Major city · Ecuador
BañosBaños de Agua Santa
Give Baños 2 nights: one full day for the Ruta de las Cascadas by bike, one for the hot springs and the Casa del Árbol swing.
Baños de Agua Santa sits at about 1,800 m in a canyon below the active Tungurahua volcano, 3.5 hours by bus from Quito. It is Ecuador's adventure base: waterfall cycling, rafting, ziplines, canyoning and hot springs, all within a small, walkable centre. Two nights covers the classics; three if you add a jungle or volcano day.
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- USD
- Best months
- Oct–Feb (drier); the town runs year-round
- avoid Jun–Aug for rain; check volcano alerts any month
- Airport
- UIO
- Nights
- 2
Rules in force · 6Above 2,500 m (Bogotá, Quito, Cusco, La Paz) keep the fir…
- South America ↗Above 2,500 m (Bogotá, Quito, Cusco, La Paz) keep the first day light; sleep lower where you can (Sacred Valley before Cusco) and descend if headache comes with vomiting or confusion.
- South America ↗A yellow fever certificate is required on arrival in French Guiana, and asked for on some routes into Bolivia, Paraguay, Suriname and Guyana, or when arriving from Amazon areas — vaccinate at least 10 days before travel and carry the card.
- South America ↗Overnight buses are the norm in Argentina, Chile and Peru, but pick top-tier companies and keep valuables on your body; on-board thefts from overhead racks are the common loss.
- Ecuador ↗Check entry rules for your passport with Ecuador's Ministry of Foreign Affairs or an Ecuadorian consulate.
- Ecuador ↗The Galápagos has its own entry controls: a transit control card bought at the airport before departure, a national park entrance fee, and inspections for food and plants. Check official Galápagos rules before booking.
- Ecuador ↗Several coastal provinces (including Guayas, where Guayaquil is) are under official warnings and periodic states of emergency; read your government's advice before routing through them.
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Emergency numbers for Baños911 ▾
- Police, fire, ambulance (ECU 911)911
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Baños, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the US dollar (USD, $).Ecuador-wide
- SIM or eSIMClaro and Movistar (plus CNT) sell prepaid SIMs in malls and shops with a passport; Claro has the widest coverage.Ecuador-wide
- Tap waterNot safe from the tap in most places (Quito and Cuenca's water is treated but pipes vary); drink bottled or filtered.Ecuador-wide
- TippingRestaurants: 10% service often included; add a little for good service.Ecuador-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets A/B. US/Canada (A/B): fits · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 120 V: UK and AU 230 V-only devices need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.Ecuador-wide
- SafetyBaños is a small, busy tourist town, but the real risks are adventure sports with uneven operator standards…
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsPut paper in the bin, not the bowl; bus terminal toilets charge a few cents.Ecuador-wide
- Emergency numbers911 police, fire, ambulance (ecu 911)
- Sundays & holidaysMany museums close Mondays; national strikes can shut roads for days.Ecuador-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportUIO Quito Mariscal Sucre (No airport at Baños; bus from Quito's Quitumbe terminal, about 3.5 h).
- Getting aroundWalk: the centre is flat and nothing is more than about 15 minutes on foot.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- CoffeeCoffee or fresh cane juice$1–2.50
- Street or quick mealSet lunch (almuerzo) in the market$1.50–4
- Taxi, about 5 km (3 mi)Taxi, about 3 mi (5 km)Taxi within townunder $1
- Metro or bus rideBus to Río Verdeabout $0.50
- Museum or sight ticketPailón del Diablo entry$2
- Budget bedHostel dorm bed, a night, per personUS$10
- Mid-range bedDouble room, guesthouse or hotel, a night, per roomUS$55
- High-end bedDouble room, guesthouse or hotel, a night, per roomUS$120
A day, not counting the bed: Budget US$30 · Mid US$60 · High US$120
Prices in local money; change the currency in the header to see yours next to them. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- UIO Quito Mariscal Sucre (No airport at Baños; bus from Quito's Quitumbe terminal, about 3.5 h)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Best
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
Feb
Best
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
Mar
not flagged
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
Apr
not flagged
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
May
not flagged
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
Jun
Avoid
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
Jul
Avoid
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
Aug
Avoid
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
Sep
not flagged
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
Oct
Best
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
Nov
Best
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
Dec
Best
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
Best: Oct–Feb. Avoid: Jun–Aug. Month by month →
Warmest Oct (23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)), coolest Jun (12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C) low), wettest Jun (22 rain days), driest Nov (14). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Baños: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
16 rd
Feb
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
16 rd
Mar
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
18 rd
Apr
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
19 rd
May
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
20 rd
Jun
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
22 rd
Jul
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
21 rd
Aug
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
20 rd
Sep
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
18 rd
Oct
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
16 rd
Nov
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
14 rd
Dec
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
15 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
Walk: the centre is flat and nothing is more than about 15 minutes on foot. Taxis in town cost under $1. Buses run the waterfall road to Río Verde for about $0.50. Mountain bikes rent for about $5 a day; check brakes and gears before you ride.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Ruta de las Cascadas to Río Verde and Pailón del Diablo
goDoor to door: Half to full day
Bike downhill, or bus from the terminal; return by bus
Pailón del Diablo entry about $2; the first tunnel is the only one you must ride through.
