Banos de Agua Santa between volcano, hot springs and waterfalls
Published on 09/02/2026 at 15:28 | Editorial responsibility: Rafael Müller, Editor-in-Chief AD HOC NEWS
Banos de Agua Santa is a compact Andean town in central Ecuador, framed by steep green slopes, a restless volcano and a string of waterfalls that pour into the Pastaza valley. At around 1,820 m above sea level and within the province of Tungurahua, it stands at the point where the highlands fall away towards the Amazon basin, giving the streets a setting of dramatic ridges and cloud.
A town between Tungurahua and the Amazon edge
Banos occupies a ledge on the northern foothills of the active Tungurahua volcano, a mountain that has sent ash and lava down towards the valley in documented eruptions. The town’s full name, Banos de Agua Santa, highlights the presence of thermal water, while the shorter form Banos is widely used in Ecuador.The city lies in Tungurahua Province and has become a recognised focus for visitors interested in both the Andean highlands and the rainforest edge.
The Pastaza River cuts through deep gorges just beyond the urban grid, carrying water eastwards on its way to join the Amazon system.Descriptions of the area note the surrounding canyons and more than 60 waterfalls, which give the outskirts of Banos a constant presence of spray and sound. Roads and paths climb out of town to viewpoints where the contrast between the built streets and the ridged, forested slopes becomes clear.
Thermal pools and “holy water” below a waterfall
The name “Baths of Holy Water” reflects the long association between Banos and its hot springs, which draw water warmed by the volcanic activity beneath Tungurahua.Accounts of the town emphasise thermal springs rich in minerals, and a number of public bathhouses and private pools use this supply. One of the best known facilities, Las Piscinas de la Virgen, stands directly below a high waterfall that drops beside the town, so that bathing pools and falling water form a single scene.
The thermal water is part of everyday life in Banos, not an isolated resort complex. Pools sit close to residential streets and small hotels, and their plumes of steam rise against the background of the Basilica and the steep slopes above the town. The combination of volcanic geology, warm pools and dense, fast-growing vegetation gives the area a consistent impression of moisture and growth.
Devotion at the Basilica de Nuestra Señora del Rosario de Agua Santa
In the centre of Banos stands the Santuario de Nuestra Señora del Rosario de Agua Santa, a church dedicated to a Marian image that became a focus of devotion during the period of the Real Audiencia de Quito.The sanctuary is also known as the Basilica de Banos and is described as the most important basilica in the town. Its twin towers, pointed arches and painted vaults make it a visual anchor in the urban grid, while the plaza in front provides a gathering space.
Inside the sanctuary, walls and side chapels carry a series of paintings that depict events regarded locally as miracles associated with the Virgen de Agua Santa.A museum in the adjoining Dominican convent exhibits religious art and garments linked to this devotion, adding a small but focused collection to the site. The church’s location, within walking distance of the hot springs and the town’s main streets, means that processions and everyday movement coexist in a tight space of shops, hostels and shrines.
Waterfalls, routes and swings above the valley
Beyond the centre, Banos is surrounded by waterfalls that can be reached along the Ruta de las Cascadas, a route that follows the Pastaza valley as it drops towards the Amazon lowlands.Descriptions of this route mention several major falls, including Pailon del Diablo and Manto de la Novia, where water plunges into narrow canyons and spray rises against the cliff walls. Simple suspension bridges, paths and roadside viewpoints give access to different angles on the cascades.
Another vantage point is the Casa del Arbol, a small building on a ridge above Banos, fitted with a swing that arcs outwards over the drop and has been widely photographed.Tourism information describes the Casa del Arbol alongside the hot springs and Pailon del Diablo as a highlight of the area. From such points, the layered landscape of the Andes and the first hills of the Amazon fringe becomes visible, with the town’s rooftops clustered in the valley floor.
Visiting Banos de Agua Santa: what travellers from Western Europe should know
- Banos lies in Tungurahua Province in central Ecuador, south of Quito and east of Ambato. The town is linked by road to both cities, including routes that follow the Panamericana Sur.
- The streets of Banos are laid out on a noticeable slope, and reaching viewpoints or the Casa del Arbol involves paths and tracks that climb above the town.
- Many access routes to waterfalls such as Pailon del Diablo use narrow paths, steps and simple bridges, so visiting them involves walking on uneven, sometimes wet surfaces.
- The official language is Spanish and the currency is the US dollar.
- Entry requirements depend on your nationality; UK travellers can check the FCDO travel advice at gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice, Irish travellers the Department of Foreign Affairs at ireland.ie.
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Frequently asked questions about Banos de Agua Santa
Where is Banos de Agua Santa?
Banos de Agua Santa, commonly called Banos, is in Tungurahua Province in central Ecuador, on the eastern side of the Andes near the edge of the Amazon basin.
What can visitors expect on a visit to Banos?
Visitors encounter a small town with thermal pools, a prominent basilica, nearby waterfalls and steep green hillsides, all within a short distance of each other.
What makes Banos de Agua Santa distinctive?
The combination of volcanic hot springs, the active Tungurahua volcano, the Marian sanctuary and the dense concentration of waterfalls gives Banos a setting that is immediately recognisable.
