Things to Do in Banos, Ecuador - Banos Attractions
Things to Do in Banos
Popular things to do
Book these experiences for a close-up look at Banos.
Points of Interest & Landmarks • Lookouts
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What travelers are saying
- David BToronto, Canada359 contributionsI am always a bit skeptical in a tourist town about “must do” activities, but this was pretty cool. There are 2 walks, one is +1 hour round trip, the other which I did under 30 minutes, depending how long you gawk. The location features paths, lookouts and stairs carved into the cliffsides, very well done. Bit of a hike back up, maybe 50m vertical, take your time. Write-ups said you get very wet, I had a slicker but did not need it, but lots of mosquitoes in one spot, take some bug spray. I went at night as everyone recommends (virtually empty on Monday evening), liked the illumination but also think day might be even better to see and photograph everything.Written May 11, 2023This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Alexa VAsheville, NC15 contributionsI’m the first to scoff at anything sounding gimmicky or tourist-trap-ish. I read a few blogs before coming about this place and the general impression was - “Go, take a few pics for your IG and that’s it.” But after visiting La Casa del Arbol this afternoon, I can share my own thoughts on this.
Casa del Arbol is at the end of a long-ish bus ride up the mountain from Baños, but it was just $1 for the bus and another dollar to enter. (There are several stops along the way for other well-publicized attractions, but keep going.) The views are spectacular. You really are at the top of the world. The pull for this place are the giant swings, which were a lot of fun, but there was more. I was delighted with the beautifully-kept gardens with so many colorful flowers, attracting hummingbirds.
There’s a small cafe to have a snack while taking in the views and then… there is a small zip line. If you have kids, it’s a great place to introduce them to a zip line, enjoy the pretty flowers, swing to their heart’s delight, and climb the tree house. Yes, I got my IG pics and videos, but it was more than that. It’s a beautiful garden at the top of the world that you will be glad you visited. (The bus ride down is much faster than the way up.)Written October 13, 2023This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - Celeste L1 contributionI loved Banos! Pailon del Diablo waterfall alias Devil's Cauldron waterfall is a must-visit place when exploring the Baños area. Swing at the end of the world was awesome and it’s so beautiful up there with the volcano view. The waterfall route was awesome and the food was great .Written September 15, 2023This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Liesel AProvo, UT4 contributionsViews were incredible! Worth biking the whole route.
Pro tip: You can bike to the fifth waterfall (the only one where you can swim). Lots of people say you have to walk, but you just continue biking down the road past the Devil's Cauldron, makes it 100x better.
Pro tip: You can go up the left or the right side of Devil's Cauldron. There are two different entrances but they cost the same price. If you go up the right side you can stand underneath a part of the waterfall. This side is not wheelchair accessible--there are lots of stairs and a part where you have to climb/crawl underneath a rocky overhand.
If you go up the left side it is less stairs and you get less wet.Written October 16, 2023This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - Elias_RovieloSao Caetano do Sul, SP1,129 contributionsI hired the Ivagatours travel agency to do several tours around Baños.
One of the tours was the climb to the top of the volcano for two days.
My mountaineer and private guide was Ñato. No one on the trails, refuge or summit.
*****
A two day hiking and climbing.
It is no longer acclimatization to high altitudes. It's a serious climb with a private guide. There was no one but us for two days.
Because of the snow avalanches, it is advisable to get up at dawn, as the snow is still solid and down shortly after the morning sun starts to get strong, shortly after 7:00 am.
It's my first climb to mountain peaks or volcanoes in the dark of the cold, starless dawn.
***The FIRST Day of Climbing:
Rent appropriate equipment for this volcano (rain, cold, snow, sand, stone, darkness, etc.)
The mountaineering guide, Ñato, and I left Baños at 2:30 pm.
We arrived at the park entrance, signed the official papers, paid the required and started up the well-marked and steep trail from the park entrance to the Refugio. It is usually 4 hours of trail (5km/3,1mi).
We left at 3:28 pm from the park entrance at 2,790 meters (9,153 ft) and arrived at the Refuge at 3,810 meters (12,500 ft) at 6:00 pm. We managed to do it in 2.5h. I stopped several times to photograph the blue sky, mountains, nature, etc. I wanted to see the sunset at 6:20 pm. from the "Refugio" and we saw the beautiful sunset.
We had seafood risotto dinner at 6:54 pm.
We slept from 7:40 pm to 1:30 am.
