Just a short bus or cab ride from the town of Baños you can go rock climbing on a volcanic rock wall overlooking the river. And the views are just breath-taking. Rock climbing is a sport of setting goals and achieving them. Whether it takes 1 try or 100, you always have to challenge yourself. But the result is truly rewarding. When you reach the top and reflect on all you have done to get to your view from on top of the world. You really earned it.
To get to the climbing spot you can either catch a bus from Mayra’s place for 30 cents or take a cab ride for $1.50 to San Martin. Once there you pay $2 to enter the park, if you have your own equipment you are ready to go if not you can rent it once you reach there. You can also get a guide + gear + transport in Banos. You walk down to the wall and there are usually other climbers there as well.
Speaking from personal experience climbing here in Ecuador is just amazing. I experienced volcanic rock for the first time and even though it’s a bit slippery, the rock formations are incredible. I love it and if you ever visit Ecuador, I highly recommend it! The level of the routes range from beginners to the most experience and they even have multi-pitch climbing but unfortunately I didn’t get the chance to try.
-Ariel & Zan
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