Adrenaline – Maldo Travels

San Andres – Scuba Diving

Jean Maldonado — Thu, 22 Apr 2021 12:00:00 +0000

We had originally planned to do one of the 3-day certification courses, but we ended up backing out because the place we planned to do the course was very unorganized. Also, we went during Covid and they didn’t seem to have adequate cleaning protocols. We didn’t plan on doing scuba diving there again, but whilst in Centro, one of the tour reps convinced us to go with another dive center. We were booked in for a morning half-day Scuba Experience session and we were picked up from our hotel at around 10 AM. After making a couple of other stops, we got to the dive center Sea Pride on the western side of the island at around 10.30 AM. We registered and went to the seating area to wait for other groups to arrive. Once everyone had arrived, one of the instructors began their presentation and demonstrated how to use the equipment. They gave clear instructions on what our role was once in the water and that we would have 1 instructor between 2 people who would operate the equipment.

At around 11.30 AM they started handing out the equipment and made sure the fit was OK for us and that it was all in working order. After everyone had their gear on, we were taken out to the shore to dive into the water. The entry point for us was from a rocky shoreline, and we had to drop into the water on our backs. An instructor checks your equipment one last time before you drop in, and there’s another instructor in the water waiting for you as well. The tank is the heaviest part, but once you drop in, you float right to the top. The instructor then tells you to lie flat and breathe through the regulator. They then turn you to face down into the water for you to get used to breathing through the regulator. Once everyone from your group is in the water and familiar with the regulator, the instructors signal us to swim further into the sea. They adjust the buoyancy as we keep progressing so all we had to do was breathe through the regulator and signal that we were OK. My group set out at around 11.55 AM and the scenery was amazing. We got to see corals, lots of different fish species, and an eel. In all that time in the water, I didn’t notice how deep we had gotten until we were signaled to go back. I managed to get some great shots with my GoPro, but the instructor also took pictures of us which were much better.

Overall it was a great experience that convinced me to take the certification exam on another holiday. The instructors were great and knowledgeable, but sometimes they took a while to adjust my buoyancy which meant that sometimes I was too close to the corals or the seabed. The experience in the water lasted about 30 minutes and we were out of the water by 12.30 PM. We then went back into the dive center to return our gear and get changed. The minivan then arrived at around 1 PM to pick us up. One of the stops it was making was at Centro which was convenient for us since we had another semi-submarine tour scheduled in the afternoon.

San Andres – Islands Tour

Jean Maldonado — Wed, 21 Apr 2021 20:00:00 +0000

This was the first tour we purchased when we arrived at the island. There are several tour reps walking along the main strip in Centro advertising tours. Usually, for any tours involving boats, it’s normally cheapest to buy tickets at the pier from where they depart. The tour that we bought was scheduled to depart at 8.30 AM from a pier on the south side of Centro. There are several entrances and we were unsure what entrance to go through, but when we showed our voucher we were pointed in the right direction. We arrived at the pier at around 8.20 AM and they took our voucher to register our arrival. They told us to wait to be called to be given a wristband. After about 20 minutes of waiting we went up to ask them again and they said they were delayed so we had to wait a bit more. At around 9 AM they gave us our wristbands and told us to board one of the boats. We began setting out before one of the crew members said we were on the wrong boat and so we had to go back to the pier to change to another boat. The whole thing was very unorganized and we finally made it on the right boat at around 9.30 AM.

Johnny Cay

The tour we got was for one of the fast boats and it fit around 20 people. Our first stop was the island of Johnny Cay which is a short 15-minute journey away. The arrival to the island is very beautiful as you can see the palm-tree-lined sandy shore surrounded by the colorful turquoise water. We were left to roam the island and asked to be back at the boat at 12.30 PM to continue onto the next island. The island is very small so we decided to walk the perimeter which took us about 30 minutes. The center of the island has a couple of facilities and some seating areas in the shade of tall palm trees. You can also buy some food and drinks in this area. You can get in the water on some shallow parts of the island, but be careful because the waves can be very strong. Overall, it’s a nice place to relax during the day.

