Things to Do in Baños and Papallacta: Hot Springs, Waterfalls and Rest

Quick answer

Papallacta (hot springs above 3,000 m, 1.5 to 2 hours from Quito) suits a day or a night of rest. Baños de Agua Santa (about 3.5 hours away) needs 2 to 3 nights for waterfalls, adventure and spas. If you can only pick one, choose Papallacta to unwind and Baños to stay active.

Key facts

• Papallacta: hot springs above 3,000 m, about 1.5 to 2 hours from Quito
• Baños de Agua Santa: about 3.5 hours from Quito
• Baños-Puyo waterfalls: Manto de la Novia and Pailón del Diablo
• Cotopaxi is seen from the Avenue of the Volcanoes, without entering
• Yellow fever: recommended for the lower Amazon, below 2,300 m

Baños or Papallacta? Two ways to unwind in the Andes

Both are hot-spring getaways from Quito, but they are very different. Papallacta sits above 3,000 m, is cool, has a mountain feel and works as a day trip or a single night. Baños de Agua Santa, about 3.5 hours from Quito, is more of a small adventure town with waterfalls, swings, bridges and spas, and deserves at least two nights.

If you are short of time or coming off several busy days, choose Papallacta. If you want activities and varied scenery, choose Baños. With time to spare you can do both, though it is best not to chain them on the same day.

What to do in Baños de Agua Santa

Baños is known as the "gateway to the Amazon", and it combines hot water, waterfalls and adventure sports. It is easy to fill two or three days without repeating yourself.

Hot springs and spa

Volcanic thermal waters are the original reason to visit. Several hotels include them on site, so you can mix a hot soak, views and rest without leaving your accommodation.

Waterfalls on the Baños-Puyo road

The classic route along the Baños-Puyo road takes in the Manto de la Novia (Bride's Veil), with a tarabita (cable car) across the river, and the Pailón del Diablo (Devil's Cauldron), the best-known waterfall in the area. A well-marked trail runs through orchids and hydrangeas to a suspension bridge and a viewpoint. Shoes with good grip and a light rain layer are essential: the trail gets wet.

Casa del Árbol and adventure

The Casa del Árbol (Tree House) is a wooden lookout facing Tungurahua volcano, famous for its swing "at the end of the world". Baños is also associated with adventure sports. In our programmes we include, for example, the Condor Flight. If you want something more intense, say so when you request a quote and we will arrange it with trusted providers.

A waterfall day in Baños often ends with the drive back to Quito along the Avenue of the Volcanoes, with a photo stop at Cotopaxi, which you see but do not visit on that route.

What to do in Papallacta

Papallacta is mostly about the hot springs. The Termas de Papallacta complex has waters of volcanic origin that, according to the description in our programme, are rich in minerals such as sodium, sulphates, calcium and magnesium. The sensation of soaking in hot water while the mountain air is cold is what makes it special. If you stay at the hotel, depending on your accommodation area you get access to exclusive thermal pools as well as the general ones.

There is little to do out of the water, and that is part of the appeal: there is an easy trail called La Isla, of roughly an hour, which follows streams and rapids. Do not expect nightlife; this is a place to sleep well and get up early.

For a visit without an overnight stay, the Termas de Papallacta (Full Day) excursion leaves from Quito and is the simplest option. With a night at the hotel you can enjoy the pools unhurriedly, which is welcome at the end of a long trip.

Where to stay: hotels in Baños and Papallacta

These are the hotels in our catalogue in both destinations. Rates are per room per night and depend on dates and availability; we confirm everything in your quote.

As a rule of thumb: Sangay Spa is the most affordable option in our catalogue for Baños; Samari suits you if you want a resort with a spa; and Luna Volcán, with dinner included, is the most romantic and the highest priced. The Papallacta hotel is the only one with the hot springs inside the same complex.

How to combine Baños and Papallacta with Quito and the Galapagos

Most travellers do not come only for the hot springs: they use them to decompress between Quito and the Galapagos, or at the end of the trip. Our programmes reflect that:

• Quito, Galapagos & Papallacta: 8 days and 7 nights (3 in Quito, 3 in the Galapagos and 1 in Papallacta). The Papallacta day includes the thermal pools, breakfast and lunch, and a road transfer to Quito.
• Quito, Galapagos & Baños: 8 days with 3 nights in Quito, 3 in the Galapagos and 1 in Baños, with a waterfall excursion and a return to Quito along the Avenue of the Volcanoes.
• Quito & Baños · Romantic Getaway: 7 days and 6 nights (3 in Quito and 3 in Baños), with meals, hot springs and wellness activities.

