What I liked best in Banos besides swinging at the Casa del Arbol was cycling along the route of the waterfalls. You rent a bike downtown and from then on it is all the way downhill. At least this what our guide José Louis told us.
So not true. It does go downhill for most of the way but there are also a couple of inclines. Make sure that you rent a bike with proper gears otherwise it will be one tough going! My friend was not very happy and we hadn’t even seen the first waterfall at that time.
cycling in Banos @Ecuador
The sky was overcast which made the cycling experience so much better. Nothing worse than catching a sunburn while on a bicycle. The beginning to road is a bit hair-raising. I hate riding a bike next to a truck. But eventually it becomes a bicycle path and all is well. You do have to go through a tunnel before though. At least it is a one way. After that all tunnels are of limits for cyclists and a more scenic route is provided.
To be honest I don’t remember the name of any of these waterfalls. Which shouldn’t matter I think because there is only one way to go and you can’t miss them. At first one I stopped and went zip-lining Superman style. What an exhilarating feeling!
first waterfall @Banos
flying like Superman @Ecuador
As you can see I was absolutely elated when I came back! Zip-lining is just so much fun!
Pollybert back on land @Banos
Back on our bikes we cycled to the next waterfall where we boarded a cart to cross over the fall. If you want to see how we are getting closer and closer, click here. The waterfall was not so exciting but I loved going over it. Maybe I was born to fly?
waterfall from above @Banos
I think there are around 12 waterfalls along the route as well as a couple of zip-lines and some other fun stuff. The best was yet to come. The biggest waterfall is all the way at the end in Puyo. Here you can find the Pailon del Diablo (Devil’s Cauldron), an 80m waterfall that attracts countless tourists with its mighty power. It really is gigantic and very impressive (click here to see it for yourself).
A short walk leads you to the waterfall and then you will find countless stairs and bridges to get closer to the waterfall. I am sure its spray is welcome on a hot day. Which was not the case when we were there. We protected ourselves with rain jackets.
walking to the Pailon del Diablo @Ecuador
Pailon del Diablo @Ecuador
Pailon del Diablo @Banos
From Puyo you can catch a truck for 2$ which brings you back to Banos if you don’t want to cylce uphill. That’s what we did. Yours, Pollybert
on the way back to Banos @Ecuador
