Hostería Durán Hot Pool and Spa
Enjoy a Soothing Soak and Steam

A bit southwest of Cuenca is the town of Baños, known for its hot springs. And that's where you'll find the Hostería Durán hot pool and spa.

Hostería Durán is a full service hotel (rooms, dining room, etc.) built to serve guests who want to enjoy the wonderful warmth of the swimming pool and steam rooms (baño turco, or Turkish bath).

Both are heated by the natural hot springs that give the town its name.

Unfortunately, it's the same name given to the much more popular, and much better known, town on the side of the often-erupting Tungurahua volcano. This has been known to cause some confusion for newcomers to Cuenca.

The Swimming Pool

The swimming pool is large (although nowhere near Olympic length). Unless you happen to choose a national holiday for your spa day, there won't be many people in or around the pool.

There's an admission fee ($5 at the time we wrote this) to use the pool, plus a one-time purchase of a cap to cover your head. You can bring the cap on future visits.

Some people complain about that $1 cost, but with the sun shining (and even when it's not), a bald head (like Jeff's) would soon look like a cooked lobster if you weren't wearing one of the caps.

This thermal pool has deep and shallow ends, plus a connected wading pool for the kids.

The pool staff require that you store your belongings in one of their lockers (no cost) to avoid theft. They'll insist that you lock up everything except towels (bring your own), shoes/sandals, eyeglasses and sunscreen after you finish using the change rooms.

The Steam Rooms

The two steam rooms (women only, and mixed) are heated via a hole in wall. Yes, literally a hole in the wall, from which escapes steam from the scalding hot water racing by in an open pipe on the other side of the wall.

Eucalyptus leaves release their fragrance in the wet heat, making for a very pleasant and relaxing visit.

A warning though. You may want to take your towel up to the steam rooms, to cover yourself for the short trip back down to the pool. If it's windy, you'll be cold in a hurry!

Massages

Full-body massages are also available for $25. That's cheap compared to North American prices, although you can have a massage in Cuenca for less than $20.

Monthly Rate

There's a monthly rate available for use of the pool and the steam rooms. This rate also includes one massage and use of the fitness room.

The cost is $55 plus tax, or $61.60 a month. That's a great deal if you're thinking of living in Baños.

Getting to the Hostería Durán Hot Pool and Spa

The easiest way to Baños is by taxi. Jump in and ask the driver how much it is to go to Hostería Durán. It should be $4, maybe $5.

The trip back by taxi may be more expensive, as the Baños cab drivers charge different rates (basically, they can hold you hostage because you're definitely not within walking distance of your home or hotel).

Your other option is the Cuenca bus system. Both bus 11 and bus 12 go to Baños. See Taking the Bus in Cuenca for more on how the buses work, and for a link to the city's bus maps.

Summary

If you've had a hard trip from North America or Europe, or you overdid it on a hike in the Cajas Mountains, a soak and steam (and maybe even a massage) at the Hostería Durán hot pool and spa will work wonders on your body, and your spirits.

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