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Roar Johansen CC BY-SA 4.0 Wikimedia Commons

Baños

Section of Populated Place

Baños sits below Tungurahua volcano and draws adventure travelers for white‑water rafting, canyoning, hot springs and access to cloudforest trails. Local food stalls serve trout and tropical fruits.

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In this guide

Baños essentials

Country: Ecuador
Driest months: Nov-Jan
Pay in: Dollar ($)
Language: Spanish
Emergency: 101

Baños at a Glance

About Baños

Baños de Agua Santa, commonly called Baños, is a small town in Tungurahua Province in central Ecuador at the eastern foothills of the Tungurahua volcano. It is known for hot springs, waterfalls and outdoor adventure sports.

The town’s thermal baths, surrounding cascades and river gorges attract visitors for bathing, hiking, mountain biking, rafting and canyoning. Several named waterfalls and viewpoints are reached by short drives or hikes from the town.

Baños developed as a spa town around natural hot springs and has grown as a hub for adventure tourism and a base for viewing the active Tungurahua volcano. The town offers visitor services, guided excursions and lookout points.

Located in the Andean foothills, Baños sits on the eastern flank of Tungurahua volcano and serves as a gateway between the high Andes to the west and the Amazonian foothills to the east.

  • Hot springs and waterfalls: Known for thermal baths and a cluster of waterfalls on the Pastaza River, including the popular Pailón del Diablo (“Devil’s Cauldron”).
Things to Do
When to Go

Best Time to Visit Baños

Dry season (June-September) offers clearer skies for hiking; hot springs are enjoyable year-round.

Dry season (Jun-Sep)
Jun-Sep · 10-22°C / 50-72°F
Cooler skies and less rain-good for hiking and volcano viewpoints.
Wet season (Oct-May)
Oct-May · 12-24°C / 54-75°F
Lusher landscapes and more frequent afternoon rain; hot springs are still pleasant.

Weather & Climate near Baños

Climate

Baños's climate is classified as Oceanic - Oceanic climate with consistently warm temperatures year-round. Temperatures range from 12°C to 23°C. Abundant rainfall (1530 mm/year), wettest in June.

Air Quality: AQI 58 Moderate
Best Time to Visit
JanuaryFebruaryNovember
Temperature & Rainfall
Temperature Range
28°
Warmest Month
6°
Coldest Month
Monthly Conditions
Month Comfort Temp Feels Rain Sky Humidity Wind UV Daylight
January Good 12° - 22° 17° 95 mm overcast 87% 2.0 m/s 1.9 very high 12.1h
February Good 13° - 22° 17° 98 mm overcast 87% 1.9 m/s 1.8 very high 12.1h
March Good 13° - 22° 17° 129 mm overcast 87% 1.9 m/s 1.8 very high 12.0h
April Good 13° - 22° 17° 156 mm overcast 86% 1.9 m/s 1.8 very high 12.0h
May Good 13° - 22° 17° 160 mm overcast 86% 2.0 m/s 1.7 very high 11.9h
June Acceptable 12° - 21° 17° 192 mm overcast 85% 2.0 m/s 1.6 very high 11.9h
July Acceptable 12° - 21° 16° 153 mm overcast 84% 2.3 m/s 1.6 very high 11.9h
August Acceptable 12° - 21° 17° 148 mm overcast 81% 2.3 m/s 1.7 very high 12.0h
September Good 12° - 22° 17° 133 mm overcast 80% 2.2 m/s 1.9 very high 12.0h
October Good 12° - 23° 17° 100 mm overcast 83% 2.1 m/s 2.0 extreme 12.0h
November Good 12° - 23° 18° 80 mm overcast 85% 2.1 m/s 2.0 very high 12.1h
December Good 12° - 22° 17° 86 mm overcast 86% 2.1 m/s 1.9 very high 12.1h
Getting There & Around

How to Get to Baños

Baños is accessible by road from Ambato (about 1.5-2 hours) and from Quito (roughly 4-5 hours by road). Interprovincial buses run regular services to and from major Ecuadorian cities; private shuttles and hired vehicles are common. The town is compact and walkable once arrived.

Tips for Visiting Baños

  • Try the local thermal baths-Baños' hot springs are varied and some small facilities offer private tubs for couples.
  • Hike to the Mirador del Tungurahua for good views of the active volcano and a sense of the town's relationship to it.
  • Visit early morning to see the town's vegetable and flower market in action and to avoid midday crowds at thermal complexes.