Baños de Agua Santa, Ecuador: travel guide
Waterfalls, hot springs and adventure sport below Tungurahua volcano
Ecuador's adventure-sports capital, a small town wedged in a green gorge below the Tungurahua volcano. Famous for waterfalls along the Ruta de las Cascadas, the Casa del Árbol swing, thermal baths, canyoning, rafting and ziplining.
About Baños de Agua Santa
Wedged into a green gorge beneath the Tungurahua volcano, Baños is Ecuador's adventure town, where cloud forest drops towards the Amazon basin. A small centre of cafés and tour offices sits among steep hillsides and thundering rivers.
The Ruta de las Cascadas follows the river downstream past waterfalls, ending at the Pailón del Diablo, while the Casa del Árbol swing looks out over the valley. Canyoning, rafting, ziplining and mountain biking are all easy to arrange, and the Termas de la Virgen thermal baths are the classic way to ease tired legs afterwards.
Baños suits active travellers and anyone who wants a few easy days of waterfalls and hot water. It is pleasant year-round, although the drier months are better for views of the surrounding peaks.
- Country
- Ecuador
- Currency
- USD
- Time zone
- America/Guayaquil
Last updated
Plan a Baños de Agua Santa trip
Top places to visit in Baños de Agua Santa
Casa del Árbol
swing · 4.5 rating · about 1.5 h · check the fee at the gate
A treehouse on a ridge above Baños with the famous "swing at the end of the world" overlooking the Tungurahua volcano, plus other swings and viewpoints.
Pailón del Diablo
waterfall · 4.8 rating · about 2 h · check the fee at the gate
One of Ecuador's most powerful waterfalls (the "Devil's Cauldron") on the Ruta de las Cascadas, reached by a forest trail with bridges and a tunnel right beside the falls.
Termas de la Virgen
thermal_baths · 4.2 rating · about 2 h · check the fee at the gate
Baños's best-known thermal baths at the foot of a waterfall in the town centre, with hot volcanic pools — busiest and most atmospheric at night.
Basílica de Nuestra Señora del Rosario de Agua Santa
church · 4.5 rating · about 0.7 h · check the fee at the gate
A neo-Gothic basilica dedicated to the Virgin of the Holy Water, a regional pilgrimage site with murals recounting miracles attributed to her.
Ruta de las Cascadas
scenic_route · 4.7 rating · about 4 h · check the fee at the gate
A ~18 km scenic route from Baños to Río Verde passing a string of waterfalls (Agoyán, Manto de la Novia, Pailón del Diablo), best done by bike, chiva or ziplines and cable cars (tarabitas).
Manto de la Novia
waterfall · 4.5 rating · about 0.8 h · check the fee at the gate
A twin waterfall ("the Bride's Veil") on the Ruta de las Cascadas, crossed by a cable car (tarabita) and a footbridge over the Pastaza gorge.
Mirador de la Virgen (Bellavista)
hill · 4.4 rating · about 1 h · check the fee at the gate
A short steep hike from town to a white Virgin statue and cross with a sweeping view over Baños and the gorge.
Things to do
- Canyoning the Baños Waterfalls Adventure · 4 h · from USD 55 per person
- White-Water Rafting on the Pastaza Adventure · 4 h · from USD 55 per person
- Ruta de las Cascadas Bike Tour Cycling · 5 h · from USD 30 per person
- Canopy Zipline Baños Adventure · 2 h · from USD 25 per person
Day trips and tours
- Baños Adventure & Waterfalls Day 8 h · from USD 60
Where to stay in Baños de Agua Santa
- Centro about USD 65 per night
Compact town centre within walking distance of thermal baths, tour operators and restaurants.
Hotels
- Luna Runtún Adventure Spa 5-star · USD 180 to USD 350 per night
- La Floresta Hotel 3-star · USD 55 to USD 95 per night
- Great Hostel Backpackers 2-star · USD 9 to USD 35 per night
- Sangay Spa Hotel 4-star · USD 70 to USD 140 per night
Where to eat
- Casa Hood International, Vegetarian · about USD 10 per person
- Swiss Bistro Swiss, International · about USD 18 per person
- Stray Dog Brew Pub American, Pub · about USD 14 per person
- Mercado Central de Baños Ecuadorian, Street Food · about USD 4 per person
Getting to Baños de Agua Santa
Nearest airport: Quito (UIO), about 141 km away in a straight line. The road or rail journey is longer.
Getting around
- Bicycle
- Bus
- Taxi
- Walking
More in Ecuador
Frequently asked questions about Baños de Agua Santa
- What are the top-rated places to visit in Baños de Agua Santa?
- The highest-rated places in our Baños de Agua Santa guide are Pailón del Diablo, Ruta de las Cascadas, Casa del Árbol, Basílica de Nuestra Señora del Rosario de Agua Santa, Manto de la Novia.
- Where should I stay in Baños de Agua Santa?
- Our guide covers these areas to stay in Baños de Agua Santa: Centro.
- How do I get around Baños de Agua Santa?
- Ways to get around Baños de Agua Santa covered in our guide: Bicycle, City bus, Taxi, Walking.