Baņos

One of the most beautiful places in all of Ecuador is the region around the town of Baņos. Located 2000 feet down the Oriente (east) side of the Andes, Baņos is the gateway to the jungle. Walk around the main square and see vendor stalls overflowing with products from the jungle, including taguas (vegetable ivories made from the nut of a rare palm tree found in the jungle), balsa products, mahogany, sugar cane, and guava. Take a drive through a tunnel into the jungle to the town of Puyo. We recommend 2-3 nights in the Baņos area.