Baños de Agua Santa, more commonly known as Baños, sits almost smack bang in the middle of Ecuador, some 83 miles directly south of Quito. Known as “The Gateway to the Amazon” thanks to its location on the cusp of the jungles to the east, this small town of 20,000 people is nestled in the Andean foothills of the Tungurahua Volcano.
Sounds impressive? Well, it is. The town itself is overcrowded and overly touristy, but it’s easy to ignore the lack of urban splendor when you’re in Ecuador’s most popular base for outdoor adventure. The list of possible activities is impressive and caters to all levels of ability, from casual trekkers to extreme sports enthusiasts.
Nearby waterfalls — one with a cable car fly-over — are within easy trekking distance, with longer hikes radiating out from the town. If you don’t feel like walking, rent a mountain bike from one of the local agencies. One of the most popular rides is a 38 mile, mostly downhill ride to Puyo, passing waterfalls and other spectacular scenery. Horseback riding is also easy to arrange.
For extra adrenalin, you can go canyoning, paragliding, bungee jumping, zip lining, rock climbing or rafting (class II to IV rapids). Speed freaks, meanwhile, can rent ATVs and dirt bikes for exploring the surrounding area.
Jungle tours are another big ticket in Baños. The town sits right on the edge of the Ecuadorian Amazon, and trips of two days to two weeks are easy to arrange. Longer expeditions can take you all the way into Parque Nacional Yasuní, one of the most biodiverse regions in the world, which sits about 150 miles east of Baños.
And when your muscles start to ache from all the trekking, biking and paddling, make the most of the very thing that the town was named for: its baños, or baths. A handful of thermal springs are within a short walk or ride from the town. They’re normally quite full, but you won’t find a better way to soothe those aching bones.
Learn more about this destination at Visit Ecuador.
Recommended Baños Tours
Ecuador Travel Guide
Ecuador Tours & Travel / Galapagos Tours & Cruises / Galapagos & Machu Picchu Tours / Ecuador FAQ / Ecuador Weather / Ecuador Accommodations / Galapagos FAQ / Galapagos Weather / Galapagos Accommodations / Top Galapagos Activities by Land or by Sea / Galapagos Wildlife Calendar / Galapagos Packing List / Ecuador Blog Posts / Galapagos Blog Posts / Galapagos Cruise Deals / Galapagos Islands Map
Top Ecuador Travel Destinations
Cuenca / Guayaquil / Otavalo / Quito / The Ecuadorian Amazon / The Galapagos Islands
Other Ecuador Tours
Ecuador Adventure Tours / Ecuador Amazon Tours / Ecuador & Chile Tours / Ecuador & Peru Tours / Ecuador Wildlife Tours / Galapagos & Amazon Tours / Galapagos Luxury Tours / Galapagos, Machu Picchu, & Easter Island Tours / Machu Picchu & Galapagos Tours / Peru & Ecuador Tours
The Main Galapagos Islands and Visitor Sites
Baltra Island / Bartolomé Island / Chinese Hat Islet / Eden Islet / Española Island / Fernandina Island / Floreana Island / Genovesa Island / Isabela Island / Mosquera Islet / North Seymour Island / Rábida Island / San Cristóbal Island / Santa Cruz Island / Santa Fe Island / Santiago Island / South Plaza Island
Galapagos Wildlife: 15 Iconic Species
American Flamingo / Blue-Footed Booby / Flightless Cormorant / Frigatebirds: Great and Magnificent / Galapagos Fur Seal / Galapagos Giant Tortoise / Galapagos Hawk / Galapagos Penguin / Galapagos Sea Lion / Land Iguana / Marine Iguana / Nazca Booby / Red-Footed Booby / Santa Fe Land Iguana / Waved Albatross
Galapagos Cruise Ships
Galapagos Legend / Santa Cruz II / La Pinta / Isabela II / Coral I & II / Galapagos Sea Star Journey / Infinity / Natural Paradise / Horizon / Petrel / Treasure of Galapagos / Galapagos Seaman Journey / EcoGalaxy
Galapagos Cruises by Ship
Galapagos Legend Cruises / Santa Cruz II Cruises / La Pinta Cruises / Coral I & II Cruises
Galapagos Cruises by Duration
4-Day Galapagos Cruises / 5-Day Galapagos Cruises / 6-Day Galapagos Cruises / 7-Day Galapagos Cruises / 8-Day Galapagos Cruises
