Banos Ecuador Travel Guide: Best Things to Do in Banos (2026)
Banos is where our mainland Ecuador trip became much more adventurous. It is a small town surrounded by mountains, waterfalls and an active volcano. It is one of the best places in Ecuador for outdoor activities with everything from canyoning and white water rafting to natural hot springs available within easy reach of the centre.
One of the main reasons people visit is to complete the Banos waterfall bike ride along the Ruta de las Cascadas. The route passes several waterfalls before reaching Pailon del Diablo which you have probably already seen all over your TikTok.
This Banos Ecuador travel guide covers the best things to do in Banos, which activities are actually worth your money, where to stay and how to get there. I have included honest advice based on what we did, what we skipped and what I would do differently.
Banos
Banos Ecuador Travel Guide: The Best Things to do in Banos
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1. Complete the Famous Banos Waterfall Bike Ride
Renting a bicycle and completing the Ruta de las Cascadas is one of the best things to do in Banos (and one of the most popular). We hired our bikes from a shop near our hostel and followed the *mostly* downhill route through the valley towards Pailon del Diablo.
Along the way you will pass quite a few waterfalls and places offering adventure activities like bridge jumps and the San Martin Canopy zip lines across the canyon. You can stop whenever you want and pay to do any of these activities.
Most people finish the Banos waterfall bike ride at Pailon del Diablo which is the famous waterfall you have already seen all over your TikTok but the route actually continues after it. We kept cycling towards another waterfall where you can hike down to a swimming spot. We got unlucky and torrential rain started while we were walking down so we had to turn around before reaching the bottom.
If you do not want to cycle back to Banos, you can put your bicycle onto a public bus. Because there were enough of us, the staff at a restaurant near the trail arranged a huge truck to take our group and the bikes back to town. It looked like an army truck from a film lol but once we split the fare it cost us around the same as taking the bus.
2. Witness the Power of Pailon del Diablo
The absolute highlight of the Banos waterfall bike ride route is Pailon del Diablo which translates to the Devil’s Cauldron. This is easily one of the most crazy impressive and powerful waterfalls I have ever seen in my life. I was that impressed I even Googled if it was one of the most powerful waterfalls in the world (spoiler: it is not).
There are two entrances with different viewpoints but we visited the side that takes you close to the waterfall. You can leave your bicycle near the entrance before walking down through the forest to the suspension bridges and viewpoints. Adult entry currently costs $3 during the day.
You can follow the wet stone steps carved into the cliff and get soooo close to the water. Prepare to get absolutely soaked from the spray but standing that close to the waterfall is an adrenaline rush that is completely worth it.
3. Swing over Banos at the Casa del Arbol Swing
The Casa del Arbol swing is known as the “Swing at the End of the World” because it takes you out over the side of the mountain with views across the valley. We did not visit ourselves but everyone we met who went on a clear day completely raved about it and the photos looked amazing (gotta get that insta shot lol).
We were again unlucky with the weather in Banos as the clouds were so low that we would have only seen thick white fog instead of the mountain and valley views, so we decided it would be a waste of time and money.
Check the visibility from Banos before paying for a bus or taxi up to the Casa del Arbol swing. If the sky is clear, I recommend going while you have the chance because the weather can change very quickly.
4. Go Canyoning Down Waterfalls
I have a love hate relationship with canyoning. I hate it in the moment when I am standing at the top of a waterfall and the guides are asking me to trust them while I lean backwards and abseil down it but I love the feeling afterwards. We booked our tour after asking around the companies in town to find the cheapest price, although I cannot remember which operator we eventually chose.
The experience lasted around 3 hours and we were given wetsuits, helmets and harnesses before heading into the canyon. We abseiled down waterfalls, scrambled through the water and worked our way through several different sections with the guides.
I do not want to explain every part and ruin the surprise because it is probably better not to know what is coming lol. However, the finale involved taking a terrifying 8 metre leap down a waterfall while attached to safety ropes controlled by the guides. It was amazing and absolutely terrifying at the same time.
5. Try White Water Rafting
We chose canyoning over white water rafting but our transport was shared with people to/from the rafting tour. They absolutely loved it and spent the journey back telling us all about it.
I was debating between the two activities but decided to save my first white water rafting experience for the famous one in New Zealand. YES, the one where you raft down a waterfall lol.
Most rafting tours from Banos take you onto the Pastaza River where you will do levels III and IV with a guide. We did not try it ourselves so I cannot personally recommend a specific operator. Compare reviews, check what safety equipment is included and make sure the conditions are suitable before booking.
6. Eat Your Way Through the Local Cafes
Who would have thought that such a small mountain town would have so many good coffee shops? We had quite a few rainy afternoons in Banos so I spent them hunting down different cafes and eating my way through the town.
One of my favourite finds served massive plates of fresh burrata which was not what I expected to find in the middle of Ecuador lol. Do not only stick to the restaurants around the main plaza because there are loads of independent cafes within walking distance.
My favourite ones were:
- Andes Specialty Coffee
- Praline Coffee House
- Honey Coffee & Tea
Where to Stay in Banos
For your first visit I recommend staying in the centre of Banos so you can walk to the restaurants, coffee shops and adventure tour offices. We stayed directly opposite the central park which made everything really easy to reach.
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What is Next?
Flying to the Galapagos from Quito?
If you are flying out of Quito to explore the Galapagos Islands and want to do it on a budget rather than booking an incredibly expensive cruise, read my dedicated posts.
We did the entire trip on a budget by island hopping the 3 main islands of Santa Cruz, Isabela and San Cristobal on our own! I have written a dedicated post breaking down our exact budget itinerary, how to book the shared speedboat public ferries, the tours worth spending your money on and how to see the best wildlife for free without a guide.
Where to next?
I am always planning my next trip and sharing everything I learn along the way. If you would like to follow my travels through 44 countries and beyond, join me on social media. From places I loved to the things I would probably do differently next time, I share honest travel advice to help you plan your own adventures. I would love to have you along for the journey.
