Back In Banos For A Third Time

Waterfall Chilling!!!

Just a few weeks after my trip out to Montanita, I was back on the road, this time to Banos - again. I went with Diana and one of her friends, Tania. She has a friend who owns a hostal in Banos and we were thus allowed to stay there for the weekend, for free. This is no simple hostal however, it was more like a Hotel. We had a huge room with satellite TV, there was a hot-tub in the hostal, a sauna and a great breakfast, as well as more - it was living in style.

We went down to Banos on Friday night and returned again on Sunday. On the Saturday we did the waterfall bike ride. You rent a mountain bike for $5 (for the day) and ride on the road out of Banos. Its mostly downhill and it takes you along the valley road, where waterfalls line the way and the jungle scenery dominates your view - its stunning. I had done it once before and was glad to be going again. We went as far as the Pailon del Diablo Waterfall - the highest in the area. Somehow I had totally missed it last time, riding straight past - but this time we stopped to take a proper look. It´s an amazing waterfall, its approximately 100 feet high and its powerfall. You first take a 30 minute walk from the road, throgh some pleasant jungle terrain, before reaching the falls. From there there are paths which essentially take you right behind part of the waterfall for an even more impressive display. You often find yourself standing in front of many waterfalls when you travel the world - and this one is definately worth a look.

We also managed to find time to sit in the Sauna and relax in the hot-tub, as well as have a good night on the town. The weekend was pleasant, and with my trip to the coast coming up, where I would have to do a presentation in front of a few hundred people, this was the perfect way to relax before the chaos that was to come..........and it came quickly!!!