Aquarium

The boat came back on time and we promptly set out to the next destination which was the Aquarium. It takes about 35 minutes to get there and on the way the tour guide asks everyone if they want to make a stop by the ghost ship. However, they ask for an additional 5000 COP¹ contribution per person which was a little annoying, but fortunately, everyone on the boat agreed. The tour guide tells the story of how the cargo ship got stuck on the corals and was abandoned since it was too expensive to pull it out. It was a quick stop and then we continued to our destination which is known as the aquarium. The water is much calmer here so it’s perfect for snorkeling. There are several stalls there and you can rent snorkeling gear if you didn’t bring any with you. However, the highlight of this place is the sandy path that goes into the sea. The waves come in ankle-deep at most, but it’s a very picturesque walk.

Haynes Cay

There is also a safety line that connects to Haynes Cay that you can walk along. The water is waist deep and it takes about 10 minutes to walk across. This island is smaller than Johnny Cay and also less maintained. There’s a restaurant here as well to buy food and drinks which is the main attraction, but most people stay in the Aquarium. We walked back across and relaxed in the water while we waited for the boat to come back at 3 PM. We then got on the boat and one of the sting ray handlers brought a sting ray by the boat. We saw it swimming around the boat and you could reach out to touch it as it swam by.

Mangroves

Next, the tour guide took us to the final destination which was the mangroves. We cruised around here for a couple of minutes while the guide told us about the flora and fauna in the area. Then it was a quick 10-minute journey back to the pier.

Mindo – Nature and Adventure

Jean Maldonado — Sat, 02 Jan 2021 23:04:00 +0000

Located only 2 hours away from Quito, this is a popular holiday spot for residents of the capital. We drove there but you can take a bus as well. The town is small but filled with tour agencies and restaurants. I’ve been on several occasions and we normally stop at a tour agency on the main road to look for activities. There are many things to do and here are some of the activities I’ve done in my last couple of visits.

Zip-lining/Canopy

There are many different places to do zip-lining in the mountain cloud rainforest terrain. You can buy the tours in the town and they normally do bundles with other activities. However, you can also go directly to the zip-lining locations which will probably be cheaper. From the town center, it takes about 15 minutes to get to the zip-lining location. As you leave the town, the route turns to narrow winding dirt roads. There was plenty of parking available at the site. The staff helped us put our gear on securely and we then set out with 2 guides. It took about an hour to go through a circuit of 10 zip-lines and it was great fun.

Whitewater Tubing

This is a more adrenaline-inducing activity as the current of the river is very strong. The tour agency provided life jackets and helmets which we put on before heading out. They also told us to put on swimsuits or clothes that we didn’t mind getting wet, since we were guaranteed to get soaked. We then hopped on a pickup truck to the riverside location for the tubing activity. It took about 20 minutes to get there and they also took the buoys in other pickup trucks. The guide then gave us a safety briefing and since we were a large group, they divided us up into 2 groups. The tubes are about 6 tubes tied together so it’s 6 people each plus the guide. Unlike rafting where you have to row, your only job in the tubing activity is to hold onto the ropes. The guide will then do the rest of the work navigating which is quite amazing to watch. You’ll see them jump around the tubes and the river to navigate and dislodge the tubes when they get stuck. It takes about 20 minutes to go down the river and everyone gets completely soaked. At the destination location of the river, the pickup truck was waiting for us to take us back. It’s only a 5-minute drive back from this part of the river.

