Baños Between Waterfalls and Caves

For a stay in Baños, you can compare two different types of excursions: the Ruta de las Cascadas toward Río Verde and the Cavernas de Sigsi Huayco, with a guided cave tour. The route focuses on waterfalls along a stretch of road, while the Cavernas center on two caves and other recreational facilities. If you’re looking for a hotel in Baños, these activities can serve as a starting point for deciding what to focus on during your trip.

Waterfalls Along the Ruta de las Cascadas

The Ruta de las Cascadas runs for about 20 kilometers from Baños to Río Verde along the E30, also called the Via Baños–Puyo. Both names refer to the same road. The route follows the Cañón del Río Pastaza; visitors can see more than a dozen waterfalls along the way. Some are visible from the road, while others can be reached on foot, by bicycle, or by tarabita. The waterfalls therefore differ both in visibility and in the access options mentioned.

The approximately 20 kilometers describe the stretch between Baños and Río Verde; visibility and access, by contrast, refer to individual waterfalls. This makes it possible to consider the route itself separately from the options for seeing or reaching particular falls.

Getting Around the Waterfall Route

You can explore the Ruta by bicycle, car, or on a private tour. Bicycles are rented in central Baños with a helmet and lock; most of the route is downhill. A private tour or a car offers more flexibility to stop at the waterfalls and explore them. For bicycles, the rental location and route are the specific features, while cars and private tours stand out for offering more flexible stops. When weighing these options, consider whether you value the bicycle option or the flexibility to stop along the way more.

Cave Tour and Recreational Facilities

A guided tour of the Cavernas de Sigsi Huayco explores two caves formed by volcanic lava from Tungurahua. They are lit and have been designed with acoustics in mind. Their geological origins and designed cave environment therefore shape different aspects of the visit. For travelers interested in volcanic formations or lighting and sound design, the focus here differs from that of the waterfall route.

The recreational facilities at the Cavernas include gardens, swings, and a suspension bridge. There are also areas where visitors can feed small animals such as rabbits and a donkey. These features add other areas to explore alongside the cave visit: garden spaces, swings, a bridge, and the opportunity to feed animals in designated areas.

You can shape the focus of your stay around the activities you’re looking forward to in Baños.

Discover more destinations: Ambato, Salasaca, Pillaro, Patate, Río Negro

Go to the regional travel overview: Tungurahua.