Backpacking Hostels & Tour Companies, Banos, Ecuador

Baños
Set amid rolling green hills - one of which happens to be an active volcano, Baños is a relaxed tourist town a one hour detour off the Pan-American Highway. You'll be sure to hear mixed reviews about Baños as some enjoy the laid-back holiday atmosphere while others find the place just too touristy. By all accounts however, the surroundings are spectacular!

Dotted with waterfalls and divided up by fast flowing, white-water rivers, the green. mountainous landscape provides the town with a perfect backdrop. Overlooking the town, La Virgin del Agua Santa can be seen perched high on the hill and illuminated at night appears to hover high over Baños.

Of course the thermal springs are the town's original claim to fame and the main complex lies directly beneath a waterfall flowing right into town.

More recently however, Baños has become more famous due to the temperamental Tungarahua Volcano just outside of town. Still in a state of orange alert, the area is under constant threat of eruption from the active, glowing and billowing crater. This hasn't deterred the tourists too much though and the majority see it as an added attraction, taking tours on clear nights to watch for sparks.

Thanks to the wealth of natural features, in particular the waterfalls and rivers, the area lends itself nicely to adventure activities such a rafting and cannoning. Horse riding, trekking and mountain biking are also popular and for those who prefer to take it easy, there's always the hot springs and the numerous centres for massage and other therapies in town.

Rio Verde
About half an hours bus journey outside of Baños on the road to Puyo, you'll find Rio Verde. This is a quieter place to stay and only a short walk from the Pailon del Diablo, one of the area's most beautiful waterfalls. Nearby, there are also access points to Llanganates, an area rich in wildlife and legends of hidden treasure.

As the village is in amongst some of the areas best white-water rivers, the rafting and kayaking opportunities in Rio Verde are great as is the hiking. Pulleys can also be taken over the rivers and valleys for a unique bird's eye view of the lush and beautiful landscape.

Rio Verde is a great alternative to Baños for those who want a bit of tranquility and to be closer to nature.

Buses run frequently between Baños and Rio Verde and as such it is easy to travel between the two, making the most of the attractions each place as to offer.

Hostels...

El Marques Posada
Pasaje V. Ibarra y Av. Montalvo
Tel: 03 740053