***The SECOND day of Climbing:
Waking up, light breakfast taken and we prepared with the proper equipment at 1:30 am.
We start climbing at 2:00 am from the Refuge at 3,810 meters (12,500 ft) to the summit of the Throat of Fire volcano. At 6:52 am, we reached the summit of the volcano at 5,023 meters (16,479 ft).
A few minutes to five full hours of dawn climb, a part with rain, full dark and just a forehead flashlight to illuminate, steep, loose and slippery rocks, soft sand, snow in the final 40 minutes, very cold in the glacial region, 6ºC (42,8ºF) at the summit (but on the way at dawn it was colder), no music to hear the guide's instructions, loneliness, attention, tiredness, fear, new, and an accomplished achievement of a 54-year-old man. My physical and mental limit has been tested again.
36 minutes at the summit of the mega volcano, as the wind is sharp and cold, and the descent before the glacier begins to melt with the Ecuadorian sun.
The descent is rapid, but it is much more tiring and the knees have to be physically well prepared to withstand the ligament grip. Go down the volcano seeing the cliffs? You don't see anything rising at dawn, but you know it will rise at 5,000 meters (16,404 ft).
* From 7:29 am to 9:09 am (1h: 39m) - 5,023 meters to 3,810 meters (1km21m) (from the summit to Refuge);
* From 9:28 am to 11:43 am (3:16 am) - 3,810 meters to 2,800 meters (1km10m) (from Refuge to Park Entrance);
There are four quick steps downhill in one go with photo stops, rest and breakfast in the refuge:
From 5,023 meters (16,479 ft) to 2,800 meters (9,186 ft) (2km220m/1,37 miles downhill in zig zag and steep in 4h: 45m).
1º) The first part of the glacier with snow. Slippery and loose stones with snow;
2º) The second part of the ash of the volcano, that is, soft sand with loose and hard stones;
3º) Low vegetation until the Refuge. At the Refuge, we change clothes, clean the place, put everything in our backpacks, and go down after a quick coffee to the park entrance;
4º) From the refuge to the entrance of the park the trail is demarcated and the vegetation increases the volume and height.
I had the next day the largest volcano in the world, the Chimborazo, the volcano with the farthest peak from the center of the earth and closer to the sun, higher than Everest.
I descended this volcano by mountain bike. After Chimborazo, I climbed two more volcanoes. In total there were 8 climbs in Ecuador in 18 days.Written February 10, 2020This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - Stephen HQuito, Ecuador29 contributionsOK. So, it is not the best zoo on the planet - but it offers the best damn views of any zoo I have ever had the pleasure to visit.Written November 24, 2022This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Kevin SPontypridd, UK6,243 contributionsTarabita Pedacito Del Ceilo cable car A large parking lot by the side of the road. For $2 you have a short under 5 minute journey in the open car to the other side of the river gorge. It doesn't stop at the other end to get off, it stops a few metres short and starts the return journey. On the return it stops for a minute or so mid journey for a stationery photo opportunity. You've come this far, what's $2 for a bit of fun.Written February 10, 2023This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Gissela RIbarra, Ecuador4 contributionsIt is a garden full of goblins and where you can read their stories, there is a wishing well where a goblin sings. At night it is very beautiful and looks like something out of a fairy tale. It has very nice places to take pictures and the service is also very good because they also offer goblin ears during the tourWritten October 31, 2022This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Dayanna JaramilloGuayaquil, Ecuador16 contributionsIf you are an animal fan, you will love this place. You can do many activities, such as feeding the animals, see beautiful landscapes, take pictures in the spots, and eat very tasty food in the restaurant. Also, inside you can do several fun activities, such as launching yourself down a slide on a giant ball. It is an ideal place to go with your family, friends or your partner.Written February 25, 2023This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Kathryn NRolla, MO65 contributionsWe stopped by the gallery when we walked from our hotel to restaurants for dinner. The gallery is like a museum! There is something for every price range. They stay open very late so you can choose your treasures, have dinner, drinks, ice cream, and then return to pick up purchases without having to carry them around all day. The neighborhood there is a very nice one also.Written May 7, 2023This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Remove all doubtCuenca, Ecuador146 contributionsHalf the pools are currently under renovation past Christmas. It's a bit more crowded on weekends.. I'm sure once it's finished, it will be nice.Written December 18, 2022This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- constance wSherwood Park, Canada133 contributions
