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Baños De Agua Santa, more commonly just called Baños, hasn't changed much in the last four years (you may want to see the page Banos for more information before reading this update). There are a few new bars, a fresh coat of paint on many buildings, and the same religious processions parading by and into the cathedral almost daily. You can still hear the Volcano grumbling, although the tours to go see it now cost $4 instead of $3 - but that still includes a free hot rum drink or two. It is even still possible to get a decent lunch for $1.50.
The hot springs pools have been improved, and now cost $1.60, or $2.00 for the night session. New tile work and a new stairway up to the waterfall viewing area above the hot springs have brightened up the facility. The tiny changing rooms are the same, however, so we recommend wearing your suit under your clothes when you go, to reduce the time you need to get ready.
Tungurahua was active enough earlier this year to chase everyone away for a day or two, but it seems to be behaving at the moment. While we were there (October 2007) we were told that ash had fallen overnight, but I didn't notice any. Evacuation routes are well-marked in case there is a major eruption, and locals tell us that nobody panics, so it is easy to leave town if necessary. You can't actually see the volcano from town (there are steep hills blocking the view), but you can watch for it as you come in from the north, or take one of the tours.
This time we took a "Waterfall Tour" for $10 each, on the "Mocambo" chiva. A chiva is an open-sided bus, and you can ride on the roof or "inside." The tour takes you to several waterfalls, as well as to a place where you can bungee-jump off a bridge if you want to (I didn't). If you ride on the roof (as I did for part of the trip) expect to get a little wet, as one of the cliff-hugging roads the chiva takes goes under a small waterfall. Definitely bring the camera for this trip.
On the hills around you, you'll see greenhouses in the most unlikely places - impossibly steep places where no road can go. These are used to grow tomatoes, cucumbers and other vegetables, which are then brought down to the surrounding towns by mule or horse or backpack. The growing season is year-round here, and everywhere you look it is green. Banos sits more-or-less between the Andes mountains and the Amazon rain forest.
For more on that, see the page: El Pailon Del Diablo.
Other Pages To Visit:
Hotels
and Hostels In Banos - Some of
the options.
The Restaurants Of Banos
- Some of the best we tried.
Banos Ecuador Activities
- More things to do.
