Ultimate Itinerary For 2 Days In Baños, Ecuador 2026

Tucked between towering volcanoes and tumbling waterfalls, Baños is Ecuador’s adventure capital – but there’s more to it than just adrenaline. For generations, the town has lured explorers in with the promise of healing hot springs, cloud forests and access to the Amazon rainforest.

So whether you’re after breathtaking thrills or views, this is the blog for you. I’m sharing my ultimate tried and tested itinerary for the best two days in Baños including the must-see sights, tastiest restaurants and cosiest stays. Read on from the top for all the details or use the options below to jump to the sections you’re most interested in. Vamos!

1. Is Baños worth visiting & is two days enough?
2. Where is Baños?
3. How to get to & around Baños safely
4. Best time to visit Baños
5. Day 1: Cycle between waterfalls & soak in hot springs at sunset
6. Day 2: Hike to epic viewpoints, go white water rafting or venture into the Amazon jungle
7. Best places to eat & drink
8. Best places to stay
9. What to pack & know before you go
10. How much a trip to Baños costs

Disclaimer: This post may include affiliate links, so if you do make a purchase through them I may get a small commission at no extra cost to you. Thank you for supporting my blog!

Baños at a glance:

• Best hotels in the city
• Top-rated hostels
• Easiest Ecuador eSIM
• Best half-day canyoning trip
• Best half-day white water rafting tour

Is Baños worth visiting & is two days enough?

First things first, if you’ve not heard much about Baños before, you might be wondering if it’s actually worth visiting. My answer would be yes, but it does depend on what you’re looking for…

If you want a taste of the Amazon rainforest without committing to trekking for days to get there then Baños is an excellent and more accessible choice. Likewise, if you’re craving a dose of adrenaline then the white water rafting, canyoning and zip lining in Baños will scratch that itch. Or even if you just want to see some of the most incredible waterfalls and volcano views in the country, Baños is 100% worth visiting.

However, with those things in mind it’s probably not surprising that Baños has become a bit of a hub for travellers and tourists. So if you’re looking for the most authentic place in Ecuador, this probably isn’t it. Baños does have interesting culture and history surrounding its origins as a thermal spa town. But beyond that most of the area is devoted to tourism. If that’s not for you, I’d recommend spending more time in the capital, Quito, or Cuenca or hiking and exploring around Cotopaxi National Park or Quilotoa Crater.

But hopefully, like me you can’t resist an epic waterfall, the lure of soothing thermal baths and the promise of the Amazon jungle! If that’s the case, read on to learn more.

Visiting Ecuador’s capital too? Find my ultimate itinerary for 2 days in Quito.

Where is Baños?

As you can see from the map below, Baños sits in the heart of Ecuador on the foothills of the Tungurahua volcano and at the gateway to the Amazon rainforest. It’s also blessed with steaming hot springs that come straight from the volcano which earned it its full name Baños de Agua Santa (Baths of Sacred Water). It’s this combined with the town’s unique location that’s attracted explorers and thrill-seekers for generations.

The city’s central position also makes it an excellent stop on longer journeys from Quito to places like Cuenca, so if you are planning to spend more time travelling around Ecuador, Baños is the perfect pit stop!

How to get to & around Baños safely

Now you know where Baños is, let’s talk getting there. Again, the beauty of Baños is that it’s not too far from Quito and so if like us you’re travelling from the capital, the journey is pretty easy. Here are the main transport options to get there…

By Ecuador Hop: By far the easiest and safest way to get to Baños is with Ecuador Hop. They provide a dedicated bus for travellers stopping at all the major sights where you can hop on and off to your heart’s content. Which means there’s no figuring out bus stations and timetables, less waiting around and most importantly comfy and reliable buses with super helpful teams and guides. Plus, they’ll also pick you and and drop you off at your accommodation for complete safety. I used Ecuador Hop for my trip after having great experiences with their sister organisations in Peru and Bolivia so I’d definitely recommend them. You can find their routes and passes here. Expect to spend the best part of a full day getting to Baños from Quito once you factor in the journey time and stops along the way.

