Andres’s Guidebook and Recommendations
Coffee and/or breakfast
Excellent coffee, variety of breakfast options, and pastries for an afternoon coffee break. Is a popular place and wait times can be long.
During busy weekends or festive days, the wait time is long as well.
8 personas locales recomiendan
Honey Coffee & Tea de Isabel y Tomás
Pedro Vicente MaldonadoExcellent coffee, variety of breakfast options, and pastries for an afternoon coffee break. Is a popular place and wait times can be long.
During busy weekends or festive days, the wait time is long as well.
A local's favorite offering a variety of breakfast options. For the afternoon there are sandwiches, fresh juices, coffee, and more.
10 personas locales recomiendan
Blah Blah
Thomas HalflantsA local's favorite offering a variety of breakfast options. For the afternoon there are sandwiches, fresh juices, coffee, and more.
Aromi cafe
Thomas HalflantsGood coffee and a variety of desserts.
Family owned , well known coffee place for breakfast and fresh made bread made daily. Is a favorite of locals and visitors.
Café Ricooo Pan
AmbatoFamily owned , well known coffee place for breakfast and fresh made bread made daily. Is a favorite of locals and visitors.
Beautiful restaurant with quality bites and a wonderful view of the city. Is about 20 minutes from town.
11 personas locales recomiendan
Café del Cielo
Km 6 Vía a RuntúnBeautiful restaurant with quality bites and a wonderful view of the city. Is about 20 minutes from town.
Well known place in town for desserts. They have freshly made desserts every day.
Mundo Azúcar: Cafetería
AmbatoWell known place in town for desserts. They have freshly made desserts every day.
Restaurants and quick bites
Lively place offering a variety of food and drinks
13 personas locales recomiendan
Leprechaun Pub Restaurante Cafeteria
OrienteLively place offering a variety of food and drinks
Artisanal beer and bar food including burgers, sandwiches, nachos.
Cherusker Cervecería Artesanal Alemana
Artisanal beer and bar food including burgers, sandwiches, nachos.
I have not tried it yet but is a popular place in Baños de Agua offering Asian-Ecuadorian fusion dishes with a variety of options including vegetarian dishes.
Zumo Food & Drink Restaurant
Óscar Efrén ReyesI have not tried it yet but is a popular place in Baños de Agua offering Asian-Ecuadorian fusion dishes with a variety of options including vegetarian dishes.
A local favorite for traditional "salchi papas" or french fries with fried sausage. They have a traditional Ecuadorian burger with french fries as well. A place to go to taste the locals' snack food and a beer.
Pancho's Snack Bar
Vicente RocafuerteA local favorite for traditional "salchi papas" or french fries with fried sausage. They have a traditional Ecuadorian burger with french fries as well. A place to go to taste the locals' snack food and a beer.
New restaurant popular in town offering international cuisine items and a selection of beer.
Mozzafiato Cafetería
IbarraNew restaurant popular in town offering international cuisine items and a selection of beer.
A small and cozy coffee / cocktail lounge near the busy street. Loved by locals and visitors to enjoy a cocktail or coffee while seeing the busy and lively outside
Bar cafe del Jack
A small and cozy coffee / cocktail lounge near the busy street. Loved by locals and visitors to enjoy a cocktail or coffee while seeing the busy and lively outside
It’s an Ecuadorian barbecue place loved by locals. Great place to try Ecuadorian style bbq usually served with potatoes, cheese sauce, and salad. They also have have a tasty traditional Ecuadorian aji - hot sauce. Good meat quality, laid back atmosphere.
Dulce Carbón
12 de NoviembreIt’s an Ecuadorian barbecue place loved by locals. Great place to try Ecuadorian style bbq usually served with potatoes, cheese sauce, and salad. They also have have a tasty traditional Ecuadorian aji - hot sauce. Good meat quality, laid back atmosphere.
New restaurant in Banos offering a extensive menu of Ecuadorian dishes with a gourmet style in mind. Definitely recommended if wanting to explore Ecuadorian cuisine with a trendy modern touch
HAYCHA Restaurante
AmbatoNew restaurant in Banos offering a extensive menu of Ecuadorian dishes with a gourmet style in mind. Definitely recommended if wanting to explore Ecuadorian cuisine with a trendy modern touch
Café del Cielo
Km 6 Vía a RuntúnLovely new restaurant with Ecuadorian inspired dishes with a modern gourmet touch.
La Floresta Restaurante
Lovely new restaurant with Ecuadorian inspired dishes with a modern gourmet touch.
