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Practical Wanderlust

Off-Beat Couple's Travel Blog

Latin America

11 Mind-Blowing Things to Do in Baños, Ecuador (on a budget)

October 26, 2016

Banos, Ecuador is an adventure town, a spa town, and an absolute must-visit destination in Ecuador. Discover all of the best things to do in Banos de Agua Santa, Ecuador!
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Baños, Ecuador  – full name Baños de Agua Santa – was one of our favorite places on our entire 5-month trip to South America. It was our 2nd favorite place overall in Ecuador (nothing beats the Galapagos!) and we would go back again in a heartbeat.  The town is known for two things: naturally heated thermal baths – the namesake of Baños, Ecuador – and adventure sports! Nearby Baños, you’ll find mountains, rivers, waterfalls, and hot springs. Oh, and the famous Swing at the End of the World.

Baños is situated a couple of hours away from Quito by bus, in a stunning valley at the base of an active volcano called Tungurahua. Don’t worry: the town is far enough away from Tungurahua to be safe, though you might see some smoke or fire coming from the top of the volcano.

We spent a week in Baños, which we felt was a good length of time. We only tried a few of the MANY amazing activities, and honestly, we’re dying to go back. Here’s our guide to 11 of the best things to do in Baños, Ecuador!

Table of Contents

  • How to Get to Baños, Ecuador
    • How to Get to Baños from Quito
    • How to Get to Baños from Guayaquil, Latacunga, or Cuenca
  • Where to Stay in Baños, Ecuador
    • Budget: Ballin' (Over $100)
    • Budget: Mid-Range ($50-100)
    • Budget: As Cheap As Possible (Under $50)
  • Things to Do in Baños, Ecuador
    • 1. Swing on the Tree at the End of the World at Casa de Arbol
    • 2. Shop for handicrafts and artisan-made souvenirs
    • 3. See a waterfall … or two… or seven
    • 4. Relax in The Thermal Baths
    • 5. Go White Water Rafting on Rio Pastaza
    • 6. Get a Massage or Spa Treatment
    • 8. Zipline Through Trees & Between Mountains
    • 7. Take a Canyoning Tour
    • 9. Drink Delicious Ecuadorian Hot Chocolate
    • 10. Stuff Your Face with Local Food
    • 11. Stuff Your Face with Ecuadorian Street Food

Psst: Planning a trip to Ecuador? We’ve got a bunch of useful resources to help you plan your trip!

  • Backpacking Ecuador: Itinerary for 1 Incredible Month
  • 30 Things No One Tells You About Backpacking in Ecuador
  • How to Visit The Galapagos Islands Without a Cruise: A Complete Guide
  • What to Pack for South America: 32 Backpacking Essentials
  • Hiking the Quilotoa Loop in Ecuador: Reverse Route Travel Guide

We’ve also created a massive 10-page eBook packed full of Ecuador travel tips. Sign up below and we’ll send you our FREE Ecuador Travel Guide, plus email you with tips to help you plan your trip!

The picturesque Casa de Arbol, home of the famous Swing at the End of the World, in Baños, Ecuador.

The picturesque Casa de Arbol, home of the famous Swing at the End of the World, in Baños, Ecuador.

How to Get to Baños, Ecuador

Ecuador is a small country, and getting around it is quite easy and inexpensive. The only way to get to Baños is by bus, but you can bus from multiple locations around Ecuador. The bus station in Baños is near the center of town and is walking distance to most hotels and hostels – or you can take a cheap $1 taxi from the bus station to your destination.

How to Get to Baños from Quito

If you fly into Quito, you will first need to take a $25 taxi for 45 minutes into the city. This price is standard, and unfortunately it’s the best option (you can take a combination of buses for several hours to save a few dollars, but we didn’t think it was worth the hassle).

Once in Quito, ask your taxi drive to drop you at Terminal Terrestre Quitumbe , the main bus station in the far south of the city. Once there you can walk up to a counter and ask for the next bus to Baños.

The bus takes about 3.5 hours, costs around $4, and may stop in Ambato on the way to Baños. If there is no direct bus to Baños, just buy a ticket to Ambato – there are frequent buses running between Ambato and Baños.

  • Short on time? Here’s a 2-day round trip tour from Quito to Banos which includes transportation, a night of accommodation, an adventure tour, and a trip to Casa Arbol.
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How to Get to Baños from Guayaquil, Latacunga, or Cuenca

The bus to Baños from Latacunga or Guayaquil will first stop in either Ambato or Riobamba, and then connect to Baños – you may need to switch buses or buy two tickets if the route is not direct.

For each location, there is no need to book in advance. Just take a taxi to the main bus station and look for signs to Baños, Riobamba, or Ambato. Ask at each ticket counter to see which one is leaving soonest.

  • The bus from Guayaquil to Baños will take about 5.5 hours and cost around $7.
  • The bus from Latacunga to Baños takes around 2 hours and costs under $5.
  • The bus from Cuenca to Baños takes around 7.5 hours and costs about $10. There is also direct bus from Cuenca to Baños  on Amazonas which will take about 6 hours and cost around $10.

From anywhere else in Ecuador: If you don’t see a direct bus to Baños at the bus station, look instead for buses heading to Ambato, which is the nearest city. De-board there and take one of the frequent buses to Baños, only an hour away. You can also look for buses to Riobamba and connect from there to Baños.

  • Ecuador Travel Tip: As a rule of thumb, Ecuador buses typically cost around $1-2 per hour. So a 2 hour bus ride will be around $3-4, and a 6-hour bus ride will be around $10.
Our hostel in Banos, Ecuador was at the foot of this giant waterfall, right by the amazing thermal baths that are the town's namesake.

Our hostel in Banos, Ecuador was at the foot of this giant waterfall, right by the amazing thermal baths that are the town’s namesake.

