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Want to venture out of Quito and explore the outdoor opportunities of beautiful Ecuador? You are in luck. Here are 5 incredible things to do in Banos, Ecuador, for an unforgettable trip!
So you find yourself in Quito, and after eating all the chocolate and empanadas, and wandering through Quito’s charming streets, you are looking for something else to do outside the city. Don’t worry, while visiting Ecuador it’s impossible to be bored!
Exhibit A) The enchanting and adrenaline-packed nearby town of Banos, Ecuador—one of the best day trips from Quito—where you will find a variety of fun and unique activities for all kinds of travelers.
So let’s get started, here are 5 incredible things to do in Banos, Ecuador that you cannot miss!
What is Banos, Ecuador?
But first things first, what is Banos, Ecuador?
Banos, or Baños de Agua Santa, is a small town located 180km (111 mi) south of Quito—or about a 3.5 hr drive—and it’s a hotspot for both, adventure lovers and travelers looking for a relaxing nature escape.
Nestled at the feet of the Tungurahua volcano, Banos is famous for its natural hot springs, incredible biodiversity, known as the “gateway to the Amazon”, and the many extreme sports opportunities provided by the town’s natural surroundings.
How to get to Banos, Ecuador?
The easiest way for us was to rent a car in Quito and drive to Banos one day in advance to wake up bright and early and pack our day with activities.
If you don’t feel comfortable driving, an easier way is to visit Banos, Ecuador with a guided tour that will drive you to the city, and then take you to all the different activities.
How to book activities in Banos, Ecuador?
If you’re a better planner than my friends and I were during our visit to Baños, Ecuador, you can easily book your Banos activities online in advance through trustworthy platforms.
However, we were young and going with the flow so we just showed up in the town, walked around, and picked some things to do.
As soon as you walk into the main square of Baños, Ecuador you will see a variety of adventure sports agencies. We walked around and picked one out with a good TripAdvisor rating—and apparently, it was also featured in “The Amazing Race” TV show.
It seemed like a pretty safe bet.
5 Incredible Things To Do In Banos, Ecuador
1) Ziplining and climbing: For the adrenaline lover
One of the best things to do in Banos, Ecuador is to dive into the extreme sports and adventure activities—it would be rude not to!
So the first thing we did, was this “adventure” package which included zip lining, a suspension bridge, and climbing up a rocky mountain.
You can choose between different climbing levels, ours was intermediate, and the whole package cost approximately 25 USD—the Ecuadorian currency is US dollars.
The price included the transportation to and from the place, as well as the equipment needed for each activity.
This is such an exciting and fun activity, but I will say that it is not for the faint of heart—my adrenaline levels were through the roof the whole time—but it was such a fulfilling challenge.
So if you are looking to get out of your comfort zone in beautiful Ecuador, I would highly recommend this activity.
2) Flight of the Condor: Swing over lush hills
If you have heard about Banos before, then you’ve probably heard about the adorable swing over the lush Ecuadorian hills where people line up to get the perfect shot.
Well, this is not it.
This is its adrenaline-packed swing brother.
“The Swing at the End of the World” became famous for the beautiful photos you can take while you swing off a “cliff” in front of a volcano. It’s a cute visual, but that’s mostly it.
On the other hand, “The Flight of the Condor” is not for those looking only for a pretty shot. Here you are strapped to the swing, the ropes, to everything. You have a helmet on.
And who looks cute with a helmet on anyway?
This is not a place for a cliche picture. This is the place to feel your heart beat out of your chest and scream at the top of your lungs.
You start by standing on a small wooden platform while they strap you in. Then, you will hear your Ecuadorian friend counting down from 3, when you hear that uno, the piece of wood holding you will be gone, and you with it.
As you swing over a never-ending hill of green on top of one of the tallest mountains around. It’s absolutely breathtaking!
Definitely one of the best things to do in Banos, Ecuador and you cannot miss! it
3) Rafting: For the adventure lover
BTW: Everything you have read so far was accomplished on the same day before midday. We were running like crazy from one place to the other and somewhere around 2 pm we had rafting scheduled. And we were so excited about this one!
Rafting costs about 20 USD per person, which includes transportation to and from the place (a 40-minute drive from Baños to the river) all the equipment; suits, helmets, shoes, and the instructor.
Before you get into the water you will get a lesson on land on how to act while on the raft; how to use our paddle, how to understand the commands of the guide, what to do in case anyone falls into the rapids, etc.
So don’t worry, you will go into the river feeling confident and knowledgeable about what to expect from the activity.
I was still a bit nervous going into this activity, but I think the beauty of the rapids is that once you are in them you don’t have a choice, you need to act. Paddle, turn, listen, hold on.
It doesn’t even give you a minute to get scared because you are so busy working with your team. And honestly, it was so much fun!
Highly recommend adding it to your adrenaline menu while visiting Banos, Ecuador!
4) Canyoning: For even more adrenaline
Because we didn’t have enough of the adrenaline rush, we got back from rafting at around 5 PM, and we went straight back to the agency and asked if there was any other activity we could fit in to finish the day.
Canyoning came up, so we signed up for it!
They just had to check it was safe since it was getting dark in an hour or so. They said yes, and we said yes. We are in Ecuador, let’s go descend some waterfalls!
Canyoning costs around 20 USD per person as well, which includes transportation, equipment, and guides.
I did canyoning before in Mindo, but this was different. Waterfalls in Mindo were pretty streams of water trickling down rocky walls. Here they were actual torrents of water rushing down big scary rocks. It was absolutely terrifying and absolutely electrifying!
I am so thankful I played bravely and went through it all.
An unmissable thing to do in Banos, Ecuador for the true adrenaline junkie!
5) Ecuadorian souvenir shopping: Alpaca sweaters
Lastly, a much more relaxing activity to end a glorious day in Baños is shopping for the perfect souvenir.
Around the charming Banos, Ecuador you will find various artisan shops selling all kinds of products, from leather bags to wooden toys, to these gorgeous and cozy alpaca sweaters—which I chose.
I know this is not a real adrenaline rush, but after all the heart-racing sports this will be your little trophy you get to keep; a cozy warm reward for conquering the adventurous Baños.
Hope this post helps you narrow down some of the best things to do in Banos, Ecuador, and inspires you to get out of your comfort zone and try something a little adventurous.
Which activity would you be more excited to try in Banos, Ecuador? Let us know in the comments.