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Things to do in Baños de Agua Santa

Our most recommended things to do in Baños de Agua Santa

From Quito: Baños and Upper Amazon Day Trip

1. From Quito: Baños and Upper Amazon Day Trip

Enjoy a unique day trip to Baños de Agua Santa, and see the beautiful volcanoes of Ecuador, waterfalls, the cloud forest, and the Ecuadorian Amazon Rainforest. Visit Baños de Agua Santa, a city located at 1,820 meters above sea level (5,971 ft), south of Quito on the north-eastern flanks of the Tungurahua Volcano (5,000 m / 16,404 ft), with natural hot springs downtown, and a natural entrance to the Ecuadorian Amazon Rainforest. Be picked up at 7:30 am from your hotel in Quito to start an incredible adventure. Admire beautiful volcanoes on the way, like Antisana, Los Ilinizas, Cotopaxi, and Tungurahua. Arrive to start a walk through the charming streets of Baños around 10:15 am, and take time to visit the monastery of the "Virgin of Agua Santa”, and see paintings that describe different eruptions of the Tungurahua Volcano, whose volcanic activity started again in 1999. Drive towards the beautiful and stunning “Avenue of the Waterfalls”; beginning with a stop in front of the Agoyan Hydroelectric Dam, and walk towards the local community of "Río Blanco" to appreciate the beauty of the cloud forest. Cross the Pastaza River Canyon on a cable car that rides a 500 meters-long-cable to visit the "Manto de la Novia" waterfall, learn all about the local people's lifestyle, and take a hike down to the river. Stop at the viewpoint of the "San Jorge" waterfall, and recover energy with a tasty lunch. Visit the world-famous Devil's Cauldron or "Pailón del Diablo" waterfall, and see some of the Amazon's vegetation. Arrive back in Quito approximately at 6:30 pm, after having enjoyed more than four different microclimates on the same day.

From Baños: Puyo Jungle Full-Day Amazon Tour

2. From Baños: Puyo Jungle Full-Day Amazon Tour

Meet at the tour operator's office in Baños at 8:30. Travel by private car towards Puyo where you will visit a rescue center for animals including monkeys, ocelots, and caimans. Afterwards you will visit a beautiful waterfall, which is about two hours away from the cabins, in which you can swim and enjoy the tranquility of the forest. The stunning setting makes the area a memorable one. On the way back to a camp through the jungle, you will hear some explanations about the rainforest and its flora and fauna. On reaching the camp, enjoy a traditional lunch, after that, embark on a 30-minute paddle canoe ride on the Puyo river. Next, visit a viewpoint to enjoy an exceptional view of the rainforest. Then continue your journey and visit a Quichua indigenous community where you can watch how they make necklaces and bracelets. You can also practice the blowpipe and paint your faces with achiote, which is a natural paint. After this amazing adventure, you will go back to Baños.

Banos Canyoning Experience

3. Banos Canyoning Experience

The trip starts in the tour office at 9 am every day where you will try the equipment and drive by car toward Casahurco, one of the most emblematic sceneries in which to practice this adventure. When you get there you will have a safety briefing and start going down big waterfalls, swimming through it and jumping to big pools. You can practice different jumps here, zip lining on the rope to change a new route. The time in the Canyon will be more or less 3 hours, and after you finish the tour stop by a local restaurant nearby where you will get served a delicious lunch. Return to to Banos at around 2 pm.

Banos: Scenic Ecuador Paragliding Experience

4. Banos: Scenic Ecuador Paragliding Experience

Meet your expert guides at the pre-established meeting place to start your paragliding adventure. You’ll begin the paragliding in Niton, descending from which you can observe the Banos landscape and see the Tungurahua volcano. Flying from here will provide you with the best possible observation point of the city of Banos.  Listen to a technical talk to make sure you feel completely comfortable before the experience begins. You will also be provided with thermal wear to combat cold conditions once in the air. When it's time to take off, enjoy 15 minutes of pure euphoria as you glide through the city attached to your expert guide during this unique aerial experience.

