Baños, Ecuador 🇪🇨
#598
,
Nomad Score:
66%
Essentials
| 🏙️ City | Baños de Agua Santa is a small town in central Ecuador, famous for its hot springs and adventure sports. |
| 👥 Population | Approximately 20,000 |
| 💻 Internet Speed | Average 20-30 Mbps |
| 💸 Currency & Banking | 1 USD ≈ 1 USD (US dollar is the official currency). ATMs available but can have limited access. |
| 🚰 Tap Water | Typically not drinkable. It's recommended to use bottled water. |
| 🔌 Power | 120V, 60Hz, ⚡ Type A/B sockets |
| 📶 SIM Card | Movistar and Claro provide good coverage with prepaid options. |
| 💳 Banking for Expats | International cards accepted at most establishments, but cash is still commonly used. |
| 🛌 Accommodation | Options include hostels, Airbnb, and hotels, ranging from $10 to $100 per night. |
| 💳 Cashless Friendly | Not very cashless; cash is preferred. However, some cafes and restaurants accept cards. |
| 🏠 Short Term Rentals | Airbnb and local guest houses are popular for short stays. |
| 🛏️ Budget Accommodation | Hostel Chimenea - dorms from $10/night, private rooms from $25/night. |
| 🏙️ Best Area to Stay for Tourists | Centro Historico offers easy access to attractions and hot springs. |
| 🏙️ Best Area to Stay for Digital Nomads | Zona Rosa is recommended for its cafes and coworking spaces. |
Working and Networking
| 🏢 Best Coworking Space | The Office - shared desk from $10/day, located in the city center. |
| ☕ Best Cafe for Work | Cafe del Cielo - good Wi-Fi and cozy environment for remote work. |
| 💼 Networking Events | Monthly digital nomad meetups organized via Facebook groups. |
| 🥂 Social Events for Expats | Local Facebook groups for expats frequently organize social outings. |
Transportation
| 🚕 Best Taxi/Ride App | Cabify is available, but local taxis are more common and affordable. |
| 🚲 Bike/Scooter Rental | Rental shops such as Baños Bici offer bikes for $5/day. |
| 🏖️ Best Beach Nearby | The nearest beach, Puerto Viejo, is about 4 hours away. |
| ✈️ Top Regional Airline | TAME Airlines connects Baños to major cities. |
| ✈️ Top International Airline | Avianca and Copa Airlines operate flights from Quito. |
| 🛣️ Highway Access | Via a series of highways connecting Baños to Quito and Ambato. |
| 🚉 Main Train/Transit Hub | No major train station; mostly buses for intercity travel. |
| 🚍 Public Transport Passes | Local buses cost around $0.25 rides within Baños. |
| ✈️ Regional Travel | Buses to Quito and Ambato take about 3 hours and cost approximately $3. |
Health and Wellness
| 🏥 Best Hospital | Hospital de Baños, a local facility with basic services. |
| 🧘 Yoga & Wellness Centers | Ecoventura offers yoga classes and wellness retreats. |
| 🏋️ Gyms & Fitness Centers | Baños Health Club - monthly memberships from $20. |
| 🧺 Laundry Services | Lavandería Baños provides wash and fold services at reasonable rates. |
Food and Drink
| 📱 Best Food Delivery App | UberEats services are available, local options like Glovo too. |
| 🍽️ Best Local Dish to Try | Fritada - a traditional pork dish, try it at Fritadas El Chosicano. |
| 🍱 Vegan/Vegetarian Options | El Jardin de la Abundancia offers a range of vegan dishes. |
| 🍫 Best Dessert Spots | Cafe 911 for their delectable cakes and pastries. |
| 🛒 Affordable Shopping Spots | Mercado Central is the best spot for local food and produce. |
| 🛒 E-commerce/Online Store | Local options like konga.com for online shopping. |
| 🛒 Grocery Delivery | Local supermarkets have delivery options, including Supermaxi. |
| 🍸 Bar/Nightlife Area | La Casa del Brew is popular for craft beers and nightlife. |
| 🍻 Local Brewery | BrewCoffee offers local brewed beers and tours. |
| 🍷 Wine Bars | El Botijo offers a selection of local and imported wines. |
| 🍲 Street Food Stalls | Stalls near the central park serve delicious street food like empanadas. |