GOOD TO KNOW: Ecuador Hop’s route from Quito to Baños also stops at Cotopaxi Volcano and Quilotoa Crater so you’ll get to see those natural wonders included in your ticket too – a win-win!

By public bus: Of course, as Ecuador Hop is a private service, it is more expensive than taking local buses. So if you’re on a tighter budget the cheapest way to get to Baños is by public bus. There’s a direct route between Quito and Baños that takes around 4.5 hours and only costs £5. It runs twice a day – once at 8am and once at 5:50pm so you have a little flexibility.

BUS TICKETS: You can find and book your bus tickets from Quito to Baños here.

Just note, safety and security on public buses can be a concern, especially when the bus is crowded. Keep a close eye on your belongings and where possible keep your bag on your lap rather than on the floor or above your head. Theft is unfortunately pretty common on these routes and pickpockets have been known to snatch bags from under the seats. But if you’re vigilant, you could save a lot of cash by taking the public bus!

By car: If you plan to spend longer travelling around Ecuador, want full control of your schedule or want to be able to visit more remote spots, then driving could be your best option. You can easily rent a car in Quito or at the airport for around £20 per day. But generally speaking, I would say it’s not necessary – either take a public or private bus for an easier journey.

CAR HIRE: Discover the best prices and book your rental car from Quito here.

It’s also worth noting that driving standards in Ecuador can vary quite a bit across the country and drivers tend to be on the more aggressive side. Plus, while the quality of the roads in cities is generally really good, once you get out into the mountains, regular heavy rainfall means mudslides and rockfalls are common. We saw so many instances of this where there were huge boulders sitting in the road or passes closed off due to mudslides. So bear this in mind if you do decide to drive yourself and consider taking breaks during heavy rainfall for safety.

Once you arrive in Baños, getting around the city is pretty easy. The main city centre is easily explored on foot and you’ll only need to take transport to head out to the waterfalls and some other sights on the outer edges of town.

By bus: There’s a bus station in the centre of Baños with services to the main waterfalls and surrounding areas like Puyo. Shorter journeys tend to cost around £1 and the service is generally good. We took a bus to Pailon Del Diablo and everything was pretty easy to navigate and we felt safe. Just make sure to check with the bus driver when you board that it is going to the right place and where possible keep your belongings on your lap for safety.

By taxi: For spots further out of the city not covered by bus routes, taxi is a good option. There is Uber in Baños and so for ease and safety I’d recommend using that over hailing a cab. Of course if you do use an unbooked taxi, always make sure they have official markings and meters, and agree the fare in advance!

By car: Lastly, if you rented a car to get you from Quito to Baños then of course you can easily drive around the city. But I would say there’s not really any need to have a car here. The city is quite compact and really walkable with a good network of buses, Ubers and bikes so you’ll always have a means of transport available.

Best time to visit Baños

Now let’s talk timings. As I mentioned earlier in this blog and as you can see from the table below, the main thing to know about the weather in Baños is that it’s wet! Yep, between March and May – the wettest time of year, you can expect up to 19 days of rain each month. So it goes without saying you probably want to avoid visiting between those months for the best chance of dodging the showers.

With that in mind, I’d recommend planning your trip to Baños between August and January for drier days that are perfect for adventuring.

When it comes to temperature, as Ecuador is on the equator, the days are mostly warm all year long and there’s not much temperature variation throughout the months. So you can be pretty sure of balmy days (just pack that waterproof)!