Waterfall Rappelling

For this activity, we hopped on the pickup trucks to go into the rainforest. The waterfall is deep inside the rainforest and it took us about 30-40 minutes to get there. We first arrive at a lodge where we waited for a guide to come back with the previous group. We then hiked up the rainforest for about 15 minutes to reach the waterfall. When we got there, there were a couple of people from another group rappelling down the waterfall. We arrived at the base of the waterfall and could see it was quite high, maybe around 15-20 meters. There wasn’t much water coming down though, which makes it suitable for rappelling. Once the previous group had come finished coming down, the guides put the harnesses on us before hiking up to the top of the waterfall. It’s a short 5-minute hike up and then the guide gave us instructions on how to rappel down. Initially, it’s a little scary as you have to lean back, but once you get a hang of the technique you lose the fear. It takes about 5-10 minutes to rappel down, depending on how quickly you go. The guide rappelled down in 10 seconds which was insane.

There are many other activities which include a trail to visit waterfalls, renting buggies, visiting a butterfly sanctuary, and lots more. You can also just head to the river. The current is a little strong, but some parts are quite shallow so you could sit on some rocks and get a hydro-massage.

Singapore – Gardens and Rollercoasters

Jean Maldonado — Fri, 27 Sep 2019 23:46:00 +0000

When walking around Chinatown, we came across a Visitor Center that sold discounted tickets for Universal Studios and the domes at the Gardens by the Bay. The tickets for Universal Studios cost 71 SGD² each and tickets for the domes cost 26 SGD each. The theme park is located on Sentosa Island and is accessible by public transport. We were coming from the Bay and it would normally take about 40 minutes to get there by public transport. Since we left quite late, we decided to get a Grab³ instead which is much quicker taking about 15 minutes and costing 10 SGD. We got to the park at around 11.30 AM and first went to some self-service machines to print out our tickets. We then picked up a map at the park entrance and planned which rides to go on. The park has several different sections with different themes. We decided to go through the park in a clockwise direction. The queues for the rides weren’t that long and on average, we waited about 30 minutes. There were rides for all ages and the themes throughout were great. At around 5.45 PM, the park begins to close and the guards begin to cordon off the queues directing people to the exit. After leaving the park, we decided to cross the boardwalk since it was a scenic walk. Overall, it was a fun and eventful day at the theme park.

After crossing the bridge, we got a Grab from the Vivo City mall to Gardens by the Bay. It was a quick 10-minute drive costing 14 SGD and we got there at around 6.45 PM. The park is huge and we mainly wanted to see the supertrees. We followed signs for Supertree Grove and got there before sunset. We then walked to Dragonfly Bridge where you can get some great pictures with the Marina Bay Sands hotel and the Singapore Flyer. The bridge can get quite busy with tourists though so you have to be patient to take pictures. At around 7 PM, we headed to the domes which was a 5-minute walk away. It’s a nice walk through the gardens with lots of photo opportunities. With our tickets, we had access to both of the domes and we first went to the Flower Dome. Inside, there are trees, plants, and flowers from all over the world in picturesque arrangements. We walked around taking pictures for about 20 minutes and then continued to the Cloud Forest Dome.

This dome is opposite the Flower Dome and upon entering, you arrive at a man-made waterfall. We then walked around the ground floor and as you look up, you can see a mist being emitted from some sky walkways making it look like a cloud. Some lifts take you up to these sky walkways where you can get a view of the dome from above. Inside the central structure, there is also a small museum and exhibits with information on the site. We spent about 40 minutes at this dome before heading for some food. There is a popular outdoor street food area called Satay by the Bay which is a short 10-minute walk away. There are lots of tasty food and drink options here in a great atmosphere. We were done with food at around 10 PM and then walked over to the Helix Bridge. At night, the bridge is lit up with colorful lights and makes for great pictures with the Marina Bay Sands in the background. From here, we then headed back to our hotel to get some rest.