| 🍕 Popular International Cuisine | Pizza assistance offers various pizza varieties and pastas. |
Culture and Attractions
| 🎟️ Must-See Landmarks | La Casa del Arbol is famous for its swing overlooking a canyon. |
| 🏛️ Museums & Art Venues | Museo de la Ciudad showcases local history and culture. |
| 🏰 Historical Sites | Templo de nuestra señora de la Ana is a local historical church. |
| 🕍 Religious Sites | Iglesia de Baños is a prominent church in the town center. |
| 🎉 Annual Events | Fiesta de la Virgen de Agua Santa in September is a significant celebration. |
| 🎨 Cultural Districts | Explore the artisan markets for local art styles. |
| 🎭 Theater Venues | Centro de Artes offers local theater productions occasionally. |
| 🛍️ Local Markets | Market near the Plaza de la Ciudad every Sunday. |
| 🎼 Music Scene | Live music events at various local bars during weekends. |
| 🎨 Street Art | Murals around the town highlight local culture. |
| 🧑🍳 Cooking Classes | Cooking class tours organized by local chefs to learn traditional dishes. |
| 👩🎨 Art Galleries | Local artists display their work in small galleries throughout the town. |
| 🕰️ Historic Buildings | The colonial architecture is visible throughout the town, especially near the main square. |
| 🏴 Local Heritage | Baños is known as 'The Gateway to the Amazon' and has rich indigenous heritage. |
Nature and Outdoor Activities
| 🌅 Nearby Nature Escapes | Cascada de la Virgen waterfall is a must-visit natural site. |
| 🏞️ National Parks Nearby | Llanganates National Park is accessible for hiking and wildlife watching. |
| 🚲 Cycling/Walking Paths | The route along the Pastaza River is perfect for walking and cycling. |
| 🌄 Scenic Viewpoints | The viewpoint at La Casa del Arbol offers stunning views. |
| 🦉 Birdwatching Locations | Choquequirao region is known for its diverse bird species. |
| 🔥 Bonfire-Friendly Spots | Designated areas in parks such as Parque Palomino Flores. |
Other Services and Amenities
| 📦 Parcel Delivery Service | Correos del Ecuador provides reliable mail services. |
| 🛠️ Tech Repair Services | Local shops offer phone and computer repair services. |
| 🏓 Table Tennis Spots | Some community centers have table tennis setups available. |
| 🧑🏫 Language Classes | Spanish classes available at various language schools in town. |
| 📚 Libraries & Study Spots | Local libraries have study areas and Wi-Fi. |
| 🏘️ Community Centers | Centro Cultural is often used for community events. |
| 🕹️ Gaming Lounges | Cafes with gaming stations are available for video game enthusiasts. |
| 🎰 Casino & Gaming Halls | Gambling options are limited; mostly informal settings. |
Business
| 🏢 Studio Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. $900 per m² (e.g., 40 m² = $36,000) |
| 🏢 Studio Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. $700 per m² (e.g., 40 m² = $28,000) |
| 🏠 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. $1,000 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = $60,000) |
| 🏠 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. $800 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = $48,000) |
| 🏡 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. $950 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = $76,000) |
| 🏡 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. $750 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = $60,000) |
| 💼 Corporate Tax | 25% |
| 💵 Dividend Withholding Tax | Yes, 15% |
| 🏦 Tax System | Progressive tax rates based on income. |
| 📈 Highest Income Tax Bracket | 35% |
| 🧾 VAT | 12% |
| 🌐 Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules | Yes, applicable to foreign investments. |
| 🏠 Property Tax | Yes, based on municipal values. |
| 🏠 Property Transaction Tax | Around 3% during property purchases. |
| 💻 Attractive Tax System for Digital Nomads | Ecuador does not tax income earned abroad for tourists and temporary residents. |