Where to Stay in Baños, Ecuador

Budget: Ballin’ (Over $100)

  • Samari Spa Resort: Ballin’ in Baños is surprisingly affordable considering the level of luxury that you’ll enjoy at Samari Spa Resort. From the stunning, decadently furnished rooms to beautiful hotel grounds to the pool to the spa and wellness center, everything about Samari Spa Resort will leave you feeling like royalty. Oh, also: there are sometimes peacocks. Just like, hanging out. How freaking awesome is THAT?! Compare prices & check availability on HotelsCombined

Budget: Mid-Range ($50-100)

  • Destiny Hotel: 2 words – INFINITY POOL. The pool at Destiny Hotel is absolutely stunning, and its prime location on a terrace overlooking the town will deliver some of the most stunning views of Baños that you’ll find anywhere. Unwind after a long day of activities in the cocktail lounge or the jacuzzi next to the infinity pool on the terrace.Compare prices & check availability on HotelsCombined

Budget: As Cheap As Possible (Under $50)

  • We stayed at the super-affordable Hostel Chiminea. For about $24 a night, we enjoyed a roomy private with an ensuite bathroom and a deck covered in flowers and hummingbirds. The hostel also has dorms with beds under $10 a night. As is standard for any decent hostel, there are laundry services, towel rentals, free Wi-Fi, and a kitchen that you can use for cooking after breakfast service is finished. But there’s ALSO a free pool, heated personal jacuzzis and massages (for a fee), and a stunning rooftop cafe with a view of the waterfall, mountains, and the town of Baños. We loved the location of Hostel Chiminea: it’s right next to the waterfall and thermal baths, directly across from an abundance of street vendors selling souvenirs and snacks, and close to the center of town with plenty of spas, adventure shops, restaurants, and scenic plazas. We think it’s one of the best hostels in Baños! Check prices & availability on Hostelworld
The colorful streets of Baños, Ecuador, nestled in a valley among the mountains.

The colorful streets of Baños, Ecuador, nestled in a valley among the mountains – and one active volcano!

Things to Do in Baños, Ecuador

There are a TON of amazing things to do in Baños, from adventure sports to relaxation to stuffing your face. We’ve covered all of those, of course! 

Baños offers a ton of adventure sports and activities, including horseback riding, mountain biking, rock climbing, paragliding, 4×4 rentals, multi-day jungle treks, and bungee jumping.  You can take a day trip to the Amazon jungle with a tour like this one!

Honestly, during our week in Baños we only tried a small selection of what the town has to offer.  Here’s our guide to the best things to do in Baños!

The famous Swing at the End of the World is at Casa Arbol in Banos, Ecuador!

The famous Swing at the End of the World is at Casa Arbol in Banos, Ecuador!

1. Swing on the Tree at the End of the World at Casa de Arbol

Casa de Arbol is one of the top reasons people visit Baños, Ecuador: everyone’s seen that iconic picture, flying high above the mountains, leaving all your cares behind. Well, it’s a great picture, but don’t get your hopes up too high: you’re not actually that high off the ground, and getting that picture takes a bit of finagling.

But don’t let that dissuade you. You should visit Casa de Arbol because giant swings are super fun and there’s also a cable that you can swing on like a low-flying zipline, all for the $2 entrance fee. For the less-adventurous types, this is the perfect level of low-risk fun! There are 3 giant swings – one with employees that push you and a very long line, and 2 self-guided swings with much shorter lines. We tried all 3. Once you get the hang of swinging and stopping on your own, the self-guided swings are a blast.

Travel Tips for visiting the Casa de Arbol in Baños, Ecuador:

  1. Tour companies will offer you a shuttle to and from the Casa de Arbol for as low as $5 each. They leave multiple times a day and are great if you prefer the ease of shuttles and you don’t mind long lines, limited time, and huge groups of people. We opted for the self-guided option, which is just a bus that leaves from the center of town and goes straight to the Casa de Arbol. It cost half as much, we had as much time as we wanted to spend swinging to our hearts content, and we were able to avoid the long lines that developed every time one of the shuttle buses pulled up.
  2. When you pull up to the Casa de Arbol, you will immediately see a tree house with a swing at the top of a steep hill. This is not the Casa de Arbol – the Casa de Arbol is actually up a little trail and on the other side of the hill. But, this is a giant swing over a huge hill, and it’s cheaper than the Casa de Arbol (by $1) and has less lines. So by all means give it a try if you like. But the actual Casa de Arbol is to the right and up a short trail.
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2. Shop for handicrafts and artisan-made souvenirs

In the center of Baños is a little street filled with stalls handicrafts and artisan-made souvenirs. I’m not going to lie to you: it’s not the cheapest place to buy these types of souvenirs, nor is there any guarantee that they are actually made locally or by Ecuadorian artists. But if you’re looking for a small souvenir to remember your stay, or a gift for loved ones, this is the spot.

Travel tips for buying souvenirs in Baños, Ecuador:

  1. The handicrafts are heavily marked up, and the shop owners are expecting you to haggle.
  2. If you spend too long looking at something, they’ll probably start lowering their prices for you.
  3. You’ll get a better deal and have a better chance of haggling if you buy multiple things in one shop. Since most of the shops offer similar items, do a lap before you decide what you want, and then try to get it all in place and haggle for a deal.

Yes, Baños is an adventure town. But it’s also a spa town, and offers tons of opportunities to relax and wind down. Here are our favorite ways to relax in Baños, Ecuador.

The Ruta de las Cascadas in Banos, Ecuador will take you past 7 absolutely stunning waterfalls.

The Ruta de las Cascadas in Banos, Ecuador will take you past 7 absolutely stunning waterfalls. This is the Pailón del Diablo. Original photo credit: “Paílón del Diablo.” (CC BY 2.0) by Simon Matzinger

3. See a waterfall … or two… or seven

In addition to a giant waterfall next to the thermal baths, Baños is also home to the famous Ruta de las Cascadas! The route through the valley passes 7 jaw dropping waterfalls, plus countless other beautiful views.

You can complete the downhill route with a $6 mountain bike rental, or on a chiva/open air bus. Either can be booked at one of the many adventure shops in town.

One of the highlights on the route is the Pailón del Diablo, a waterfall park complete with an enormous suspension bridge. You can also zip-line or take a cable car over the gorge!

