Mountain town in Tungurahua, Ecuador
Baños
Ecuador's adventure town: waterfalls, hot springs, swings, canyoning and rafting at the foot of Tungurahua. Compact and cheap, but busy on weekends, with few quiet spots for long stays.
At a glance
- Safety4/5Safe with normal careDetails
- Monthly budget$1,000–1,500Comfortable, one person · $1,000–1,500Details
- Value for money76/100Better value than 75% of places we coverDetails
- Best time to goJun–SepWarmest: Oct, 21°CDetails
- Internet219 MbpsFixed broadband, Ecuador medianDetails
- Tap waterNo, drink bottledDrink bottled or filtered water.Details
- LGBTQ+3/5Tolerant, but be discreetDetails
- Solo travel4/5English: limitedDetails
- Doctor's visit$20–40Private clinic, without insuranceDetails
- Getting aroundLocal bus (Ruta de las Cascadas)Very walkableDetails
- Cash or cardMostly cashMostly cash.Details
Where to stay in Baños
Areas visitors base themselves in.
| Area | Good for |
|---|---|
| Centro (around Parque Central) | First-timers: hostels, restaurants, tour agencies, hot springs |
| Ruta de las Cascadas side | Quieter stays near waterfalls and the bike route |
| San Francisco hillside | Views of the town and volcano, a short walk uphill |
Apps that work in Baños
No ride-hailing apps work here; see the taxi note below.
- Maps: Google Maps
- Messaging: WhatsApp
- ECU 911: Emergency calls and panic button
- Taxis: No ride apps. Taxis and camionetas have fixed fares to the waterfalls; ask the price first. Your hostel can arrange transport.
Cash, cards and tipping
What to carry and how to pay. Money in Ecuador.
- Mostly cash Mostly cash. Cards work at some hotels and tour agencies, often with a fee. Use bank ATMs near Parque Central, since a few run out of cash on weekends.
- ATMs: Bank ATMs take foreign cards but charge a fee and have modest limits. Use machines inside banks or malls.
- Tipping: Sit-down restaurants usually add a 10% service charge; extra is optional. Tip guides, drivers and Galápagos boat crews.
- Paying by phone: Contactless cards and phone wallets work in chains; local QR apps like DeUna need an Ecuadorian bank account.
Before you go
Visa and entry
- Arriving overland from Colombia or Peru, bring an apostilled criminal record certificate or accept a database check; air arrivals are exempt.
- Galápagos: get the USD 20 Transit Control Card online before the flight and pay the USD 200 park fee in cash on arrival.
- Galápagos visitors must show a hotel booking or host letter, a return flight and travel health insurance.
Emergency numbers
Police 911 · Ambulance 911 · Fire 911 · All emergencies 911
Plugs
Type A, B · 120 V, 60 Hz. Do I need an adapter?
SIM and eSIM
Claro or Tigo stores in malls sell prepaid SIMs with passport registration; Claro has the widest coverage. Tigo also sells eSIMs. eSIMs work for visitors.
More places in Ecuador
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Sources
Prices are SoloSquare estimates; climate, air, safety and visa figures come from the sources listed. Compiled and reviewed by SoloSquare. How we compile and score this. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.