A restaurant that has been in business for more than 10 years. Loved by locals and visitors for quality food- steak with mushroom sauce, trout, and bolognese are some of the favorite dishes.
La Closerie Des lilas
A restaurant that has been in business for more than 10 years. Loved by locals and visitors for quality food- steak with mushroom sauce, trout, and bolognese are some of the favorite dishes.
HICKORY BISTRŌ - BAÑOS
Popular burgers in town
Well known pizza place in town. Not authentic Italian pizza but great pizza overall
8 personas locales recomiendan
Leoni Pizzeria
Thomas HalflantsWell known pizza place in town. Not authentic Italian pizza but great pizza overall
Loved by visitors, the menu features several international inspired dishes. Good vegetarian options as well.
7 personas locales recomiendan
Cafe Hood
& Rafael VieiraLoved by visitors, the menu features several international inspired dishes. Good vegetarian options as well.
Touristic Attractions
La Casa del Arbol
MontalvoThe famous swing at the end of the world.
The city's church. Great architecture and art.
17 personas locales recomiendan
Nuestra Señora del Rosario de Agua Santa Church
The city's church. Great architecture and art.
Another new touristic attraction in town. May be crowded on peak hours on the weekends.
9 personas locales recomiendan
LA MANO DE LA PACHAMAMA
Another new touristic attraction in town. May be crowded on peak hours on the weekends.
A nice hike in town. Approx 30 minute hike to enjoy great views of town. Loved by locals.
Mirador " La Virgen "
A nice hike in town. Approx 30 minute hike to enjoy great views of town. Loved by locals.
piQchur
Via Las AntenasFirst “photo park” in Ecuador , it is on the way to the viewing site “Hands of God”.
La Casa del Arbol
MontalvoParque Temático Runtun
Beautiful place for animal sighting
El Pailón del Diablo
11 de SeptiembreBreathtaking views and waterfall
Is one of the first travel agencies that opened in town. They are great and have been in business for over 20 years.
Geotours
Thomas HalflantsIs one of the first travel agencies that opened in town. They are great and have been in business for over 20 years.
SPAs and Swimming Pools
Excellent spa featuring swimming pools, gardens, and traditional ecuadorian " Baño de Cajón" a personal steam bath.
6 personas locales recomiendan
El Refugio Spa Garden
Excellent spa featuring swimming pools, gardens, and traditional ecuadorian " Baño de Cajón" a personal steam bath.
Famous thermal baths known for their curative properties.
A locals' recommendation is to arrive as soon as they open either 6am or 6pm to have a more enjoyable experience by avoiding the crowds.
Not the nicest facilities but the curative properties definitely make the Termas a must go. Make sure to bring flip flops, remain hydrated, and change from hot to cold water in between to avoid being dizzy.
17 personas locales recomiendan
Termas de la Virgen
225 MontalvoFamous thermal baths known for their curative properties.
A locals' recommendation is to arrive as soon as they open either 6am or 6pm to have a more enjoyable experience by avoiding the crowds.
Not the nicest facilities but the curative properties definitely make the Termas a must go. Make sure to bring flip flops, remain hydrated, and change from hot to cold water in between to avoid being dizzy.
Luna Volcán, Adventure SPA
Km 6 Vía a RuntúnFamous thermal baths known for their curative properties.
A locals' recommendation is to arrive as soon as they open either 6am or 6pm to have a more enjoyable experience by avoiding the crowds.
Not the nicest facilities but the curative properties definitely make the Termas a must go. Make sure to bring flip flops, remain hydrated, and change from hot to cold water in between to avoid being dizzy.
13 personas locales recomiendan
Balneario El Salado
Avenida El SaladoFamous thermal baths known for their curative properties.
A locals' recommendation is to arrive as soon as they open either 6am or 6pm to have a more enjoyable experience by avoiding the crowds.
Not the nicest facilities but the curative properties definitely make the Termas a must go. Make sure to bring flip flops, remain hydrated, and change from hot to cold water in between to avoid being dizzy.
Bars and nightlife
Crater Rooftop Bar
Leprechuan Bar
EspejoCozy place to have a cocktail, beer, or beverage. Is on the busy / party street but not busy if you don’t feel like being in a party crowd but still enjoy the energy of this part of town.
Bar cafe del Jack
Cozy place to have a cocktail, beer, or beverage. Is on the busy / party street but not busy if you don’t feel like being in a party crowd but still enjoy the energy of this part of town.