Iguazu Falls – Foz do Iguacu, Brazil

Jean Maldonado — Mon, 08 Oct 2018 22:29:00 +0000

From the bus terminal in Puerto Iguazu, we booked a bus to Foz do Iguacu leaving at 8.30 AM for 60 ARS⁴ each. The bus seems to be a standard public transport bus rather than a tour company bus. It takes about 10 minutes to cross the bridge and arrive at the Brazilian Customs Border Control office. Here, the driver told us to go to the customs office and that we’ll be picked up from where he left us. There was no one else at the customs office so we got our entry stamp quickly. We then went back to the bus stop and waited for the next bus into town. The next bus which came wasn’t from the company we booked with, but we got on anyway and they didn’t ask to check our ticket. So we assume they just pick people up from here and assume they’ve paid. It was then another 20 minutes to get into town and the bus stopped at several locations, so we got off at one which was close to our hotel.

The City

The city was much bigger than I was expecting, and a lot bigger than Puerto Iguazu. The city center was quite busy and there is even a mall near the city center. Our hotel was in the city center, and after dropping off our bags, we headed to the bus terminal to try and find a bus to the falls. We needed cash though and we stopped by an ATM on the way but it didn’t work. The bus terminal only takes cash, so we headed to the mall which was a 20-minute walk away. There were ATMs there and if they didn’t work for our cards, then we planned to buy a SIM to order an Uber. Luckily. the ATM there worked and at this point, it was around noon so we hailed a taxi to get back to the terminal rather than walk back. However, when we got in the cab, the driver said he could take us to to the national park for 50 BRL⁵. It was only a 30-minute drive by taxi and this was cheaper than expected so we agreed.

Foz do Iguacu National Park

At the park entrance, we joined the queue and waited about 15 minutes to buy our tickets. It cost 63.60 BRL and they accept credit card payments. With the tickets, you have access to buses that go up and down the park. They leave every 10 minutes or so and are on a first come first serve basis. The bus makes several stops and we got off at the one of a viewpoint with the start of a trail. From the viewpoint, you get a panoramic view of the smaller falls. We took some pictures here and then started the trail to the viewpoint for the Garganta do Diabo (Devil’s Throat). About 10 minutes into the trail, there is another viewpoint of another panoramic of the falls. This viewpoint was a little busy so we had to wait a couple of minutes to get some pictures here. Then, we continued for another 10-15 minutes to reach the Devil’s Throat viewpoint.

From the trail, you walk onto some bridges which extend into the river. There are falls all around you and below you. You’ll get wet from walking around since the force of the falls creates a mist that reaches the bridge. On this day, we had clearer skies so the sun created a small rainbow on one of the falls below. The bridge can get quite busy so it took some time for us to get pictures with the surrounding falls. We spent around 20 minutes walking around the bridges before heading to the Elevadores do Garganta do Diabo (Devil’s Throat Lifts). This is a concrete observation tower built next to the falls. You can get some close-up pictures from the deck below. From the upper deck, you’ll get a panoramic view of the falls from above. Leaving this deck, there is a food court and bar to grab some lunch or drinks whilst enjoying the view. It was now around 3 PM so we decided to get take the bus back to the Macuco Safari where the boat tours leave from.

Once at Macuco, there were still some slots left for a safari and boat ride to the falls. It was quite pricey at 215.40 BRL, more expensive than when we asked in Argentina, but it’s a once in a lifetime experience so we went for it and did not regret it. The safari tour goes through the rainforest to the shore. A train buggy takes you about halfway through. Then you’re given the option to walk the rest of the way for about 15-20 minutes or continue on the train buggy. On the walk, the guide leads you through the rainforest giving info on the flora and fauna in the area. Once we reach the shore, there are changing room facilities and lockers to leave your stuff. Lockers cost 10 BRL and you should leave all valuables and electronics that aren’t waterproof since you will get soaked. Once the group has changed, we head down to the pier, put on life vests, and board the speedboat. The speedboats are quite large with capacity for about 20 people. We then set out upstream for about 10 minutes. The river has a strong current and the boat maneuvers into the waves which make for an adrenaline-filled ride.

