Quick FactsOverview
About Termas El Salado, Ecuador
Termas El Salado, Ecuador is a public thermal pool complex in the El Salado district of Banos de Agua Santa, a town in Tungurahua Province in the Ecuadorian Andes. The pools are located approximately 2 km from the Banos town centre along Avenida El Salado, beside the Bascun River in a narrow volcanic canyon on the lower slopes of Volcán Tungurahua. The water feeding the pools originates directly from Tungurahua, one of Ecuador's most active volcanoes, and carries a strong mineral load of sulfate, chloride, calcium, magnesium, and bicarbonate compounds. The source temperature of the water is between 52 and 54 degrees Celsius, making it genuinely hot rather than merely warm, and the pools step down in temperature to accommodate different preferences. A polar cold pool is also available for contrast bathing.
The facility is maintained by the Municipality of Banos and has been in operation for many years as a community bathing site. It is less prominent than the Termas de la Virgen closer to the town centre but is consistently noted by visitors as less crowded and more atmospheric, sitting in rockier surroundings with the Bascun River immediately adjacent. The complex includes changing rooms, showers, secure lockers, and basic food services nearby. A swim cap is mandatory for all visitors and can be purchased or rented at the entrance. The site opens in the early morning hours, and visitors who arrive at dawn often find the pools at their quietest and most atmospheric, with mountain mist and low light on the volcanic rock formations surrounding the water.
Banos de Agua Santa is itself named for its thermal waters, and El Salado is part of a broader network of hot springs near Banos that draw visitors seeking the therapeutic volcanic spring experience the town is built on. The setting on the Bascun River also serves as the starting point for a walking trail toward Nahuazo, giving visitors the option to combine a soak with a riverside hike through the canyon.
Location & Access
Getting to Termas El Salado
Termas El Salado is reached from Banos de Agua Santa via Avenida El Salado, approximately 2 km from the town centre. By taxi from central Banos the fare is around $1.50, and the journey takes a few minutes. Local buses operated by Compania Luna Sanchez depart approximately every half hour from a stop in front of the Mega Bodega on the corner of Calle Ambato and Eloy Alfaro, with a fare of around $0.25 and a journey of approximately 10 minutes. Visitors who prefer to walk can reach the complex in under 30 minutes on a flat to gently rising road, making it a practical option after a day of cycling or hiking in the surrounding valley.
Free parking is available at the site for visitors arriving by private vehicle. The approach follows the Bascun River canyon upstream, and the signage from central Banos is clear. For visitors looking for hot springs near Banos de Agua Santa, El Salado is the quieter alternative to the Termas de la Virgen and is generally the recommended choice for visitors who want to avoid weekend crowds. It is also the only thermal complex in Banos open on Mondays and Tuesdays, when the other main facilities close.
The trail to Nahuazo begins at the balneario, following the right bank of the Bascun River for approximately an hour before connecting back to the road at the Las Ilusiones neighbourhood and the municipal cemetery. The full circular route takes around two hours on foot. Horseback riding along this trail can be arranged through tour operators in Banos for visitors who prefer guided exploration on horseback.
Suitability & Accessibility
Who Termas El Salado Suits
Termas El Salado suits independent travellers, families, couples, and visitors who want an authentic local hot spring experience in Banos without resort-level pricing or infrastructure. The multiple pools of varying temperature make the complex accessible to a range of preferences: families with children can use the warmer-but-not-scalding pools, while more experienced thermal bathers can push into the hottest pool, which some visitors find difficult to remain in for more than 10 minutes given its extreme temperature. The cold polar pool adds a contrast bathing dimension that appeals to visitors familiar with European sauna and thermal traditions.
The facility does not have confirmed wheelchair accessibility. The terrain around the pools is uneven volcanic rock, and the approaches involve steps and wet surfaces. Visitors with mobility limitations should contact the municipal administration in advance to assess whether the site meets their needs. The natural setting in the Bascun canyon is a key part of the appeal, but it does mean the physical environment is less controlled than a formal resort complex.
El Salado is particularly suited to visitors who are already in Banos for the town's broader offer of adventure sports, cycling the Route of Waterfalls, and Andean hiking, and who want to end a physically active day with a genuine volcanic thermal soak for a very modest price. The early morning opening at around 4am is also notable: visitors who start soaking before dawn and watch the volcanic canyon come to light as the sun rises over the Tungurahua foothills describe it as one of the more memorable natural hot spring experiences in Ecuador. The atmosphere is local and social rather than tourist-resort in character, making it a good choice for those seeking aguas termales Ecuador with a genuine community flavour.
Safety & Etiquette
Termas El Salado Safety Tips
Termas El Salado requires more attention to safety than a managed resort spa because the water arriving from Volcán Tungurahua is genuinely hot, reaching 52 to 54 degrees Celsius at the source and remaining very hot in the hottest designated pool. Visitors should test the water temperature carefully before fully submerging, limit time in the highest-temperature pool to short sessions with cooling breaks, and be especially cautious about immersing the face or neck in the hottest water. Cardiovascular conditions, pregnancy, and heat sensitivity are all reasons to stick to the cooler pools or limit total soaking time.
The volcanic origin of the water also means visitors should be aware that Volcán Tungurahua is an active volcano. Banos de Agua Santa itself sits in a monitored volcanic hazard zone, and the national risk management authority maintains alert levels for the volcano. Visitors should check the current volcanic alert status before travelling and follow any instructions issued by local authorities. During periods of elevated alert, thermal facilities near the volcano may close or impose restrictions. On normal low-activity days this is not a concern that should deter a visit, but awareness is part of responsible travel in the area.
The site is in a canyon setting beside a river. During heavy rain the Bascun River can rise quickly, and the pools and surrounding area can become slippery. Visitors should not enter the river for swimming during or immediately after heavy rainfall. Traction sandals are strongly advised for moving between pools and changing areas, as the wet volcanic rock surfaces are slippery. A swim cap is mandatory and enforced at the entrance. Personal valuables should be secured in the lockers provided rather than left unattended at poolside.
The early morning opening means some visitors arrive before full daylight. Walking along Avenida El Salado in the dark is generally safe as a well-used local road, but visitors should use a torch and be aware of vehicles on the narrow road. The canyon environment means mobile phone signal can be variable. Overall the site is a well-established community facility that has operated safely for many years, and straightforward awareness of temperature, footing, and volcanic context covers the main practical risks.
