Rafting Río Negro Baños Ecuador: Level III & IV Adventure Tour

Summary

Whitewater Rafting Río Negro: Thrills Near Baños de Agua Santa

You’ll get soaked, laugh hard, and maybe surprise yourself on this whitewater rafting trip down Río Negro near Baños. With expert guides, all your gear sorted, plus lunch and photos included, it’s an easy way to add some adrenaline to your Ecuador trip.

What’s the experience like?

Clouds hung low over the mountains as we piled into the van just after breakfast. The drive out of Baños towards Puyo took about 50 minutes, but honestly, it flew by. Every few minutes, someone would spot a waterfall tumbling down the cliffs—locals call them “cascadas”—and our guide, Diego, pointed out which ones you can actually hike to if you’ve got time later. The air smelled fresh, a bit earthy from last night’s rain.

Once we reached the Río Negro sector, things got real. Wriggling into wetsuits felt awkward at first (they’re always a bit damp), but it was worth it once we dipped our toes in the river—it’s chilly! Our guides ran through safety tips and handed out helmets and life jackets. I liked that they had a safety kayak trailing us the whole way; made me feel way more confident tackling those level III+ and IV rapids. Paddling together, you really have to listen for commands—sometimes you can barely hear over the rush of water and everyone’s laughter. About halfway through, there’s this calm stretch where you can actually look up and see birds darting between trees. The whole descent lasts around 90 minutes, but it feels shorter when you’re in the thick of it.

Afterwards, we changed out of our gear (my hands were still tingling from the cold) and checked out the photos and videos—some hilarious faces in there. Lunch was at a local spot not far from the river; nothing fancy, but hearty food hits different after all that paddling. We headed back to Baños with tired arms and a ton of stories. If you’re looking for real adventure near Baños de Agua Santa, this is it.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Baños to Puyo Waterfall Tour

• Travel Baños to Puyo (50 min)
• View waterfalls along the route

Top questions

Is this rafting tour suitable for beginners?

This trip is best if you’ve got some basic fitness and are comfortable in water. The guides give clear instructions, so first-timers can join, but expect some challenging rapids.

What should I bring with me?

You’ll want to pack a swimsuit for under the wetsuit, sunscreen, and maybe a towel or dry clothes for after. All safety gear is provided.

Are photos really included?

Yep! Guides take photos and videos during the trip. You’ll get access to them at the end—no extra charge.

Is transportation from Baños included?

Yes, round-trip transport from Baños is part of the package. You’ll be picked up and dropped off back in town.

What’s included

You get round-trip private transport from Baños, wetsuit, helmet, shoes, life jacket, paddle, professional guides (with years on these rivers), plus a safety kayak following along. Photos and videos are included too. After rafting, lunch at a local restaurant is part of the deal.