El Valle Panama Hot Springs
El Valle Panama Hot Springs
El Valle Panama Hot Springs
3.5
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3.5
168 reviews
Excellent
41
Very good
66
Average
35
Poor
16
Terrible
10
AndrewClareFred
Lyng, UK159 contributions
Apr 2018 • Family
Small little place with a couple of warm pools to relax in. Cover yourself in mud/clay (it costs a little extra to get the full body mud but is well worth it), bake in the sun for 20 mins or so and then wash it off in the warm spring water. Makes the skin feel very good and clean afterwards. Virtually no English spoken but you can make yourselves understood pretty easily with signs and actions...!! Not expensive and worth it if there are a couple of you at least - just for the photos of everyone completely covered in mud... cheap and cheerful, take water as it can be quite thirsty work being covered in mud.
Written 7 June 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Tony L
Algonquin, IL43 contributions
Mar 2018 • Family
Reading reviews made me a little concerned but the face mask was great and the hot spas were not dirty. They appear dirty but the water is clean. Worth trying.
Written 24 March 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Newsom
Chicago, Illinois, United States36 contributions
Apr 2017 • Couples
The cost is $4 per person and worth the experience. You put the mud on your face first and wait 10min. Then wash it off at shower before entering the thermal mud pool. We sat in the pool about 40min which was plenty. The water is warm not close to hot. But a nice temperature while soaking in thermals. Make sure and wear an old bathing suit as the mud does stain alittle.
Written 20 April 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Amanda C
3 contributions
Dec 2023 • Family
The hot springs are totally something you can skip. The water was not even lukewarm, it was filthy, as was the entire property. The mud provided is a tiny cup suitable only to cover your face and the water to soak in absolutely disgusting. I realize it's outdoors, but it's the only place I had been in Panama where the grounds were completely unkept. The 'pools' were large dirty tubs of brown water surrounded by trees all over and undoubtedly had bird/animal feces in them. You can see some of our Panama journey here on my instagram @amandagcooper or tiktok @cooperfamjam.
Written 31 December 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Duckboy
Las Vegas, NV55 contributions
Sept 2017 • Family
Not a fan of this attraction. $5 per is ok until you get in and see the state of the facilities. Old and tired. The only area that felt clean was the changing rooms/bathrooms. Big travel tip: DO NOT wear a swim suit you want to ever wear again. I guess it's the sulfur or iron in the water but two in our company had new swim suits with white colors in the pattern. The water left them stained a rust color that we have not been able to get out. The least this property could do is advise on this matter. We were whisked through the two mud choices and left on our own. We witnessed other groups getting a " tour " and interesting history/customs of the hot springs. Did I write Hot Springs? Should have said Luke warm springs. Everything felt less than clean. We couldn't wait to get out and visit all the many truly beautiful points of interest is this incredible valley of Panama
Written 3 September 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Christine B
Waretown NJ9 contributions
Feb 2018 • Couples
As a person who seeks out hot springs this was on the list. The price was 4 dollars each. The springs are managed by the city and are not a slick tourist destination. It was very relaxing and we spent time in a hammock where we were able to see hummingbirds above seeking nectar in tree blossoms. The staff on hand was helpful and the restrooms and changing rooms clen. On par with a rustic spring experience.
Written 25 February 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Beny Wilson
Panama City, Panama68 contributions
Apr 2017 • Family
Past weekend I visited with my family. We decided to go as early as possible. They open at 8:00AM. We got there at 8:36AM and the 2 children in our group started making their way into the faciltiy. They got stopped by one of the cartakers in a very rude manner. No good morning, no "can you please wait here" no nothing! STOP! "You must paid before entering!"
They took for ever to open the cashier machine and collect our payments. No smile, no welcoming no nothing. Some fast instructions and go!
An american family came later: they offered them option we were not offer! (full mud bath, info of the volcano and history of the place) and we payed the same! The place is definitively not wanting the visit of local Panamanians and just preferring foreigners with deep pockets!
I will save my money and time and go to the hot springs in Boquete! FAAAAAAR BETTER and they welcome you with a BIG SMILE!!!
They took for ever to open the cashier machine and collect our payments. No smile, no welcoming no nothing. Some fast instructions and go!
An american family came later: they offered them option we were not offer! (full mud bath, info of the volcano and history of the place) and we payed the same! The place is definitively not wanting the visit of local Panamanians and just preferring foreigners with deep pockets!
I will save my money and time and go to the hot springs in Boquete! FAAAAAAR BETTER and they welcome you with a BIG SMILE!!!
Written 28 April 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
buzzbee79
VT12 contributions
Feb 2016 • Family
Cool spot. Relaxing and totally enjoyable. The water is not dirty by the way...it is mineral rich and it is crystal clear as it enters the pools. It does look murky in the pool, but not if you cup it in your hand, and not in the more shallow foot baths. We have been 5+ times and enjoy it very much.
