Ecuador - The Rough Guide to South America on a Budget - page 591

ARRIVAL AND INFORMATION
By bus Baños's bus terminal is a few blocks north of the
main square surrounded by stalls selling jugo de caňa
(sugar cane juice). Baños is so compact that you can walk
everywhere, and a taxi across town costs just $1.
Destinations There are services to Puyo (hourly; 2hr),
Riobamba (hourly; 2hr 30min) and Ambato (hourly; 1hr).
For most other destinations, including Quito (several daily;
4hr) and Guayaquil (several daily; 6-7hr), there are hourly
services by changing at Ambato. The direct road to Riobamba
is often closed due to Tungurahua's eruptions.
Tourist information Purchase guidebooks and pick
up free maps at the municipal tourist o ce on Haflants
near Rocafuerte (Mon-Fri 8am-12.30pm & 2-5.30pm;
T 03 274 0483, W banos-ecuador.com) on the east side
of Parque Central.

Hospedaje Santa Cruz 16 de Diciembre T 03 274 0648.
A funk y litt le place with simple but colourfully decorated
rooms. $19
Hostería Isla de Baños Halflants, at Montalvo T 03 274
0609, W isladebanios.com. An excellent-value mid-range
option with comfortab le ro oms, balconies, a leafy garden
and spa ($10/person). $42
Hostal Jardin Marianne Montalvo, at Halflants T 03
274 1947. Brand new rooms with balconies in a quiet,
leafy cou rtya rd setting are the best-value mid-range deal
in town. $30
Ì Plantas y Blanco Martínez, at 12 de Diciembre
T 03 274 0044. This backpacker favourite is the ideal
place to swap stories with kindred spirits. Relax on the
rooftop terrace, make your own meals in the kitchen, and
soak in the Turkish baths. There 's also free inter net. Rooms
are small but adequate. Dorms $6.50 , doubles $19
Posada del Arte Pasaje Ibarra T 03 274 0083, W posada
delarte.com. As its name suggests, this homely place
offers a feast of South American art. The invitingly colourful
rooms all have fireplaces with chimneys. The rest aura nt is
very good and worth a visit even if you don't stay. $56
Hostal Rosita 16 de Diciembre, at Martínez T 03 274
0396. One of the best-value budget options in town, with
free i ntern et. There are two larger apartments for longer
stays. $14

6

ACCOMMODATION
Hostal Casa Real Montalvo, at Pasaje Ibarra T 03 274
0215, W banios.com/casareal. This is a good-value mid-
range option close to the waterfall. Rooms are simple but
brig htened up by murals of wildlife. Breakfast included.
$26
Hostal Eden 12 de Noviembre T 03 274 0616. This hostel
has comfortable rooms with cable TV set on a s mall g arden
courtyard. There's a cheap restaurant next door. $20

ACTIVITIES AND TOURS
Adventure sports are popular in the Pastaza valley between Baños and Puyo. Rafting is
particularly good. A half-day on the class 3 part of the Rio Pastaza costs $30 including
transport, equipment, licensed guide and lunch. A half-day on the faster class 4 part of the
river costs $45. Other adrenaline-filled activities include Bridge Jumping (rather like bungee
except you swing like a pendulum) off the 100m Puente San Francisco for $20, as well as
zipping across the valley on canopy lines ($10-15). You can also rent Cuadrones (quad bikes)
and motorbikes for about $8 per hour ($20 for 3hr). Canyoning trips cost $30, taking in four
waterfalls. You can book tours to many jungle destinations including Coca and Lago Agrio,
but these generally go through Quito so it's better booking there. For a more accessible jungle
experience, there are good trips via Puyo. For more information on jungle trips, see the chapter
on the Oriente (see p.609).
TOUR OPERATORS
Cordova Tours Maldonado, at Espejo T 03 274 0923,
W cordovatours.banios.com.
Expediciones Pailontravel 12 de Diciembre, at
Montalvo T 03 274 0899.
Geotours Ambato, at Thomas Halflants T 03 274 1344,
W geotoursbanios.com. In the business for nearly 20
years and highly recommended.
Rainforestur Ambato, at Maldonado T 098 446 9884,
W www.rainforestur.com.ec. Jungle tour specialist.
Sebastian Moya Expediciones Oriente, at Halflants
T 03 248 4287. Jungle tour specialist.

Wonderful Ecuador Maldonado, at Oriente T 03
274 1580.

MASSAGE
Baños has many skilled professionals and you can get
all types of massage treatments here from soothing
aromatherapy to reflexology, deep tissue treatments
and physiotherapy. Most charge around $20 for an
hour's massage and $15 for a facial.
Chakra Alfaro, at Luis Martinez T 03 274 2027.
Stay in Touch Montalvo T 03 274 0973.