Santa Teresa: Inca Trails, Nature and Thermal Springs

Santa Teresa is a stop on a tourist route to Choquequirao. A municipal report published on December 11, 2025, lists the sequence Quillabamba, Santa Teresa, Totora and Yanama. At the same time, the trails in the district offer their own reasons to explore the history of the ancient Inca state, its roads and the landscape. Near Santa Teresa, the Cocalmayo thermal baths offer a different focus.

Inca Trails and Routes Through the District

The Santa María La Antigua–Cocalmayo section of the Inca Jungle Trail was part of the ancient Inca road network and mainly connected areas of what are now the districts of Santa Teresa and Huayopata. It is one of the most important roads of the ancient Inca state. Another historic section is Choquetakarpu–Choquequirao: it was a main route in the road network of the ancient Inca state and part of the Vitkus–Choquequirao section of the Andean road system, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This section lies in the district of Santa Teresa.

For a specific route plan, the Abra San Juan–Paso Choquequirao footpath is worth considering. It lies in the district of Santa Teresa, is approximately 13 kilometers long, and has viewpoints and rest areas. It also provides access to the Choquequirao National Archaeological Park. Its approximate length provides a tangible reference point for planning; viewpoints and rest areas are further features of this path.

Nature trails also offer their own highlights. The circular trail at Catarata de Chaquiorco passes through a natural forest with diverse flora and fauna, including orchids and birds. It was created in the district of Santa Teresa. On the Llactapata Route, there are trails described as more than 500 years old. A four-day Inca Jungle tour to Machupicchu combines trekking, mountain biking, rafting and ziplining; a large part of the tour takes place in the district of Santa Teresa. If you are considering this tour, check the current itinerary and whether it is operating in advance.

Cocalmayo: Thermal Baths and the Inca Jungle Trail

The Cocalmayo thermal baths are located near Santa Teresa. Four pools contain underground healing water at temperatures between 38 and 44 °C. The facilities include toilets, showers and changing rooms, as well as a viewpoint and kiosks. This makes it easy to distinguish a trip to the pools from the trails: here, the focus is on warm water and bathing facilities, while the other experiences described center on historic routes, nature and activity.

The Santa María La Antigua–Cocalmayo section is also part of the Inca Jungle Trail. A tourist overview dated August 28, 2026, describes its state of preservation as good and lists tourist signage, viewpoints and tourist rest stops. Thus, the same route name brings together historical significance and specific trail features.

Guidance for Finding Accommodation

For the town of Santa Teresa, a tourist overview dated August 28, 2026, lists restaurants, travel agencies, taxi services, parking and a tourist information office. It also mentions the sale of handicrafts and accommodation establishments without a specified class or category. These local amenities and the excursions in the district provide different points of reference for planning your trip, and not every activity needs to be of the same kind.

If you are looking for a holiday rental in Santa Teresa, your preferred focus can be a good starting point: are you mainly interested in Inca trails and excursions in the district, or would you like to include Cocalmayo and its thermal pools? The tourist route to Choquequirao, the historic trail sections and the nature paths show different sides of the destination.

Discover more destinations: Lamay, Huarocondo, Checacupe, Manire, Maras, Andahuaylillas, Ollantaytambo, Sicuani.

For the broader travel overview: Cuzco.