation transcends species.
The clever snow monkeys at Jigokundi took over the hot springs for some respite from the area's frigid cold. Today the monkey park is a popular tourist attraction for up-close interaction and photo ops with the bathers.
Although visitors are not allowed in with the monkeys, the Shibu-Yudanaka onsen (that's Japanese for hot springs) are available for humans, and only 20 minutes away.
Pagosa Springs, Colorado
Pagosa, which either translates from Ute Indian as "healing water" or "water that has a strong smell," is a relaxing getaway surrounded by 3 million acres of forest.
"The waters of Pagosa are without doubt the most wonderful and beneficial in medicinal effects that have ever been discovered," U.S. Army physicians wrote in the 1860s. When medical advances began to cut into this particular kind of medical tourism, visitors decreased, but Pagosa is still worth a visit.
The 23 mineral pools are open to visitors year round.
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Cailey studied journalism at SUNY Purchase and french cinema & literature at Paris IV Sorbonne. She is a cynical optimist and Talking Heads karaoke enthusiast. Drop her a line @misscaileyanne
