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
Quick Summary
| ♥️ Must Visit: | Secreto del Abismo |
|---|---|
| 🥘 Place to Eat: | Pancho's Snack Bar |
| 🛌 Place to Stay: | Selina Baños |
| 🌤️ When to visit: | Year Round |
5 Things to Do in Baños, Ecuador
1. Hike up to Mirador Bellavista
- 📍 Location: Mirador Bellavista [Map Link]
- ⚡ Pete's Take: "This is a nice viewpoint to hike to if you are looking for a view of the city that you can reach on foot."
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
- 📍 Location: La Casa del Arbol [Map Link]
- 💰 Entry Fees: $1 USD
- ⚡ Pete's Take: "La Casa del Arbol is crowded, but I think that iconic swing photo is still worth seeing."
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 La Casa del Árbol is still 1 USD. It is currently open daily, with local tourism sources listing hours around 7 AM to 7 PM, although hours can vary slightly between weekdays, weekends, and holidays. Avoid the busiest weekend periods if you can, as there may be a line for the famous swings. If you think it's too crowded at La Casa del Arbol, don't worry. I have another viewpoint for you with an even more prominent view of the Tungurahua volcano from the other side of the valley.
3. Zip-line Through the Valleys in Baños
- 📍 Location: Banos Zip-line [Map Link]
- 💰 Entry Fees: $20 - 25 USD
- ⚡ Pete's Take: "I really recommend zip-lining in Baños. You are zipping through forests and across rivers and valleys, in a superman pose no less. It was exhilarating!"
You can take the local bus back down from La Casa del Árbol to Baños for around 1 USD. When I visited, I used the 1:30 PM departure, but several buses now run during the day, so check the current timetable locally instead of planning around that single old departure.
If you want to zip-line through the valleys of Baños, which I wholeheartedly recommend, you can book directly with Puntzan Canopy or through one of the agencies in town. When I visited, I booked mine through my hostel and paid 20 USD for transportation, equipment, and the six-line circuit. As of 2026, Puntzan lists its canopy experience at around 20-25 USD per person, depending on the circuit or package, with the standard activity taking roughly 1.5-2 hours.
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!
4. Watch the Sunset Behind Tungurahua Volcano While on a Swing
- 📍 Location: Secreto del Abismo [Map Link]
- 💰 Entry Fees: Viewpoint access varies; transport costs extra (I paid 20 USD for the taxis)
- ⚡ Pete's Take: "I prefer this view of the volcano and the swing over La Casa del Arbol, but the swing is a bit sketchy safety-wise."
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 sunset, I would recommend taking a taxi from Baños. When I visited, the drive took me about 30 minutes and I paid no more than 20 USD roundtrip. Treat that as a record of what I paid rather than a current fixed fare, and agree on the roundtrip price and waiting time with your driver before leaving town.
5. Hangout and Have Burgers and Beers at Pancho's Snack Bar
- 📍 Location: Pancho's Snack Bar [Map Link]
- ⚡ Pete's Take: "A nice local bar where you can enjoy a few drinks with your newfound friends from the hostel."
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.
Ecuador Travel Video
When to Visit Baños, Ecuador?
Baños can be visited year-round, and rain is possible in any month because of its location between the Andes and the Amazon. The old September-to-April recommendation in this guide was too broad: local tourism climate data lists August and September among the driest months, while May, June, and January are among the wetter months. Temperatures stay fairly mild throughout the year, so I would choose your dates based more on your wider Ecuador itinerary and pack a light rain jacket regardless of when you visit.
How to Get to Baños, Ecuador?
If you are starting in Quito, Mariscal Sucre International Airport (UIO) is well connected internationally, with airlines such as American Airlines, United, Delta, Avianca, LATAM, Copa, Aeroméxico, Iberia, Air Europa, and KLM serving the airport on various routes. If you are coming from Asia, you will normally connect through Europe or another hub in the Americas rather than fly nonstop. As always, be sure to check out both Skyscanner and Expedia for the best possible deal that fits your itinerary.
From Quito, buses to Baños leave from the Quitumbe bus station in the south of the city. Current services include Cooperativa Baños, Expreso Baños, Flota Pelileo, and Amazonas, with the trip taking roughly 3-4 hours depending on traffic and stops. Following Ecuador's 2026 interprovincial fare increases, expect roughly 6-8 USD for a direct Quito-Baños ticket depending on the operator and service. Buy your ticket at the terminal and confirm the departure time there, especially around weekends and holidays.
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 the viewpoints I recommend here, which can save a lot of time if you only have one full day. It is also worth arranging for the driver to wait for you or return at a set time, as finding another taxi at the more remote viewpoints can be difficult. When I traveled here, I was paying around 15-20 USD roundtrip for some of these hillside trips, but those are historical prices rather than current fixed fares. Agree on the total price, waiting time, and return trip with the driver before you leave Baños.
Which tourist SIM card is best for Ecuador?
When I traveled around Ecuador, I used Claro and found its coverage reliable, including in Baños. The old 3G/EDGE description in this guide is now outdated: Claro operates modern LTE/4G networks across Ecuador and has begun rolling out 5G in selected cities, although coverage can still become weaker once you head into the mountains and more remote areas around Baños. Check Claro's current prepaid packages when you arrive.
Alternatively, if your phone supports eSIMs, you can set one up before arriving and have mobile data as soon as you land. You can browse through available eSIMs here.
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.
Disclaimer: This post may contain affiliate links. See our disclosure policy.
First Published:
Last updated:
