You may have seen a photo of a person swinging off a cliff to an erupting volcano somewhere on the Internet before, but did you know that the volcano is Mt. Tungurahua and that the photo was taken in Baños, Ecuador?
I didn't know that and was happily surprised when I arrived in Baños and saw the swing, the treehouse, and the volcano with my own eyes. Here's the ultimate backpacking guide on adventurous things to do in Baños for solo travelers, including that swing and some other less crowded swings around Baños.
- Baños Things to Do Map
- Where to Stay in Baños, Ecuador?
- 5 Things to Do in Baños, Ecuador
- More Banos Activities
- Ecuador Travel Video
- When to Visit Baños, Ecuador?
- How to Get to Baños, Ecuador?
- How to Get around Baños, Ecuador?
- What to Pack for Banos, Ecuador?
- Which tourist SIM card is best for Ecuador?
- Further Reading for Ecuador
Baños Things to Do Map
5 Things to Do in Baños, Ecuador
1. Hike up to Mirador Bellavista
The first thing in the morning is to have a nice breakfast and a cup of coffee before we hit the ground running with a small hike up to Mirador Bellavista, which should take you no more than 30 minutes. It's a nice stroll up to a viewpoint where you can see Baños in its entirety.
There are some shops there where you can have a drink or some snacks, but they were not open when I was there for some reason. So, please prepare some snacks for the hike the day before.
Where to Stay in Baños, Ecuador?
2. Swing at the Edge of the World at La Casa del Arbol
From the Mirador Bellavista, you can walk east to the main road and either hitchhike or wait for a bus to arrive and head towards the famous tree house swing at the edge of the world, La Casa del Arbol. It is a bit crowded here, but if you are looking to get a photo of that iconic shot of a swing at the edge of a cliff overlooking the volcano, this is the place.
- Papachos Hostel (Budget)
- Selina Baños (Mid-Range) 👍 Top Pick
- Sangay Spa Hotel (High-End)
- Canyoning in Baños Chamana Waterfall (3 hours 30 minutes)
- The Best Extreme Canyoning -Cashaurco in -Banos Ecuador (5 hours)
- Paragliding Tandem Tour (4 hours)
There are several swings around the area, with two main ones at the treehouse that are equipped with security belts for safety. You can also climb up the treehouse and see the volcano from up there if you don't feel like swinging off a cliff.
The admission fee to the tree house is $1 USD. Avoid the weekends, as there may be long lines waiting for a turn on the swings. If you think it's too crowded at La Casa del Arbol, don't worry. I have another secret spot for you with an even more prominent view of the Tungurahua volcano from the other side of the valley. No lines, no people!
3. Zip-line Through the Valleys in Baños
You can take the public bus down from La Casa del Árbol back to the city center at 1:30 PM (for 1 USD).
If you want to zip-line through the valleys of Baños, which I wholeheartedly recommend, you will have to organize it the day before with your hotel/hostel. I booked mine at the Kiwi Hostel, which includes transportation to Putzan Canopy, all the gear needed, and 6 zip-lines to go through. The total cost is $20 USD, and they should pick you up by 2 PM.
The 6 zip lines go through a variety of landscapes, from thick forest to flying across the valley, in all different poses that the instructor will challenge you with, from the Superman pose to the blood-rushing upside-down pose. This will surely get your blood flowing!
Tours & Tickets You Might Like
If you are looking for more activities to do here, be sure to check out some of the available tours and day trips:
- Canyoning in Baños Chamana Waterfall (3 hours 30 minutes)
- The Best Extreme Canyoning -Cashaurco in -Banos Ecuador (5 hours)
- Paragliding Tandem Tour (4 hours)
4. Watch the Sunset Behind Tungurahua Volcano While on a Swing
After spending a bit of time in the southern part of the valley, it's time to go to the other side for a stunning sunset at the Las Antenas Viewpoint (also called Mirador Ojos Del Volcán).
This is also a secret swing place that I mentioned earlier, with a better view of the Tungurahua volcano. You can even see the Chimborazo volcano on the horizon from here.
There are at least two swings on this side of the valley around this viewpoint, and it has an unobstructed view of both Baños city and the volcanoes around it. However, keep in mind that the swings aren't equipped with any safety measures, like what you experienced at La Casa del Arbol. Since it's not as well-known, you can swing at your own leisure without having to line up.
To get to the viewpoint in time for the sunset, I would recommend that you take a taxi from Baños. It should take about 30 minutes to drive up the hill, and it should cost no more than $20 for a round trip.
5. Hangout and Have Burgers and Beers at Pancho's Snack Bar
After a day of hiking, swinging, zip-lining, and watching a sunset, it's time to visit a local watering hole, have a nice, cheap pint of beer, and enjoy a local burger at Pancho's Snack Bar. It is by far one of the cheapest burgers you can get, and with a mixed vibe of traditional and old-school culture that went into the decor, it's a great place to chill out, relax, and enjoy your night in Baños.
When to Visit Baños, Ecuador?
September to April is the best time to visit Baños, as the weather is nice, and there is a lower chance of rain during this period. Since Baños is at a moderate elevation, the weather remains pleasant and cool throughout the year, except during the rainy season from May to August.
How to Get to Baños, Ecuador?
First, you need to get yourself to Quito, the capital city of Ecuador. There are several major airlines that fly directly to Quito from the US, such as Delta, United, and American Airlines. If you are coming from Europe or Asia, you can fly via KLM and Air France. From within South America, LAN and Aero Mexico are good options too. As always, be sure to check out both Skyscanner and Expedia for the best possible deal that fits your itinerary.
From Quito, there are several buses leaving the Quitumbe bus station (southward bus terminal) towards Baños, so you can take one that goes to Puyo, Macas, or Baños. The Latinoamericana, San Francisco, and Flota Pelileo companies have buses operating to Baños for around $4-5 USD.
Important: Always keep your belongings next to you on any bus in Ecuador. It is well-known that unattended belongings on buses are often stolen, especially on overnight buses.
How to Get around Baños, Ecuador?
Walking is the best way to explore the beautiful nature of Baños. Baños is a small town, so exploring on foot is possible if you are patient.
If you do not have enough time, taxis are another way to get somewhere fast. You can take a taxi to all the viewpoints I recommend here, as walking consumes time. If you only have one full day, it is best not to waste it on walking. It is also best to ask your driver to wait for you at these viewpoints, as you will not be able to find a taxi back from up there. Negotiate the price before you get in! It should not cost you more than 15 USD roundtrip to go to either the Las Antenas Viewpoint or the La Casa del Arbol viewpoint.
What to Pack for Banos, Ecuador?
As you may already know, I am an advocate of light traveling, and indeed, packing light for a journey like this is a unique art form. Here are some packing tips for your upcoming trip to Banos, Ecuador:
- Walking/Hiking Shoes: With all the walking and possible hiking during your travel, a comfortable pair of shoes is a must. I recommend the Timberland 3-Eye Classic Boat Shoes that are my go-to pair for long strolls and hikes.
- Breathable Shirts: Given the potential for hot weather, pack a few breathable shirts for your outdoor adventures.
- Shorts/Jeans: Anticipate lots of walking during your travels? Be sure to pack some breathable shorts and a pair of Levi's jeans for when the weather cools. For women, leggings are excellent for both hot and cold climates, so consider packing some as well.
- Fleece Jacket: For colder weather, layering is the key, and a fleece jacket makes an excellent insulating layer. I recommend the Columbia Steens Mountain Fleece (for women).
- Outer Shell Jacket: An outer shell jacket is great for windy or rainy conditions. I highly recommend the Columbia Watertight Jacket (for women). It's lightweight, breathable, and even comes in a cool orange color.
- Microfiber Towel: A Microfiber towel is the ideal backpacker's towel due to its lightness, quick drying, and compressibility.
- Camera: You should also pack a good camera for your trip so that you can capture all the beautiful experiences you might have. I recommend the Sony a7R V camera together with the Sony 24-70mm f2.8 GM II lens, which is probably the highest-performance camera and lens combination you can get right now.
