Top 5 Winter Routes in Uruguay for Locals (Part 3)

Arapey Thermal Springs (Salto Department)

Termas del Arapey is one of the oldest thermal resorts in Uruguay, located in northern Uruguay, in the Salto Department, on the banks of the Arapey River.

The complex includes outdoor and indoor pools with natural thermal water at a temperature of about +38 °C, as well as spa centers and recreation areas. In the midst of the Uruguayan winter, it is especially pleasant to plunge into a hot pool outdoors, when the cool air and quiet countryside surround you. Soaking in these healing waters is a classic winter pastime for Uruguayans, allowing them to relax and “slow down.”

What to do in winter:

The main activity is soaking in the thermal baths. You can alternate between outdoor pools and indoor baths, enjoying the contrast of hot water and cool air. Locals recommend relaxing in the thermal water outdoors in the evening, gazing at the stars. In addition, the resort offers massages and spa treatments, and there is also a nearby water park with heated water—especially good for families with children. Some vacationers also fish in the Arapey River or go cycling around the surrounding area, but the main enjoyment here is the thermal baths in winter.

How to get there:

The distance from Montevideo to the Salto thermal springs is about 500–600 km (a 7–8-hour drive) via Route 3 north. Uruguayans most often travel by car so that they can bring more things and move freely between thermal complexes. You can also get there without a car: regular buses run to the city of Salto, the departmental capital, from where shuttles or minibuses depart several times a day directly to Termas del Arapey. However, public transport is not very convenient—one user notes that the hot springs in Salto are an ideal winter trip, but they are a long way away and difficult to reach without a car. An alternative is the closer Termas del Daymán (just ~10 km from Salto), with direct buses from Montevideo; it also has many hotels with pools and spas.

Where to stay:

At the Arapey thermal springs, there are several accommodation options. On-site, there are comfortable resort hotels with their own pools, for example a large hotel complex with a restaurant and spa. Budget travelers stay at the municipal campsite or in affordable bungalows provided by the local authorities; many have a kitchen and barbecue facilities. Seasoned visitors recommend staying in hotels with unrestricted access to the pools, so that you can swim even at night. At Termas del Daymán, the choice of accommodation is even wider—from private apartment hotels to cozy family guesthouses in the village of Daymán.

Local tip: book accommodation with thermal pools on-site—this is the key winter comfort and enjoyment.

Why Uruguayans love this place:

For Uruguayans, a trip “to the thermal springs” is a traditional winter holiday. In the midst of the cool season, they value the chance to soak in natural hot water and relax away from the hustle and bustle. According to reviews, it is especially pleasant to sit in a warm outdoor pool while it is cool and quiet around you—without the summer crowds.

“Nothing compares to the feeling of immersing yourself in a thermal pool in the fresh winter air,” locals note.

On forums, Uruguayans often specifically recommend Arapey for winter relaxation: in discussions about traveling around the country, Montevideo residents include “Villa Serrana or Arapey” among their favorite winter holiday destinations.

Thus, the thermal resorts in the north are a time-tested option that locals visit to relax, improve their health, and escape the damp winter weather.