Mindo Ecuador
Mindo Ecuador is a small, sleepy town that packs a big punch. A long-time backpacker favorite, it’s now firmly on the map for all types of travelers to Ecuador. What’s more, it’s close enough to the capital city Quito for easy day-tripping or long weekend breaks.
Mindo is the gateway to Ecuador’s Cloud Forest. Surrounded by rivers, waterfalls, and mountains, the Mindo area is a paradise for nature lovers, birdwatchers, hikers, and thrill-seekers alike.
For wildlife, there’s always action at the Hummingbird feeders, Butterfly and Orchid farms, and along the waterfall trail in Nambillo Reserve.
Adrenalin junkies have canopy ziplining and river tubing to get their fix. There are also quirky tours to check out like chocolate making and the night frog chorus.
Keep reading for everything you need to know to plan an unforgettable visit to Mindo Ecuador. From fun activities to lodging and travel tips, we’ve got you covered.
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Everything You Need To Know About Mindo Ecuador
Before we get into the nitty-gritty of how to visit Mindo, let’s kick off with some fast facts.
Province: Pichincha.
Elevation: 1,250 meters above sea level.
Mindo Town Population: 2,953.
In Ecuador, Mindo is locally known as the town of birds, butterflies, orchids, and adventure.
Now, let’s discover where Mindo is, and how to plan your visit.
Where is Mindo Ecuador?
Although Mindo is located just 34km from Ecuador’s capital city Quito, the road distance clocks in at a surprising 88.5km. No doubt visitors to Quito will have noticed Pichincha Volcano – it’s visible from most areas of the city. Well, the sleepy town of Mindo is located on the other side of the volcano, via a very curvy mountain road.
The driving route to get to Mindo from Quito passes by the Middle of the World Equator monument, before slowly descending northwest into Ecuador’s lush Cloud Forest. A little way past Nanegelito Town, the Mindo turnoff is signposted on the left side of the highway.
It is Mindo’s unique location that makes it so special. Here, on the Western slopes of the Andes, we are in between worlds. From Quito in the Central Andean Valley, we’ve traveled up and over the slopes of Pichincha Volcano. Continue heading west and pretty quickly you hit the balmy tropical lowlands. In between is the Cloud Forest of the Chocó Andino and Nambillo Reserve.
What is Cloud Forest?
Cloud Forest is a term that you’re going to hear a lot. But what exactly is Cloud Forest? It’s an area of Andean Forest ranging from 960 to 3,440 meters above sea level. As the name would suggest, the forest is often shrouded in low-lying mist and clouds, creating a fairytale-like ambiance.
The clouds provide permanent moisture for a great biodiversity of native plant life. Imagine ferns, mosses, bromeliads, epiphytes, and orchids springing to life in a dense woodland. The plants in turn provide food and refuge to interesting bird and animal species.
The result is a mega-diverse ecosystem, recognized globally as an important biodiversity hotspot.
How To Visit Mindo Ecuador
The good news is that Mindo Ecuador is easy to visit with just a little planning. Mindo is rarely crowded with tourists, can be visited as part of a tour or under your own steam, and has heaps of activities to keep visitors entertained.
So, let’s learn the different ways that you can plan your Mindo trip.
1. Quito to Mindo Bus
The Good news for backpackers is that it’s very easy to get from Quito to Mindo.
Bus Cooperative Flor del Valle operates this route directly from Quito’s Ofelia Bus Terminal. The journey takes approximately 2 hours, costing $3-4 per person each way.
The current published bus schedule lists departure times as follows:
- Quito to Mindo Bus Mindo to Quito Bus
- Monday to Friday: 8:00 AM, 9:00 AM, 11:00 AM, 4:00 PM. Monday to Friday: 6:30 AM, 11:00 AM, 3:15 PM, 4:30 PM
- Weekends: 8:00 AM, 9:00 AM, 11:00 AM, 1:00 PM, 4:00 PM. Weekends: 6:30 AM, 11:00 AM, 3:15 PM, 4:00 PM, 4:45 PM
Tickets can be bought directly at the Flor del Valle counter at Ofelia. There’s no need to book or buy tickets in advance unless planning to travel on a local public holiday. Weekend travel to Mindo can sometimes be busy too, so aim to arrive ½ hour or so before departure.
While this direct bus is convenient, tourists often complain about pick-pockets onboard. So, keep your valuables close to hand at all times and be vigilant. Never use the overhead luggage area – that goes without saying on any Ecuador bus. Thieves have been known to slash bags from under seats, so we recommend keeping your backpack on your lap where you can keep an eye on it at all times.