- Power Bank: Keep your electronics charged on the go with a 20,000+ mAh Power Bank.
- Water Bottle: The Hydro Flask Trail Water Bottle is a great insulated water bottle to have with you in cities or on hiking trails. It is lightweight and can keep your water cold or warm for more than 12 hours. It's a total game-changer.
- Universal Adapter: You'll need just one universal adapter to plug in your electronics in any country you visit.
- Packing Cubes: Packing Cubes will help you save space in your backpack and keep all your belongings organized.
- Daypack: The Langly Alpha Globetrotter is my go-to everyday camera backpack. It's large enough to carry all my travel gear, and it comes with plenty of slots and pouches. Plus, it's stylish as hell!
- Large Backpack: You will need a large backpack to carry all of your stuff. I recommend the Osprey Atmos AG 65L backpack. With excellent weight distribution and a lifetime guarantee, you can't go wrong with Osprey.
For more information on what I pack in my backpack for this trip, check out: My Packing List: 60 Travel Essentials.
Which tourist SIM card is best for Ecuador?
Update: If your phone supports eSIM, I highly recommend checking out Airalo, a global eSIM marketplace. It allows you to stay connected affordably while traveling in Banos, Ecuador without having to switch out your physical SIM card.
Gone are the days when you needed to scramble to find a local SIM card at an airport upon arrival. You can purchase an eSIM before your arrival, and you'll be good to go. If your phone doesn't support eSIM, here is how you can get a local SIM card in Banos, Ecuador:
If you are like me and rely heavily on data on your phone, go with Claro for a local SIM card. They have the most reliable data access and good coverage. 3G speed is available in Baños town and falls back to EDGE speed in the surrounding areas.
For more info: Ecuador Data SIM Card Wiki.
Tips: To stay connected with people at home, be sure that you have a VPN, such as ProtonVPN, installed before traveling. It's FREE, and you can gain access to services that may be blocked in certain countries.
Daily Budget
This location is less expensive than most countries, but it's not exceedingly cheap. Expect to spend around $30 - $50 USD per day per person, which includes both accommodation and meals.
Please keep in mind that these are suggested daily budgets based on my own style of travel, which leans more towards the budget side of things. If you aim to stick to this budget, anticipate sleeping in dormitories, dining out only occasionally, and being comfortable with the cheapest and most convenient modes of transportation, which often involve a considerable amount of walking.
Now that we have all the information we need, it's time to start planning your trip! Here are some resources to help you get going:
Are you planning to travel independently? Be sure to check out my guide on How To Plan A Backpacking Trip here.
Further Reading for Ecuador
There's so much more to do in Ecuador, and I have written a few articles about my experience in Ecuador. To read further about Ecuador, make sure to check out these articles:
- Looking for a complete travel guide for Ecuador? Here’s the perfect one-month itinerary for Ecuador.
- Looking for a complete backpacking guide to the entire South America continent? Here is the ultimate 6 Months Backpacking Itinerary for South America.
- First time in South America? Check out the 20 Best Places to Visit in South America.
- Packing for a trip to visit South America can be extremely daunting. Here's a packing guide to help you: What to Pack for South America
- Quito is the second highest capital city in the world, standing at 2850m, and you will likely start your journey in Ecuador there. Here is a complete travel guide on the top 7 things to do in Quito, Ecuador.
- Galapagos, one of the many reasons to visit Ecuador, is not the cheapest place to visit, but there are ways to minimize your costs. Here's the cheapest way to travel to Galapagos based on my personal experience.
- Not convinced by my words about Ecuador? Check out 34 breathtaking photos that will inspire you to visit Ecuador.
- You can also watch my Ecuador travel video here: Ecuador Crossing travel video.
- To see all articles about Ecuador, visit the Ecuador Travel Guide page.
- Looking for a place to go after Ecuador? Popular destinations after Ecuador are Colombia and Peru. Be sure to check out my Colombia travel guide page and Peru travel guide page.
- Looking for more travel guides for South America? You can find more on my South America Travel Guide page.
- For more of my travel guides, visit my Destinations page.
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