Once we reach the falls, the boat floats around for a couple of minutes for everyone to take pictures. Then the boat positions itself in front of one of the towering falls. Everyone holds their breath as the boat heads towards the waterfall. As we get closer, sprays of mist turn into a high-pressure shower as the water comes thundering down meters away. These 5-10 seconds are exhilarating and the boat pulls away for a couple of seconds allowing us to catch our breath before heading in again. It’s amazing feeling the power of the falls this close up. After going in a second time, the boat pulls away, and it’s then time to head back; our hearts still pounding fast as it recovers from what we’ve just put our body through. Back at the pier we return the life vests and head up to the changing rooms to get our belongings. We then take the train buggy back to the main road where we wait for the bus back to the park entrance. It was now around 5.15 PM and the buses were coming by already full. We managed to get on the 3rd bus which had a couple of empty seats. At the park entrance, we asked where we could take a bus back to the city and were directed towards the bus stop. Several people here were waiting for the bus which came after about 10 minutes of waiting. The one-way ticket cost 3.05 BRL and took about 40 minutes to reach the city center.

Death Road – Mountain Bike Tour

Jean Maldonado — Wed, 19 Sep 2018 22:07:00 +0000

We booked our tour the day before for 380 BOB⁶ each. The pick up was from our hotel at around 6 AM but they ended up coming at 7 AM due to heavy traffic. It was a small tour group with only 4 people plus the guide and the minivan driver. From La Paz, it was about an hour and a half to the starting point of the bike ride which is at a magnificent viewpoint. We stopped at a toll station on the way where there were stalls to buy drinks and snacks. If you didn’t buy any snacks beforehand, I’d recommend picking some up here. Once at the starting point, we’re given full gear to put on and get some time to try out the bikes. Then when everyone is ready, we follow the guide down the road which is initially a tarmac road.

The minivan follows behind us which makes us feel safer when cars overtake. It’s a tarmac road for the first 30 minutes before reaching the start of the Yungas Road. At the entrance, everyone has to pay the 50 BOB entrance fee. Before the new highway was built, all vehicles traveled via the Yungas Road which has narrow winding roads with many blind corners. This is why it was so dangerous but now nearly all vehicles use the new safer highway and you’ll mainly just see bikes on the Yungas Road. The Yungas entrance has a viewpoint and seating area to rest/get ready before setting out. The guide handed out breakfast which was a sandwich, a banana, and a drink which was included with the tour.

After finishing breakfast and taking some pictures, we set out with the guide. Once again, the guide went first and the minivan followed behind. It’s a bumpy ride down on the dirt road and there are several U-turns. The guide doesn’t go too fast and if you feel you can go faster, he lets you go ahead and tells you where to stop to wait for the group. We made several stops at some viewpoints to rest and take pictures. One of the main stops was at a U-turn to take a picture sitting over the edge. There are always tour groups here taking turns for the picture. There is also a section where you go under a small waterfall so you’ll be getting wet. Weather-wise, the first part of the descent is a little chilly, but it quickly starts to get hotter and more humid.

There are several rest stops along the way and also signs. The best sign though is quite far down the trail where we stopped for about 20 minutes. There is also a zip lining place which we stopped at and the guide said we could do it, but we preferred to get down sooner. Overall, it was about 5 hours of downhill biking to reach the final rest stop at La Senda Verde. Here, we are allowed to use the shower facilities to get changed. There is also a pool to relax in while waiting for the buffet lunch to be served. There’s also a bar if to buy beers and drinks. After about an hour, we get back in the minivan to drive back up to La Paz. On the drive up, you’ll be able to appreciate the views more since riding down you’re only really looking at the road ahead. The drive back takes about 2-hours 30-minutes arriving in La Paz around 8 PM.

