Casa Del Arbol

In the Ecuadorian wilderness near Baños de Agua Santa lies a small seismic monitoring station that has capitalized on its perfect location on a mountain top 2,600 meters above sea level by installing a tree house with a swing. But the unique piece of playground equipment hanging from Casa del Arbol isn’t just like any other swing. It is often referred to as the swing at the end of the world and dares visitors to launch themselves out over a steep drop on nothing but a crude piece of wood. The adrenaline rush is worth it though, as the experience offers a breathtaking view the mountainous landscape and the Tungurahua volcano in the background.  
Of course, the incredible pictures of people soaring above the void on a beautiful swing started spreading on social media like wildfire and today, a visit to Casa del Arbol is a popular activity for tourists staying in Baños. To accommodate all the people, a second swing as well as a zip line got installed but it is still fairly easy to avoid the crowds. Luckily, the area around Casa del Arbol is also great for hiking and there are many other spots where you can get away and enjoy a stunning view. Hike or take a taxi to the tree house at different times of day to avoid all the people arriving with the public bus. 

Practical Info

Casa del Arbol is located about 10 kilometers outside of Baños de Agua Santa in the Tungurahua Province of Ecuador. There is a very cheap public bus that makes the trip up the mountain four times a day, but to avoid the crowds, it is recommended to splurge for a taxi or to hike at different hours.