Option 1:
The town's full name, Baños de Agua Santa, means bath of holy water. The name comes from all volcanic springs surrounding the town where mineral-rich water bubbles feeds thermal pools. Used for centuries and dating back to the pre-Inca civilisations, these hotspots are now home to spas and resorts that help melt away the stress of travel. After coming off the week long trekking adventures in Quito, are you ready to be pampered?
Huellas Natural Spa has good reviews and reasonable price for an hour-long massage. However, there are lots of other spas and massage places in town if you are looking for something cheaper.
- 2 hour Massage, facial, mani and pedi $45
- Here are their spa packages in English
- Spa Packages
- El Refugio – ($15 for use of the baths) – For less of a public bath and more of a spa setting, El Refugio is the preferred option for travellers and tourists – Along with baths they have saunas, steam rooms and offer a range of spa services such as massages, mud baths and pedicures. On their website, they even offer ‘colonic stimulation’ if you’re into that thing. You pay roughly $15 to use their pools, and then any other service on top will be extra.
- Luna Volcan – ($20 for 4 hours in the pools) – Whilst it’s the most expensive option this is the one you want to visit. The Luna Volcan hot springs (previously known as Luna Runtun) are nestled high up on the mountainside of the valley. The pools overlook the city and give you one of the best views of the entire valley. This is the place to go to get the best photos for Instagram! The spa at the resort also offers treatments including facials, massages, and mud baths using volcanic mud. They also have a restaurant and café on-site although these are a bit more expensive compared to other food options in town.
Option #2 - Bike the Ruta De Las Cascadas & Visit Pailon Del Diablo
A single main road winds its way through the Baños Valley with waterfalls dotted at almost every corner and bend on the way. This road is known as the Ruta de las Cascadas or Route of Waterfalls, and is perfect for exploring by bicycle. Rent yourself a bike from one of the many places in town – they are all $5 for the day and provide helmets, a bike lock, and a repair kit. Be sure to check the tires, brakes and gears before heading off as the entire route is around 15 kilometers.
To get onto the route, simply head to the bus station in the middle of town, take a right and you are on the main road. The ride is mainly downhill and easy and there are multiple stops on the way to grab a drink or check out a random waterfall.
If you don’t want to stop at every waterfall then simply head to the highlight on the route, Pailon del Diablo, an insanely powerful waterfall that plunges 61 metres (200ft) into a pool of rapids. With bridges and paths running through the gorge, and multiple platforms and viewpoints, this is not to be missed.
Option #3 - Zipline Through Trees & Between Mountains
In Baños, the term Canopying is interchangeable for ziplining, because when you go zip-lining in Banos, you fly through a canopy of trees … and over a giant canyon. Ahhh! The recommended trip takes you on six different lines, totaling two kilometers (1.25 miles). One of the great things about this tour is you have the option of taking the lines in different styles: regular (seated), Superman, or even upside-down.
All in all, this is a fun half-day tour, but be advised, there are some intense uphill climbs through the rainforest between lines. Also, if you’re afraid of heights … you’ll probably want to skip this one.
- 1. You’ll pay about $20 for 2 hours of zip-lining.
- 2. Do bring water for staying hydrated on the short hikes between lines.
- 3. Bring your camera! You can hold it in one hand while you fly across the valley.
Canyoning means you alternate between adventure activities to work your way down a waterfall canyon. “Adventure activities” can include: waterfall rappelling, cliff jumping, zip-lining, or awkwardly sliding on your butt …. adventurously. Yes, all in one tour! Crazy, right?
Recommended is the Chamana Canyon tour. The tour starts with two waterfall repels. Next, the guide clips a rope to your back, tells you to lie down in the middle of the river, and the current gently takes you … right off the edge of a waterfall! Finally you’re tied into a harness at the top of a cliff and free-fall backward off the cliff until the guide slows you down at the last possible second! If you’re looking for a variety of adventure and a big dose of adrenaline all in one tour, you should definitely try canyoning. For 4 hours of canyoning, you’ll pay about $35. Here’s a canyoning tour you can reserve online in advance!
Travel Tips for Canyoning in Baños, Ecuador:
- Do the Cashuarco tour if you can! It requires 4 people and is only available during certain times of the year, but it’s supposed to be the best canyoning tour in Banos.
- If you don’t book online, you’ll want to head to an agency in town book a day or two in advance because tours leave early in the morning.
- You won’t be able to carry a water bottle or wear a hydration pack. But the activities aren’t terribly strenuous or physically demanding. Drink a bottle beforehand and you’ll be fine.