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502. Set in the former home of Simon Bolívar, it offers expensive and
delicious meat and seafood dishes, a great atmosphere, attractive
courtyard and live Andean music. It caters to tour groups.
Baños Area
J
ust south of Ambato, veer off the Pan-American Highway to the
southeast toward Baños. As you pass through Salasaca and then
Pelileo, the “blue-jean” capital of Ecuador, the road to Baños quickly
loses elevation. The countryside becomes greener and lusher, with
magnificent views overlooking the Río Pastaza canyon. Soon enough
you'll be scrambling for the camera as the winding road offers
glimpses of the impressive Tungurahua Volcano. It is particularly
beautiful on a clear afternoon as sunset approaches, when the snow-
covered peak reflects a soft peach-colored light. If you are arriving
fromQuito or a larger urban center, you will find yourself on immedi-
ate relaxmode upon entering Baños. If you are arriving from some re-
mote section of Ecuador, you will find this the perfect place to
readjust to “civilization.”
Baños lies on a narrow stretch of land surrounded by the steep lower
slopes of Tungurahua to the south and the deep gorge of the Pastaza
to the north. It is one of the most popular tourist destinations for both
Ecuadorians and foreigners alike, and is a major gateway between
the Andes and the Oriente. Famous for its natural hot-spring baths,
mild climate, and accessibility to numerous outdoor activities, Baños
maintains a characteristically laid-back atmosphere most of the
time. Weekends, however, tend to be a bit of a carnival show, com-
plete with loudspeakers, fantasy auto-train rides, and screaming
children. Baños is a small town, yet it's filled with shops, tour outfit-
ters, restaurants, and plenty of places to walk around. Relaxing
seems to be the main sport here, though there is plenty to do for the
active enthusiast. Baños has a bit of something for everyone.
Downtown Baños is arranged in a characteristic colonial pattern,
centered around Parque Central and Parque de la Basílica . The
main east-west street in town is Ambato, which hugs both of the
parks. Across from the Parque de la Basílica, is the Basilica itself. It
is the centerpiece of life for visiting Catholic pilgrims and purported
to be the site of miraculous cures, as portrayed by paintings on the
walls of the church. Personally, I think it is a great excuse for locals to
bring the kids to Baños. There is also a small on-site museum, as well
 
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