Baños may not be the first place you think of when you’re asked about a great party in Ecuador, but believe me this city knows how to celebrate! And why wouldn’t they? Set up high in the mountains, Baños serves as a launch pad into the Amazon basin, making it a hot spot among the traveling crowd looking for some serious adventure. And, as we all know, serious adventure and serious partying go hand in hand.

The nightlife in Baños is a mix of local and more tourist-centric bars, catering to the mixed crowd found in Baños. The traditional Ecuadorian bars tend to play Andean music, and are almost immediately identified from a distance by the long wooden benches and tables filled mostly by locals enjoying native drinks. Typically these bars will also feature live music, which can be quite a treat for visiting foreigners. Andean folk bands use a variety of instruments such as the trumpet, pan flutes, acoustic guitar, saxophone, electric bass, and drums. Singing along is popular, even encouraged, so go ahead and yell it out at the top of your lungs, even if you’re faking it. It may not be a typical night out, but perhaps that is what makes visiting a traditional bar so special. Dos cervezas mas por favor!

The western bars in Baños also provide quite the party for tourists and locals looking for a different kind of booty-shaking. These bars, such as the Hard Rock Cafe, try real hard to look American. They play the American music and deck the place out with other American paraphernalia. They also cater to tourists perception of what a bar should be meaning… many of them have pool tables! That alone may cause a trip to one of the western bars to make your list of things to do in Baños.

If what you are looking for is cheap drinks, then the traditional bars are a better choice, as the tourist-centric bars tend to jack up the prices a bit. And if what you’re after is a very specific drink, say an import or an off-the-wall liquor, more than likely the western bars will be the ones to have it.

Some favorite bars in Baños include:

Coco Bongo – Bar, snacks, pool table. Located at Montalvo and 16 de diciembre

Peña Ananitay – Dancing and live music. Located at 16 de diciembre and Espejo

Hard Rock Cafe – Bar, snacks, dancing. Not sure of the exact address…

The Leprechaun Bar – One of the city’s most popular bars, a great place to enjoy drinks and dancing. Again, just ask anyone, they will point you in the right direction.

If you’re feeling brave order a Bob Marley… this flaming shot is a combo of Grenadine, Mint Liqueur and Banana Liqueur mixed with white rum is a kicker in anyone’s book and a favorite here in Baños.

Drink with care!

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• Drinks and Burgers at Bungalow 6
• Learn Spanish in the Mountains of Ecuador
• Guay a kill ya. A strait shooters guide to Ecuador’s other city, Part 2