Baños de Agua Santa: Whitewater Rafting Tour

5. Baños de Agua Santa: Whitewater Rafting Tour

Whitewater raft the rapids of the Pastaza River Discover Ecuador's Gateway to the Amazon Experience the class III and IV rapids of Baños de Agua Santa Marvel at the stunning nature of the Tungurahua volcano foothills

From Quito: Waterfalls of Baños de Agua Santa Guided Tour

6. From Quito: Waterfalls of Baños de Agua Santa Guided Tour

See the waterfalls and charming Ecuadorian landscape on this guided tour to Baños de Agua Santa from Quito. Visit the Tree House and swing on the "swing at the end of the world." Begin your adventure early in the morning with a pickup in Quito. If the weather allows for it, catch views of the Cotopaxi volcano from the car on the way to Baños de Agua Santa. After a 3-hour journey, arrive at the Pailon del Diablo waterfall. Take a 20-minute walk up to the viewing point to admire this natural wonder. Next, stop at the Manto de la Novia and Agoyan waterfalls. Finally, visit the fascinating Tree House with its "swing at the end of the world." With the right weather conditions, see the imposing Tungurahua volcano in the distance. Enjoy a transfer back to Quito at the end of your tour.

Ecuador: Half-Day Guided Rock Climbing Tour

7. Ecuador: Half-Day Guided Rock Climbing Tour

The city of Baños is surrounded by natural walls of basalt rock, formed by the eruptions of the Tungurahua volcano. Travel by car just 20 minutes from the city to this popular rock climbing site and admire the beauty of the landscape. Your guides will explain the program and provide a safety briefing. You’ll be able to practice the climbing exercise more than one time if you wish! There are different levels of activities ranging from beginner to expert on this half-day program. Beginning climbs usually range in difficulty from 5.5 to 5.8, and involve using a top-rope setup within 50 feet of the ground. Using this technique, you can easily receive instruction and return to the ground at any time. Intermediate guided climbs usually range in difficulty from 5.7 to 5.9, and take place utilizing a top-belay setup or multi-pitch techniques. Top-belay setups require that you have general climbing knowledge and are proficient at belaying technique. You would belay the guide to the top of the cliff, and then join the guide at the top, where you would once again be under direct guide supervision. Advanced guided climbs usually range in difficulty from 5.8 to 5.11 and beyond, and typically involve multi-pitch techniques. Multi-pitch techniques are required in order to cover the significant amount of climbing involved. At this level you would be required to be alone at a belay station while the guide climbs to the next belay station. In addition, you would have to exit the belay station and clean the station by bringing along all of the guide’s equipment used to construct the belay. You will discuss advanced topics such as rope management, descent systems, anchor placement, and station management, with your guide.

From Cuenca: 4-Day Ecuador Exploration Tour

8. From Cuenca: 4-Day Ecuador Exploration Tour

Day 1: After getting picked up from your hotel in Cuenca, travel to Alausi, where you will have a litlle city tour and also you will admire beautiful Andean landscapes and watch an Andean music performance along the way. Afterward, break for lunch before beginning the journey to Riobamba. Stop along the way to visit Ecuador's oldest church and the beautiful Colta Lagoon, then you will visit the highest peak of Ecuador " Chimborazo 6300 meters". Spend the night at a hotel in Riobamba. Day 2: After breakfast, head to the charming city of Baños to admire a spectacular waterfall. Afterward, hop on a cable car and ride towards a viewpoint where you can enjoy a ride on the "swing at the end of the world". Return to Baños after your swing ride and get a good night's sleep before tomorrow's activities. Day 3: Today, visit Pujili and do a spot of shopping at the town's indigenous market, where you'll find everything from fresh fruit and vegetables to clothing. Later, visit Tigua, where a small indigenous community lives. Immerse yourself in the daily life and culture of this community before heading to Quilotoa Lake, which is often referred to as the most beautiful place in Ecuador. Here, enjoy a stroll around the edges of the lake or even take an optional donkey ride. Spend the night at a hotel in Quilotoa. Day 4: Rise early to travel to the Cotopaxi National Park, where you can go for a walk around the Limpiopungo Lake. If the weather is clear, admire panoramic views of one of the world's most active volcanoes. Afterward, travel to Quito where you will say goodbye to your guide and spend the evening exploring the city at your leisure. 

