San Francisco bridge near Banos, Ecuador

Bird's-eye view of a bridge spanning a deep gorge. A wide river rushes through the gorge. On the far side of the bridge sits a low house.The San Francisco bridge is a recently-constructed wooden suspension bridge that spans the Rio Pastaza Gorge outside of Banos. Banos is a small town of 12,000 set high in the mountains of Ecuador (5,971 feet). Banos is a popular destination for tourists exploring the mountainous terrain, but it also contains a vibrant weekly market and a beautiful cathedral. It takes it's name from the natural springs that heated by the nearby volcano. A major attraction of this region is the 16,479 ft. volcano peak of Tungurahua. Tungurahua, or Black Giant, is an active volcano that spewed ash and rocks for several months in 2003.