The Santa Rita hot springs are a natural warm spring in a canyon of running water, up in the foothills of the Sierra de la Laguna above Santiago. The water reaches about 86°F. That's a warm bath, not a hot tub, and it's the canyon around it that makes the trip: you can walk up and down the stream between granite boulders and palms, then settle into the spring and let everything go.
We live beside the lagoon in Santiago, and Santa Rita is one of the two places in the sierra we send people to most often. Here's how to do it on your own, how to do it with us, and how to choose between it and the waterfall.
How to get to the Santa Rita hot springs
You drive through Santiago and then the small town of San Jorge, heading up into the foothills. Visitors who've written up the route say that in Santiago you follow the signs for the zoo to pick up the road out of town.
Access is through Rancho Santa Rita, an ecological ranch. One hiker's notes are specific about this: don't stop at the first entrance you see, keep going to the Rancho Santa Rita park entrance, where you pay a per-person fee. There's parking at the springs and only a short, easy walk from the car, so you don't need to hike in unless you want to.
If you're coming from the airport, Santiago itself is about an hour north of Los Cabos International Airport (SJD) on Highway 1. Rental cars are available at the airport if you want to explore on your own schedule.
Bring cash, and check the day before you drive
The ranch fee is paid in pesos, and Santiago runs mostly on cash, so stop for cash before you leave the coast. We're a cash-free hotel ourselves, which surprises people who then get to the ranch gate with only a card.
Two more things we'd check before setting off:
- Opening days: visitor reviews have mentioned the park being closed on Wednesdays. Confirm before you make the drive.
- Phone signal: cell service can be limited out here. Download your map and directions while you're still on Wi-Fi.
Going with us: the NEST Experience Santa Rita Hot Springs
Our Santa Rita trip runs about five hours with a private guide. You drive up to the canyon, hike up and down the stream, and bathe in the spring. There are two ways to do it:
| By SUV | By Can-Am UTV | |
|---|---|---|
| Group size | Up to 6 people | Up to 4 people |
| Who drives | Transportation included | You drive one UTV Can-Am |
| Duration | About 5 hours | About 5 hours |
| Included | Private guide, Sierra de la Laguna National Park entrance fees, drinks, snacks | Private guide, Sierra de la Laguna National Park entrance fees, drinks, snacks |
The SUV is the easier day and suits a group that wants to save its energy for the canyon. The UTV is for people who'd rather be at the wheel through the foothills.
Like all our experiences, it's designed for guests aged 13 and older. It's booked separately from your room. To reserve, or to ask about current rates, speak with our concierge (every day, 7:30 am to 11:30 pm) or write to contacto@nestloscabos.com.
Santa Rita or Sol de Mayo?
Pick Santa Rita for warm water and a canyon walk. Pick Sol de Mayo for a waterfall and cold swimming. Sol de Mayo is the 12-meter waterfall in Cañón de la Zorra, with clear natural pools and brisk water.
Our own view is that the season decides it. In winter the days are warm but the nights get chilly, and a spring that runs up to about 86°F feels right. In summer, when the days are sunny and hot, the brisk pools under Sol de Mayo are the better reward. We run both as five-hour adventures by SUV or UTV, and we've written a separate guide to the waterfall if you're weighing the two.
What to pack
A swimsuit, sunscreen and a towel come first. Add shoes you don't mind getting wet, since the best part of Santa Rita is walking the stream. In winter, bring a sweater or light jacket for the drive back, because it cools off quickly once the sun drops behind the sierra. And pesos for the ranch.
Back at the lagoon
Most people come back from Santa Rita hungry and slow. Our restaurant serves a rotating surprise menu from the chef, and meals can be brought to your room or terrace if you'd rather not move. If you're back before dark, sit by the water. Sunset over the lagoon and oasis is gorgeous and simply unmissable, and you may spot herons or hawks coming in for the evening.