Visual Highlights from Baños, Ecuador

Rafting in Banos Ecuador
Table of Contents
View of Banos Ecuador
The view of Banos Ecuador from above – Can you spot the Basilica?

Tucked under the shadow of Ecuador’s largest volcano, high up in the Ecuadorian Andes lies the beautiful town of Baños.

Baños is named for the Church of the Virgin of the Holy Water, Nuestra Señora del Agua Santa and features an incredible Basilica in the middle of town that was built from volcanic rock after an eruption of the Tungurahua volcano in 1999, which forced an evacuation of the entire town.

Tourists both foreign and domestic come to Baños to give thanks to the Virgin as well as enjoy the famous hot springs and exciting outdoor activities.

One of the greatest aspects of exploring Baños is that you can kick your own ass all day and then apologize with a $20, 90-minute full body massage (not full service) or hot springs bath afterwards.

I went white water rafting, mountain biking, jumped off a bridge, swam in waterfalls with Spaniards, hiked to the Tungurahua volcano viewpoint and even managed to get myself in a locals pick-up basketball game.

Baños was one of the highlights of my Ecuadorian adventure and here is some visual evidence as to why. Enjoy.

Main Street in Banos Ecuador
The view of Main Street in Banos from my bathroom.
The Waterfalls of Banos Ecuador
Mountain Biking around the waterfalls in Banos 
Whitewater rafting in Banos Ecuador
Whitewater rafting in Banos – Group pump up before we push off.
Whitewater rafting in Banos Ecuador
While everyone was smiling for this photo we lost somebody overboard.
Rafting in Banos Ecuador
Rafting break to take a group waterfall shower. I can’t show you the photos of how it ended. Big orgy.
Treking to Tungurahua volcano viewpoint above Banos Ecuador
Trekking to Tungurahua Volcano viewpoint above Baños. It’s lonely at the top.
Wild Flowers in Banos Ecuador
So many wild flowers along the hike in Banos. It took everything I had to not taste them all.
View of Banos Ecuador
Overlooking Banos on my way to Tungurahua Volcano. I should have brought a second shirt.
Hiking Banos Ecuador
The farm is close to the Virgen statue. So it’s a Holy Cow.
Trekking above Banos Ecuador to the Virgen
I am about to go where no man has gone before.
Nuestra Señora del Agua Santa in Banos Ecuador
Nuestra Señora del Agua Santa in all of her purity looking over the city
Basketball in Banos Ecuador
Nothing better than a locals pick-up hoops game.
Waterfalls in Banos Ecuador
Oh hell why not one more waterfall shot – double your visual pleasure. No mas. Baños out.

 Shout out to Finola of Travelola.org for providing the photos from our whitewater rafting adventure. 

See also  February Update: Building off Setbacks

6 Responses

    1. Thanks Oliver, it was a blast. I’ve been a few times around the States and Canada, but this was definitely the most picturesque rafting experience of my life.

  1. Nice photos of Banos Ecuador, we manage a tourist directory for Baños and we were doing some online research today, we found your blog and we were nicely impressed by the nice pictures you managed to take while visiting Banos.. Well done!
    Most of your pictures are inspirational to me, I loved the rafting photos too! I am very happy that you enjoyed yourself when visiting us here..

    Would love to hear from you back in our site if you have the time.

    Maurice

  2. Hey Gareth! Love the photos! I’m currently living in Quito, Ecuador for 10 weeks with a family! Over the next 6 weekends, I’m going to travel to a few different places with the other student that is living here with me! One of them is Baños! I wanted to know if you have any suggestions of what to do while I’m there for a short weekend. I’m always down for an adventure and love to get my adrenaline rushing! Thank you!!

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