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4. Relax in The Thermal Baths

The namesake of Baños, Ecuador is well worth a visit. Despite its location right on the edge of town, next to a huge and awe-inspiring waterfall, the baths do not seem to be a popular tourist destination. We were in the vast minority of gringos enjoying the baths on a Friday night! But trust us, the thermal baths are not to be missed.

On the night we visited, we walked over from our nearby hostel with our swimsuits and a towel, not knowing what to expect. We paid $3.50 to enter and rent the required bathing cap, and were promptly herded through the entrance, given a basket for our belongings and a very brief tour of the 2 story baths. There are 3 giant tubs with varying depths and water temperatures, showers – required before you enter the baths – and changing rooms.

After changing and dropping off our stuff – $1 to store our basket behind the upstairs counter – we were left shivering in our swimsuits, looking like confused, freezing cold gringos. Unsure of the correct protocol, we chose the downstairs tub at random because it was less crowded. This was the wrong choice: the downstairs tub is the hottest tub, and it’s less crowded because you can’t spend more than a few minutes in it at a time. After making a spectacle of ourselves shrieking at the boiling water against our ice-cold skin, we hurried upstairs to sit in one of the shallower, more crowded tubs.

Like Goldilocks and the 3 bears, this tub was just right. We finally felt our bodies relax into the warm water, gazing peacefully at the stars and the enormous waterfall right next to us. After a while in this tub, we felt brave enough to try the super hot tub again. This time, it felt incredible. We alternated between the upstairs and the downstairs tub a couple of times, feeling more and more relaxed and at-peace with the world with each rotation. By the time the baths were closing (around 9pm), it had begun to rain, which we welcomed with relaxed and pleasantly warm arms. We happily strolled back to our hotel in the pouring rain wearing only our swimsuits and feeling at peace with the universe. It was the best thermal bath experience we have ever had!

Travel Tips for visiting the Thermal Baths in Baños, Ecuador:

  1. Visit the baths at night. During the day, the sun makes the heat of the tubs unpleasant. At night, the cold air will feel absolutely incredible once you’re done with the tubs (it only sucks a little at first).
  2. Don’t be nervous if you don’t see many gringos, nobody seemed bothered by our presence (although they were amused when we tried to get into the super hot tub first).
  3. Complete a rotation of the tubs starting with the coolest and working up to the hottest for the most relaxing experience!
White water rafting on class IV rapids in the adventure town of Baños, Ecuador!

White water rafting on class IV rapids in the adventure town of Baños, Ecuador!

5. Go White Water Rafting on Rio Pastaza

One of the major attractions in Banos is rafting Rio Pastaza. This river takes rafters through class 3 & 4 rapids. What does this mean exactly? It means that rest is a rare luxury. If you like adrenaline pumping white water rapids, this is a must-do activity in Baños!

Jeremy’s group consisted of 16 people split in two boats. On each boat has a guide, and a rescue medic nearby in a kayak. Rio Pastaza is fast and bumpy but not dangerous, so the medics double as paparazzi. The highlight of the ride was when our guide flipped the boat (on purpose). It was scary, but we had a great laugh after the panic attacks subsided!

For 5 hours of white water rafting, you’ll pay around $30, including lunch, safety gear, transportation, and a wetsuit. Here is a white water rafting tour that you can book online in advance.

Travel Tips for White Water Rafting in Baños, Ecuador:

  1. If you don’t book online, you’ll want to head to an agency in town book a day or two in advance because tours leave early in the morning.
  2. Be sure to follow the guide’s safety instructions. He is trained and experienced and as long as you listen and follow along as he calls out directions, you’ll be fine. The guide will also give instructions on what to do if you’re ejected from the boat: basically, just float on your back and let the current carry you until you’re rescued by the kayak.
  3. If you wear glasses, get a glasses strap! They may look dorky, but they’re hella useful. You don’t want to lose your glasses in the water.
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6. Get a Massage or Spa Treatment

Baños, Ecuador is as much a spa town as it is an adventure town. When you’re exhausted from your harrowing near-death experiences, a massage or a spa treatment will feel like absolute heaven. (It also makes a great way to spend a day while your more-adventurous partner is out doing completely insane things, if you’re me.) Walking down the streets of Baños, Ecuador you will be offered multiple spa treatments and prices from the many shops offering a variety of the same experiences. From chocolate face and body masks to facials to those little fish eating the dead skin off your feet (whatever floats your boat, I guess), Baños offers a full range of budget-friendly spa activities. If you’d rather have an immersive experience rather than stepping into a tiny shop right off the street, check out the more expensive hotels, complete with their own thermal baths.

Travel Tips for Massages and Spa Treatments in Baños, Ecuador:

  1. Most of the small shops have the same set prices for their services, and there isn’t enough information online to compare reviews. Massages will all cost $25-$35 for an hour.
  2. I picked my shop completely based on price and went with the cheapest option for a mani/pedi. It was OK for $12, but my cuticles were cut a bit too deep. I’d recommend not going with the absolute cheapest option.

 

Ziplining upside-down (aka in the Spiderman position) through the mountains in Baños, Ecuador!

Ziplining upside-down (aka in the Spiderman position) through the mountains in Baños, Ecuador!

8. Zipline Through Trees & Between Mountains

In Baños, the term Canopying is interchangeable for ziplining, because when you go zip-lining in Banos, you fly through a canopy of trees … and over a giant canyon. Ahhh!

The trip we booked took us on six different lines, totaling two kilometers (1.25 miles). One of the great things about this tour is you have the option of taking the lines in different styles: regular (seated), Superman, or even upside-down. Of course Jeremy did the upside-down Spiderman looking one without a second thought.

All in all, this is a fun half day tour, but be advised, there are some intense uphill climbs through the rainforest between lines. Also, if you’re afraid of heights … you’ll probably want to skip this one.

Tips for Ziplining or Canopying in Baños, Ecuador:

1. You’ll pay about $20 for 2 hours of zip-lining.

2. Do bring water for staying hydrated on the short hikes between lines.

3. Bring your camera! You can hold it in one hand while you fly across the valley.

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7. Take a Canyoning Tour

Canyoning was hands down the activity Jeremy looked forward to most in South America. Canyoning means you alternate between adventure activities to work your way down a waterfall canyon. “Adventure activities” can include: waterfall rappelling, cliff jumping, zip-lining, or awkwardly sliding on your butt …. adventurously. Yes, all in one tour! Crazy, right?

