Baños de Agua Santa: Ecuador's Adventure Capital

Baños (Baños de Agua Santa) is a city in Tungurahua Province, Ecuador, at 1,820 m (5,970 ft) on the northern edge of the Andes, where the mountains meet the Amazon basin.

Location

• 180 km (112 mi) SE of Quito (~3.5 hr drive).
• 15 km (9 mi) NE of Ambato (provincial capital).
• Gateway to both high Andes (Chimborazo, Tungurahua volcano) and Amazon rainforest.

Attractions

• Thermal Baths: Heated by Tungurahua volcano; public pools, spa resorts.
• Waterfalls: Pailón del Diablo (80 m), Agoyán (61 m), Manto de la Novia, others on Ruta de las Cascadas.
• Adventure Sports: Zip-lining, canyoning, rafting (Pastaza River), bungee, bridge swing, mountain biking, hiking, climbing.
• Volcano Viewing: Tungurahua (active, monitored); night lava shows when erupting.

Climate

Spring-like year-round: 15–25°C (59–77°F). Wet season Oct–May (peak Feb–Mar).

Access

Bus from Quito (Terminal Quitumbe), Ambato, Guayaquil. Small airport (Chachoan) with flights to Quito.