Las Piscinas de la Virgen
Las Piscinas de la Virgen
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4.0
415 reviews
Excellent
133
Very good
144
Average
87
Poor
21
Terrible
30
George O
Toronto, Canada38 contributions
Feb 2020
Stay away from the hot spring baths Piscina Moderna! Unless you are a local or speak Spanish, you are not welcome there. We got there late in the evening. The only information we got was from a tourist who was there, no instructions, no persons to show you around. Once entered, there are no signs of where to go, what to do. Personnel does not speak other than Spanish. After we changed into our swimsuits and ready to go in a bath, we had to put our belongings in a basket and bring the basket to a locker place. The woman in charge there forbid us to continue without putting on swim hats. We were never told or indicated about that, more over my wife and I have very short hair. Also, we showed her that many people are in the pool without them. We were supposed to dress again and go back to the entrance to buy them. At this point, we gave up the whole experience. There are no signs indicating the location of the change rooms, pools, no brochures to know what to expect to do, and the aspect of the muddy looking spring does not look appealing.
So, if in Banos, my advice is go to other activities!
So, if in Banos, my advice is go to other activities!
Written 20 February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
yakermary
Andrews, NC175 contributions
Feb 2021
WE went early so there would be less people and cleaner. At 6 AM there were only a few locals there. They encouraged us to do the ice cold then super hot baths . Pools were clean and people kept their distance (due to COvid) as much as possible. Many showers both hot and cold to rinse before and after. YOu do need a cap to enter the spas. I like to go places where the locals go and get the flavor of a country and this was it.
Written 23 February 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
jroihl
Cambridge, MA1,751 contributions
Aug 2014 • Couples
We loved our visit here. The procedures were a bit confusing. The cost is $2 in the daytime and $3 at night. You must first buy at ticket at a window immediately up the first set of steps. You also must have a bathing cap which you can by or rent (or bring) . After purchasing your ticket you go up another flight of stairs and go to the concession counter to get your bathing cap.
The pools on that level are only open at night. Also the hot showers are on that level. They are open and unisex so just for rinsing and hair washing. There are also changing rooms - private unisex on this level.
Up another flight of stairs there are plastic baskets/boxes for clothes and belongings. Many people leave these around the outside wall of the pool but you can leave them for free on that level where it say information. Yo will be given a bracelet with a number. You MUST shower before entering the pool. on this top level are hot, warm, and cold pools. We REALLY enjoyed our time here. WE practiced our Spanglish with native speakers who were very friendly. Most of the people in the pools were latina. We sat on different sides of the pools as the views of the surrounding falls and volcanoes we beautiful and soothing.
The water appears muddy because of the rich mineral content. The pools are emptied and cleaned every afternoon when they close for 2 hours.
After leaving the pool you will want to shower. There was quite a wait for the shower and then a changing room to come free. Seniors or folks with disabilities - the very last changing room is handicapped and has its own shower. BE careful -as the floors can be slippery.
At the side of te bath complex is a long trough with fawcets along both sides where people collect controlled amounts of this water to take home.
There is also at this spot a free "stair" to an overlook. Beware it is sippery and at times the waterfall blows into the path quite strongly but the view is amazing.
If you want a taxi after leaving you need to walk down the hill a couple of blocks . The taxi's at the baths seem to be rented for the day and peoples clothes etc are in them.
If you found this review helpful please indicate below. Thank you.
The pools on that level are only open at night. Also the hot showers are on that level. They are open and unisex so just for rinsing and hair washing. There are also changing rooms - private unisex on this level.
Up another flight of stairs there are plastic baskets/boxes for clothes and belongings. Many people leave these around the outside wall of the pool but you can leave them for free on that level where it say information. Yo will be given a bracelet with a number. You MUST shower before entering the pool. on this top level are hot, warm, and cold pools. We REALLY enjoyed our time here. WE practiced our Spanglish with native speakers who were very friendly. Most of the people in the pools were latina. We sat on different sides of the pools as the views of the surrounding falls and volcanoes we beautiful and soothing.
The water appears muddy because of the rich mineral content. The pools are emptied and cleaned every afternoon when they close for 2 hours.