Baños de Agua Santa Half-Day Canyoning Tour

9. Baños de Agua Santa Half-Day Canyoning Tour

Experience the beauty of Llanganates National Park in a protected area of Tungurahua Province on a half-day canyoning tour from Baños de Agua Santa. Highly qualified guides will kit you out with wet suits and take you through the strict safety regulations before taking you into the canyon to walk down a waterfall! Don't worry if you don't make it on the 1st try; you can practice more than once. Continue to a waterfall that cascades down 6 meters, and enjoy more canyoning thrills before raising the adrenaline stakes at an even higher waterfall. This time you will have to descend 45 meters.

2-Day Private Tour from Quito:Baños and Quilotoa Lagoon

10. 2-Day Private Tour from Quito:Baños and Quilotoa Lagoon

DAY 1- Andes Landscape – Hike – Local Natives – Lake Your day tour starts by heading south of Quito and driving through the Avenue of the Volcanoes, passing through the towns of Latacunga and Pujilí. On the way to Quilotoa, stop to visit an indigenous local house from the “Paramos.” You will observe their clothes and customs and visit them in a typical indigenous house made of straw. Have a chat and learn from about their lives and how they prepare to sow the soil.    Visit the town of Tigua, famous for its native paintings. Continue up to the Quilotoa Volcano, where you will be able to descend to the lake located inside the crater or just walk around the crater. Prepare to enjoy an unforgettable experience riding a mule! Take in the most beautiful landscapes of the highlands and see traditional indigenous villages. Stay overnight in Baños. DAY 2 - Adventure Activities – Baños Waterfalls – Quito After breakfast, we’ll take a walk to Agoyan Pailón del Diablo and Manto de la Novia Waterfalls, where it is possible to take a cable car close to the waterfall and Casa del Árbol to enjoy a spectacular view of Baños. Have lunch and then return to Quito.

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What people are saying about Baños de Agua Santa

Overall rating

4.5 / 5

based on 13 reviews

This was the most magical and adventure filled day! We had a group of 9 people, ranging in age from 1-50, and everyone enjoyed the day. Our guide Carlos was so informative, kind, and helpful even with our one year old. We loved seeing the animals at the rehabilitation center, hiking through the rain forest and setting rubber and incense trees, and especially swimming in the waterfall! That was a one of a kind experience! Being paddled down the river at dusk in a canoe made from a single tree was adventurous and beautiful. We learned so much at the cacao farm and enjoyed making our own chocolate and hot chocolate. We couldn't believe how much was packed into our day, and are so grateful to Carlos for making it perfect for us!

As the title states, this tour was phenomenal from start to finish. The day was packed with activities yet never felt rushed or exhausting. Our tour guide, Carlos, offered the tour in either English or Spanish. He was extremely friendly and knowledgeable. Overall, the tour was a great value. Hoping to use Imagine Ecuador for more tours in the future. P.S. the tilapia lunch (with local tea) was one of the best I've ever had. I am back in the States and will dearly miss the juices and teas of Ecuador.

Our guide was Wilson and we couldn’t have asked for a better tour guide to show us the beautiful country of Ecuador. Wilson was so considerate in accommodating the tour to our specific wants and needs. If you have very little time to spend around Quito, this is the tour to do! There is quite a bit of driving involved as Baños is almost three hours outside of Quito (including traffic), but it was all worth it!

It was great. The instructors (Dorian and Jorge) were amazing and very friendly, it felt very safe, and the experience of flying in front of the view of Tungurahua was unforgettable! They were also willing to work with us and reschedule when something came up for our original time. Highly recommend!

Very cool day trip to Banos. Totally different landscape, very green. Also THIS is the place for daredevils, lots of activties like cablecar, airswing canopy etc,