A remote hot springs trip seems straightforward enough. Choose a natural hot spring, book an accommodation, grab a swimsuit and go for a couple of days to relax. However, a trip to a remote destination requires much more research than a regular vacation.
A remote spot can be several hours away from the nearest town, mobile internet connection can be patchy, and the nearest medical facility or gas station can be farther than you can imagine.
But that does not mean you have to organize your vacation like a military expedition. A bit of pre-booking research can help you avoid most of the challenges of remote vacations.
Here are seven points to check before booking that should help you avoid most of the problems that make remote travel unpleasant.
1. Check the Actual Degree of Remoteness
“Remote” means very different things in regard to various destinations. A hot spring can be just a few minutes away from a small town, or several hours’ drive on dirt roads and a hike from the place you stay.
Do not rely on photos and descriptions like “secluded and off-the-beaten-path.” Research the route and find out what it is like.
Is it a well-paved road accessible for a regular rental car or not? Is 4WD recommended? In case you are going to visit a hot spring in snowy, rainy or windy season, ask your accommodation about the current road conditions rather than believing outdated reviews.
You can also check the distance from basic amenities like a grocery shop, gas station, pharmacy or hospital. This will give you a better idea of what kind of commitment you will have to make.
In case the route to the destination is quite challenging, try to come during daylight hours. A road that looks easily drivable on a map may prove itself harder in the darkness when there are no signs and street lights.
2. Research Your Accommodation Beyond Photos
A remote hot springs vacation is as good as the accommodation you will return to after spending some time soaking in pools.
This is especially true because remote accommodations can be very different from regular hotels.
Look through the latest reviews of the accommodation and pay attention to comments about heating, hot water, cleanliness, beds, kitchen amenities, parking facilities and noise level. The accommodation looks good only if it is heated properly in cold weather.
Also pay attention to the amenities and services that are included in the booking cost. Some destinations may charge you for cleaning, parking, wood, resort amenities, extra guests or may ask you to bring some food, towels or even other basic necessities.
In case you are going to stay in a lodge or a resort, find out where exactly the hot springs are located. Some of the resorts have pools on site, while others offer access to pools that are located further away, requiring either a drive or hike.
Do not forget to check the cancellation policies before booking a place. Remote destinations can be impacted by road closures, bad weather, transport disruptions and seasonal changes.
3. Look Into Weather and Seasonal Access
Weather conditions can significantly influence your hot springs stay.
A destination that is comfortable in summer can prove itself hard to reach in winter. Rain can affect mountain roads, while snow and ice can create difficult driving conditions requiring you to have proper tires or equipment. And even though hot spring stays are considered warm and comfortable, unpredictable weather can still cause difficulties.
Research the weather conditions typical for the season you are planning to visit and do not stop there. Check the current forecast before your departure and weather advisories issued by authorities.
Also, in case you have planned some outdoor activities, you can allow yourself some flexibility. Instead of trying to squeeze two days with a morning-to-evening schedule, take advantage of your remoteness and slow down when the weather changes.
Do not forget to inform a trusted person about your destination and the approximate date of your arrival. This is especially true in case you are going to a place with poor mobile reception or to a place that is a hike away from the accommodation.
4. Research the Pools Themselves
Not all hot springs are good for everybody, and natural pools can be very different from regular spas.
Find out whether the water temperature is monitored and maintained or not. Temperature in the natural pools can differ greatly from pool to pool and can be influenced by environmental conditions. Some of the pools can contain minerals or other naturally occurring substances that can influence how the water feels on your skin.
Be aware of posted instructions and local recommendations regarding the time of soaking in hot water. Prolonged immersion in very hot water can lead to dehydration and overheating.
If you have any health problems that can make soaking in hot water dangerous, consult a medical professional about the safety of the trip beforehand.
Finally, find out whether the hot springs pools require booking. An accommodation reservation does not mean automatic access to the pools.
5. Check Wi-Fi and Mobile Coverage Before Arrival
One of the major shocks that can come from your remote lodge can be the Wi-Fi. There are accommodations that offer really good connections and there are accommodations that offer just a basic connection good for messages. And some of the destinations do not have Wi-Fi at all.