Jeremy did the Chamana Canyon tour. The tour starts with two waterfall repels. Next the guide clips a rope to your back, tells you to lie down in the middle of the river, and the current gently takes you … right off the edge of a waterfall! Finally you’re tied into a harness at the top of a cliff and free fall backwards off the cliff until the guide slows you down at the last possible second! If you’re looking for a variety of adventure and a big dose of adrenaline all in one tour, you should definitely try canyoning. For 4 hours of canyoning, you’ll pay about $35. Here’s a canyoning tour you can reserve online in advance!

Travel Tips for Canyoning in Baños, Ecuador:

  1. Do the Cashuarco tour if you can! It requires 4 people and is only available during certain times of the year, but it’s supposed to be the best canyoning tour in Banos. We didn’t get a chance to try it, so let us know how it is!
  2. If you don’t book online, you’ll want to head to an agency in town book a day or two in advance because tours leave early in the morning.
  3. You won’t be able to carry a water bottle or wear a hydration pack. But the activities aren’t terribly strenuous or physically demanding. Drink a bottle beforehand and you’ll be fine.
Delicious Ecuadorian hot chocolate at Amore chocolate shop in Baños, Ecuador.

Delicious Ecuadorian hot chocolate at Amore chocolate shop in Baños, Ecuador.

9. Drink Delicious Ecuadorian Hot Chocolate

Ecuador is known for its chocolate: grown farm fresh in the coasts and near the Amazon jungle, the chocolate here is local, organic, and incredibly good. It’s so good that hot chocolate is often the preferred drink of Ecuadorians, spurring the usually less-than-stellar coffee options. This is not the case in Baños, Ecuador! Baños is home to both incredible hot chocolate AND delicious coffee.

The best place to try some legit Ecuadorian hot chocolate is Arome Chocolate & Coffee. Arome Chocolate is THE place to get excellent chocolate in Baños, whether it’s a high end bar of Pacari chocolate (our absolute favorite), toasted cacao beans, or a slice of fudgy chocolate cake or tiramisu. Their specialty is hot chocolate: choose from a selection of options on the menu, or choose a custom-made cup of hot chocolate created from any chocolate bar in the store! We experimented with a few options and found them all to be heavenly.

What’s more, Amore also serves up some of the best coffee in town. Choose your location in Ecuador and your bean strength and you’ll be brewed up a fantastic cup of coffee – or add some of that famous chocolate to make it a delicious Mocha. There are five Amore locations around Baños, each specializing in chocolate, coffee, nuts or spices.

If you’re more into coffee than chocolate, head to Honey Coffee & Tea. Honey is the gorgeous, Instagram-worthy coffee shop of a long term traveler’s dreams: cozy enough to spend a whole day lounging and getting work done on your computer, and yummy enough to spend all day casually ordering food and dessert to go with your coffee. With 35 varieties of coffee and an inclusive selection of third-wave coffee brewing techniques  – including V60, Siphon, CHUSPA, Vacuum, and Aeropress – this is the perfect spot for a coffee lover to spend a day unwinding after their adventures in Baños, Ecuador! (Note: Honey also has a huge selection of teas for the less caffeine-inclined.)

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10. Stuff Your Face with Local Food

Baños, Ecuador is home to a plethora of fantastic food options at all budget ranges. Here’s our list of where to eat in Baños, Ecuador.

 Eat at the Mercado in Baños

We love mercados in South America: they’re the cheapest place to buy groceries, always offer local produce and meats, and they typically have some fantastic cheap food options. The mercado in Baños, Ecuador is no exception. It’s situated directly across from the Supermarket, which makes comparing prices really easy (spoiler: the mercado is a zillion times cheaper).

In addition to produce and meat, half of the mercado is a huge cafeteria which is always filled with locals enjoying heaping plates of food. Travel tip #1: always eat where the locals eat! Most of the stalls in the mercado offer a variation of the same set menu: soup, juice, a plate of rice, chorizo, salad, and llapingacho (delicious grilled potato and cheese cakes), or a segundo option, usually chicken or beef – all for $2.50.

If you want to venture out from the set menu, there are also plentiful juice and batido stalls (a batido is like a milkshake, with fruit & milk blended together). There’s also a fantastic ceviche spot, which was some of the best ceviche we had in Ecuador, and cost only $2.

Even if you don’t eat a meal at the mercado, at least stop in for a llapingacho. They’re incredible.

Try the Almuerzo menu at any local restaurant

Cheap Almuerzo menus are common all over Ecuador, and Baños is no exception. Stop into any tiny local restaurant around lunchtime and ask for the almuerzo, and you’ll be served a filling multi-course meal for under $5. It usually includes juice, soup, a meat platter, and sometimes a small dessert. Our favorite spot near our hostel was next to the much more popular (and expensive) Ristorante Papardelle.

The view of Banos de Agua Santa from our hostel's roof! The entire town is absolutely stunning, with mountain views and waterfalls everywhere you turn.

The view of Banos de Agua Santa from our hostel’s roof! The entire town is absolutely stunning, with mountain views and waterfalls everywhere you turn.

11. Stuff Your Face with Ecuadorian Street Food

We love street food, and we classify it in a different category than restaurants. The street food in Baños, Ecuador is perfectly safe to eat and absolutely delicious! You’ll find street food sold in stalls and out of carts all over town. Here is our list of recommendations for street food to eat in Baños, Ecuador!

