Where to stay in Banos — pick the right hotel, book in 3 clicks
Baños de Agua Santa is Ecuador's adventure capital — a small town tucked into a green river valley beneath the active Tungurahua volcano at 1,820 m. Here you can ride the Swing at the End of the World out over a canyon, soak in volcano-heated hot springs, cycle the Ruta de las Cascadas to the thundering Pailón del Diablo waterfall, then walk back to a compact town where everything is 10 minutes away on foot. With budget-friendly stays and a walkable centre, Baños is the perfect base for mixing adrenaline and rest.
Why stay in Banos
The Swing at the End of the World
Casa del Árbol perches at about 2,660 m with giant swings that fly out over the valley, framed by Tungurahua volcano. Entry is around $2, with a 15–20 minute taxi ride up from town.
Volcano-heated hot springs
Soak at Termas de la Virgen in the centre below the waterfall, or El Salado just outside town where the water genuinely bubbles up from the volcano — perfect after a day of adventure.
Ruta de las Cascadas
Cycle or ride a chiva along the ~25 km Route of the Waterfalls toward Puyo, passing Agoyán, Manto de la Novia and finishing at the mighty Pailón del Diablo.
Compact and walkable
From the basilica to the market, restaurants, tour agencies and hot springs is a 10-minute walk. The town is safe, easy to explore at night, and stays are very affordable.
Pick an area first — where to stay in Banos
Location is the single most important thing about a hotel — choose the right area first, then pick the hotel
Town Centre (Centro)Between the basilica and the market — walk to every restaurant, tour agency and hot spring. Liveliest area, but bars can be noisy at night.
Coming soonLa Virgen Waterfall areaAt the foot of Cascada Cabellera de la Virgen, next to Termas de la Virgen. Quieter, and some hotels have a balcony view of the falls.
Coming soonEastern edgeNear the exit toward the Ruta de las Cascadas — handy if your focus is cycling and chasing waterfalls. Calmer and a bit cheaper.
Coming soonHillside / valley viewsGuesthouses and hostels on the slopes ringing town with panoramic valley and volcano views — quiet, with a short uphill walk.
Coming soonRanked reviews — find your ideal stay in Banos
Start with where to stay (the heart of the trip), then explore food and sights
We're rolling out Banos stay reviews — meanwhile search Banos hotels across all 3 sites now
Local dishes to try in Banos
- 1🍬
Melcocha
Baños' signature chewy sugarcane taffy, made from boiled cane juice. Watch melcocheros stretch it over wooden pegs in shop doorways — a classic souvenir to take home.
📍 The town's sweet - 2🥤
Jugo de Caña (sugarcane juice)
Fresh-pressed sugarcane juice sold from kiosks all over town. Some vendors add 'guarapo' — cane alcohol with lime — for a refreshing pick-me-up after a day out.
📍 Local drink - 3🐹
Cuy (roast guinea pig)
Whole roasted guinea pig, a traditional Andean delicacy. Find it at restaurants beside the market on the main street — the dish to try if you want the real thing.
📍 Andean classic - 4🐟
Trucha Frita (fried trout)
Cold-water mountain trout, fried crisp and served with rice, fried plantain and salad — a Sierra favourite found all over Baños.
📍 Highland staple - 5🥔
Llapingachos
Cheese-stuffed mashed-potato patties, griddled golden and served with sausage, fried egg and peanut sauce. A filling, cheap breakfast or lunch.
📍 Ecuadorian classic - 6🥟
Empanadas & caldos
Crisp cheese or meat empanadas and hearty 'caldo' soups, found at market stalls and small eateries — easy, budget-friendly quick meals.
📍 Popular small plates
- 1🪂
Casa del Árbol (Swing at the End of the World)
A treehouse on a ridge at around 2,660 m with giant swings that arc out over the valley, backed by Tungurahua volcano. Entry is about $2; it's a 15–20 minute taxi ride up from town, with several swings to try.
📍 The town's icon - 2💧
Pailón del Diablo
The 80 m 'Devil's Cauldron' thunders into the Río Pastaza about 16 km east of town. Walkways take you right up to the spray (expect to get wet) — especially dramatic in the rainy season.
