Centre
Convenient, agencies, foodThe streets around the basilica and the main park, with agencies, restaurants and the baths.
Town guide
Things to do in Baños
Ecuador's adventure town, in a green valley at the foot of the Tungurahua volcano: waterfalls, canyoning, rafting, hot springs and a swing over the edge of a mountain.
16
Hostels in the city
8.6
Average, from 8,073 reviews
3
Days to do it properly
Adventure at the edge of the Andes
Baños de Agua Santa sits at around 1,800 metres in a steep valley where the Andes start dropping towards the Amazon. The town is small and easy-going, with a basilica, a busy main street of tour agencies and taffy makers, and the thermal baths that give it its name. Above it all is Tungurahua, an active volcano that erupted on and off for years until the mid-2010s.
The surroundings are the reason to come. The road east towards Puyo, the Ruta de las Cascadas, follows the Pastaza river past dozens of waterfalls, the most famous being the Pailón del Diablo. Canyoning, rafting, ziplining, mountain biking and bridge jumping are all sold in town at low prices, and the Casa del Árbol swing hangs over the valley high above.
Give Baños three days: one for the waterfall road by bike, one for canyoning or rafting, and one for the swing, the hot springs and a rest. It is one of the best value adventure bases in South America, and the climate is mild all year.
Where to base yourself
Stay in the centre to walk to the agencies, restaurants and baths, or on the edge of town for views and quiet.
Edge of town
Views, quietHostels on the slopes around town, with gardens and volcano views, a short walk from the centre.
Orange labels are neighbourhoods, dots are the 9 top-rated hostels. Map data from OpenStreetMap contributors.
Things to do
Things to do in Baños
Rent a bike and ride the Ruta de las Cascadas, the road down towards Puyo. It is mostly downhill, with tunnels where cyclists take a side track, and stops at waterfalls and cable cars over the gorge. The highlight is the Pailón del Diablo, a thundering waterfall reached by a short walk and a set of steps that take you right behind the water. Ride as far as Río Verde, around 18 km, then catch a truck or bus back with your bike.
Canyoning down waterfalls and rafting on the Pastaza are the classic adventures; choose agencies with good reviews and proper equipment. The Casa del Árbol, a tree house with a swing over the valley, is reached by bus or a steep hike, and has views of Tungurahua on clear days.
The thermal baths in town, including the Piscina de la Virgen below a waterfall, are cheap and busy with locals. Go early in the morning or in the evening. The basilica, with paintings of the miracles attributed to the Virgin of the Holy Water, is worth a look.
Free things
And what it costs nothing to do
The hiking trails around town are free. Steep paths climb to viewpoints above Baños, including the Virgen statue and the Bellavista cross, with views over the town and valley.
The basilica is free to visit, and watching the taffy makers pull melcocha on wooden pegs in their shop doorways is one of the town's sights.
The waterfall road can be walked or cycled without paying, though the cable cars and the Pailón del Diablo have small fees.
Food and drink
Eating and drinking
Melcocha, a sugar-cane taffy, is the town's speciality, and you will see it being made all along the main street. Sugar-cane juice and guarapo, freshly pressed, are sold at stalls.
The market has cheap almuerzos and fresh juices, and the town has plenty of international restaurants and cafés for travellers. Cuy, roast guinea pig, is a highland speciality served in some places.
Many hostels have kitchens, and supermarkets are easy to find.
Nightlife
Going out
Baños has a small but fun nightlife, mostly along the Calle Eloy Alfaro, with bars, salsa and a few clubs that are busiest at weekends.
Hostel bars are where travellers meet, and a chiva, a party bus, sometimes runs up to viewpoints at night.
Most people keep it low-key between adventures.
Getting around
Getting around
The town is small and walkable. Local buses run along the waterfall road and up to the Casa del Árbol, and taxis are cheap. Bikes are rented everywhere.
Buses from Quito's Quitumbe terminal take around three and a half hours, and from Latacunga around two. Puyo, the gateway to the Amazon, is around an hour and a half away.
The nearest airport with regular flights is Quito.