  • Choclo/Dry roasted corn kernels: You’ll find choclo all over Ecuador, topping your fresh ceviche or served as a crunch snack. In Baños, you’ll find choclo with a twist: it’s served in a little bag with warm steamed corn and fresh flavorful salsa, for the perfect fresh, crunchy, and warm snack – all for about $1! This yummy snack will keep you full for hours and is incredibly good.
  • Llapingachos/Grilled potato and cheese patties: Our favorite Ecuadorian street food! These yummy potato cakes are served in doorways, out of carts, and in the mercado all over Baños for cheap. They’re so good! Don’t leave Baños without trying one … or three.
  • Melcocha/Sugar Cane Taffy: Walk through town and you’re sure to find a few candy shops serving up the famous melcocha, a specialty found only in Baños, Ecuador. The sweet taffy is pulled right in front of the store, hanging on a hook in the door frame!
  • Fresh Sugar Cane: Ah, delicious sugar cane: crunch and a little woody, but absolutely delicious. You eat it by chewing the sugar cane to get all the sugary goodness before spitting out the pulp. Fresh cut sugar cane is sold at the stalls directly across from our hostel on the way to the thermal baths, and a large bag is only $1. Careful not to eat it all in one sitting unless you want a stomach ache.  If you’d rather not have to work for your sugar rush, the stalls also sell fresh sugar cane juice! My heart is racing just thinking about it…
  • Espumillas/Meringue Cream: Found all over Ecuador served in ice cream cones and covered with syrup and sprinkles, Espumilla may ook like ice cream. But don’t be fooled: the soft, sweet meringue has a marshmallow-like texture. Flavored with guava, blackberry, and other fruits, espumillas are a unique street food that you must try in Baños, Ecuador.

We hope our guide to the best things to do Baños, Ecuador is helpful for your trip! If you’re looking to book a few tours in advance, take a look at these:

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Psst: Planning a trip to Ecuador? We’ve got a bunch of useful resources to help you plan your trip!

  • Backpacking Ecuador: Itinerary for 1 Incredible Month
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Baños, Ecuador is situated in a valley at the base of an active volcano. This stunning town is famous for heart-pumping adventure sports and relaxing thermal baths. Here’s our complete guide to the best things to do in Baños, plus how to get to Baños, where to stay, and what to eat! Ecuador Travel | Ecuador places to visit | Ecuador travel tips | South America Travel #SouthAmerica

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Adventure Banos Ecuador Ecuadorian Food
by Lia Garcia 
24 Comments

About Lia Garcia

Hey, I'm Lia! I'm a Kentucky native living in San Francisco. I'm extremely practical and also entirely addicted to travel, which I'm forever trying to reconcile. If I had a patronus, it would a spreadsheet. Or a llama. Possibly a llama creating a spreadsheet. I'm married to Jeremy and I'm obsessed with him and it's super gross, unless you're us, in which case it's the best.

View all posts by Lia Garcia

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Comments

  1. Eva says: October 30, 2016 at 5:44 pm

    I love your guide and the beautiful pictures! I’d be scared to go ziplining though!

    Reply
  2. Caroline says: October 30, 2016 at 5:35 pm

    I’ve not read a post about Ecuador before – looks very interesting. And I am now craving teriyaki chicken! Looks like you had a fantastic time there.

    Reply
    • Lia says: October 30, 2016 at 6:52 pm

      I think a lot of people just visit the Galapagos and skip the rest of Ecuador! In our opinion, while the Galapagos are definitely the highlight of Ecuador, there’s also so much else to see and do!

      Reply
      • Doug says: July 30, 2018 at 9:48 am

        I was in the Peace Corps in Ecuador in the 1970s and visited Banos among many other places. It is obvious to me that it has been turned into a gringo-tourist-shithole. So very sad.

        Reply
        • Lia Garcia says: July 30, 2018 at 4:20 pm

          I’d recommend you visit Banos again before you make any assumptions, Doug. I’m sure it’s changed in the past 50 years since you were there, but “shithole” isn’t a word I would use to describe one of my favorite places in Ecuador & South America. Actually it’s not a word I’d use to describe anywhere since he-who-shall-not-be-named used it as a derogatory term for every country that isn’t primarily inhabited by white people, but I digress…

          Reply
        • carrie striplin says: October 18, 2018 at 8:39 pm

          What an asshole.

          Reply
  3. Camilla says: November 3, 2016 at 10:00 am

    Great post! Baños seems like the perfect place for outdoor activities (:

    Reply
    • Lia says: November 3, 2016 at 6:08 pm

      It definitely is! But it also has loads to offer for less adventurous folks who just want to relax in the thermal baths and get massages (…me…) It’s the perfect balance!

      Reply
  4. Samantha Elisabeth says: November 14, 2016 at 8:01 pm

    This is such an awesome guide! Pinned it for future Ecuador adventures. I’d LOVE to check out those thermal baths.

    Reply
    • Lia says: November 16, 2016 at 8:11 pm

      Thanks Samantha! The thermal baths were incredible, and so cheap & easy to get to!! Banos was a highlight of our entire trip to South America.

      Reply
  5. Kelly says: February 8, 2017 at 1:33 am

    Love this article! I live in Cuenca and have been to Banos 4 times in the last couple of years (have to take every visitor 😉 )! I would definitely share this with travelers – it is refreshing to see some travel tips that are so thorough! I hope you enjoyed the rest of your time in Ecuador! 🙂

    Reply
    • Lia says: February 8, 2017 at 3:42 pm

      Thank you so much Kelly! We loved Banos! We only visited Cuenca for a few days but definitely need to go back to explore it more. I’m thrilled that you found our tips thorough! There is nothing better to us than the seal of approval from a local!

      Reply
  6. Felix says: April 27, 2017 at 12:17 pm

    Hey! First of all : I love your post! Very informing for someone (like me) who plans to visit Banos very soon.
    Just one question I have: I will spend a few weeks there and I am not sure what to wear. Can you give me an impression on how the temperature will most likely be and what you would reccommend wearing during the day and in the evening.

    Thanks a lot!

    Reply
    • Lia says: April 27, 2017 at 12:53 pm

      Banos isn’t as hot as you’d expect for being right on the equator, because it’s nestled in the mountains. So pack a jacket and don’t expect to wear shorts every day! It does get warm during the day, just not HOT – and it gets cool at night, but not terribly cold. It tends to be in the mid-50’s-60’s, on average, sort of like the weather in San Francisco (which I think as year-round fall weather).

      Reply
  7. Christy Morgan says: November 8, 2017 at 4:32 am

    Great article! You can now take a direct bus from Cuenca to Banos for $10 with Amazonas.