If you are travelling in a group then an alternative option is to hire a taxi or Uber for a private journey. Expect to pay anywhere from $50 to $80 for the ride.
2. Mindo Tours
If the bus sounds like a hassle, fear not, many international tourists instead opt for a Mindo day tour. This is a more stress-free option and can be a great way to make the most of your time. A private guide takes care of travel logistics, with pickup and dropoff from your Quito Hotel. The itinerary of a Mindo day tour is also very flexible, so you can pick and mix the activities you’d like to fit into the day.
Happy Gringo also offers a popular 3-day Mindo Highlights Tour with a driver and comfortable overnight stay included, plus the perfect blend of fun activities to discover the best of Mindo and the surrounding area.
Things To Do At Mindo Ecuador
There are easily enough Mindo activities to fill up 3 or 4 fun-packed days. Here’s a list of my favorites, in no particular order.
1. Mindo Bird Watching
The Mindo Cloud Forest is home to over 550 different bird species, including an incredible 132 varieties of hummingbird. To put that in context, across the entire continent of Europe one can only find some 900 species in total.
Even if you’re not usually much into bird watching, in Mindo, many of the species are exotic in color and behavior, so much so, that you’ll soon be reaching for your camera.
Some of the more popular bird species to look out for around Mindo include the Chestnut Mandibled Toucan, Andean Cock of the Rock, Toucan Barbet, Golden-headed Quetzal, Violet-tailed Sylph, Rufous Motmot, plus many more besides.
Bird enthusiasts should hire a professional guide. Starting early, you can head out to the best birding hotspots, and with a guide by your side, it’s much easier to spot and identify species. Most agencies and hotels in town can help you book a Mindo birding guide; just be sure to check that they will have a spotting scope with them. The most popular route is up on the road past the Tarabita, where toucan species are often spotted.
For those who prefer to go it alone, head over to Yellow House Hostal. For a $6 fee, tourists receive a map and have access to their 200 hectares of private cloud forest trails, but they should go prepared for a lot of walking. In this forest sanctuary, it’s also possible to spot mammals, including armadillos, monkeys, and, with luck, even Andean Bears.
Another of my favorite spots for birding in Mindo is Punto Ornatologico. For $5 they run a guided tour of several hectares of forest and provide access to 2 different canopy towers. Best of all, though, you get to feed hummingbirds by hand, which is a truly magical experience.
An alternative is El Descanso Birding Garden, for a more casual and relaxing experience in town. Just take a seat and watch the show, as hummingbirds and tanagers are active at the feeders.
Birdwatching in Mindo is a year-round attraction, so it’s hard to go wrong. Serious birders, though, should aim for the rainy season (November/December until April/May) when migratory birds are passing through.
Birders can’t really go wrong anywhere in or around Mindo Town. For more in-depth and serious birding there are also specialist Cloud Forest Lodges such as Bellavista and Mashpi.
Mindo Cloudforest Foundation also has birding reserves in the Choco Andino including Milpe and Rio Silanche.
For an all-inclusive multi-day birding tour, look no further than Happy Gringo’s Choco Andino Birding Tour, with experienced guides, comfortable lodging, and access to all of the best birdwatching reserves in the area.
2. Mindo Chocolate Makers
Thanks to the high quality of cocoa grown here, Ecuadorian chocolate is all the rage these days, and it just so happens that Mindo Ecuador is a hub for chocolate tours.
You won’t find mass-producing chocolate factories here, instead small Ecuadorian chocolatiers are making their mark. Dark chocolate is very much on the menu, as are creative fusions with new flavors such as tropical fruits, hot chili, sea salt, and even roses.
One of the best Mindo chocolate tours is at El Quetzal, a quaint hostel and restaurant just up the street from the town’s park. Started by Jose and Barbara Wilson in 2009, the Ecuadorian chocolate produced here is made from high-quality Nacional cacao beans from a single cooperative of farmers close to Mindo.
The El Quetzal Ecuador chocolate tour walks you right through the production process from bean to bar, with sample tasting along the way. Visitors will learn how to open a ripe cacao fruit, remove the seeds for fermentation, dry the seeds, remove the shells, grind them down, convert them to nibs, and remove cocoa butter, ending up with a natural chocolate bar. Guests can also walk around their organic garden, overflowing with plants that are used to create interesting chocolate bar flavors. The $10 tour price even includes a rich chocolate brownie to enjoy before you leave.
