Baños de Agua Santa

Ecuador's adventure capital, with the clifftop "Swing at the End of the World", cycling the Route of the Waterfalls, volcanic hot springs beneath Tungurahua, and a gateway to the Amazon rainforest.

Baños (full name Baños de Agua Santa, "Baths of Holy Water") is in Tungurahua Province in central Ecuador, at about 1,820 m, in the Pastaza River valley on the northern foot of Tungurahua Volcano. Sitting in the transition zone between the Andean highlands and the Amazon rainforest, it is famous for adventure sports, waterfalls and volcanic hot springs, and is known as "Ecuador's adventure capital". Highlights: first, the Route of the Waterfalls — rent a mountain bike and ride about 18 km along the valley road past falls such as Manto de la Novia and Machay, ending at the spectacular Pailón del Diablo; second, the Swing at the End of the World and lookouts such as Bellavista on the hills to the south, with views of Tungurahua Volcano on clear days; third, the town's Termas de la Virgen and El Salado hot springs. There is also rafting on the Pastaza River, canyoning, bridge bungee jumping, ziplining and day trips to the Amazon rainforest at Puyo. The climate is mild and the town can be visited year-round; Jun–Sep is relatively dry, while the rainy season (roughly Feb–May) brings afternoon rain and fuller waterfalls. Getting there: buses from Quitumbe bus terminal in southern Quito take about 3.5 hours, or change in Ambato; the town is small and walkable. Plan to stay 2–3 days. Tungurahua is an active volcano and the town has marked evacuation routes; check the volcano alerts from Ecuador's Geophysical Institute before you go, and choose insured, licensed operators for adventure activities.

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