Baños, Ecuador: The Ultimate Adventure Destination for Budget & Solo Travelers
When people ask me about my favorite part of traveling through Latin America on my six month trip there, my answer is always Ecuador—largely because of a little town called Baños!
When I planned my Latin America escapade I never thought Ecuador would rank at the top of my favorites. I was so focused on Peru and Colombia that I mostly considered Ecuador a crossing bridge between the two countries. I knew it would be beautiful, but I seriously underestimated its charm.
So what makes Baños so special? For starters, Baños is stunning! It's surrounded by lush green mountains, cascading waterfalls, and the majestic Tungurahua Volcano. With so much natural beauty, Baños has rightfully earned its reputation as Ecuador’s adventure capital. From zip-lining and canyoning to mountain biking and white-water rafting, there was no shortage of things to do here! Even though I didn’t have time to do it all, the few activities I did try were unforgettable and I want to share so you don’t miss out on them.
SO, without further ado… here are my top recommendations for what I consider Ecuador’s perfect town:
Pailón Del Diablo (Short Entrance View)
1. Visiting Pailón del Diablo
This jaw-dropping waterfall is a must-see in Baños, and the best part is that you don’t need a tour or guide to get there. Simply head to the central Baños bus terminal or flag down a bus heading toward Puyo. The bus costs $1–$2 USD and takes about 30 minutes to arrive at Río Verde, where the stunning waterfall is. Just let the driver know you’re going to Pailón del Diablo (if your Spanish is rusty, a smile and the phrase “Pailón del Diablo?” will work!). Once you arrive in Río Verde, you’ll find two entrances to the waterfall: the “short route” and the “long route.” Both cost $3 and offer slightly different perspectives. The short route gives you breathtaking views of the waterfall crashing into the landscape, while the long route takes you along a scenic path with more direct upward views of the powerful waterfall. Neither route is challenging, and I highly recommend doing both if you have the time!
Canyoning at Cashaurco
2. Canyoning! (The COOLEST THING I DID)
I don’t like to shy away from an adventure ever, but if anyone would have told me I would be jumping off of massive rocks into narrow pools of water and rappelling down pressurized waterfalls while in Baños I would have said “yeah, not happening.”
Everything about canyoning is completely out of my comfort zone. I am not a strong swimmer which means I am not necessarily experienced in jumping into deep water or knowledgable in the proper form of doing things in water– but I was reassured that I would be attached to a rope at all times with two excellent guides which was enough to convince me!
I do want to credit the two fantastic Belgium beers I had at Soma Beer Garden prior for giving me the liquid courage to sign up to do this.
To be honest when I walked into GeoTours I was just looking for something to do that week, but nothing crazy. I stopped into that specific agency because I read they were a highly reputable company with exceptional gear, reviews and safety protocols.
Upon entering the agents were kind and explained everything they offered without the urgency for me to book– which made the entire experience extremely comfortable.
Initially I was interested in white water rafting as it is a very popular activity in Baños, but the agent on duty let me know that that specific week they were having a group go out for canyoning in Cashaurco. He really encouraged opting for this activity as it is not always available. Canyoning Cashaurco is considered the best canyoning available in Baños because it offers a diverse and challenging mix of activities including free jumps, rappelling, zip lines and swimming in crystal clear pools all within a stunning stretch of nature. Eduardo let me know that this was one of those activities that wow you beyond belief and well… I couldn’t say no to that!
The entire experience was incredible. I can still recall the adrenaline as I type this. Canyoning in Baños has been one of the coolest things I have done in all of my years of travel!
Exploring Casa del Árbol & the Manos de Pachamama
3. Doing a Chivas Tour to Casa del Árbol & the Manos de Pachamama
A chivas tour is an experience that begins the moment you step onto the loud and colorful bus!
You will see (or hear) these bright buses all over Baños full of smiling people on their way to some sort of attraction. I’ll admit… At first I thought those buses were cheesy and a tacky tourist trap. But trying to figure out how to get to the Casa del Árbol & the Manos de Pachamama on my own was too much of a headache. When I found out the chivas tour cost only $10 to go to both locations I decided I was going to take on the role of a cheesy tourist because, well, I was a tourist after all!
In the end I was actually so happy that I chose to experience these attractions this way. The bus was structured more like an open-air trolley which made every seat a good seat for enjoying the stunning landscapes while listening to great music! The energy was high the entire trip. One of my favorite parts of opting for the chivas tours was that even though I signed up by myself, it was a collection of people who were on the tour. I ended up spending the rest of the evening with some of the people I met during the experience and we headed to the thermal baths after to celebrate a birthday together. It was very unexpected and a pleasant surprise!
*I used the Torres Tours company for this tour, but I just found them on the street! A lot of these Chivas tours are acquired by popping into agencies or asking the bus operators directly.
Waterfalls around Mama Tungu Hostel
4. Explore the Waterfalls!
The waterfalls in Baños add so much magic to the town and the best part is that there is no shortage of them! There is an official route called la “Ruta de las Cascadas” that takes you through a series of beautiful waterfalls mainly on the road from Baños to Puyo. You can explore this route via organized tour, bike, or by renting a car.
I personally did not officially do the Ruta de las Cascadas, but I did stay at the Mama Tungu Hostel which was surrounded by waterfalls including some listed on the Ruta de las Cascadas.
Whether you visit some or all, the waterfalls are stunning and definitely worth exploring.
I also highly recommend staying at the Mama Tungu hostel because it is so beautiful and extremely affordable! A night’s stay cost me around $6 USD.. Plus, the waterfall walking tour they offer is free!
For more information on how to explore the “Ruta de las Cascadas” check out this article.
Termas de Santa Ana in Baños, Ecuador.
5. Visiting the natural hot springs!
The Tungurahua Volcano is actually an active volcano that naturally heats various thermal baths scattered throughout Baños. These thermal baths are perfect for relaxing post canyoning or adventuring. Some of the popular and stunning spots include La Virgen Thermal Baths also known as Termas de Santa Ana and El Salado Thermal Baths.
I recommend visiting Termas de Santa Ana if you’re looking for something close to the Baños city center.
Even though Baños offers an abundance of things to explore, its serene beauty is nestled into a relatively small town with little chaos. It’s the perfect place to relax, drink good coffee and enjoy cheap eats if you’re just in the mood to recharge.
To me, this town truly has everything you could want as a backpacker and that is why in my heart it will forever live on as Ecuador’s perfect little town. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did!
Additional info:
Hostels I recommend:
Great Hotel (centrally located)
Mama Tungu (must take taxi ~$2, 50¢ bus, or 50¢ community camioneta. Public transport ends in the early evening)
Restaurants I recommend:
Viejos Tiempos (Just a bit down the hill from Mama Tungu!!)
Soma Beer Garden– Perfect for craft beers and burgers
To-Go Arepa- incredible Venezuelan food
Honey Coffee & Tea- delicious coffee and sandwiches
*Baños has many little restaurants with very cheap menus del dia ~$2-$3USD. Pop into any of them for a delicious local cuisine experience!