Arequipa – White Water Rafting

Jean Maldonado — Thu, 13 Sep 2018 21:18:00 +0000

There are several time slots available to go rafting in Arequipa. We went for the midday time slot since we arrived the previous evening from the 2-day Colca Canyon tour. The rafting tour cost 60 PEN⁷ each and included all equipment rental. The only additional cost was for the pictures taken by a professional photographer which came to 30 PEN for our group of 3. The photographer drives ahead and captures action shots with a DSLR camera so it was worth getting the pictures.

For the midday tour, the meeting point was at the tour agency’s office at the Plaza de Armas. It was then a quick 30-40 minute drive to the equipment rental location. Equipment includes a wet suit, water shoes, life jacket, and helmet. A thing to note is that if you have a GoPro, be one of the first ones to get a helmet since there’s like 1 or 2 that have the attachment. There’s a male and female changing area and once everyone was ready, we headed to the River Chill. It was another short 30-minute drive to the river where the boats were being set up for us. We were split up into groups with the smallest being 2 people and the largest being 4 people. Each group had a guide and they went over the instructions before setting out. There are several calm spots in between the fast-moving currents of the river. We stopped at the river bank for a break halfway through. In total, we were in the river for about 45 minutes and it was great fun. When we reached the end, we got changed behind the minibus and then made our way back to the city.

Baños – Pailón Del Diablo

Jean Maldonado — Sun, 08 Jul 2018 14:23:00 +0000

There are a number of activities and tourist sites within the vicinity of Baños but a must-see is the Pailón del Diablo; a deafeningly powerful waterfall that literally takes your breath away. The waterfall is only 30 minutes away from Baños by car. There is also the option of a bike tour, however, I don’t really recommend this as there is no dedicated bike lane on the roads which can get quite narrow. The Chivas tours include this spot as one of the destinations and are a fun way to get around. There are two options for visiting the Pailón del Diablo, one is ‘La Isla del Pailón’ that is privately owned, and the other is ‘La Grieta al Cielo’ which is run by the locals. The former has a 2 USD⁸ entrance fee and is a trail to a wooden bridge near the top of the waterfall yielding a panoramic view from above. The latter costs 1.50 USD and is a trail that goes right down to the waterfall with viewing balconies, a wooden bridge with a panoramic view, and a cave that leads up to the waterfall. Both times that I hace gone, I’ve gone to ‘La Grieta del Cielo’ and did not regret it.

It takes about 25 minutes to walk down the trail. The entrance fee is charged at the bottom and they sell water ponchos so you can assume you will get wet. The weather is nice and warm so I opted not to get one. Although wet is an understatement, you will get soaked from head to toe. Once you’ve paid and walked up a cobbled path, you will arrive at the main balcony and into a mist of water. Then you have the option of either walking down some steps to the lower balcony or walking up through a cave towards the balconies near the top of the waterfall. You’ll notice that there are not many people that go to the lower balcony, and this is because it can be rather terrifying. As you walk down the steps, the mist gradually becomes a strong spray of water. Once at the bottom of the balcony, you will find yourself gasping for air as the water crashes against the balcony. When this happens, many people run back up the stairs (myself included) as you get the sensation that the force of the water will pull you into the river. Although initially frightening, it’s an exhilarating experience and somewhat refreshing once you’ve gathered the courage to make it all the way down.

Now traversing the cave is a little easier. The cave is quite low so you’ll have to crouch and watch your head. A lot of people hit their head and no helmets are available for rental at the site. A lamp is not necessary since sunlight comes in from the sides. It takes about 5-10 minutes to crawl through the cave, depending on how many people there are. The balconies near the top are smaller so you may have to wait for people to come down first. It’s also slippery so you have to be cautious as you make your way. Once you reach the balcony, you can feel the vibrations generated by the immense power of the thunderous waterfall. The waterfall itself is not even an arm’s length away and you can touch it if you dare. It’s also possible to head up a couple more stairs to a balcony which goes behind the waterfall. Walking up these stairs is like walking through a shower with mighty water pressure. Once you get through, you’ll encounter the roaring sound of massive amounts of water pounding down all around you. A surreal experience of nature which can be violent yet peaceful at the same time. When done with admiring the waterfall at such a close distance, you can return back down to the entrance and then use your ticket to access the wooden bridge. This structure crosses the river where you’ll be able to appreciate the magnitude of the waterfall from afar.

