Volcanoes and hot springs: geothermal holidays

By the Nexara Holidays travel desk · 2 min read

Volcanic landscapes are dramatic, and they often come with hot springs and geysers. These are some of the best places to experience them.

Iceland

Geysers at Geysir, lava fields, glaciers and geothermal lagoons like the Blue Lagoon. See Iceland.

Rotorua, New Zealand

Geysers, bubbling mud pools and Māori culture in a geothermal town. See Rotorua.

Bali, Indonesia

A sunrise trek up Mount Batur, an active volcano, followed by a soak in natural hot springs. See Bali (South Coast).

Japan

Onsen hot-spring resorts near Mount Fuji and across the country. Learn the etiquette first. See Japanese etiquette for first-time visitors.

Costa Rica

Arenal Volcano with hot springs in the rainforest. See Costa Rica.

India

India has hot springs too, at Manikaran near Kasol, Vashisht in Manali, Panamik in Nubra and Tapt Kund at Badrinath.

Safety

• Follow marked paths in geothermal areas; ground and water can be dangerously hot.
• Check volcano activity alerts before treks.
• Consult a doctor before hot-spring bathing if you have heart conditions or are pregnant.

See our Adventure holidays page.

Combining with other experiences

Iceland combines geothermal sights with glaciers and the northern lights; New Zealand with adventure sports in Queenstown; Bali with temples and beaches; Japan with cities and food. Plan geothermal stops as part of a broader trip rather than the whole focus.

Hot spring etiquette

Shower before entering shared pools, follow local dress rules and keep noise down. See Japanese etiquette for first-time visitors.