Baños de Agua Santa, a well known adventure destination in Ecuador, is a small city that offers a variety of attractions: waterfalls, hot springs, adventure-bound activities, and more. Baños is a place that has it all and for this reason, in this article we want to share 7 curious facts about Baños with you.

Cover photo by: Archivo Baños – Ecuador, Wikipedia

1.  Where does the name Baños de Agua Santa come from?

The name Baños de Agua Santa comes from the hot springs that are found in the area, which are believed to have healing properties. In Baños there are many places, both private and public, where you can enjoy the thermal waters, either on the volcanoes or right at your feet. The hot springs contain sulfur and other minerals, and are said to have therapeutic properties, so prepare yourself for an unforgettable experience. In the nearby spas you will find pools of cold water that range from 18°C (64°F) to the thermal ones that can reach 55°C (131°F).

2.  The adventure capital of Ecuador

While in Baños you can enjoy and relax in the hot springs and there are also a number of activities for the more adventurous of you. In Baños you can do activities such as: rafting, canyoning, bungee jumping, hiking, mountain biking and many more.

3.  Waterfalls that will take your breath away

In Baños you can see a number of wonderful waterfalls. In fact, one of the most sought after  activities both by locals and tourists is to walk the famous Waterfall Route, a tour of about 60 waterfalls of different heights. This route starts from the city of Baños and you travel along the Baños – Puyo road. Remember that you can do the Waterfalls Route either by bike, on a tour or by yoursef.

Among the most impressive waterfalls, you can find the Agoyán waterfall (40 meters/131 feet high), Manto de la Novia (40 meters/131 feet high), and, of course, the impressive Río Verde waterfall, more commonly known as Pailón del Diablo (approximately 80 meters/263 feet high). On this route you can find many ecological trails, hanging bridges and tarabitas (metal structured boxes that take you from one point to another, where your vertigo will be put to the test).

4.  Delicious and exotic drinks from Baños

When in Baños don’t miss the opportunity to drink the delicious and refreshing sugarcane juice that is prepared with lemon or tangerine. You can find this drink at several points in the city and on the road to the city of Ambato. Don’t forget to drink it cold.

Another drink that you must try in Baños is the liquor known as “caldo de gallina”, an alcoholic drink prepared with chicken, aguardiente and honey. And, of course, we cannot forget to mention the famous “sandwich”, which is prepared with fresh sugarcane juice and “aguardiente”, which is drunk by mixing the components simultaneously and according to taste. Drink it cold and we are sure you will love these.

5.  Baños candy

In Baños you can find a number of restaurants serving Ecuadorian and regional cuisine. In addition, you can also find many international food sites and good artisan beer sites. However, you probably don’t know that in Baños there is also a special, popular dish, which is sold during the day in front of the La Basílica park, made with roasted pigskin chochos, also known as “choclomote”, which comes with choclo (tender shelled corn), tostado (toasted corn) and onion tanning.

In addition, don’t miss the opportunity to try the delicious melcochas (popular sweets made from sugar cane). Baños is the perfect place to learn more about this sweet and enjoy its taste. In fact, when you are walking through the streets of Baños you will most likely see how they are prepared, in a unique and completely traditional way.

6.  Baños is the gateway to the Ecuadorian Amazon

Although there are many areas of the country through which you can access the Ecuadorian Amazon, Baños has earned this name because it is very close to the city of Puyo, capital of the province of Pastaza, located in the Ecuadorian East. Puyo is located in the central-western part of the Amazon region of Ecuador, approximately 1h20 from the city of Baños de Agua Santa, and is a tourist destination worth visiting where you can enjoy the immeasurable scenic beauty of the Amazon rainforest.

7.  Swing from great heights

Baños is a destination that has been popularized by the famous End of the World Swing, a swing located in the Casa de Árbol not far from the city center. The feeling of vertigo caused by swinging over a cliff is something tourists do not miss when visiting this destination in the country. Besides, if you go to the famous Casa del Árbol you will also enjoy the view of the imposing Tungurahua volcano, a fantastic active volcano located 5,023 meters (16,480 feet) above sea level. Don’t miss out on the feeling of vertigo and the adrenaline that you will feel when swinging!

How to get to Baños

If you are wondering how to get to Baños, be sure to read our article in which we explain in detail how to do so. Click here: How to get to Baños

Visit Baños and learn more about the interesting facts of this Ecuadorian paradise. The recommended way to get to know this unmissable destination in Ecuador is in the company of Quito Tour Bus. We have three different types of Baños tours: 3 days 2 nights Cotopaxi and Baños, 3 days 2 nights in Baños and 2 days 1 night in Baños. Choose the tour that best suits your needs and discover this fascinating destination in Ecuador with Quito Tour Bus.