Written 20 February 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
David V
Urbandale, IA87 contributions
Dec 2015 • Couples
We tried the mud bath, despite some negative comments in the guide books. Forget the guide books, this place is fun. For about $3 we got to play in the mud and then relax in the hot springs. It was a nice relaxing way to start our day, and you cannot beat the price. The photo ops are great too. Would definitely do it again. One hour is about right to do the whole thing.
But one suggestion: we went at 9 am on Saturday, and literally had the place to ourselves. Go early. By the time we were leaving tons of other people started showing up, and I could see how that would take away from the experience. I believe it opened at 8 am.
There were some drawbacks. For one thing it made me nervous that there were police stationed in the parking lot. Must have had some theft issues. But with police there there is no reason to worry Also, after the employee explained what to do, we never saw an employee again. Left on out own. So customer service was lacking. But not a big deal. This is not rocket science. Also we had to furnish our own towels, which I don't remember reading beforehand.
But one suggestion: we went at 9 am on Saturday, and literally had the place to ourselves. Go early. By the time we were leaving tons of other people started showing up, and I could see how that would take away from the experience. I believe it opened at 8 am.
There were some drawbacks. For one thing it made me nervous that there were police stationed in the parking lot. Must have had some theft issues. But with police there there is no reason to worry Also, after the employee explained what to do, we never saw an employee again. Left on out own. So customer service was lacking. But not a big deal. This is not rocket science. Also we had to furnish our own towels, which I don't remember reading beforehand.
Written 7 December 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
LMHO2523
Weatherford, TX29 contributions
Jan 2015 • Couples
This is a must do if you are in El Valle. We go on Sundays and hit up the local open air market with everything from fresh fruit and veges, panama hats, unique handmade jewelry, plants and flowers, baked goods, touristy trinkets and the Molas handstitched by the Kuna Yala Indians. Then we head to the Hot Spring with our bathing suits and towels. They have a few dressing rooms for changing. You have to do everything in the proper order or else the "mud police" will speak to you in rapid spanish which I don't understand.
On the 3rd visit I finally figured out the order so I don't get yelled at anymore!
1.Change into your swim suits if you plan to get into the concrete mineral hot spring pool.
2. Go to the mud station and only put mud on your face and jaw area...sometimes you can sneak you chest area in if the workers aren't watching!
3. Go sit down somewhere and let the mud dry all the way which is a really long time or in my case never because of the humidity. When it dries take lots of selfies because you will look hilarious.
4. Wash your mud off in at the big pipe with warm mineral water spouting out of it. Sometimes there is a short line to rinse. Don't rinse off in the ankle level water spout because this is the constant stream of gross foot water coming out of the mineral foot soaker tub where a lot of people sit while their mud is drying.
5. Proceed to the large concrete mineral pool. It looks murky because of the high iron and mineral content. It is from a natural underground hot spring and makes your skin feel like silk.
6. Change back into clothes unless you don't mind the long winding ride back down in a damp bathing suit.
7. Purchase a small cup of mud to take home with you in your checked baggage. It is $5 and lasts exactly 1 year until your next trip.
I always look forward to this trip on our annual trip to Panama. We don't stay overnight typically but plan to try out one of the local Hotels this year for the first time. There are also many great places to eat in El Valle and they are probably used to seeing lots of gringo tourists all red faced and without make up after a great mud facial and mineral bath.
On the 3rd visit I finally figured out the order so I don't get yelled at anymore!
1.Change into your swim suits if you plan to get into the concrete mineral hot spring pool.
2. Go to the mud station and only put mud on your face and jaw area...sometimes you can sneak you chest area in if the workers aren't watching!
3. Go sit down somewhere and let the mud dry all the way which is a really long time or in my case never because of the humidity. When it dries take lots of selfies because you will look hilarious.
4. Wash your mud off in at the big pipe with warm mineral water spouting out of it. Sometimes there is a short line to rinse. Don't rinse off in the ankle level water spout because this is the constant stream of gross foot water coming out of the mineral foot soaker tub where a lot of people sit while their mud is drying.
5. Proceed to the large concrete mineral pool. It looks murky because of the high iron and mineral content. It is from a natural underground hot spring and makes your skin feel like silk.
6. Change back into clothes unless you don't mind the long winding ride back down in a damp bathing suit.
7. Purchase a small cup of mud to take home with you in your checked baggage. It is $5 and lasts exactly 1 year until your next trip.
I always look forward to this trip on our annual trip to Panama. We don't stay overnight typically but plan to try out one of the local Hotels this year for the first time. There are also many great places to eat in El Valle and they are probably used to seeing lots of gringo tourists all red faced and without make up after a great mud facial and mineral bath.
Written 14 April 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Tan you tell me the days and hours of operation for this attraction please?
Written 22 March 2016
Hi! Yes, it is open 7 days per week from 8 - 4 or 4:30. :-)
Written 24 March 2016
Soy docente en una escuela bachiller en turismo cuanto seria el costo por estudiante son alrededor de 30
Written 8 April 2015
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