De Maquinarias y Maquinitas

While staying at Copahue, visitors may visit two sites which have made this region famous: Las Maquinarias and Las Maquinitas, which stand for “the machinery” and “the little machines”, respectively, in Spanish. Their names respond to the noise produced by water steam when it fights to reach the surface through the rocks.

The Copahue Volcano is alive, beyond the fact that only water steam and mineral gases such as sulfur come out of its mouth and spread the aroma around the area. The hot springs located in the surroundings are part of vulcanization processes and they are related to these hot water steams emerging from the core of the earth to the surface through cracks: this phenomenon is known as “fumarole”. Las Maquinarias and Las Maquinitas are a clear example of this volcanic phenomenon. They may be easily reached from Copahue, as both hot spring locations lie within 10 kilometers from this tourist village.

Towards Las Maquinitas

Many visitors set out on foot from Copahue following a main road until a detour leads them to the hot spring pools known as Las Maquinitas. The temperatures of these hot spring waters surpass 30° C and in some cases they almost reach 50º C. Therefore, qualified staff is always present at the pools to provide assistance and avoid any inconvenience. A wooden footbridge borders the pools and the sulfur vapors vanish in the air as people enjoy the mineral benefits of these waters and relax.

The Largest in the Family

As we followed the road towards Caviahue, we came to another detour that led us to an abandoned military area. In the winter and the fall, this area is covered up by snow and various sulfur gas and steam fumaroles appear at first sight. There is also a small light blue lagoon after which Las Maquinarias is named. Whoever looks inside will watch small openings, plenty of air holes and several fumaroles of singular importance. Here the water steam and mineral gases are so abundant that we start breathing them before we can even notice.

According to experts, Las Maquinarias is the only active thermal zone that has not been exploited yet. Here, some regular visitors have built small compartments to enjoy the hot spring baths more comfortably. However, the sulfur level in these waters is so high that the walls of these constructions have been practically petrified or destroyed as time went by. Las Maquinarias and Las Maquinitas are ideal to cure skin diseases. They feature the necessary medical properties to create therapeutic results. Visitors just need to be well-informed about how these baths should be had.