Banos and the Pailon del Diablo

Banos De Agua Santa, A Spa And Adventure Town Known For Its Thermal Baths, Canyon Swings, Rafting, Zip Lines And The Ruta De Las Cascadas, A Road Past A String Of Waterfalls Ending At The Pailon Del Diablo. Tungurahua Volcano Above Has Erupted Repeatedly Since 1999. · Banos, Tungurahua

Banos de Agua Santa sits at about 1,800 m in the Pastaza valley, at the foot of Tungurahua volcano, and is Ecuador's adventure town. Hot baths, waterfalls, rafting, canyoning, zip lines and a long street of tour offices fill a small centre that is busy every weekend. The trip most people plan around is the Ruta de las Cascadas, a road of about 18 km running downhill past waterfalls such as Manto de la Novia to the Pailon del Diablo, the Devil's Cauldron, an 80 m fall you walk down to and stand beside. The honest picture is a fun but crowded place. Street operators sell tours of uneven quality, and the volcano has erupted repeatedly, so check the alert level. Choose licensed operators with safety gear, go early on weekdays, bring a rain poncho and cash, and plan a full day for the waterfall road alone. Roads from Quito, Ambato and Riobamba are easy, buses run often, and many visitors stay two or three nights to rest between activities. Rain gear and small cash are the two things people forget, and a weekday start avoids the worst of the queues.

Adventure town at about 1,800 m in the valley of the Pastaza river, at the foot of Tungurahua volcano, with the Pailon del Diablo waterfall about 18 km down the valley, Banos, Tungurahua, Ecuador

The town is open every day and most tour offices, cafes and baths trade from early morning into the evening. The Pailon del Diablo and other waterfall sites charge a small fee and close at dusk. Baths and operators keep their own hours, with quieter schedules on weekdays. The Ruta de las Cascadas road itself is free. Confirm times locally.

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