    Reply
    • Lia Garcia says: January 3, 2018 at 7:30 am

      Ooooh awesome!! Thank you so much for that info – we rely on useful data points like this to keep our resources up to date and useful. Thank again!

      Reply
  8. Addie says: February 24, 2018 at 5:28 am

    Thanks for writing this post on a budget, because that’s what I’ll be on by the time we get there. Ecuador looks amazing! We had thought about adding it in to our trip, but hadn’t confirmed. I think this post makes it official. It’s beautiful and there is so much to do!

    Reply
    • Lia Garcia says: February 24, 2018 at 11:55 am

      Yay, I’m so glad you decided to add it to your trip! Have fun!

      Reply
  9. Brianna says: February 24, 2018 at 7:11 am

    Oh my word, Banos is my JAM! The color, the hot springs, all the adventurous activs! Plus also food and hot chocolate. I need to get here ASAP.

    Reply
  10. Viola says: February 24, 2018 at 3:37 pm

    I think of the crazy swing every time I hear Ecuador. You got such an amazing shot! Great to know there are so many other cool activities in Banos. But ziplining upside down?? Nope nope nope…Your husband is so brave haha.

    Reply
  11. Danielle says: July 13, 2018 at 5:54 pm

    Heading to Banos in a few days – this post was super helpful for deciding how I want to spend my time there! Thanks for all the great tips, links, and recommendations!

    Reply
    • Lia Garcia says: July 13, 2018 at 8:18 pm

      I’m so glad to hear that, Danielle! Have a blast!

      Reply
  12. Debe Canaday says: August 27, 2018 at 9:09 am

    We went to Banos a few years back (2014) and loved it. We had a driver and a guide that took us all around Quito, then Banos, before heading to Galapagos.

    Now we are planning on heading back and this time with kids and grandkids. So more on a budget. We have a couple of rental vehicles from Quito to Banos and hope to have that as our transportation to see everything in Banos before driving to the coast. What is your thought on driving there???

    While we were there we did eat at Pappardella along with eating at Eruption in an Hostel. Eruption was great. We also had gelato served in a bowl made of chocolate which was delicious but I don’t remember the name of that place. Our 60 minutes massage were $20 and the thermal pools was $3 to get in and .30 cents for the cap to cover your hair.

    Our activities includes zip lining down the canyon, driving the Avenue of Waterfalls and stopping to ride the basket across the canyon to the two waterfalls and back, hiking to Pailon Del Diablo (what goes down must go back up on a hike) and ate lunch and dessert of empanadas across from the entrance. So so good along with the fruit juices. We also did the swing but no lines while we were there and only one swing hanging from the small treehouse. Another thing we did was drive to Alausi and ride the train to Devils Nose. It included lunch and local dancing. We spent three nights there did as much as we could.

    Your article gave us many more options for this upcoming trip! So thanks for sharing your experience!

    Reply
    • Lia Garcia says: August 27, 2018 at 9:16 am

      Hey Debe, thanks for sharing your experiences. You made me want to go back to Banos too! In terms of driving, generally I don’t recommend it… there are so many inexpensive buses and colectivos to get from Quito to Banos that it seems like an unnecessary expense. Not sure what the parking situation is like in town either. I’d suggest hiring a driver to see everything in Banos, and I think that would likely end up being cheaper unless you got an incredibly good deal or have too many people to fit in a standard car!

      Reply

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Lia and Jeremy are the married couple behind the Practical Wanderlust travel blog!

Meet Lia & Jeremy

A disaster-prone couple recently returned to Oakland, California from a year-long honeymoon. We share down-to-earth travel tips with a side of sass. Low key stalk us here and on social media!

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Recent Posts

  • Noway, in the winter is a stunning winter wonderland. Northern Lights, reindeer, dog sledding, and fjords - our photo guide to Norway in the winter will have you booking a flight to Norway in no time!
    35 Photos of Norway in the Winter to Inspire your Wanderlust
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  • The Ultimate Banff Winter Guide and 12 epic things to do in Banff in the winter!
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  • Have you ever been dog sledding? 🐶 I tried it for the first time ever in Alta, Norway, north of the Arctic Circle. I wasn't sure what to expect: would the dogs be happy and healthy? How fast would we be going? Would there be like, a seatbelt? (Answers: yes, very, no.)
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The first thing we did upon arriving at Trasti & Trine was suit up. I'd dutifully layered on my 53 wool base layers and 16 sweaters and pants, thinking that would be plenty. Lol, no. Norway Lesson #1: there's cold, and then there's ARCTIC cold - with wind chill. Yikes. So I zipped a snowsuit on over all 7276 of my layers - and added an extra pair of boots for good measure. Lia - 1, Frostbite - 0.
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Next we harnessed up our dogs.  I was given the names of my team and 4 harnesses and awkwardly crunched through the snow in my staypuft marshmallow man suit towards the holding pens, feeling nervous. Like, what if the dogs didn't WANT to wear their harnesses? Would I have to wrassle them? I am NOT the wrassling type. Luckily, the dogs were like "you put this paw in this strap, duh" and pretty much just dressed themselves.
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By the time I had my 4 dogs suited, they were DYING to get out into the snow. If you've ever uttered the words "go for a walk" to a dog, you can imagine the scene - except these were muscular AF snow dogs. I think I saw one of them jump like 5 feet into the air and do a backflip.
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My host stepped up onto the back of my sled to steer, I grabbed on to absolutely anything and everything I could, and we were off. Instantly, the barking and howling of the dogs gave way to quiet concentration. We whipped through trees and past mountains and ice rivers as the blue light of Polar Night reflected off the snow. If we had arrived later in the day, we might have been riding underneath the Northern Lights!
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You can see a video of my dog sledding adventure in my Story Highlights, AND I've just published a new post with 35 jaw-dropping photos from my trip! The link is in my bio.
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Would you like to try dog sledding? Would you be nervous like I was? Drop me a comment below!
  • Happy Valentine's Day! 🌹💗Today is my FAVORITE holiday. I love pink and hearts and a good excuse for crafts and unapologetically expressing love and affection. Jeremy and I are mush-tastic year round, but we take Valentine's Day as an opportunity to shamelessly shower everyone and everything around us in love and affection, too. Here are some of the different kinds of love that we'll be feeling sappy about today:
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💕Love for ourselves. We choose to put ourselves first and our relationship/each other second - that's the foundation of our happiness and the core foundation of our whole marriage. Today, we are feelin' all kinds of obsessed with our awesome selves! I hope you spend some time today doing sweet lil' things for yourself that bring you happiness.
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💕Love for each other. This is not new - we shower each other in disgusting mushy compliments all day, every day - but we ARE going out on a date tonight ... and then heading to a store to compete to see who can find the lamest, grossest, sappiest Valentine's Day card. We will then pay too much money for that card and then inflict the worst romantic poetry that we can come up with, exquisite corpse style. Stoked.
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💕Love for what we do. Jeremy loves his school and his co-teachers, but especially, he loves his students. Today he's celebrating his love for them with a party (they wanted wings, so we made them cookies too, because 18 year olds are the unhealthiest people on earth and can handle that sort of thing).
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And as for me ... today I'm writing about a trip that I loved, and pouring my heart into my storytelling. It's reminding me both why I love travel, and why I feel so strongly about sharing that love with all of you! (It'll be up tomorrow, and I'm so excited to share it.)
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💕Oh, and one last mushy shout-out: LOVE FOR YOU! Yes, that's right: we truly love you all. Your DM's and support and comments and the fact that there are people out there who think we're as funny as we do (lol jk nobody thinks we're as funny as we do, that's impossible) all means the world to us, and we're so appreciative for you.

