Baños

Cascada de La Virgen

This is the main waterfall near the city center which empties near the thermal baths.

Church of the Virgin of the Holy Water

Nuestra Señora del Agua Santa

This neo-Gothic style church is named after the vision of the Virgin Mary seen near the appropriately named waterfalls and is therefore a place of pilgrimage for those who come to thank the Virgin for many miracles and to ask for her blessing. It was built with many volcanic rocks and the inside is lined with paintings depicting the Virgin's miracles, including saving the church from several volcanic eruptions.

Eco Zoo San Martin

The local zoo is quite large and features animals from various parts of Ecuador; monkeys, Andean bears, tayras (these may poop on visitors!), and jaguars, birds including condors, toucans and parrots, and Galapagos tortoises from but also snakes and tarantulas.

Manto de la novia

This dynamic waterfall sometimes features two distinct chutes and has a cable car ride available.

Mirador de Bellavista

Viewpoint from where you can see Baños and the Pastaza river valley it's located in.

Pailon de diablo

This is the most impressive of the falls in the area with an option to hike to the source for a closer look. You can hike to it from both sides, the shorter one overlooks the falls from the top. The longer and a bit more strenous one (you need to cross the bridge for it) offers you views from the bottom. At the end of it there is a very narrow passage (only 80 cm high) where you literally need to crouch, but even if you don't do it then what you will see will be worth it. If you are taking a tour they may want to only take you for the first hike, but feel free to abandon your tour and cross the bridge to see the other one. There is plenty of transportation available which will take you back to Baños, including local buses charging $0.50 fare. There is a nice cafe (Cafe Pailón del Diablo) which can be reached from the longer hike, you need to cross a hanging bridge in order to get there.

$2.00 (each side)

Parque Central Palomino Flores

The central park just west of downtown is lined by the city hall and tourist information.

Puente San Fransisco

The bridge across the deep Pastaza Gorge is just north of downtown and a world class place for bungeejumping.

Parque Montavalo

A park in the south of the city

Parque de la Basilica

Lively park right next to the basilica.