[2] The springs stretch over a length of about 1 kilometre (0.62 mi) of the Puritama River, which has cut a winding valley.

[4] The hot springs are managed by now, since 2011, the Explora hotel, charging for $35,000 Chilean pesos to get in (Spanish: Consejo de pueblos Atacameños) who are responsible for maintaining the modern tourist facilities.

[5][6] The town of San Pedro de Atacama was declared a “traditional zone” (Spanish: "Zona típica") in 1980.

[8] Nearby, other places to visit include the Valley of the Moon, Atacama Salt Flat, the characteristic town of Toconao, Los Flamencos National Reserve and the El Tatio Geysers.

The Puritama Hot Springs were known for centuries and used for medicinal purposes by the local Atacama people, or Atacameño.