📍 The famous waterfall - 3🚲
Ruta de las Cascadas
A roughly 25 km route from Baños toward Puyo along the Pastaza canyon, passing waterfalls, ziplines and cable cars. Rent a bike in town for about $5–10 a day.
📍 Cycle the falls - 4♨️
Termas de la Virgen
Mineral hot springs in the heart of town at the base of the Cabellera de la Virgen waterfall, heated by the volcano. Several pools of varying temperatures, open late — lovely at night.
📍 Hot springs in town - 5⛪
Basílica de Nuestra Señora del Rosario
A semi-Gothic church in the centre, built between 1904 and 1944. A pilgrimage site and symbol of the town, with paintings inside recounting the Virgin's miracles.
📍 Spiritual heart - 6🛶
Pastaza River rafting
Run Class III–IV rapids on the Pastaza River through green canyon scenery. Town agencies offer half-day trips with gear and guides — great for adrenaline seekers.
📍 Water adventure - 7🚡
Manto de la Novia & Tarabita
The 'Bride's Veil' waterfall on the Ruta de las Cascadas, where a tarabita (a steel cage on a cable) glides across the Pastaza gorge for a full view of the falls.
📍 Cable car over the gorge - 8🌋
Tungurahua Volcano
An active volcano rising to 5,023 m, about 8 km from town, looming behind nearly every view. Viewpoints and trails on the surrounding hills let you take in the summit.
📍 The town's backdrop
Things to do in Banos
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3 Banos hotels our team picked for you
Selected from real reviews — one per budget tier, each with a score and instant 3-site price comparison
★ 9.4Luxury
★ 9.3ValueLa Casa Verde Eco Guest House
Riverside eco guest house, great breakfast
★ 9.2ValueLas Orquideas Runtun Lodge
Hilltop lodge with trails and town views
โรงแรมแนะนำทั้งหมดในBanos
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🚆 Getting around Banos
Buses from Quito
Catch a bus from Terminal Quitumbe in south Quito, departing every 15–30 minutes. The ride takes about 3–3.5 hours (~175 km) and ends at Baños' Terminal Terrestre, near the centre.
Taxis to the sights
Most things in town are walkable. For Casa del Árbol, take a taxi up the hill (15–20 min, about $3–4); for Pailón del Diablo, hire a taxi or hop a Puyo-bound bus.
Bikes & chivas
Rent a bike (about $5–10/day) for the Ruta de las Cascadas, or join a 'chiva' (open-sided bus) waterfall tour — fun and easy for photos.
Nearest airport
Baños has no airport. Fly into Quito (Mariscal Sucre) and continue by bus or private transfer, or fly into Guayaquil and drive in.
Cash in US dollars
Ecuador uses the US dollar (USD). Carry small bills and coins; ATMs are available in town, but most small shops and tours prefer cash — keep some on hand.
Where to go next near Banos
QuitoWhere to stay, what to see, and what to eat in Quito — the Andean capital at 2,850 m, home to the Americas' first UNESCO Old Town, gilded baroque churches, the equator line, and volcano views all around.
See this city's guide →
CuencaA neighborhood-by-neighborhood guide to where to stay in Cuenca, Ecuador — UNESCO old town, the riverside El Barranco — plus real attractions, food and how to get around.
See this city's guide →Frequently asked — where to stay in Banos
How do I get to Baños from Quito?+
Take a bus from Terminal Quitumbe in south Quito, with departures every 15–30 minutes. The trip takes about 3–3.5 hours (~175 km) and drops you at Baños' Terminal Terrestre, a short walk from the town centre and most accommodation.
When should I visit, and is Baños safe?+
Baños is one of Ecuador's safest towns, almost entirely dependent on tourism and walkable even at night. The drier months are roughly October to March, while June and July are the wettest. Temperatures stay around 15–25°C year-round — check Tungurahua volcano status before you go.
Which area should I stay in?+
For easy walking access, pick the Centro (town centre) between the basilica and market, near restaurants and hot springs. For quiet and waterfall views, choose the La Virgen area at the foot of the hill. If cycling the falls route is your focus, the eastern edge works well. Typical doubles run about $30–80/night.
Ready to book your Banos stay?
Start with the 3 hotels our team picked, or search all 3 sites — always compare before booking