After leaving the pool you will want to shower. There was quite a wait for the shower and then a changing room to come free. Seniors or folks with disabilities - the very last changing room is handicapped and has its own shower. BE careful -as the floors can be slippery.
At the side of te bath complex is a long trough with fawcets along both sides where people collect controlled amounts of this water to take home.
There is also at this spot a free "stair" to an overlook. Beware it is sippery and at times the waterfall blows into the path quite strongly but the view is amazing.
If you want a taxi after leaving you need to walk down the hill a couple of blocks . The taxi's at the baths seem to be rented for the day and peoples clothes etc are in them.
If you found this review helpful please indicate below. Thank you.
Written 21 August 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Over60Nomad
Europe164 contributions
Jan 2018 • Solo
As you walk towards the tall waterfalls at the edge of town, you come to the huge NEW Termas de la Virgen first, on your left. Entrance in through tall gray stone wall.
The NEW Termas is super clean, modern, tile & stone everywhere. Huge washrooms, changing rooms, showers. Entry includes locker, you keep key for easy access. Seven pools on one side – 2 hot, 2 cold, 3 bath temp. (Note: Outdoor hot pools are same natural mineral water as old Termas.) Also has large tube slides into another pool. Go thru building to get to huge play pools with waves, etc. Also has “Zona Húmedo” inside building where you find big jacuzzi with nice jets, dry sauna, wet sauna, and tiny cold plunge.
NEW Termas entry: $6 adult, $3 children & senior (65+). Ask for senior price, no need for Ecu ID. Hours: Wed-Fri 2pm to 9pm; Sat-Sun-Hol 10am to 9pm; Closed Mon-Tue.
The NEW Termas is super clean, modern, tile & stone everywhere. Huge washrooms, changing rooms, showers. Entry includes locker, you keep key for easy access. Seven pools on one side – 2 hot, 2 cold, 3 bath temp. (Note: Outdoor hot pools are same natural mineral water as old Termas.) Also has large tube slides into another pool. Go thru building to get to huge play pools with waves, etc. Also has “Zona Húmedo” inside building where you find big jacuzzi with nice jets, dry sauna, wet sauna, and tiny cold plunge.
NEW Termas entry: $6 adult, $3 children & senior (65+). Ask for senior price, no need for Ecu ID. Hours: Wed-Fri 2pm to 9pm; Sat-Sun-Hol 10am to 9pm; Closed Mon-Tue.
Written 25 January 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
AvidGlobeHopper
Birtley, UK257 contributions
Aug 2018 • Couples
We decided to give this a go based on the reviews and even went in the early afternoon as it should have been quiet then. We arrived at the baths feeling a little sceptical as they looked very busy and a bit run down. We paid our $4 to enter and then bought some swim caps. We walked up the stairs to find a very dirty floor, very old showers and changing rooms with no light and hoards of people everywhere.
The 'warm' bath was so full there would have been nowhere to get in and the other baths were empty (one freezing and one boiling).
There were children jumping in and out and splashing in the thermal pool.
It just did not feel relaxing or 'healing' in any way so we decided to give it a miss.
The 'warm' bath was so full there would have been nowhere to get in and the other baths were empty (one freezing and one boiling).
There were children jumping in and out and splashing in the thermal pool.
It just did not feel relaxing or 'healing' in any way so we decided to give it a miss.
Written 13 August 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
BearsBeets17
19 contributions
May 2018 • Friends
Ended up here because my travel companions vetoed the pools at the Luna Runtun ($20/pp). We went in the early afternoon and the cost was $2/pp. We brought swim caps and towels from our hotel so no extra charges. All signs were in Spanish and no workers spoke English so I’m not sure if we followed all the rules. Anyway, go up the stairs, put your stuff in a blue bin, check the bin at the information area, and hop into the pools from there. On our level there was a cold pool (empty), a warm pool (with 10-15 people), and a hot pool with 1-2 people. We spent most of our time in the warm pool. There is also a lower level with other pools but we didn’t go in these as no one else was in them and we weren’t totally sure how the place worked. We stayed for about an hr. It was pleasant. They play music in English on some speakers. No frills. Mostly locals. Definitely worth the money. Might be helpful to have a local with you to explain the rules.
