Best things to do in Baños de Agua Santa Tungurahua, Ecuador
This city is one of my favorites, and it is located in the eastern part of Tungurahua province, in central Ecuador.
It is also called the Gateway to the Amazon Rainforest.
Due to its location, this city has been one of the major touristic places of Tungurahua province. It has tropical weather and the temperature goes from 15 to 25 degrees all year round.
Baños offers a great variety of activities and the main attraction of the city is the nature that surrounds it.
Baños de Agua Santa is a suitable place for practicing different kinds of adventure sports, such as rafting, rock climbing, canyoning, bungee jumping, horseback riding, and ecological walks. canopy, mountain biking, and more.
It also has spas and hot springs with mineral and sulfurous waters that emerge from the Tungurahua volcano’s entrails. In addition, you can enjoy more than 80 restaurants that offer national and international cuisine.
Book a tour
There are so many activities to enjoy in Baños de Agua Santa, that you might want to book a tour here in order to avoid the stress of planning, and logistics and to save some time.
Adventure sports
Here are some of the many activities that you can enjoy doing while you are visiting this amazing city.
Rafting: this sport and recreational activity is carried out in the Pastaza River. It is done in 2 sections of the river depending on the level of difficulty.
Canopy: this activity you can practice in different places around the city. From 250 meters to 1000 meters of cables going through rivers and forests.
Canyoning: you can do this activity in the rivers’ canyons or ravines. That allows you to descend the cascade through a tied rope. You can practice this activity in places such as Chamana, Rio Blanco, and Cashaurco.
If you are in Ecuador I would love to see your pictures.
Climbing: requires a lot of strength and adrenaline. Because it includes heights of considerable danger. In Baños, there is a very particular wall San Martín composed of volcanic rock.
Balance, adrenaline, and more:
You find all this and more at the Casa del Arbol, a sort of theme park with canopy, balancing, picnic areas, and the famous swinging the middle of the world.
Thermal pools or hot springs.
You can find many places where you can relax and spend a wonderful time with your family and friends.
Here are some of the main hot springs that you can visit:
Santa Clara Spa: On the southeastern side of the city, between Velasco Ibarra and Rafael Vieira streets next to the Electricity Company.
The Pools of the Virgin: These pools of sulfates waters are at the foot of the waterfall Cabellera de la Virgen. The location of this place is at the intersection of Luis A. Martínez and Montalvo streets, in the center of the city.
And one of my favorite places to enjoy is El Salado Thermal Waters. I always visit this place with my family and friends.
Las Piscinas El Salado offers swimming pools of thermal waters, its location is only 5 minutes from the area of Baños.
Waterfalls
The city offers a great variety of waterfalls most of these are for practicing adventure sports and others offer a great view of the landscape and nature.
While you are visiting the city you can enjoy the waterfalls route which goes from the western entrance to Baños to beyond Cashaurco, there are three different routes. The Route of the Orchids, Waterfalls, and Guayabas.
I will mention the most common waterfalls.
Agoyán: Its location is approximately 7 km from the city of Baños and it is the highest waterfall in the Ecuadorian Andes.
The Bride’s Mantle: this waterfall flows into the Pastaza River.
Its name is due to the dimension that has and the white color that resembles the veil of a bride. It is approximately 40 meters high with a single drop.
Rio Verde Waterfall: this waterfall is also known as Pailón del Diablo.
It is a popular tourist attraction for the flora that surrounds it and the rocks that divide the waterfall, which is approximately 80 meters high, and 18 kilometers away from Baños.
Other activities and attractions
One of the main attractions of the city is the Sanctuary of the Virgen de Agua Santa, it is the main church of the city and one of the main centers of Catholic pilgrimage of the country.
Inside the church, you can enjoy a gallery that tells the stories of all the miracles that the Virgen de Agua Santa has done for its parishioners.
Another attraction that you can find in the city is the Tungurahua Volcano which has been active since 1999. The Tungurahua volcano is part of the Sangay National Park.
And for the people who want to enjoy the nightlife the city offers approximately 25 bars, clubs, and discos located along Eloy Alfaro Street between Ambato, Oriente, and Eugenio Espejo.
At the end of your visit do not forget to buy some souvenirs and the traditional sweets of the city, one of my favorite sweets is the Melcocha made of sugar cane, also the juice and the small sugar cane bites.
Where to stay
If you are on your way from Quito to Baños Casa Quinta Clementina is a wonderful option. Nothing beats waking up refreshed, ready to enjoy the activities in Baños or for us, to continue our trip North.
I can personally recommend booking accommodation at Casa Quinta Clementina. Ideally located near Ambato.
If you want accommodation in Baños
I recommend booking accommodation at Luna Runtun Adventure Spa, for a relaxing night, stunning views, a great pool, and a wonderful location in Baños.
The other top recommendation, one Cristina & Kjell recently visited is a guest house that is perfect for all who want to feel at home, enjoy a peaceful night of sleep, and want a place that has sustainability in its core. Here is where to book your stay at Casa Verde Eco Guest House
What to eat
Check our gastronomy option on the menu, to discover many of the traditional dishes, street food, and fruit available in Ecuador, to delight your palate with the flavors of the country. If you have a sweet tooth, make sure to taste the traditional melcocha.
What to bring
To fully enjoy your stay:
- Sunglasses, sunblock, and a hat; remember that the equatorial sun is intense since you will be outdoors for long periods.
- Warm or wool clothes, because it can get cold, especially at night if it is rainy season.
- Bringing a reusable water bottle can help nature and the environment while you stay hydrated; there is bottled water in the kitchen.
Dress in layers as you will quickly get warm during the walks and when the sun is out, and remember that the weather can be pretty unpredictable. The temperature drops somewhat when the clouds block the sun.
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In conclusion, I can say that this is one of my favorite places to visit because of the diversity of activities that the city offer as well as the calmness that is felt through nature and its surroundings, making an unforgettable experience for those who visit this amazing town.
If you have the opportunity to be there and experience the activities that the city offers.
Tell us which one is your favorite.
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