Casa del Árbol
goDoor to door: 2–3 h
Bus from town, about 30 min, or a 3 h hike up
Entry about $1; swing queues grow in high season.
Tungurahua refugio
cautionDoor to door: Full day
Taxi to the Sangay National Park ranger station, then hike
Register free at the ranger station; solo hikers must turn back at the refugio (3,800 m) unless accompanied by a guide.
Puyo and the Amazon edge
goDoor to door: Full day
Bike the 61 km (38 mi) downhill, or busBike the 38 mi (61 km) downhill, or bus
Buses back to Baños run frequently and will often carry your bike.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Centro (around Parque Palomino Flores)
Walk to baths, market and agencies; quietest rooms are off the main streets.
Along Calle Ambato / north end
Near the bus terminal and the road out; handy for early departures, more traffic noise.
Ruta de las Cascadas side (Río Verde)
Only if you want waterfall views from the room; you need a bus or taxi for everything else.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- $25–45 excl. bed
- Mid
- $45–90 excl. bed
- High
- $90+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Double room, guesthouse or hotel1 × 2 nights × US$55 | US$110 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 2 days × US$60 | US$240 |
| Rafting half-day trip2 × US$35 | US$70 |
| Termas de la Virgen entry2 × US$4 · check | US$8 |
| Mountain bike rental, one day2 × US$5 | US$10 |
| eSIM, about a week of data2 × US$15 | US$30 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | US$47 |
| Trip total≈ US$129 per person per day, bed included | US$515 |
2026 estimate in US dollars; long-distance buses excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Set lunch (almuerzo) in the market | $1.50–4 |
| Coffee or fresh cane juice | $1–2.50 |
| Melcocha cane taffy | $1–3 |
| Taxi within town | under $1 |
| Bus to Río Verde | about $0.50 |
| Pailón del Diablo entry | $2 |
| Rafting half-day | $30–35 |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Tungurahua is active: follow official evacuation notices and know your route out.
- Rafting and canyoning operators vary in safety standards; ask about guides, gear and insurance before booking.
- Some Quito–Baños bus companies have a record of dropping passengers short of the terminal; keep your ticket and buy from the main counter.
- UV at this altitude is intense even under cloud: cover up and reapply sunscreen.
- Motorcycle rentals may hold your passport as deposit; photograph the bike before riding.
Emergency numbers
- Police, fire, ambulance (ECU 911)
- 911
Pocket card
Fill in, then print or save as PDF
Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.
BañosBaños de Agua Santa
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
A esta dirección, por favorTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police, fire, ambulance911
Embassy
No embassies in Baños; most are in Quito. The US, UK, Canada and Australia all have missions there (check addresses).
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Quito Quitumbe → Baños bus: about $4.45, 3.5 h (2026 estimate; check current fare and times)
- Baños → Ambato bus: about $1.10–2.20, 1 h (check)
- Taxi in town: under $1
Say or show
- ¿Cuánto cuesta? — How much is it? (KWAN-to KWES-ta)
- ¿Dónde está el terminal terrestre? — Where is the bus terminal? (DON-de es-TA el ter-mi-NAL te-RRES-tre)
- Quisiera un boleto a Baños — I would like a ticket to Baños (ki-SYE-ra un bo-LE-to a BA-nyos)
- ¿Es seguro nadar aquí? — Is it safe to swim here? (es se-GU-ro na-DAR a-KI)
- ¡Ayuda! — Help! (a-YU-da)
- Gracias — Thank you (GRA-syas)
Cash is king in Baños: many small businesses and market stalls take dollars only.
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Baños. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Oct–Feb (drier); the town runs year-round · avoid Jun–Aug for rain; check volcano alerts any month · month by month →
- 1 airport and 3 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 4 day-trips, door to door
- 5 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Airport-to-bed contract for UIO: last bus from Quitumbe, taxi fallback, overnight rung.
- Walking clusters with rescue anchors: Parque Palomino Flores, the basilica, the baths, the market.
- Place pages with verified cutoffs (Pailón del Diablo, Termas de la Virgen, Casa del Árbol) and eat pages with last orders.
- Volcano-alert fixture so the safety block can go green or red.