Costs
What Baños costs
Baños is one of the cheapest places in Ecuador. Dorm beds start around €6, with well-rated hostels from €7 to €12. Almuerzos cost a few euros.
Activities are the main expense, and are very good value: bike hire, canyoning, rafting and the swing are all cheap by international standards. Compare agencies, as prices vary.
Ecuador uses the US dollar. Bring small notes.
Safety
Safety and scams
Baños is relaxed and generally safe. Take normal care with your belongings.
Adventure activities are the main risk. Book with well-reviewed agencies, check the equipment and ask about insurance. Wear a helmet on the bike, and take the side tracks around the road tunnels.
Tungurahua is an active volcano, monitored by Ecuador's Instituto Geofísico; follow any local alerts. In an emergency, call 911.
Worth leaving town for
Waterfalls, the Amazon and the high Andes.
Pailón del Diablo
A huge waterfall you can walk behind.
Casa del Árbol
The swing over the valley, with Tungurahua views on clear days.
Puyo and the Amazon
The gateway to the rainforest, with jungle tours and an animal rescue centre.
Quilotoa Loop
Highland villages and a crater lake. Base yourself in Latacunga.
What's on
What is on while you are there
Pilgrimages, the town's anniversary and holiday crowds.
October
Virgen del Agua Santa
Basilica
Pilgrims and processions for the town's patron Virgin.
Mid-December
Cantonización de Baños
Across town
The town's anniversary, with parades, music and fireworks.
February
Carnaval
Across town
Water fights and big crowds from across Ecuador.
Hostels
Where to stay
The highest-rated hostels in Baños, straight from Hostelworld. Prices and availability are live on each property page.
Princesa Maria
Dorms from €7 a night
See dates and book
Hostal D' Mathias
Dorms from €6 a night
See dates and book
Papachos Hostel
Dorms from €6 a night
See dates and book
Mama Tungu Hostel
Dorms from €8 a night
See dates and book
La Casa del Molino Blanco
Dorms from €11 a night
See dates and book
Erupcion Art Hotel & Hostel
Dorms from €8 a night
See dates and book
Great Hostels
Dorms from €7 a night
See dates and book
Hostal Chimenea
Dorms from €8 a night
See dates and book
Hostal Transilvania
Dorms from €6 a night
See dates and book
When to go
Baños is mild all year, with rain possible in any month. The weather is wetter from April to July, when the waterfalls are at their most powerful.
Jan
Holidays. Mixed weather
Feb
Carnaval crowds
Mar
Mixed
Apr
Wetter. Big waterfalls
May
Wet
Jun
Wet. Rafting is good
Jul
Wet. Holidays
Aug
Drier, busy
Sep
Drier
Oct
Pleasant. Pilgrimage season
Nov
Pleasant
Dec
Town anniversary and holidays
Bar height is temperature. Colour is how busy it gets:
quiet
busy
peak
Average highs, rounded. Rain showers come and go quickly.
What your trip will cost
Per night, for one person, based on Baños prices.
Treat these as a guide. Canyoning, rafting and Amazon tours cost extra.
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- Beds—
- Food and drink—
- Getting around—
- Doing things—
Baños questions
The ones we get asked most.
How many days do you need in Baños?
Three: one for the waterfall road, one for canyoning or rafting, and one for the swing and hot springs.
How do I get from Quito to Baños?
By bus from the Quitumbe terminal, around three and a half hours.
How do I ride the Ruta de las Cascadas?
Rent a bike in town and ride towards Puyo, stopping at the waterfalls. Most people ride to Río Verde and the Pailón del Diablo, then take a truck or bus back.
Is the Casa del Árbol swing safe?
It is short and gentle, with a harness. Go early for clear views of Tungurahua.
Is Baños safe?
Yes, it is relaxed. The main risks come from adventure activities, so choose well-reviewed agencies.
Is Tungurahua still active?
It is an active volcano, but it has been calmer since the mid-2010s. It is monitored, so follow any local alerts.
Can I visit the Amazon from Baños?
Yes. Puyo, an hour and a half away, is the gateway, with jungle tours and day trips.
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