So happy, happy Valentine's Day! What kinds of love are you celebrating today? 💋
  • Blogging has changed the way that I travel, for better and for worse. And one of the biggest changes is taking photos. Before blogging, I didn't really see a point in taking photos on my trips - nobody on my Facebook cared about my trip as much as I did, so why bother? Instead, Jeremy and I recorded special memories in journals and diaries, writing descriptions of the places we visited together. But we stopped writing in the journal as soon as we started the blog, mostly because I type a LOT faster than I write and get fewer hand cramps.

Writing has always been my storytelling tool of choice, but I've learned in the past 3 years of blogging that visual storytelling can be just as captivating. exciting, and challenging. And the actual act of taking photos has made a huge difference in our travel style. These days, our trips include "taking photos" as an actual activity. We research a list of photo-worthy spots and then go out of our way just to see them. We spend hours standing at just the right spot at just the right time, waiting for crowds to clear or the family in the matching neon tracksuits to f**k off (there is somehow always a family wearing neon in the back of every photo we've ever taken). This is something I would NEVER have done if I didn't have a reason to or a platform to share them on. In fact, I probably would have scoffed haughtily at the very idea, probably while nursing a hand cramp from aggressive journalling. But these days, I've learned to appreciate the way that photography changes the way we travel. We take our time to stop and really LOOK. We see more little details, peer down more streets. We stand still, watching, while crowds pass us by. We take our time. We tell stories in snapshots.

And we visit places we likely never would have before, like the top of Sulphur Mountain in Banff. We took the Banff Gondola up to the summit to catch the last rays of the sun sinking over the Canadian Rockies, watching clouds of snow roll into the valley below us, breathing in the frigid winter air and standing perfectly still. Snapping photos. And it was beautiful.