The next best chocolate experience in town is Yumbos Mindo, which scooped 6 of the 10 “golden bar” prizes at the 2021 Ecuador Chocolate Awards. Their bars are produced from Fine Aroma cacao, containing between 60 and 100% purity depending on the product. Interesting mixes include ginger, chili and salt, orange rind, lemon grass, and nibs, ensuring flavors for all tastes.
3. Hike The Mindo Waterfall Trail (Santuario de Cascadas)
Mindo and water go hand in hand, with three rivers (Mindo, Cinto, and Saloya), hundreds of streams, and a multitude of hidden waterfalls in and around town.
The most popular route for chasing waterfalls is the Nambillo Waterfall Sanctuary. For splashing around in swimming holes, and photographing pristine cascades, the Mindo Waterfall Trail is the perfect place to spend a few hours.
The adventure begins 7 km out of Mindo, where, for a $5 fee, a rickety open-air cable car (Tarabita) leads across the Rio Nambillo valley to the trailhead, with 3 hiking routes to choose from.
Route 1 is a 20-minute walk to Nambillo Waterfall, a popular spot for bathing. There is also a viewing platform at the top of the falls which costs $3 to access.
Route 2 to Reina Waterfall requires the most effort to reach (50 minutes), and rewarding hikers with the most impressive of the cascades.
Route 3, with a 35-minute trek time, treats you with 5 different waterfalls to discover – Cascadas Ondinas, Guaromos, Colibries, Madre, and de Los Maderos.
The trail is often quite muddy and slippery, so go prepared with appropriate footwear. Many tourists bring food for a picnic, and above all, don’t forget your swimsuit!
4. Mindo Butterfly House (El Mariposario de Mindo)
It’s not just birds that Mindo is famous for, but also butterflies.
The Mindo Mariposario Butterfly House is located Just a mile or so outside of town. The $8.50 entrance fee is a little steep, but we think worth it. The visit begins with a guided explanation of the different stages of the butterfly evolution cycle. Then you are free to explore the butterfly house and hummingbird garden.
At any given time, up to 1,200 butterflies are fluttering around doing their thing, often landing on the head or shoulders of delighted tourists. Not only are the butterflies extremely photogenic, but it’s hard not to feel more relaxed in this attractive, tranquil setting.
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From an Ecuador destination expert today5. River Tubing
As well as nature, Mindo has a fierce reputation for adventure and adrenalin activities.
On the Mindo River, close to the butterfly house, there’s fun to be had tubing the shallow rapids. But this is no ordinary river tubing tour, adventure junkies ride the rapids aboard a makeshift raft of 5 or 6 inner tubes bound together, making it a fun group adventure.
Hold on tight and enjoy the ride, lasting anywhere from 20 to 45 minutes depending on the water level and speed of the current.
All local agencies in Mindo offer this adventure tour, from $6-10 per person including transport and a local guide.
6. Mindo Ecuador Canopy Ziplining
Sticking to the adrenalin theme, Mindo is also the best place in Ecuador for Canopy Ziplining.
This activity is highly recommended for a whole new perspective of the Mindo cloud forest. You’ll literally enjoy a birds-eye view!
There are 3 excellent Mindo ziplining operators in the area: Tucanopy, Mindo Canopy, and Mindo Ziplines. All use a double cable security system for safety, and costs around $20 per person for the experience. Mindo zipline tours are accompanied by a specialist safety guide.
It’s best to avoid other operators (even if cheaper) unless they can convincingly demonstrate the safety of their cables. There have been previous accidents with fly-by-night operators in the area, so buyer beware.
7. Mindo Orchids
With an unbelievable 4,500 species of orchid found in Ecuador, it’s little wonder the country is known as ‘The Land of Orchids’. Incredibly, new species are discovered every year here, and over 1,000 orchid species are endemic to Ecuador.
These beautiful flowering epiphytes can be found right across the country, and are particularly abundant in humid cloud forest habitats like Mindo.
Orchids come in all shapes and sizes, from large, brightly colorful blooms to tiny millimetric flowers hidden under orchid leaves. They also vary in form, some even resembling dancing ladies, monkeys, and Dracula.
To see orchids in the town of Mindo Ecuador head to Armonia Orchid Garden. They have over 250 species of orchids and bromeliads throughout their garden, along with magnifying glasses to get a close look at the smaller flower varieties. A Spanish-speaking guide will happily identify each orchid for you on a 40-minute loop for $3 per person.
