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Baths
Baños means 'baths,' which is precisely what the town is famous for, and precisely what you should get into at least once while you're here. Most of them are fed by thermal springs burbling from the base of the active Volcán Tungurahua. The water in the pools is constantly being recycled and only looks murky because of its mineral content, which is touted for its restorative and healthful properties. Chlorates, sulfates and magnesium are among the principal chemicals found in the baths.
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La Piscina de La Virgen
This is the best-known bath in Baños, the only hot pools in town. There are three altogether: one is cold, another is warm and a third reaches nearly 48°C (118°F), making it a truly scalding experience. The best time to hit the pools is in the early morning when there are fewer people. If you're curious, ask the basket woman to show you the ojo del agua , where the water, heated by the volcano, gushes from the earth at a scorching 50°C (122°F)!
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Piscina El Salado
If you walk up the hill and past the cemetery on Martínez, you'll end up on a track that crosses a stream (Quebrada de Naguasco) on a small wooden footbridge. The trail continues on the other side to a road in front of Cabañas Bascun, where you turn left to reach Piscina El Salado. These are the only other hot pools (apart from La Piscina de La Virgen), and because they're 2.5km out of town, they're usually less crowded.
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Piscina Gamboa
Numerous private baths have sprung up in town, though none of them are mineral baths. Still, they're relaxing. One of the best is Piscina Gamboa, which has an indoor lap pool, baños de cajón (steam boxes), hot tub, mud masks and massages. The basic around US$3 fee covers the pool only.
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Piscinas Las Modernas/Las Peñas
With a waterslide, a swing set, water toys and cool pools, Piscinas Las Modernas/Las Peñas is the place to take the kids for the day.
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Piscinas Santa Clara
Piscinas Santa Clara has two cooler pools (about 22°C or 72°F), which are higher in minerals than La Virgen.
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Volcano Watching
For a while, the attraction of watching the erupting Volcán Tungurahua practically dwarfed the town's baths. Although not as dramatic as it was, the volcano still puffs smoke and ash and seeing it is an unforgettable experience. The crater cannot be seen from the town itself. You have to walk either to Runtún, to the northern edge of town, near the Puente San Francisco, or to other spots outside town.
Showing 1-7 of 7 results