Month	Average High Temperature	Average Low Temperature	Average No. Rainy Days
January	18°C	9°C	13 days
February	18°C	9°C	15 days
March	18°C	9°C	18 days
April	18°C	9°C	19 days
May	17°C	8°C	19 days
June	16°C	7°C	17 days
July	16°C	7°C	16 days
August	16°C	6°C	14 days
September	17°C	7°C	15 days
October	18°C	8°C	17 days
November	18°C	8°C	15 days
December	18°C	9°C	17 days

Day 1: Cycle between waterfalls & soak in hot springs at sunset

Now let’s get onto the fun bit – the itinerary. On day one in the city, it’s all about getting your bearings and seeing the biggest sights. Here’s what I’d recommend…

Cycle the Ruta de las Cascadas to epic Pailón del Diablo

First things first, no trip to Baños is complete without witnessing the power of the town’s biggest waterfalls. There are around a dozen falls to explore between Baños and the neighbouring city of Puyo, the most powerful one being Pailón del Diablo that you can see in my photo above. If you only see one waterfall during your time in Baños make it this one! But the best way to experience all the waterfall action the city has to offer is by bike.

Cycling the Ruta de las Cascadas, as the name suggests, is the best way to go. The route is around 18 kilometres long and should take you between 2-3 hours depending on how long you stop for at each waterfall. The best part is, it’s almost all downhill. With that in mind, I’d recommend just cycling the way there and then getting the bus back rather than cycling uphill to get back to Baños. The public buses on this route generally have bike racks on the back ready to transport bikes.

To start your ride, you’ll of course need a bike. You can rent them super easily at lots of places in Baños – just look at the pricing and reviews for the shops closest to you to decide on a spot. For reference, a rental bike for one day should cost around $10. It’s likely the shop will also ask you to leave a form of identification like a driver’s license for security purposes so make sure you have something you can leave there.

TOP TIP: In addition to renting a bike, make sure the provider also gives you a helmet, bike lock and small tyre repair kit in case you get a puncture. You don’t want to be stranded or risk an injury without a helmet! Most shops will also have a paper map of the route that’s super helpful to have on hand.

Once you’re ready to ride you’ll head out of town following the main road east. This is a major road without much of a bike lane so be prepared to share the road with trucks and cars but it’s not for too long. After you pass through a covered tunnel, you’ll find a proper paved bike path to your right. From here, you’re mainly off the road and can soak up those lush mountain views. Your end destination from here is Pailón del Diablo but you can see up to 12 waterfalls on the way. But just to set your expectations, depending on the season, some of them may be too small or obscured to see. The main ones to look out for are Cascada Agoyan, Cascada Agollan, Cascada la Piedra, Manto de la Novia and of course Cascada Pailón del Diablo.

Arriving at Pailón del Diablo, you’ll realise we really did save the best for last! Expect to spend a bit of time here wandering the site, walking the paths to get up close and even behind the falls, and grabbing a coffee or cold drink (recommendations later on!). Just note, to enter the waterfall park, you’ll need to pay $2 and it’s often best to have this in cash.

Rather not cycle? If you’re not so confident on a bike or just want to give your legs a rest, you can also get to the main waterfalls like Pailón del Diablo by public bus or Uber. From Baños bus station you can catch a bus heading to Puyo or Rio Verde (the small town the waterfall is in) that will stop close to the falls (just always double check you’re on the right bus with the driver). The journey takes about 25 minutes and should cost around $1 each way.

Swing into the clouds at Casa del Arbol

In the afternoon, it’s time to swing into some rest and relaxation – see what I did there!? 😂 That’s right, one of the best ways to see Baños is to head up into the clouds to Casa del Arbol. This is a pretty treehouse set on the slopes of Tungurahua volcano with incredible views, scenic gardens, a café and a very famous swing.

Entrance is just $1 (including the swing) but you’ll need to take a taxi or drive yourself up to the site which is around 20 minutes from the centre of Baños. The swing is open Monday to Thursday from 8:30am to 6:30pm and until 7pm on Fridays. On weekends, you can swing from 7:30am to 7pm.

Take a sunset hot spring dip at Luna Volcán

From Casa del Arbol, head back down the hill a little for a sunset dip in Luna Volcán’s hot baths. As I’ve mentioned throughout this blog, it’s the city’s hot springs that first put Baños on the map so it’s only right you see what all the fuss is about on your trip!