Do you prioritize photos on your trips? Drop us a comment below!
  • "There's no such thing as bad weather, just bad clothing," says some quote that I heard once. I have no idea who said it, but it's 100% accurate! I've been frolicking in freezing (& below freezing) cold weather all month long, and even though California has made me soft, I've nailed my strategy for cold weather dressing. Allow me to take out my cobweb-covered college degree in Fashion Design, dust it off, and share some next-level cold weather apparel tips with you. 🎓🧣
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My first tip for dressing for the cold is to carefully choose the closest layer of clothing to your skin (because that insulating layer of chub only goes so far). My favorite insulating base layer is merino wool. It's is a naturally high performance textile that keeps you warm when it's cold out and keeps you cool when it's hot out. It also stays warm when wet, so even if you get sweaty under your coat or snow falls down your collar (ugh), you'll still be toasty warm! Merino wool is super soft (NOT scratchy) and naturally anti-bacterial, so you can wear it for 2 weeks straight and nobody will ever know (we uh, tested this... for science). My base layer is a merino wool shirt, leggings, 2 pairs of socks, and 2 pairs of gloves.🧤
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If you're not into feeling like you're being hugged by a sheep for whatever reason, hemp has similar properties and is incredibly environmentally friendly. Silk is also a great insulator. Natural textiles are some of the most high tech fabrics on the planet! But make sure you DO NOT wear a fabric like cotton that won't keep you warm if it gets wet.👎
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Once you've got a nice warm base layer, you'll need 1-2 more layers on top and bottom. On top of your 2-3 layers of clothing is the next most important piece: your coat! 🧥 I love packable goose down: it's lightweight, travel friendly, and insanely warm. Add a pair of warm, weatherproof boots, a hat & scarf, and you're ready for the snow!.We've got a comprehensive guide to cold weather packing (and how to pack it all in a carry-on) on the blog, including the specific items we wear and recommend. The link is in our bio!
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Do you have any questions about dressing for the cold? How about tips? Drop 'em below!
  • Snow-topped mountains. Hot springs. Ski resorts and cozy lodges. Dog sledding and sleigh rides underneath the Northern Lights. Wait, hang on - where am I talking about now? (Pssst: it's CANADA!) 🇨🇦
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Most of the photos of Banff on Instagram are from warmer months. But Banff National Park is a winter wonderland for outdoor adventure lovers and snow sports enthusiasts (or just like, people who really like frolicking in the snow, eating poutine, and maybe befriending a caribou or moose). You can go ice-walking through river canyons with giant, frozen waterfalls looming over your year. You can play ice hockey on a lake in front of a castle. You can eat braised elk poutine and maple taffy EVERY SINGLE DAY (spoilers: this is exactly what we did).
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Visiting during Banff’s winter season will show you a sparkling, icy, snow-dusted side of the Canadian Rockies – all with fewer crowds and cheaper prices! And I've just published a MASSIVE guide with everything you need to know to plan a winter trip to Banff, including what to pack, where to stay, where to eat, and 12 of the best things to do during your visit! The link is in my profile - grab a hot chocolate and get cozy, cuz it's a juicy guide!
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I have been fortunate enough to visit a BUNCH of snowy, amazing destinations this month, and it makes my heart so happy. I'm writing this from a cozy cabin in Lake Tahoe as snow swirls outside, so I'm right where I'm meant to be.❄❤ Where are you this weekend? Drop me a comment below!
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#thecanadacollective #explorecanada
#travelcanada #canadasworld #banffnationalpark
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  • Meet my friend, Johann. 🦌 Johann is a reindeer living in Norway's Arctic Tundra. Also, he definitely isn't named Johann, I just have a habit of naming every animal I meet and he gave off sort of a "Johann-esque" kind of vibe.
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I'd love to tell you all about the magical time that I had hanging out with Johann, feeding him pellets and brushing his soft downy reindeer fur and laughing together about how my hair was frozen because it was -30 degrees outside. But that's not what happened.
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You see, Johann is not yet domesticated, and as a result is very shy around people. A few days before I met him, was living a happy reindeer life in the wild, not realizing that his very existence was made possible by indigenous Sámi Reindeer Herders who spend countless hours moving his herd from place to place so that they stay safe from predators and well fed.
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So Johann is still adapting to life as a domestic reindeer. His herders will spend a week or so getting to know him, walking him on a leash, and feeding him pellets while he learns that they mean him no harm. And so because Johann wasn't comfortable around me, I refrained from touching him, as pettable and adorable as he looked with his little face and his little horns and those big eyes. Instead, I left him some pellets and took a zillion photos of him from a reasonable distance.
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The Sami people have been living in the arctic of modern-day Norway, Finland, Sweden and Russia for thousands of years, practicing reindeer husbandry and herding. Today, only about 2,800 Sami reindeer herders remain, working together to keep their traditions (and their herds) alive. On my trip to Norway, I was lucky enough to spend 3 days in the tundra getting to know a family of Sámi reindeer herders and learning about the choices they make every day to preserve their heritage and culture. Today (Feb 6) is Sami National Day, a holiday celebrated by all Sami people across their various country borders. Happy Sami National Day!
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Did you know that there are still indigenous people living in the arctic tundra? Have you ever met a reindeer? Drop your comments and questions below!
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#visitnatives #visitnorway #impacttravelalliance
  • Let's talk about facing your fears. And the time I jumped into the freezing cold Oslo fjord in the middle of January..I'm not typically the most courageous person. In fact, I'm terrified like 99% of the time, whether my fears are justified or - more often - completely fabricated. So when we arrived in Norway and were informed that our very first activity would be to visit a traditional Norwegian sauna and a dip in the freezing cold Oslo fjord, I was like😱😬
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But even though I was terrified of that cold, salty water, I wanted to try it. Not because I am a brave person who enjoys adventures and adrenaline rushes (I absolutely do not). But more because I like to be able to say that I tried something before I put it on my "I definitely hate this" list. I find that this is the best and most practical way to avoid FOMO. (I am a very exciting person, clearly.) And where else can you have this kind of experience? I was even MORE afraid of missing out.
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Well, to my extreme surprise, I actually LOVED it. Your body gets a hormone rush going from very hot to extremely cold, so that as soon as you're out of the water, you feel like it was the best thing ever and you totally want to do it again. You can swipe to the right to see my face as my legs hit that cold water 😂
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Many years ago, I was also afraid of wearing a swimsuit in public. I wore t-shirts over my bikini. I was terrified of my own body, of the scrutiny I felt it invited and deserved. But today, I've spent over 10 years in recovery from an eating disorder that nearly killed me, and I'm happy to say that I no longer give a second thought to stripping down to my bikini (and posting photos of it on the internet). I've also entirely stopped caring about what other people think about my body. If you watch my stories yesterday, you'll know why this is relevant..So I want to leave you with this: ladies, it doesn't matter if you're beautiful or healthy. Your worth is not tied your appearance or your size or your health.  You're amazing and wonderful regardless of your physical appearance or your abilities. So face your fears - and dive in! 🌊
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Would you be down to try the sauna + fjord plunge? Drop me a comment!
  • It's finally February, which means it's time to start celebrating my FAVORITE holiday: Valentine's Day! 💕 I know this holiday gets a bad rep for being a "Hallmark Holiday" or for being too focused on romantic love. But I don't Valentine's Day as a romantic holiday. To me, it's a holiday meant for celebrating LOVE, in all of its many forms! So I'm on a one-woman mission to bring this holiday back, because giving your mom or BFF a heart-shaped card that says "I love you" is how this holiday should REALLY be celebrated. *Steps on soapbox*
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On Valentine's Day, Jeremy and I do celebrate together in our usual disgustingly mushy way ... but I also celebrate love for myself. For my friends and family. For my community. For my career and my blog (I know that's kinda lame but... y'all, I REALLY love what I do). Valentine's Day is the day that I celebrate all of the things that I love, and I practice outpouring that love... usually in the form of kitschy handmade gifts and cutesy baked goods that I found on Pinterest and subsequently butchered (psst, anyone know if Nailed It is casting for their next season? I'm a shoe-in).
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Valentine's Day is one of my favorite crafty holidays, and this year we're even decorating our apartment in as many pink and white and red things as we could find (and sticking hearts on anything that isn't the right color). Everything about Valentine's Day makes me happy and excited!.So it's no wonder that I fell in LOVE with this adorable little alley in Oslo, Norway. Red buildings, white snow? All that's missing is a giant pink heart. If I was better at this whole Instagram thing I guess I would have magically produced a heart-shaped balloon or an inflatable inner-tube or something. But I'm not, soooo I guess we'll all just have to pretend.
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Do you celebrate Valentine's Day the way that I do? If not, who or what do you LOVE that you could practice celebrating this year?

#visitnorway #visitoslo #impacttravelalliance

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