Written 30 May 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
pedrojock
Nottingham, UK395 contributions
JUst to correct the other email, the water gets changed first thing in morning and opens around 4 or 5, then closes at 5 while they change the water and opens again at 6. Its nice if you arrive around 5.30 to 5.45pm as it tends to get a bit busier later on. One of the best things is going up to the top pool and looking up at the waterfall and watching sunset, unbelieavble.
when you arrive there are changing rooms upstairs and down. take a big basket put your stuff in and hand it over the the lovely staff. Simple as that.
when you arrive there are changing rooms upstairs and down. take a big basket put your stuff in and hand it over the the lovely staff. Simple as that.
Written 5 January 2009
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
AnnetteNh
NH11 contributions
The Piscinas are right at the foot of the waterfall, fabulous location. There are pools of varying temperatures, from cool to hot. You change into your bathing suit and they give you a bin to put your clothes in. People are very friendly. We heard that the water gets changed at 8pm, so went @ 9pm. It was very clean and there's a very fun atmosphere.
Written 14 August 2008
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
rbrow018
308 contributions
Oct 2019
A trip to Baños wouldn’t be complete without a visit to one of the cities numerous hot springs, given that the city is named for them. It was rather convenient that my body extremely sore from doing the 60 kilometer La Ruta de la Cascada bike ride the day before. The most popular (and cheapest) hot spring is Las Piscinas de la Virgen, or Las Termas, in the outskirts of the city. There were actually two facilities, the original one that is directly under the Cascada Virgen and a newer facility across the street. In order to get the more authentic (and cheaper experience) I opted for the original one. I decided to go midmorning on a Thursday when I figured it would be semi empty. After paying the $2 USD entrance fee I walked up to the main pool area. My first impression was that the facility reminded me of a rundown YMCA club one would find in the United States. There were three distinct pools (scalding, warm, ice cold). There was a place were I could store my bag for free while in the pool where I was given a key chain with a number to recover it later on. After changing into my swimming trunks and taking the required shower, I made my way to the pools. While there weren’t many people, I could count on my right hand the number that were under 50 years old. As for the quality of the pools themselves, they were dingy as the water was coffee brown. While the pools are drained daily, I avoided put my face in the water for obvious reasons. Despite the lack of cleanliness, each pool was the appropriate temperature and I had space to relax as most people hung out in the “warm” pool. Given the size of the pools, there was really nothing else to do but sit in one place and relax while staring at the waterfall. For the best experience, I spent a few minutes in the ice cold pool and then went over to the scalding one. I spent about an hour in the pools before calling it a day. However, my body felt much better after experiencing the natural remedy. Outside the facility was a nice little park where one could spend a few minutes. I would say the experience was worth the $2 USD, however I also visited the pools at an optimal time as the experience would have been drastically different had I decided to go on a weekend when all of them are filled to capacity.
•A pass to the modern Las Piscinas de la Virgen costs $6 USD but it is less crowded and has much nicer facilities
•A shower cap is required when visiting Las Piscinas de la Virgen and can be purchased for $1 USD inside the facility
•A pass to the modern Las Piscinas de la Virgen costs $6 USD but it is less crowded and has much nicer facilities
•A shower cap is required when visiting Las Piscinas de la Virgen and can be purchased for $1 USD inside the facility
Written 26 October 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
AshleeTC
Spokane, WA133 contributions
Feb 2018 • Couples
This waterfall is in the heart of the city next to the thermal baths. We visited the Monday of carnival so it was very crowded. There is a very nice hotel across the street with a spa and cafe - Hotel Sangay.
Written 12 February 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Las piscinas con toboganes son de agua fría o son temperadas?
Written 10 July 2018
Would it be safe for a female to walk alone to close by restaurants? Is there a spa or place to get massage on site in the hotel?
Written 23 January 2015
There are several restaurants within walking distance of the hotels in the centre of town. Banos isn't very big and there are plenty of people in the streets, so I think it's safe. Several hotels (and even some hostels) have their own hot pools or spas. I don't know about getting a massage, though.
Written 24 January 2015
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