Baños – Nature and Adrenaline

Jean Maldonado — Sat, 07 Jul 2018 13:15:51 +0000

A three-hour drive south from the Ecuadorian capital of Quito, Baños de Agua Santa is a small town en route to the Ecuadorian rainforest. It is at this point where you notice the change in climate and terrain as it becomes warmer in a mountainous landscape rich in vegetation. The route is very scenic where you will pass by several volcanos through a region that is known as ‘La Avenida de Los Volcanes’ (Volcano Avenue). Given that it is a clear day, you may catch a glimpse of these magnificent monuments of nature that usually hide behind the clouds. For a tasty treat, you can make a stop on the highway at one of the many stalls/shops selling the nationally famous ‘Helados de Salcedo’. These are ice creams with different natural fruit juice flavors layered horizontally. Another city on the way to Baños is Ambato; recognized for their bread and traditional rabbit dish. Ambato also has a bus terminal which connects to Baños and also offers tours to Volcan Chimborazo – which at almost 6300 meters, is the highest in Ecuador.

The town of Baños itself is small with a marketplace, plaza, a small basilica, and hot water spring all within a 5-minute walking distance of each other. Despite being a small town, it also has a lively nightlife with several bars and clubs. There are also several tour agencies that provide tours in a unique party-like bus called Chivas stopping at several destinations. The hot spring is rather special in Baños and is embodied in the town’s name since Baños de Agua Santa translates to Baths of Holy Water. The town is a well-visited pilgrimage destination for devout Catholics as the water from the hot springs has been associated with miraculous curative events. Ultimately, Baños is a frequented tourist spot for both foreign nationals and Ecuadorians – especially those from the capital.

Casa del Arbol

Home to the famed swing at the end of the world, this spot is about 20 minutes away from Baños and also part of the Chivas tour. Entrance costs 1 USD¹ to access the site which has a garden, 6 swings, and a restaurant cafe. Located high up on a mountain, it has a great view of Volcan Tungurahua provided it’s a clear day. The busiest 2 swings are the ones next to the iconic tree house. Perspective is what makes the great pictures seen on the internet. You have to time the photo with the volcano in the background and at an angle that makes it look like your swinging off the end of the mountain. Do try to get here early as it can get extremely busy. If you get there around sundown, you may get less time on the swing as the operators try to get through everyone by the time it gets dark. There is also a queue to go up the treehouse which has a great view of the landscape and volcano. The weather is warm during the day and gets quite cold as the sun begins to set so bring a warm jumper or coat. Also, a great national hot drink to have in the cold is canelazo which is a national liquor and cinnamon based alcoholic drink.

Cascada Machay

One of the waterfalls near Baños which is about 35 minutes away is the Cascada Machay which is on the same route as Pailón del Diablo just 5 minutes further. The trail is maintained by the locals and entrance costs 1 USD. It takes about 15-20 minutes to walk down a scenic dirt path to get to the viewpoint. Machay is a tall waterfall with a great landscape surrounding it. You can get closer to it by going down to the rocks. Doing so will guarantee you getting wet and the rocks are quite slippery so proceed with caution. It’s a great waterfall and you can go further downstream for a splash, but swimming near the waterfall is not permitted.

Other Activities

There is much more to do around Baños to get in touch with nature like the destinations mentioned above. In addition to these, there are also high adrenaline activities such as zip lining, rock climbing, rafting, bungee jumping to name a few. It’s one of my favorite places in Ecuador that I always go back to, and every time I go there’s something new to try out.