We took a package thru the hotel for about $16 where a van picked us up took us and waited two hours to return us. They also picked up young and fun students. The drive up was super curvy but beautifully green. We arrived at a jungle paradise, three hot springs swimming pools. You simply float around and travel to different temperature pools. It is beautiful, serene and peaceful. There's even a restaurant for drinks and snacks.If you are really smart, you stay a night in the cabanas right there and go at night with a flashlight and picnic!
I did the 26km Alaska/7 cruces/Volcan Zunil ridgewalk hike ending at Fuentes Georginas with Quetzaltrekkers. The final bit of the hike leads down some steps, right on to the site. There's no better place to end a hike! Natural hot springs and a cold drink. Loud American university students making multiple scenes on the temperature of the water (uh, it is a hot spring) were the only annoyance. You can also start many hikes from here too...going straight up to other peaks.
I Took a 1/2 day trip here. Very nice drive through an agriculture area and beautiful views. Come earlier in the day as the fog can roll in later in the day. They have 3 pools, 1 for little kids that isn't as warm, 2 for adults. 1 of the pools is very hot. They have changing rooms and lockers - bring your own lock! There is a small restaurant overlooking the hot springs. I had a really nice hot chocolate and quesadilla type thing which was good and reasonably priced.While the water is from natural hot springs, it gets cloudy. There are a lot of people that come here and they don't shower before entering. I certainly wouldn't swim underwater! Wasn't sure about the cleanliness of the water, but it was nice to be in the hot springs.There is a nice hike up the hill to a "mirador" (lookout). It is pretty steep but you get up really high and if it is clear there is a wonderful view.The changing rooms get really wet in the afternoon so bring flip flops to wear, if you drop anything on the floor they get sopping wet. This is the only thing that is at the end of the road. They also have cabins here you can stay overnight in, but I wouldn't recommend it unless you like to be cold, wet and uncomfortable. There is nothing near here, poor phone reception, no wifi. Just plain nature!P.S. as of March 10, 2015, there is major earth grading going on on the hill next to this site. This will be going on for some time.
In Zunil, Quetzaltenango like 20 minutes from the city in a small road, you find this cold place with natural hot water from the earth, there are like 4 pools whit diferent temperatures. only thing you can forget its some money and a towel.
The Fuentes Georgina sulfuric hot springs are wonderfully relaxing. Apparently, it can get very busy on week-ends. I went during the week and there were not that many people there. Aim to go during the week if you can. There are three main pools and one "hidden" one that you have to search for. Look for a path that makes it's way down a hill on the right side of the road that heads to the main pools. The path will take you to another pool that most people don't know about. A good way to find it is to ask one of the Guatemalan locals at one of the main pools. We managed to find the hidden pool that way and got to enjoy it all by ourselves with not a single other person in sight! It was magical.
Fuentes Georginas is a perfect place for a hot swim! I went on a cloudy day with tons of fog and while that made for a poor view it also added to the charm. The swim in hot volcanic water was spectacular and when they say hot they mean hot! Try and visit during the week because I think if it was overly busy it would not be as pleasant.
It may seem strange that we didn't enter, especially as we walked from Zunil, but we didn't want to pay the 50Q fee. On the advice of a couple of others here we felt it might be pointless going in if the pools were too hot. And hats off to the person who walked in 45 mins, as it took us around 1 1/2 hours! And we were going at a brisk pace.The walk was nice but it was the afternoon when we left and visibility was poor. It was very interesting to see the workers in the fields, which gave an insight into Guatemalan agricultural life. However, in places there was a lot of rubbish dumped near the side of the road so if this kind of thing disturbs you too much you might not enjoy the walk.Re: paying for buses. We paid 5Q per person each way from Xela. The road to the Fuentes is kind of up behind the church in Zunil (ask around). At this point we were approached by one or two pickup drivers but we declined as we wanted to walk. On the way back we flagged down a pickup and he charged us 5Q each. No need to pay for expensive tours!
I splurged and went with the package trip from a travel agency (around 120Q, I think, included shuttle there and back and entrance fee) which was perfect--no worrying about chicken buses or pickups, so it was truly relaxing. The springs are absolutely gorgeous, and there are three temperatures (from warm to scalding) so something for everyone. One thing to note: there aren't towels readily for rent (although you can ask at the restaurant and they may be able to find you one for 15Q) and there are no lockers, so be sure to bring only the essentials and no valuables. 2-3 hours is the exact amount of time to visit.
The setting is sublime. I suggest a walk, which is also stunning. Set off from zunil, save your quetzales and enjoy the countryside on the way. Seems there is a cottage industry involving locals charging tourists outlandish rates for a 10 minute ride. We walked it in 45 minutes and it was quite beautiful.This place loses points on the fact that there is a huge pool that is too hot to dip into. This huge pool can hold 100 people with ease, yet nobody can stand it at the moment. Instead everyone is forced into 2 murky pools below the boiling one. If they could temper the large pool with some cool water it would be fine. There is also the "side" pool just beyond the point of payment. It was full of drunk university-aged adults blasting bad music on our visit. By the way, 50 Q for non guatemalans is baseless. They pay 10 Q. Draw the line at being charged extra right here, at this place that fails it's potential. We have been to hot springs worlwide and do not mind the crowds. We do not mind the development. The place seemed quite nice. However, do not provide a gorgeous pool full of water that is enough to burn flesh. And charge everyone a fair rate. 10 Q for everyone sounds about right.
It's seriously a toss up between what's more incredible the calm, warm, beautiful waters at Fuentes Georginas or the stunning picturesque views both on the way up and around the grounds. Don't miss coming here, it's worth the trek!Zunil is about a 30 minute drive from Xela and the hot springs are another 15 minutes (8km) up an often one lane road through some jaw droppingly beautiful farm lands and mountain vistas.Admission is Q50/person for non-residents. Admission includes parking and all the swimming/relaxing you care to do that day.There are 5 pools in total. Do not miss the two lowest pools located next to the parking lot. Those were our favorite.The pools are located at about 8,000 feet elevation and you will sweat in the hottest pools so be sure to stay well hydrated.We took our two young kids and they loved it. Fuentes Georginas is very family friendly. We went on a Friday afternoon and it was not crowded.