If you are still deciding on the whole route, see how these fit into Ecuador in 10 Days: Quito, Galapagos & Baños Itinerary, and for the Quito leg we have a guide on What to See in Quito: 3-Day Itinerary and Day Trips. Check what each page includes and excludes: international flights, the flight to the Galapagos, fees and tips are quoted separately.

Who suits which destination?

Couples often prefer Baños for the atmosphere and the spa hotels; Papallacta attracts people who want quiet and hot water more than activities. With children, Baños offers more variety, but bear in mind the long mountain-road transfers. For older travellers or those with reduced mobility, the easiest option is Papallacta with a night, because it avoids long walks and slopes, although the altitude calls for taking it slowly.

In both cases, book with some margin for weekends and public holidays, when hot-spring complexes receive more local visitors. That is a general guideline; we confirm real availability in your quote.

When to go and what to pack for the hot springs

Both destinations can be visited all year. In the mountains the weather changes quickly: it can be sunny in the morning and rainy in the afternoon, and in Papallacta the cold is most noticeable at night. Starting early usually gives you better views. Check the forecast a few days ahead.

• Swimwear, flip-flops and a towel; ask when booking what each accommodation provides.
• Warm layers, a light rain jacket and a hat: stepping out of hot water into cold air is noticeable.
• Closed shoes with good grip for waterfalls and trails.
• Sunscreen, even on cloudy days, because of the altitude.
• A waterproof bag for your phone and documents.

Health and safety on the hot-spring route

Neither Baños nor Papallacta is on the list of provinces that the Spanish Ministry of Foreign Affairs advises against visiting, but the security situation in the country changes: check the current recommendation before you travel and avoid night-time journeys. With a private transfer and a local guide, the logistics are simple. Take the usual precautions with your belongings and travel with insurance.

On health, the yellow fever vaccine is recommended for anyone visiting the lower Amazon (below 2,300 m); Papallacta is far above that height. If you plan to continue to the jungle, consult an international vaccination centre. More detail in our Ecuador Travel Guide: Practical Tips and Requirements.

Next step: request your hot-spring route

Tell us how many days you have, whether you are travelling as a couple, family or solo, and what you prefer: waterfalls and adventure, or pure rest. Contact us and we will send you a quote with hotel, private transfers and visits, stating clearly what is included and what is not.

Frequently asked questions

Which is better, Baños or Papallacta?

It depends on what you want. Papallacta, above 3,000 m, is a quiet hot-spring escape that works as a day trip or a single night. Baños de Agua Santa, about 3.5 hours from Quito, offers waterfalls, adventure and spas, and needs two or three nights. If you are short on time, choose Papallacta.

How long does it take to get from Quito to Baños and Papallacta?

From Quito, Papallacta is roughly 1.5 to 2 hours by road and Baños de Agua Santa about 3.5 hours. Times vary with traffic and your starting point. In both cases it is wise to set off early and leave margin for the return, especially if you have a flight that day.

How many days do you need in Baños de Agua Santa?

Two or three nights is ideal. One full day covers the Manto de la Novia and Pailón del Diablo waterfall route and the Casa del Árbol; another, the hot springs and spa; and a third, adventure activities. With just one night you will see the essentials, but at a tight pace.

What can you see on the Baños waterfall route?

The Baños-Puyo road route includes the Manto de la Novia (Bride's Veil), with a tarabita cable car across the river, and the Pailón del Diablo (Devil's Cauldron), the best-known waterfall, reached by a trail through orchids to a suspension bridge and viewpoint. The Casa del Árbol and its swing are also visited.

What should you pack for the Papallacta hot springs?

Swimwear, flip-flops, a towel, warm layers, a light rain jacket and a hat, because the mountain air is cold when you get out of the water. Add sunscreen and a waterproof bag. Drink water, avoid alcohol before bathing and do not stay in longer than is comfortable, because of the altitude.

Can you visit Papallacta from Quito in one day?

Yes. Papallacta is around 1.5 to 2 hours from Quito, so it can be done as a full-day excursion with a private transfer. If you want to enjoy the pools unhurriedly, or connect with a flight or a return from the Galapagos, a night at the hotel is far more comfortable.

Want us to organise it for you?

Tell us your dates, travellers and interests and we will prepare a personalised proposal with accommodation, transfers and detailed services.

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Fees, prices and official requirements can change: always confirm current details before you travel. Information reviewed on 8 October 2026.

Sources and official links

• Spanish Ministry of Foreign Affairs — Ecuador travel recommendations (in Spanish)
• Galápagos National Park (official site)