The small city of Banos is one of the real gems for visitors to the highlands of Ecuador, and is quickly becoming a center for those who are looking for adventure during the day and want to enjoy a vibrant nightlife in the evening. One of the unavoidable features of life in Banos is that it is only a short distance from the Tungurahua Volcano, which is considered to be Ecuador's most active volcano and is almost constantly expelling dust and gas into the atmosphere.

The area also has several other sites where the volcanic activity can be seen, and some of the most popular places to visit in the area are the spas that use the volcanic mud to give visitors revitalizing treatments.

Explore The Area Around The Tungurahua Volcano
While it is not advisable to get too close to the volcano itself, for most visitors it is safe to explore the area around the slopes of Tungurahua, which has several lovely hiking paths. If possible, it would be wise to take a guide with you as there are tens of different waterfalls located around the slopes of the volcano, and a good guide will be able to give you a history of the area and take you to the most scenic sites. Because it is an active volcano, it is always worth checking the predicted activity before setting out around the volcano as there have been several eruptions in the last decade, and those living on the slopes of the volcano were last evacuated in December 2012.

Take A Mountain Bike Up The Ruta De Las Cascadas
Another of the most popular activities to enjoy in Banos is mountain biking, and there are several different companies that offer mountain bike rental from around five dollars per day.

One of the nicest cycling routes in the area is the Ruta de las Cascadas, which takes visitors past many of the stunning waterfalls in the area along cross country trails that offer easy riding for the majority of riders. The full trail is around sixty kilometers in length, and takes riders to the small town of Puyo, from where it is possible to get a bus back to Banos.

Relax In The Spa
The mineral rich mud that is pushed to the surface of the terrain around Banos by volcanic activity is an important part of the industry in the area, and for those looking for a more relaxing activity there are plenty of spas on offer in the Banos area. The most popular treatments are those that involve smearing the nutritious mud on skin and then scraping it off once visitors have benefited from the nutrients present in the mud. As well as the mud pack treatments most spas will have a team of therapists on hand to offer everything from massage and sauna through to all manner of other beauty treatments.

Paragliding In The Area
One of the best ways to get a great view of Tungurahua Volcano and the mountain scenery around Banos is from the air, and paragliding is an environmentally friendly way to head to the skies above the city. With the steep slopes of the Andes around the city, there are plenty of good launch sites that give visitors a chance to take to the air, and there is a paragliding company that offers people the chance to learn more about the sport. It is worth noting that paragliding is dependent on the weather and suitable conditions being available, but when the weather is good then it is well worth taking to the skies.

Bungee Jumping And Rappelling In Banos
Banos is a destination that is quickly developing a reputation as an adventure sports destination, and bungee jumping is another of the activities that can be enjoyed in the area. The San Francisco Bridge is the most popular site in the area to jump, and offers a great view over the Pastaza River before you take the step out over the edge.

Rappelling is another popular activity that involves abseiling down a waterfall and then following the route of one of the several rivers in the area. This is an activity that is growing in popularity, although it is always worth checking recommendations from other travelers because of the number of different trips that are on offer.