The little town of Banos which is about 10 miles South of Cuenca is known for its thermal waters and spas. Piedras de Aguas is one of the better ones and if you make inquiries you can do a spa circuit for $35 for two. The spa is a series of caves cut into the mountain and three beautiful pools and several restaurants. The first step in a shower and 15 minutes in a steam room followed by the mud baths.Next we entered the red mud bath which is full of iron and works as an exfolient. Covering as much of the body as possible, the red mud dyes the nails, hair and Troy left with a red beard. Sit in the sun until it dries and wash it off and shower and go for the green mud .
The green mud supposedly contains gold, silver and quartz. Another shower and it is time for the thermal baths. The thermal baths consist of a warm pool for 10 minutes and a freezing pool for a minute. No one ever lasts a full minute in the cold pool. This is followed by an 
old fashioned steam bath.
We treated ourselves to a chocolate massage and lunch in the restaurant. Look for bargains and these experiences need not be expensive.