Baños de Agua Santa is a city in eastern Tungurahua Province, in central Ecuador. It is the second most populous city in Tungurahua, after Ambato, the capital, and a major touristic center. It is known as the “Gateway to the Amazon,” as it is located on the Pastaza River in the Amazon River basin, and has a newly paved road to Puyo. Baños is located on the northern foothills of the Tungurahua volcano. It is named after the hydrothermal springs of mineral water located around the city. 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. Baños is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Ecuador and is well known for the mom-and-pop stores where they sell taffy (Spanish: melcocha) made from cane sugar, and for the excellent small arts and crafts shops, a favorite spot for tourists.
OceansArt photographer Kimberly walking through the muck on the hill above Baños, Ecuador
Parque Palomino Flores in Baños, Ecuador
Rental all terrain vehicles (ATVs) in Baños, Ecuador
Part of the large cemetery in Baños, Ecuador
Overview of a funeral service at the large cemetery in Baños, Ecuador
Large bee searching for nectar in Baños, Ecuador
Amusement center with water slide in Baños, Ecuador
Endless stairs leading to the sculpture of the virgen atop the nearest hill overlooking Baños, Ecuador
Looking into backyards of homes from the sculpture of the virgen atop the nearest hill overlooking Baños, Ecuador
Greenhouses at low altitude at the equator call into question the dangers from global warming. View is from the sculpture of the virgen atop the nearest hill overlooking Baños, Ecuado
Lizard on the stairs leading to the sculpture of the virgen atop the nearest hill overlooking Baños, Ecuador
Sculpture of the virgen atop the nearest hill overlooking Baños, Ecuador
The tower near Piscinas de la Virgen in Baños, Ecuador
Looking toward Piscinas de la Virgen in Baños, Ecuador
The cold water pool at Piscinas de la Virgen in Baños, Ecuador
The warm water pool at Piscinas de la Virgen in Baños, Ecuador
The physical-chemical analysis of the waters at Piscinas de la Virgen in Baños, Ecuador
The hydro-electric dam/power plant at Baños, Ecuador on the Rio Pastaza
The hydro-electric dam/power plant at Baños, Ecuador on the Rio Pastaza
The Rio Pastaza tumbling through the gorge at Baños, Ecuador
The Mirador/look out point for seeing the tunnels and cascades at Baños, Ecuador on the Rio Pastaza
Intercity buses arriving in Baños, Ecuador
Typical street in Baños, Ecuador
Typical road-side barbecue and eatery in Baños, Ecuador
Cuy (guinea pig) cooking at a typical road-side barbecue and eatery in Baños, Ecuador
Freshly cooked whole pig on display at a typical road-side barbecue and eatery in Baños, Ecuador
The developed area fills the valley, from the edge of the active volcano Tungurahua to the River Pastaza at Baños, Ecuador
The developed area fills the valley, from the edge of the active volcano Tungurahua to the River Pastaza at Baños, Ecuador
Piscinas de la Virgen in Baños, Ecuador
The developed area fills the valley, from the edge of the active volcano Tungurahua to the River Pastaza at Baños, Ecuador
Church Basilica de Nuestra Señora del Rosario de Agua Santa, in Baños, Ecuador
Local worshipers at the Basilica de Nuestra Señora del Rosario de Agua Santa, in Baños, Ecuador
One of several paintings describing how the utterance of certain words can save your life Basilica de Nuestra Señora del Rosario de Agua Santa, in Baños, Ecuador
Sculpture of the virgin, called Virgen de Agua Santa, who appeared at a nearby waterfall, set near the entrance of the Basilica de Nuestra Señora del Rosario de Agua Santa, in Baños, Ecuador
Inside the Church/Basilica de Nuestra Señora del Rosario de Agua Santa, in Baños, Ecuador
The Monastery at the Church/Basilica de Nuestra Señora del Rosario de Agua Santa, in Baños, Ecuador
Local worshipers in colorful clothes outside the Church/Basilica de Nuestra Señora del Rosario de Agua Santa, near the Hostal Peregrino, in Baños, Ecuador
Parrot sculptures at the entrance to the artisanal market / mercado in Baños, Ecuador
Local people in colorful clothes walking in Baños, Ecuador
Dulces for sale at the candy shop in Baños, Ecuador
Brightly colored fabrics and extiles at the artisanal market / mercado in Baños, Ecuador
Brightly colored necklaces and jewelry at the artisanal market / mercado in Baños, Ecuador
Brightly colored woven goods at the artisanal market / mercado in Baños, Ecuador
%20in%20Baños,%20Ecuador&from=banos-ecuador)
%20cooking%20at%20a%20typical%20road-side%20barbecue%20and%20eatery%20in%20Baños,%20Ecuador&from=banos-ecuador)
