Puertecitos Hot Springs

What to expect

Puertecitos is a tiny settlement on the Sea of Cortez coast of Baja California, a few dozen houses and trailers around a rocky point about 90 km (56 miles) south of San Felipe. On the shoreline of that point, very hot spring water seeps out of the rock just above and below the tide line. Over the years people have built low rock and concrete walls to trap it, making a short chain of pools that step down toward the sea.

The reason to come is the way the water changes with the tide. Wikipedia gives the spring water at about 158°F70°C, far too hot to sit in. As the tide comes in, cold sea water washes over the walls and mixes with it. For an hour or two around mid-tide, the pools settle at a comfortable soaking temperature, each one a little different. At low tide there is not enough sea water to cool them and the upper pools can scald. At high tide the lower pools are simply part of the ocean, and on the biggest monthly tides the whole system goes under.

The setting is bare desert coast: rock, sand-coloured hills and the open water of the gulf. There are no changing rooms at the pools themselves. It is a simple, slightly rough place, and that is part of its appeal.

Getting there

From San Felipe, drive south on Federal Highway 5 for about 90 km (56 miles) to Puertecitos. The road is paved, but there are long stretches with no services, so set off with water and a full tank.

Fuel: the old Pemex station in Puertecitos no longer operates, so fill up in San Felipe. Heading further south, the next fuel is at Bahía San Luis Gonzaga.

In Puertecitos, follow the road out to the point. The springs are on private land run as a campo, and you pay at the gate. From where you park, a short, steep path leads down over rock to the pools. Wikipedia notes it is not accessible for wheelchairs. Wear shoes with grip; the rock is sharp and the lower steps are slick with algae.

When to go

October to April is the season. Daytime temperatures are mild, the sea is cool enough to temper the pools, and a hot soak makes sense. Summer on this desert coast is extremely hot, and few people want to sit in hot water then.

Timing the tide matters more than the month. Get a tide table for San Felipe before you leave cell coverage. Long-time visitors on the BajaNomad forum recommend going on a falling tide, when fresh sea water is still moving through but the pools are emerging, and note that the very highest tides of the month cover everything. Have a flexible plan: arrive, check the pools, and come back in an hour if they are too hot or too cold.

Day use: a locked gate has blocked night access to the springs since the early 1990s. If you want an evening or early morning soak, camp on site.

Rules and etiquette

• Pay the access fee at the gate. Visitors reported MX$500 for hot spring access in late 2022 and February 2024. Ask whether that is per person or per group, as reports are not clear.
• Camping includes the springs. A 2022 camper reported that the overnight fee covered unlimited use of the pools.
• Wear a swimsuit. This is a small community, and families use the pools.
• No soap or shampoo in the pools, and carry out everything you bring, especially glass, which is a hazard on wet rock.
• Do not move the rock walls. They hold the pools together for everyone.

Where to stay nearby

• Campo at the point: campers report waterfront sites with palapas, running water, picnic tables, fire rings and 20-amp power in the evening (4pm to 10pm in a 2022 report). Sites are small but have fit a 33 ft fifth wheel. A February 2024 review complained about nails, glass and scrap metal on the ground, so check your pitch before setting up.
• Bahía Cristina, about 6.4 km (4 miles) south, has beach camping and a restaurant, according to Wikipedia.
• San Felipe, 90 km (56 miles) north, has hotels, RV parks, shops and the last reliable fuel.

Safety notes

• Scalding water: at low tide the source water can be near 158°F70°C. Test every pool with your hand before getting in, and keep children out of the upper pools. This is why we do not mark Puertecitos as family friendly, though older children can soak with close supervision.
• Rising tide and waves: watch the sea. Incoming waves can knock you against the rock, and the lower pools fill quickly.
• Sharp rock: wear water shoes. The rock around the pools is rough and easy to cut yourself on.
• Remoteness: this is a long way from medical help. Bring water, food and a basic first-aid kit, and tell someone your plans.
• Storm damage: a hurricane in 2022 damaged the campo, and repairs were still under way later that year. Conditions can change after big storms.
• Driving: Canada’s travel advisory for Mexico (updated October 19, 2026) does not list Baja California among the areas to avoid, but it advises against road travel after dark anywhere in Mexico. On Highway 5 that means planning to arrive in daylight, with a full tank.

Nearby stops worth adding

San Felipe is the base for most visitors, with a malecón, seafood stands and a long beach. Further south on Highway 5, Bahía San Luis Gonzaga has quiet beaches and simple camps, and the next fuel station.