There are a few different hot spring bathing options in the city which differ in levels of luxury. If like us, you’re ready for something a little more private and special (this was our last night in Ecuador so we were feeling like splashing the cash a little more) then choose Luna Volcán. With their Volcanic Bath Package you’ll get access to their four hot pools and jacuzzi which overlook the city as well as a facial (45 mins) or steam bath (30 mins) and a two course dinner for $89. This might sound like a lot but I’d say it’s worth it – the views at sunset are just jaw-dropping (see my photo above), the service is fantastic and the facilities are spotless. Not to mention, the food was really good and I felt like a new woman after the steam bath! Of course, complimentary bath robes, slippers and towels are also included. Just be sure to book online or by phone in advance.

If you’re on a tighter budget, there are great options to experience Baños’ healing waters without the price tag. Here are the best spots:

Balneario El Salado: Just a five minute taxi ride outside of Baños you’ll find El Salado with four pools of varying heat from toasty hot (supposedly the hottest in town) to cool and refreshing. If you’re looking for the most authentic experience with the fewest tourist numbers then this is the spot for you. It’s where local Ecuadorians will come to bathe with their family, so be prepared for younger children to be running around having a great time too!

Entrance is $4 and wearing a swimming cap is compulsory. Of course you can wear your own if you have one, or buy one at the entrance for $1. The baths are open every day from 5am to 8:30pm.

Termas de la Virgen: Unsurprisingly, the most popular baths are also the ones closest to the centre of Baños. Just a 15 minute walk from the heart of the city, you’ll find the most famous pools that overlook Virgin’s Hair waterfall. This is a pretty spot with multiple pools at a range of temperatures. It’s super affordable and accessible which is great for a quick dip but does mean it can get quite crowded.

If you do want to opt for Termas de la Virgen, try to visit earlier in the morning before the afternoon rush or after dark to see the waterfall lit up. Again, entrance is $4 for adults and you’ll need a swim cap for $1. The baths are open every day from 5am to 9pm.

Day 2: Hike to epic viewpoints, go white water rafting or venture into the Amazon jungle

On your second day in Baños, spend it seeking thrills or heading into the Amazon jungle before hiking to admire the city from a different viewpoint. As there are so many great tours and activities available in Baños, you can really adapt today’s itinerary to suit what you’re most interested in. Let’s look at the options…

Get an adrenaline rush on a canyoning or white water rafting tour

If you’re a certified thrill seeker then head out early to join a canyoning or white water rafting tour. Baños is home to some of the best rapids and waterways for exploring in Ecuador and with some of the most experienced guides who ensure maximum fun and maximum safety.

BOOK CANYONING: Find the best-reviewed half-day canyoning tour here.

BOOK RAFTING: Find the best-reviewed white water rafting half-day tour here.

These are both half day trips so expect to spend the best part of the day out on the water. Most tours also pick you up and drop you off at your accommodation for easy access.

Day trip into the Amazon jungle in Puyo

If you’re less of a thrill seeker and more of a nature lover then a half day trip into the Amazon rainforest could be the perfect way to spend your second day. Most tours will take you to Puyo, the last town before you’re officially in jungle and from there you’ll hike to waterfalls, take a canoe trip down the river to spot monkeys, vultures, bright tropical birds and lots of enormous fish, meet Quechua communities, and learn how chocolate is made.

We took one of these trips and it was brilliant – a relaxing way to learn more about the nature, wildlife and people of the Amazon.

BOOK HERE: Find the best-reviewed Amazon jungle day trip here.

Walk between the iconic hands of Las Manos de Dios

If you still have a little energy after your day of adventure, a great way to end your time in Baños is to hike or Uber to some of the best views of Tungurahua volcano. These are generally to the north of the town on the hills facing the volcano following the Ruta de los Miradores.

