9 Best Sights in The Central Highlands, Ecuador

Baños is Spanish for "baths," and there are several thermal springs in town. The town's official name is Baños de Agua Santa (Baths of the Holy Water), but no miracles have ever been attributed to the springs. The best of the bunch is a series of pools called El Salado. Its six rough-hewn pools, next to a fastmoving stream, overflow with mineral water of various temperatures. The pools are refilled each morning at dawn.

In the heart of town, the twin spires of La Iglesia de la Virgen del Agua Santa rise above the tree-lined plaza. The church, whose black-and-white facade is slightly startling, was built to honor Baños's miracle-working patron saint. The huge paintings inside are testimonials from her many exultant beneficiaries.

Across the street from Parque de la Concepción, the Museo de Arte Religioso is housed in the beautifully restored Iglesia de la Concepción. The Religious Art Museum has an impressive collection of artifacts from the colonial period.

A few blocks from the church is the small but interesting Museo Huillancuna, a museum that has exhibits about pre-Columbian ceramics, Andean musical instruments, and local history.

The hill in the center of the Parque 21 de Abril affords an excellent view of the city. On clear days you'll have eye-popping views of several snowcapped volcanoes. The mural here depicts the city's history.

There are good buys at the tourist-oriented Saturday market held in the Parque de la Concepción. Look for embroidered belts, hand-knit sweaters, and locally produced jewelry.

Folks here will tell you that Cotopaxi, at 5,897 meters (19,347 feet) above sea level, is the highest active volcano in the world. Technically, it's not, but the massive, snowcapped mountain is still one of Ecuador's iconic sights. Although mountaineers risk their lives to reach Cotopaxi's icy summit, you need risk little more than a possible case of lightheadedness to wander around its lower slopes, which are protected within Parque Nacional Cotopaxi.

The drive here is unforgettable. As you make your way past the stands of red pine and into the higher altitudes, you are likely to spot llamas, white-tailed deer, and wild horses, as well as Andean condors and sparrow hawks. Fewer animals roam the semiarid plains called the páramo, extending from 10,496 to 15,744 feet. There are no trees here, only small plants that have adapted to the harsh environment. Above the páramo lies the permafrost zone, where giant glaciers extend across the volcano's summit. Cotopaxi is most impressive at dawn, when sunlight sprinkles rays across the surface of the glaciers and casts shadows on the surrounding mountains.

Parque Pasochoa, a protected area administered by the Quito-based Fundación Natura, covers 988 acres of high Andean forest. More than 100 species of birds and a variety of butterflies have been identified in the area. Walking trails include short loops and all-day hikes, with the trek to the 13,800-foot summit of Volcán Pasochoa the most strenuous. Camping is permitted in designated areas with water spigots and latrines.

A stunning drive over the eastern range of the Andes brings you to the village of Papallacta. A mile beyond you'll find the Termas de Papallacta, a natural hot springs with eight thermal baths and two cold crystalline pools. It's a beautiful setting, and on a clear day you can see the snowcapped peak of Volcán Antisana.