Baños is the most complete destination of Ecuador in the centre of the country, situated in the Andes, just under the Tungurahua volcano (5.016 m). Baños is also the entrance for both the Amazone, surrounded by the Pastaza river, which is declared as ‘a gift to the world’ by WWF, and the Llanganates National Park where Inca emperor Atahualpa hided his gold.
Baños is connected by three important routes.
1. Avenue of the volcanoes. (Quito–Baños 180 km. 3 hours)
Observe 11 of the 55 volcanoes that are situated in Ecuador, Carihuairazo, Pasochoa, Ilinizas, Chimborazo, Tungurahua and the Cotopaxi, a perfect snow-capped cone shaped volcano between all the others. Beside this, enjoy the indigenous markets of Salasaca, Saquisilí, Pujilí, Latacunga.
2. Route of the stars. (Guayaquil–Baños 300 km. 6 hours)
This is the most fascinating route of the world, only 300 kilometres long. Take a swim in the Pacific Ocean when it’s getting light. Touch the snow of the Chimborazo Volcano (6.310 m) in the afternoon in one of the highest places in the world. Observe the Pastaza River on his way to the Atlantic Ocean later during the day and go to the hot springs in Baños at night just under the impressive Tungurahua Volcano (5.016 m) with above you the lights of the stars.
3. Route of the orchids, waterfalls and fruits (Baños–Puyo 60 km 1 hour)
Baños is the entrance of the Amazon and the temperature is already changing after 15 minutes. Visit the Agoyán waterfall (the ports of heaven) which is a symbol for the entrance to the jungle, the waterfall and tarabita El Manto de la novia (the veil of the bride), the tarabita of San Pedro, the Pailón del Diablo waterfall, one of the 10 most important bounds of the world, where they filmed ‘A Proof of Life’ with Meg Ryan and Russell Crowe, the 7 waterfalls of Machay with a large biodiversity and Park Fátima with several endemic animals. The botanic garden Las Orquídeas with more than 300 different types of orchids, among them are the three biggest types, but also the smallest orchids of the planet and finally you will make a trip by canoe before you go back to Baños.
Besides this, Baños is a destination for adventure and relaxing offering rafting, canyoning, climbing, kayaking, walks, bicycles, horses, Amazon, camp tours etc. Offering a great diversity of tourism, Baños is a village with 15.000 habitants, 93% of the population lives from tourism and the infrastructure grows every day.
Baños has 110 hotels in any kind, 40 tour operators, 120 restaurants with a big variety of meals, 20 bars and discos, 10 Spanish language schools, 10 Internet cafes, 1500 bicycles, 300 horses, a cooperation of 120 buses, 120 taxis, 4 different hot springs, steam baths, spa, art galleries and meeting rooms. This all makes Baños a unique destination with spring temperatures all year long.
The famous writer Juan Montalvo who used to live in Baños wrote: I go to Baños to take a bath in poetry, to give myself a bit of silence and forget things in the beautiful nature there is.