Along these roads/trails from Baños you’ll find a few different miradores offering sweeping views of the volcano. The main ones to head for are Las Antenas, Mirador Los Pies de Dios and Las Manos de Dios (the hands of God). You can follow hiking trails to the lower viewpoints in around 1.5 – 2 hours or take on a challenge to reach the higher ones. Alternatively, you can hop in an Uber and head to the top in 20 minutes from the city centre.

Best places to eat & drink

To fuel your days of exploring and cycling, you need the best food and drink in the city. Here are my favourite spots…

Andes Speciality Coffee

For the best barista quality coffee in the city, head to Andes. This modern and fresh café is the perfect spot to sit back and relax or even do a little travel journaling while you sip your brew. Plus, if you’re hungry for something more, they do have a range of breakfast and lunch dishes made with the freshest ingredients.

Honey Coffee & Tea

For the best cakes and pastries in town, choose Honey Coffee & Tea. Here you’ll find their mouth-watering selection of freshly baked sweet treats to enjoy with another coffee (no judgement) or maybe a cup of tea. We ended up eating here a couple of times during our trip as the place is so cosy and welcoming.

Arepas To Go

For the best quick and easy lunches – choose an Arepa. These are traditional Venezuelan flatbreads with a range of sweet and savoury fillings which make the perfect on-the-go snacks. The family who run this restaurant are so lovely and their incredible reviews speak for themselves – run, don’t walk to Arepas To Go! 😂

Cafetería & Restaurante Pailón del Diablo

For refreshing drinks, a caffeine hit or lite bites while exploring Pailón del Diablo waterfall, head to the café on-site. This is a really lovely spot where you can sip your coffee and watch the waterfall. I would just note, the food menu is quite simple and potentially a bit over priced for what it is so unless you’re really hungry I’d stick to just a drink here rather than a whole meal.

LOLA Café Restaurant

When it comes to dinner, if you’re craving a steak then look no further than LOLA. This is a brilliant restaurant with a great atmosphere that serves a whole range of dishes from pasta and fish, to rice dishes and soup but they’re most famous for their steaks.

Crater Rooftop Bar

For sunset cocktails and snacks, choose Crater Rooftop Bar. This is actually a bar on top of the hostel we stayed at. While I didn’t love the hostel, the rooftop bar was actually excellent. It’s a great spot to watch sunset, enjoy some music and vibes and sip a local beer or cocktail. They do also have a bar snacks menu which is perfect for a light dinner or early evening bite.

Restaurante México de mis Sabores

For the best Mexican food in the city, head to Restaurante México de mis Sabores. Here you’ll find delicious authentically cooked tacos, fajitas, nachos and more with some of the tastiest salsas and drinks to go with them.

Best places to stay

When it comes to getting the best night’s sleep, Baños has lots of great options to suit every budget but one thing I’d recommend is not getting too hung up on staying in the actual city. I was really focused on being in the centre of town but in reality it’s a pretty noisy, chaotic and less pleasant place to be. Really, the best hostels and hotels are further out into the nature – that’s where you’ll actually feel like you’re on the edge of the Amazon and enjoy the best views, activities and experiences. So don’t let the hostel being a five minute Uber ride from the centre put you off! With that in mind, here are my top picks…

Budget: Mama Tungu Hostel (dorm beds from £6 per night)

If you’re travelling on a tight budget, choose Mama Tungu Hostel. Honestly, this is where I wish I stayed during my time in Baños as the hostel is newer, fresh, super clean and out in nature! As you can see from the photo above there’s an on-site pool, hot tub, lounging areas, full restaurant and bar as well as lots of other communal space to relax and hang out.

Plus, it gets better – the hostel actually offer lots of free activities and trips you can join and the location is super close to three of the waterfalls on the Ruta de las Cascadas. If you need any final convincing, just take a peek at the reviews… 😍

Mid-range: Hostal & Spa Casa Real (from £35 per night including breakfast)

For a little more privacy, choose Casa Real. This hotel is just a five minute walk from the centre of Baños but feels like such an escape from the hustle and bustle of the city. Laze in a hammock on your own private balcony, feast on a tasty breakfast with views of Cascada de la Virgen waterfall or relax in their on-site sauna. There’s a lot to love about this place!

