2. Baños de Agua Santa
Commonly referred to as Baños,
is a city in eastern Tungurahua
Province, in central Ecuador.
Baños is the second most
populous city in Tungurahua,
after Ambato, the capital, and is
a major tourist center. It is
known as the "Gateway to the
Amazon", as it's the last big city
still located in the mountains
before reaching the jungle and
other towns that are located in
the Amazon River basin.
Baños is located on the northern foothills of the Tungurahua volcano, at an
elevation of 1,820 metres (5,971 feet) whose activity has been characterized by
frequent powerful ash explosions and lava flows can be seen from Banos.[2] and
is being monitored by the Geophysics Institute at E.P.N.
Etymology
Baños de Agua Santa (Spanish for Baths of Holy
Water[3]
), is named after the hot springs located around
the city which have a reputation of having healing
properties due to their content of various minerals.
History
The city is also a Roman
Catholic religious center,
as some Catholic
believers say that the
Virgin Mary appeared
nearby a waterfall. So a sculpture of the virgin,
called Virgen de Agua Santa, was placed in the
cathedral. The history of the town is intimately
linked with the highly active Tungurahua volcano.
In October 1999, all 17,000+ residents were
forced to evacuate the city for weeks.
Geography
Baños is located on the northern foothills of the
Tungurahua volcano.
Along with Pillaro, Baños is known as a good starting point for exploring the
remote Llanganates National Park and its attractions including Cerro Hermoso.
3. The city itself boasts a beautiful main central park across from the cathedral.
Nearby waterfalls include Virgen de Agua Santa, Inés María, Agoyán, El Manto
de la Novia, Pailón del Diablo and Machay.
Economy
Baños is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Ecuador[5] due to its
amazing natural beauty (it is home to more than 60 waterfalls) and its plethora
of available adventure sports.[6] Locals and visitors alike enjoy rafting, kayaking,
canyoning, bridge jumping, hiking, biking and horseback riding.[6]
Baños is also known for its production of taffy (Spanish: melcocha [melˈkotʃa])
made from cane sugar, and for small shops that sell the town's famous wooden
parrots made of balsa tree.
![Baños de Agua Santa
Commonly referred to as Baños,
is a city in eastern Tungurahua
Province, in central Ecuador.
Baños is the second most
populous city in Tungurahua,
after Ambato, the capital, and is
a major tourist center. It is
known as the "Gateway to the
Amazon", as it's the last big city
still located in the mountains
before reaching the jungle and
other towns that are located in
the Amazon River basin.
Baños is located on the northern foothills of the Tungurahua volcano, at an
elevation of 1,820 metres (5,971 feet) whose activity has been characterized by
frequent powerful ash explosions and lava flows can be seen from Banos.[2] and
is being monitored by the Geophysics Institute at E.P.N.
Etymology
Baños de Agua Santa (Spanish for Baths of Holy
Water[3]
), is named after the hot springs located around
the city which have a reputation of having healing
properties due to their content of various minerals.
History
The city is also a Roman
Catholic religious center,
as some Catholic
believers say that the
Virgin Mary appeared
nearby a waterfall. So a sculpture of the virgin,
called Virgen de Agua Santa, was placed in the
cathedral. The history of the town is intimately
linked with the highly active Tungurahua volcano.
In October 1999, all 17,000+ residents were
forced to evacuate the city for weeks.
Geography
Baños is located on the northern foothills of the
Tungurahua volcano.
Along with Pillaro, Baños is known as a good starting point for exploring the
remote Llanganates National Park and its attractions including Cerro Hermoso.](data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7)