Banos in Banos

The draw of Banos for locals and foreigners alike is its temperate climate and the mineral hot springs created by the nearby volcano. The town has three different areas where you can go for a soak, but the one shown is located a couple blocks from where we are staying along Avenida De Las Amazonas. It is public, but doesn't attract as many people because the water isn't HOT, HOT! There are several pools, with varying temperatures. I found one pool to be just perfect, and the one shown is more of a gentle hot tube experience. I learned that if you are sitting in a pool that has a white sort of scum on it, that's OK ...because these are the minerals before they have a chance to disperse.

Image soaking in a pool of warm water, surrounded by beautiful vegetation and looking up the side of a mountain. Life can't get any better than that ... oh, and all at a cost of $2. In case you have the opportunity to come here, this is the address.