Special stay: Finca Chamanapamba Guest House (from £49 per night)

For something a bit special, choose Finca Chamanapamba. This is an incredible wooden lodge build in the rainforest basin offering access to wildlife and nature on your doorstep. Their beautifully designed spaces will make you feel much further from the city than you are with hammock-lined balconies, BBQ fire pits, tropical breakfasts and a waterfall flowing through the site.

While this place is 4km outside of central Baños, there’s a bus stop nearby you can use to catch the bus into the centre. Or just order an Uber for the five minute journey!

Luxury: Luna Volcán Adventure Spa (£271 per night including breakfast)

If you’re travelling to Ecuador for a special occasion, you might be looking for a little more indulgence. If that’s the case, look no further than Luna Volcán Hotel. This is the hotel attached to the thermal baths I mentioned earlier in this blog and it’s just as lovely. Here you’ll find elegant rooms with incredible sweeping views of area and some of the best service. Not to mention full access to the hot pools for the entirety of your stay!

Once we finished our sunset soak and dinner at Luna Volcán we were feeling pretty jealous of the people around us staying the night. But sadly it wasn’t in the budget for that trip – we’ll be back!

What to pack & know before you go

As with any new destination, there are always tips and tricks it’s helpful to know in advance. Here are a few of mine…

Don’t skip waterproofs: As I mentioned earlier in this blog, as Ecuador sits on the equator it tends to be pretty humid all year and that means the chances of rain is pretty high. So always make sure you have waterproofs with you because if it does rain it’s unlikely to be a light shower! 😂 This is downpour territory and you can get soaked in seconds. So choose a decent waterproof jacket or poncho during warmer weather and consider packing a waterproof bag cover to keep your rucksack dry.

Pack your US dollars: When it comes to currency, you might not know that Ecuador uses US dollars. So if you have any left over from a previous trip, this is a great time to use them up!

A little Spanish goes a long way: While you’ll still find many English speakers in Baños, don’t expect everyone to be fluent. There are likely to be situations where you’ll need a few Spanish phrases to order your coffee, get a table in a restaurant or buy a bus ticket. So try to practice a few simple phrases and the numbers to 10 just in case. Plus, I think you always have better interactions with local people when you show you’re trying!

The political situation can change quickly: You may have seen Ecuador feature in the news more in recent years and that’s because there’s been quite a lot of political change within the country and some protests and demonstrations as a result. While this generally doesn’t affect tourists, there have been instances of police curfews being instated and larger scale protests. But as long as you comply with local authorities and steer clear of political gatherings the politics is unlikely to affect your trip!

Exercise normal safety precautions: You may have also seen articles about rising crime in Ecuador but the key thing to recognise is this is generally about organised crime, not risks to tourists. The government has been investing heavily in measures to combat gang and drug-related violence as well as improve safety for visitors. Which is why as long as you take regular precautions like not walking along deserted unlit streets at night, keeping a close eye on your belongings and not flashing expensive jewellery or tech you shouldn’t have any problems. We had no issues during our trip and felt perfectly safe exploring the main sights!

How much a trip to Baños costs

That leaves one final question – how much do you need to budget for your trip to Baños? The good news is, Ecuador is still a pretty affordable travel destination, especially when it comes to accommodation. So if you’re on a tight budget, expect to spend as little as £30 on food, activities and a night in a dorm room during your two day trip to Baños.

If you’re craving the privacy of a private room or hotel, fancier meals and a few drinks at sunset, expect to spend £70 or more for a mid-range Baños experience.

There we have it! That’s my tried and tested itinerary for the best two days in Baños. I hope you enjoy your time here as much as I did and if you have any questions or tips of your own, please let me know in the comments box below. Happy travelling!

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