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Top 15 things to do in Baños Ecuador [Fun Outdoors & Hot Baths]

Hot baths #1

Baños originally became known for its thermal baths or spas. In the 1970s, there were 3 major thermal pools, but over the years the number increased and now there are six, four downtown at the foot of the volcano and 2 a just outside of town. Having been built decades ago, the oldest - but best - ones are rather old fashioned rectangular basins with no frills. However, they are extremely rich in volcanic minerals, straight out of the Tunguragua hotbed and an El Dorado for spa lovers. Definitely among the top 15 things to do in Baños, Ecuador.

 

The older thermal baths - and as I said, the best - are actually quite cheap and attended by hundreds of Ecuadorian families any day of the week while breathing a family atmosphere of friendliness.

 

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The British owner of the 5 star Sangay Hotel, swears by the Balneario, El Salado, even though he has thermal spring water in his own hotel.  He soaks there every morning at dawn. He advises not to go for the clear blue swimming pools, but for the hottest, mineral richest & murkiest ones that flow straight out of the volcanic springs. The richest one is a small somewhat murky pool at El Salado! The hottest and purest thermal bath in El salado. The smaller the bath, the purer the spring. For the brave, one can cool off in the icy cold river running by the pools.

 

 

Others vouch for the thermal baths of the Piscinas de la Virgen at the end of the Avenida Martínez, next to the Cascada de la Virgen waterfall plunging from the Tunguragua facade; At night it’s beautifully illuminated. The 3 main  pools are open in daytime, while some pools downstairs are only open at night.

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In addition to the baths, a sub-industry of spa treatments and massage therapies has sprung up in town. Many of the more resort-type hotels have their own thermal pools, saunas, Turkish baths, steam boxes, whirlpools, therapeutic and relaxing massages - even Chinese, Swedish or Thai -, facials, aromatherapy, medicinal mud baths and other spa-related treats. Hotel guests get many of the facilities for free (not massages), while non-guests are charged a fee. El Refugio is a bit east of town in San Vicente, while downtown a wide choice of accommodations are available. Santa Clara thermal baths particularly attends to the indigenous and less wealthy Ecuadorians, while Eduardo's (above right) attends to a more affluent clientele with much steeper prices.

 

Recently, a British gentleman restored the beautiful Sangay Hotel to a fantastic 5 star hotel and spa with all the facilities and services one can dream off. Most importantly, he went at great length restoring the beautiful main building to its original condition and much better, with all sorts of invisible fortifications to make the building earthquake proof. If you can effort it and like this kind of luxury, this is the place to go! We highly recommend it, but of course, Baños has many alternative places to sleep, varying from a few dollars per night for students and lovely great value for money inns and retreats.

 

The Manta de la Novia Waterfalls are fantastic falls about 20 minutes east of Baños. Along the road side, quite a little industry has developed, offering cable cart rides across the canyon and for the more daring, there are several providers of rappelling.

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Zip-lining #2

I was never going to do THAT! Until our lovely 9 year old tour companion said she was going to do it. Then what is an adult man to do........... Well, yes, it was scary, but not as bad as I had feared, and actually GREAT FUN! The crew was very good at what they did and made you feel in safe hands. An alternative and less adrenaline laden way of passing the Pastaza Canyon is by cable cart, which also allows you to take better close-up pictures of the Manto de la Novia Waterfalls.

 

Descent to the Pailón Waterfall #3

Also located along the main road, is the Pailón del Diablo Waterfall. This fall is what is left after a hydraulic electricity plant, built in the 1970s, funneled off most of the river water into a bi-pass through the rocks, leading to its turbines. But still the waterfall is dramatically beautiful and well worth the stop. You can take the stairs down to take a closer look.

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Nuestra Señora del Agua Church #14

In front of the church, facing the Central Plaza, one finds the souvenir stalls of the town. Always busy with local people, it is a joy to watch the people. The interior of the church is surprisingly nice and enjoys a healthy attendance from the local congregation, while there is a lively market on the Plaza Central in front of the church.

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Climate of Baños

We don't have statistics on sun hours, but be prepared for cloudy skies, even during the dry season in the Central Valley. Baños lies half way the relatively dry central valley and the wettest region surrounding Tena and Puyo. The humid air from the Amazon Lowlands get pushed up through the canyon, and as the air cools, humidity is forced out of the air, often forming fog and rain. On the other hand, the temperatures are quite ,usually quite comfortable for the many outdoors activities of the town, as well for enjoying the thermal baths. 

 

Whatever makes you tick, relaxation and massage at the spas, high adrenaline activities, some serious hiking or biking in the mountains, you will find fun in the top 15 things to do in Baños, Ecuador 's great outdoors' center.

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TOP 15 THINGS TO DO IN BAÑOS, ECUADOR [FUN OUTDOORS & HOT BATHS]

Cuyabeno Lodge: Shyris Park Building, Av. de los Shyris N36-188 & Av. Naciones Unidas, Office 608, 6th floor, Quito

Phone Office: (++593) (0)(2) 292 6153 Cell (mobile) phone: (++593) (0)999 80 3395

Map: Find it on the Quito Map Zoom in, it is a very detailed map!

Email: info@cuyabenolodge.com.ec © WICE