It
would be a
missed opportunity
to go to Banos
and not experience
a hot spring
bath. The
main baths
are the Banos
de la Virgin
by the waterfall
at the southeast
end of town.
There are
showers, changing
rooms, three
pools of varying
temperatures,
and the cost
is minimal.
Dress code:
a bathing
suit. The
baths open
at 4:30am.
The earlier
you get there
the better
- a dawn immersion
in a hot spring
sets you up
for the day.
Even more
pleasant are
the baths
at El
Salado,
about a mile
out of town
off the Ambato
road. These
are less crowded
and there
are more pools.
There's also
a cold waterfall
to cool off
your steamed-up
body.
Some people
complain that
the baths
are dirty;
it's true
that they
aren't as
immaculate
and modern
as their counterparts
in, say, Japan.
But don't
be concerned
by the slight
colouration
in the water;
it is caused
by the water's
mineral content.
The other
complaint
from some
gringas
is that
they get stared
at by the
locals, which
is all the
more reason
to go early
when fewer
people are
around.
Outside of
town, heading
down on the
road to Puyo,
about 20 km
[12 miles]
down the rough
but dramatic
old road you
come to the
village of
Rio
Verde.
From here,
walk down
a trail to
the right
which takes
you down into
the canyon
the Rio Pastaza
where there's
a mighty waterfall,
aptly named
El
Pailon del
Diablo,
the Devil's
Cauldron.
Below the
canyon is
a wooden suspension
bridge and
a path that
leads to El
Otro Lado,
[the
Other Side],
an exquisite
house with
three separate
cabanas
that
is totally
isolated and
surrounded
by dense jungle
and views
of the canyon.
The hosteria
shut unfortunately
in 2000, and
its future
is uncertain.
You can ask
Quito or Banos
travel agents
for any news.
There are
many good
walks and
horse rides
around Banos.
A popular
excursion
is up to the
Bella
Vista cross
that overlooks
the town,
about an hour's
steep walking
up a path
leading off
Calle Maldonado.
Bring a stick
in case of
dogs, and
it's best
to go in a
group because
robberies
have been
reported in
the area.
Other walks
include a
two-hour climb
to Illuchi
village that
gives you
great views
over the Banos
valley and
to Volcan
Tungurahua,
or else the
longer hike
to the village
of Lligua,
via the falls
of Cascada
Ines Maria.
Just 20 minutes'
walk from
the town along
the Ambato
road is the
San
Martin Zoo,
a surprisingly
large and
well-maintained
ecozoologico
with
a variety
of native
animals and
birds including
jaguars,
tapirs,
spectacled
bears,
harpy
eagles
and condors.
Many died
in the trauma
of evacuation,
but the zoo
was up and
running again
in 2001. Also
recommended
is the Basilica,
dedicated
to the Virgin
of the Holy
Water, and
its adjoining
museum.
Last
updated 6th
July 2006
| |Article contributed by Dominic Hamilton||| |
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