If you need internet access for work during your vacation, contact the accommodation directly and clarify whether the internet provided is good enough. Ask whether the connection is stable and whether there is a possibility of mobile coverage nearby.
It is a good idea to download maps, booking confirmations and other documents before arriving in a remote destination.
Free Wi-Fi in lodges and resorts deserves some caution, especially in case you are planning to do some work or banking on them. Before your vacation, set up your Mac VPN and learn how to use it. It is better to install and test it on a good connection at home than try to configure it in your cabin with spotty Wi-Fi.
Using a Mac VPN can give you an additional security layer when working in a shared network. And if you travel with a MacBook regularly, you can research VPNs for Mac in order to choose the best one for you and set it up before you leave.
A Mac VPN does not automatically make all online activities safe. So do not forget to use strong passwords, multi-factor authentication, up-to-date software and HTTPS sites. Wherever possible, avoid accessing sensitive accounts via unknown networks.
6. Check Local Regulations and Permitted Activities
Natural hot springs are often located in environmentally sensitive locations, and local regulations can be stricter than you think.
Before your trip, find out whether bathing is permitted in the spring you are planning to visit. There are hot springs that are not open for public use, are closed during some periods or limit the number of visitors. There are also springs that prohibit the use of soap, food, alcohol, glass containers or other equipment.
Do not assume that you are allowed everything you see in the photographs posted on the internet.
Also check whether pets are allowed or not, whether camping is allowed and whether there are any parking areas. In case your destination is located on public land, check the information from the authorities in charge of this land rather than relying on travel blogs only.
Just a few simple actions can make a big difference in remote natural places. Take the garbage with you, stick to the designated paths, if any, and do not disturb wildlife and vegetation.
Complying with the local regulations is not only a question of avoiding fines. It is necessary in order to preserve the hot spring for locals and future visitors.
7. Calculate the True Price of the Vacation
The advertised room price is rarely the true cost of a remote vacation.
Transportation can become a significant expense in case you need a bigger or 4WD vehicle, tires and fuel. In case of a remote destination, you may need more food since the closest supermarket may be an hour away from your destination.
Before you book, calculate the true cost of your trip rather than compare accommodation prices.
Consider:
- Accommodation price, taxes, cleaning charge, resort fees
- Fuel, parking, rental car expenses, food, entrance fees, optional activities
In case you are planning to use the kitchen in the cabin you will stay in, buying food in the nearest town will help you save money and not make a long trip during your vacation. But at the same time, check whether the food and kitchen equipment are provided at the accommodation.
It is also a good idea to have some emergency money with you. A flat tire, unexpected road fee, change of accommodation or unplanned additional night, all of these things can increase the cost of your trip.
Make a Simple Pre-Booking Check
After checking the seven points listed above, booking the remote hot springs vacation becomes much easier.
You will know how you are going to get there, what the accommodation is, what to expect from the weather and conditions, what to expect from hot springs pools and whether you will have reliable communication.
The best remote trips require a bit of preparation precisely because of that. You don’t want to discover that the nearest grocery shop closes early, you need a vehicle you don’t have or you will not have mobile connection after driving several hours.
A few minutes of research can also help you decide whether a particular destination is the right choice for your vacation. Some people want complete remoteness while others would prefer to have a small town, restaurant or gas station within reach.
Conclusion
A remote hot springs vacation is one of the easiest ways to escape crowded tourist areas and spend a few days somewhere calm and secluded. The thing is to understand what remote means before you book the trip.
Check the route, accommodation, weather conditions, hot spring conditions, internet availability, local regulations and the total cost of the vacation. If you are going to use Wi-Fi in your lodge or resort, set up your Mac VPN beforehand and test it. These details can seem boring before the vacation, but they can make the difference between a relaxing stay and a vacation full of avoidable problems.
With all the details sorted out, you can start enjoying the real purpose of your trip, relaxing in a warm pool and spending a few days without distractions and interruptions.
