Relax in Ecuador July 8, 2004 Dear International Living Reader, Ecuador is an inexpensive, healthful, safe country; one of Latin America's most popular destinations, with a spring-like climate year-round; and a friendly, polite, laid-back population. But if you already live "away from it all" full-time…where do you go for a vacation? Ecuadorians go to Baños. A four-hour bus ride ($4) from Quito, Baños is famous for its hot baths, fed by thermal springs from the base of active volcano Tungurahua (literally "little hell"). Although most visitors come here to relax, there's plenty to do. You can hike Volcán Cotopaxi…or watch Tungurahua erupt nightly, white-water raft on class III and IV rivers (from $30/day), bike (you can easily cycle downhill to the jungle's edge and return to town by bus for $5), horseride along the river (from $14 for a four-hour tour to $240 for an overnight excursion), or take a rain forest expedition (two to seven days; $40 - $50/day with meals, accommodations, and tour guides included). Hostales (small hotels) start at $3/night and double rooms with private bath cost $8 - $12/night. For longer stays, consider renting an apartment. Some of the town's apartments are shared with private rooms that join a common living room, kitchen, and bath. Expect to pay $4 - $5/night per person. You can get breakfast here for $2, lunch for $3, and a full dinner costs less than $6. After a few days in Baños, you'll feel more relaxed than you've ever felt before. Maureen O'Driscoll
for International Living
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