Visit La Iglesia Nuestra Senora del Agua Santa, a neo-Gothic style church named after the vision of the Virgin Mary seen near the appropriately named waterfalls, a place of pilgrimage for those who come to thank the Virgin for 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.
There are a few popular spots to get some scenic views on Tungurahua, and Banos from above. The first is the Antennas, which are literally the antennas perched atop mountains above Banos. This is the best spot for viewing Tungurahua from a distance, and a round trip taxi will only cost you USD$15. The other option is to take a taxi up to the Casa de Arbol (treehouse) which is perched on the edge of a valley that runs down the side of the volcano and will also cost USD15 for a roundtrip.
Banos is the adventure capital of South America, where you can do all kinds of activities from rafting to paragliding, through many well equipped and trustworthy tour agencies. There are dozens of travel agencies offering rafting, canyoning, paragliding, zip lining, biking tours, jungle tours, horseback riding, trekking tours, amongst other activities in Banos. There are two nearby bridges that offer visitors the opportunity to jump off, and swing like a pendulum. The higher bridge jump costs USD$20. Full and half day whitewater rafting trips are offered on the Pastaza River. The class of rapids available may vary based on water levels. Talk to tour operators to find out what you can expect. Half day trips run USD$30. Climbing the 5,023 meter active Tungurahua Volcano is normally done over the course of two days, with a night being spent at a Refuge at 3,400 meters. Alternatively, you can simply hike to the Refuge. You can also drive up Chimborazo, Ecuador's highest volcano, which goes up to 6,267 meters, and bike back down with mountain bikes. About an hour by bus from Banos, and 15 minutes further by taxi, you will find the Monkey Reservation in Puyo, where you can play with monkeys. Go canyoning and jump into Rio Blanco with an experienced guide for a series of 4 waterfall abseils in quick succession from 8 to 35 meters. The first two are more technical, while the third and fourth are vertical cliffs, and therefore easier to get down. Half day trips with lunch included cost USD$30.
Take a waterfall tour on the Ruta de las Cascadas. In addition to Banos' natural setting at the base of an active volcano, it's within easy walking, biking, or driving distance to a wide array of waterfalls and rivers. Within a 20-minute drive of Banos are dozens of waterfalls and some of the biggest are easily visible from the road. There are numerous ways to visit them, from bicycling at your own pace, to renting an ATV, to taking a double-decker chiva for just USD$6. Some of the waterfalls offer you the chance to take a ride across the canyon on a metal cable car for only USD$1. You can hike for USD$1 right up to the most impressive waterfall, Pailon de Diablo, and actually climb underneath them if you're willing to get wet. The Cascada de La Virgen is the main waterfall near the city center which empties near the thermal baths. The Manto de la novia, is a dynamic waterfall that sometimes features two distinct chutes and has a cable car ride available. For a more relaxing day, head to the Hot Springs (Termales), either at the base of Cascada de la Virgen, only a 5 minute walk from the center of town or at El Salado, newer hot springs located a few kilometers from central Banos. The first Hot Springs have an entrance fee of USD$2, offer towel rental for USD$1 and are open day and night, but can get very crowded, especially on weekends, due to its close proximity to the town. Regarding El Salado, it's worth a bicycle or taxi ride to get there. These pools are situated alongside a creek, and are only open during the day. Locals say the best time to visit is 17h when you will have them to yourself. There are also a number of spas in central Banos that offer a wide range of services, including regular massages for USD$20/hour, hot stone massages for USD$25/hour and manicures & pedicures for USD$10 each.
A nice way to explore destinations in Banos is with local tours that last just a few hours. This way you can see as much as possible in an efficient way with knowledgable guides. Prices vary by the type of activity or tour, the dates, and the size of the group. Here are a few of the highest rated tours by previous visitors:
- Rafting Tour for $40 details
- Full Day Private Tour to Cotopaxi Volcano and Quilotoa Lagoon for $90 details
- Private Full Day Tour in Baños for $65 details
Below are a few common prices for sightseeing and activity entry fees in Banos, all of which are based on the reports of previous travelers. These figures should give you a rough estimate of what you can expect to pay. Keep in mind, though, your costs will vary depending on the activities you choose and whether you take advantage of free or budget-friendly options.