Baños, Ecuador

View of Baños, Ecuador, with the Tungurahua volcano
Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Tungurahua_above_Ba%C3%B1os.jpg
Author: Hjvannes
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Baños is a small town in central Ecuador. Its full name is Baños de Agua Santa, but it is commonly known simply as Baños. The town has a population of less than 10,000 people (2011 estimate). It is on the northern foothills of the Tungurahua volcano.

The name Baños de Agua Santa means "bath of the sacred water". This refers to the thermal spring in the area. The town has a number of waterfalls.

Baños is today a Catholic pilgrimage site and religious center. This is due to the reported visiton of the Virgin Mary said to have appeared at the nearby waterfall. As such, a sculpture of the virgin, known as Virgen de Agua Santa, was placed in the Cathedral of Baños.

Due to its proximity to the Tungurahua volcano, every time there is a rumble, the villagers had to be evacuated. This was the case in 1999, when the volcano forced its 17,000 population to move out. Today, the town has less than 10,000 people.

Cascada Manto de la Novia, Baños
Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Canopy_-_Cascada_Manto_de_la_Novia.JPG
Author: David C.S.
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Visiting Baños

There are bus services to Baños from Quito (3.5 hours), Riobamba (2 hours) and Guayaquil (5.5 hours).

Places of Interest in Baños

Cascade de La Virgen
This is the main waterfall in Baños where the Virgin Mary is said to have appeared.
Nuestra Señora del Agua Santa (Church of Our Lady of the Holy Water)
This is the main church of Baños. It was built following the reported vision of the Virgin Mary at the waterfalls.
Pailon de Diablo
This is the most impressive waterfall in the area, but requires some hiking to reach.

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