The city of Baños has over 500 years of civilization behind it. Most of the city's history has been marked by the "Tungurahua" volcano's eruptions, which have occurred 16 times since Baños was founded. Tungurahua means "tongue of fire" in the native language, Quechua. 

 

Baños is a place for relaxing while enjoying the therapeutic hot springs, unspoiled green surroundings and breathtaking waterfalls. The town’s exceptional location offers a combination of colors and light that has inspired painters and poets alike.

The Tungurahua Volcano, since its most recent eruption in September 1999, the Tungurahua has become Ecuador's most beautiful and impressive tourist attraction, and perhaps the greatest in all Latin America. 

Currently, the volcano's crater is over 400 meters in diameter, or five times the size it was before the 1999 eruption. 

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Baños offers so many different possibilities that it would take too long to list them completely. 

The predominant winds are from east to west, from the Amazon region to Riobamba. That is why the volcano's ashes do not fall in Baños and its surroundings, but rather in and around Riobamba. 

The Tungurahua's eruptions are classified as being of the "Stromboli" type. During this type of eruption, the volcano almost always emits gases and steam. This constant release of energy prevents explosive eruptions. 

Baños city presents a series of very interesting spots to visit, of which we detail a few: 

The Basilica and Virgin of the Holy Water 
The "Basilica of the Holy Water" is located in the main square, and inside there is a collection of murals depicting the local miracles attributed to the Virgin of the Holy Water, the Patron Saint of the city. During October, an annual festival in her honor takes place, with much drinking and merrymaking, music and dancing in the streets, and a procession led by the image of the Virgin. 

The Baños Zoo 
On the outskirts of the city is located the "Baños Zoo", which we are sure will interest you; major enclosures have been built on the right slope of the Tungurahua. There are eagles, jaguars, capybaras (the largest rodents in the world) and spectacled bears (the only native bear in South America). We can also mention the large number of monkeys on display. 

Hitchhiking at Baños mountains is a marvelous experience, there you can also do horse back riding, visting water falls and if you want just relax while visiting the city.