GUIA TURISTICA DE BAÑOS

 

WELCOME TO CITY OF BAÑOS

CITY OF 

BAÑOS

NAME:

 KARINA VIMOS

touristic GUIDE of baños

Agency: 

Karin’s hostery

COST: 

$5.00

PHONE: 

03-5968417

ADDRESS: 

LUISA A MARTINEZ Y 12 DE NOVIEMBRE 

 CITY OF BAÑOS

Baños (de Agua Santa) is a small city in the Andean highlands of  ECUADOR under the smoke of volcano Tungurahua.

It's equally popular with foreigners as with Ecuadorians, and is known as the adventure capital of Ecuador. The streets are lined with hotels, restaurants, souvenir shops, and tour agents. Although it seems a bit touristy and artificial, lots of people love it, and it's definitely worth a visit. 

 CHURCH OF THE VIRGIN OF THE HOLY WATER 

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 multiple volcanic eruptions.  

 Waterfalls

Cascada de La Virgen. This is the main waterfall near the city center which empties near the thermal baths.  

Manto de la novia, (Ruta de las Cascadas). This dynamic waterfall sometimes features two distinct chutes and has a cable car ride available.  

Pailón de diablo, (Ruta de las Cascadas). This is the most impressive of the falls in the area with an option to hike to the source for a closer look.

 

 LA CASA DEL ARBOL

Hailed as the "Swing at the End of the World" this awesome and cheap  activity will have you sitting on a plank of wood as you sail out over the edge of a steep hill. Reachable by a 3 hour hike from Banos (directions available from the tourist office), or 30 minute taxi , or public bus which leaves Baños at 6am, 11am, and 2pm daily (except Sundays) from the corner of Rocafuerte and Pastaza and returns from La Casa Del Arbol at 8am, 1pm, and 4pm. 

 eat

At the market you can find decent meals from 

Other places to try include:

Casa Hood, Martínez & Eloy Alfaro,  Perhaps the most recommended restaurant in Banos, Casa Hood serves up an eclectic array of dishes that are all outstanding, including many vegetarian options. The atmosphere here is very relaxed and the many bookshelves full of books and games make it feel like a living room. Any of the books can be traded for your own and the games are  open for anyone to play.

    Mestizart Ecuadorian Restaurant, Central Park Corner (Ambato & Thomas Halflants Crnr.), Traditional Ecuadorian food for great prices. Try their Llapingachos. They serve a variety of daily specials. They do indeed have a wonderful variety of plates on any given day, one of the best breakfasts in town, and an interesting choice of beers. Trendy Ecuadorian & international cuisine. Beautiful décor. Amazing views of downtown and the surrounding areas of Baños Ecuador.  

Poncho's Snack Bar, Rocafuerte & Maldonado. The confusing mix of cultures inside these doors make the place a hit. Enjoy your superhamburguesa between the shrine to Che Guevara and the pictures of John Wayne.  

Arte Café y Te, 12 de Noviembre 500 y Oriente. This beautiful new cafe serves gourmet coffee, tea and delicious sweet and savory crepes. The cozy hammock chairs on the patio and the beautiful presentation of each drink and plate of food only add to the instant appeal of the French-Colombian owned cafe.

SUGAR CANE JUICE

Sugar cane is also popular in a less worked form as chewable cane pulp sticks or squeezed juice. 

 SUGAR CANE TAFFY

Melcocha is Ecuador's hallmark candy and the majority of it is made in Baños. The abundance of sugar cane in the area makes this version of taffy a local specialty. It is a naturally sweet taffy made from boiled raw cane syrup. In store fronts that sell it you are likely to see it being made by pulling it and beating it against sturdy door frames. 

COME AND ENJOY WAITING