Tungurahua Volcano
Active volcano that rises above the town. It has had eruptions in recent decades, so visitors admire it from lookouts and the town, and should follow local advice on safety.
Baños
Below Tungurahua volcano, this adventure town is known for canyoning, hot springs, waterfalls and a "swing at the end of the world".
Attractive locations
Pailón del Diablo
Powerful waterfall on the Pastaza River, east of town. Paths and bridges lead to viewpoints close to the spray, and a narrow tunnel takes you right beside the falls.
Agoyán Waterfall
Tall waterfall near the Agoyán dam at the eastern edge of the valley. It can be seen from the road that runs along the valley, and it is a common stop on the way to the Amazon.
Chimborazo
Ecuador's highest mountain. Its summit is the point on Earth's surface farthest from the planet's centre. Visitors come to drive and walk on its high slopes, near glaciers and wild vicuñas.
El Altar Volcano
Inactive volcano with a huge collapsed crater that holds a lake. Reaching the crater rim takes a demanding hike, usually with a local guide and an overnight stay.
Airports
Cotopaxi International Airport LTX
It is about 58 km in a straight line from Baños.
Coronel E Carvajal Airport XMS
It is about 106 km in a straight line from Baños.
Mariscal Sucre International Airport UIO
It is about 142 km in a straight line from Baños.
Scams and safe taxis
Taxi and scam advice for this country is on the Ecuador page
Weather by month
Each month shows its average temperature in °C and its mm of rain per month.
- Jan17.0 °C162 mm
- Feb17.0 °C167 mm
- Mar16.9 °C194 mm
- Apr16.8 °C215 mm
- May16.4 °C200 mm
- Jun15.2 °C193 mm
- Jul15.0 °C150 mm
- Aug15.5 °C127 mm
- Sep16.3 °C115 mm
- Oct17.0 °C173 mm
- Nov17.4 °C174 mm
- Dec17.0 °C172 mm
Driest months: Jul, Aug, Sep. Wettest months: Mar, Apr, May.
Costs
Prices here are about 43% of US prices (World Bank, 2025). This compares a country's overall prices, not the cost of a trip.
Who can help
Emergency
911 for all emergencies.
un agency
International Organization for Migration (IOM) Ecuador
Helps with: The UN migration agency in Ecuador. It works to protect people on the move, supports lasting solutions to displacement, and does emergency preparedness work with government and partners.
Who qualifies: Migrants and displaced people in Ecuador, and government or other partners. It is not a help service for ordinary tourists.
Phone: +593 2 393 4400
Address: Julio Alarcón Ayala E5A y Alfonso Pereira, Edificio Zaigen, piso 12, Quito, Ecuador
local government
Emergency number 911 (police, ambulance and fire)
Helps with: Reaches the police, ambulance and fire services in Ecuador. The number comes from UK government travel advice.
Who qualifies: Anyone in the country, including visitors, can call this number.
Phone: 911