In the wild, it’s possible to see orchids literally anywhere and everywhere around Mindo and the Choco Andino Cloud Forest region. Along the Nambillo Waterfalls trail, and at Yellow House Reserve, for example, with a keen eye, you’ll always be able to spot blooming orchids. Remember as you walk along forest trails that orchids could be at ground level, or higher up clinging to the branches of trees.
There’s another nice spot for orchids on the route between Quito and Mindo at Pahuma Orchid Reserve. Close to the town of Nanegelito, for a small fee visitors can access the hiking trails of the 650-hectare El Pahuma Reserve. If you specifically wish to find orchids then it’s recommended to request a local guide at the entrance for assistance.
While orchids can be spotted year-round in Mindo Ecuador, the best time of year to see them is usually from February through to June. During these months the rains are less heavy, and there tends to be more sunshine each day. This is the magical formula for orchids to flower and thrive.
8. Night-tours & Mindo Frogs
One of the most remarkable experiences in the cloud forest begins around 6.30/7.00 pm. As night descends on Mindo, the sun goes down, and the chirping of the birds peters out. New sounds begin to fill the forest, as frogs compete against one another to be heard. In the shadows, all kinds of nocturnal creatures begin to emerge.
Whilst sitting back with a beer and enjoying these new sounds is highly recommended, there are now other, more active ways to experience the Mindo cloud forest at night.
To enjoy a quick and easy Mindo night experience, join the Mindo Frog Chorus at Mindo Lago Hostel. For $6 per person, guests get front-row seats to the best concert in town, followed by a forest walk looking for frogs. The tour starts at 18:30 every night and lasts around 1 hour. It is, however, often very busy, so it’s recommended to book in advance so they know you are coming.
Local travel agencies also offer another, more adventurous and personal Mindo Forest night walk. I can highly recommend the services of Eric Osterman - he takes small groups on guided 2-hour tours in a private forest reserve in search of frogs, spiders, snakes, small mammals, and a long list of cool creepy crawlies. Eric also organises more in-depth trips if you have a specific herping target in mind.
9. Explore The Cute Town
Last but not least, Mindo Ecuador is a fun, little town just to hang out, relax, and mix it up with the friendly locals.
The laid-back lifestyle of Mindo is addictive in itself. The town has a good range of restaurants, hotels, and decent craft beer. It’s very safe to wander around, and pretty hard to get lost. There’s usually also a selection of travelers selling handicrafts along the main street or at the plaza.
So, plan a little down-time on your trip just to wander around Mindo, and see where the wind takes you.
Hotels in Mindo, Ecuador
In terms of hotels and hostels, Mindo offers something for all styles and budgets.
It’s easy to find backpacker hostels along the main street in town and in the small side streets. CasKaffeSu is our favorite budget choice, with a cozy inner courtyard and attentive service.
For a mid-range traveler, I personally love Boutique Hotel Margarit. It's tucked away in a quiet part of town, yet just a few blocks from Mindo's Central Plaza. A comfortable social area overlooks a pretty garden with bird feeders, and the service is excellent.
Many visitors prefer to stay a little out of Mindo town. Forest lodging is more expensive but perfect for peace and quiet, as well as immersion in nature. We love the environmentally-conscious forest cabins at Casa Divina. Other popular choices include Sachatamia Lodge, Las Terrazas de Dana, Septimo Paraiso, and Mindo River Lodge.
Practicalities for Visiting Mindo Ecuador
Here are a few practical tips for those planning a visit to Mindo in Ecuador.
- Mindo’s weather is fairly unpredictable. Most days bring a healthy mix of sun, clouds, and rain. Mindo temperatures average out around 60°F (15.5°C) overnight, and a pleasant 75°F (24°C) during the day. Rain is most common in the afternoon, but can occur at any time. It’s always a good idea to have a rain jacket or umbrella handy when out exploring.
- Good hiking shoes are recommended as the terrain on trails can be muddy, slippery, and uneven.
- Take snacks and drinking water along with you on activities. Other recommended items include a dry bag for cameras, insect repellent, sunblock, hat, raingear, swim trunks, binoculars, and quick dry clothes.
- Food in Mindo is simple but tasty. Locally caught trout is something of a local specialty.
- Quality Ecuadorian Coffee is also harvested in the Mindo and Nanegelito area. In town, I can recommend Mindo Forest Coffee for an enjoyable coffee and as a place to purchase locally packaged beans.
- It’s best to avoid drinking or brushing your teeth with the local tap water.
- There are ATMs in town, but on busy weekends they have been known to run out of cash. It’s best to travel prepared with cash and cards just in case.
- Mindo is a very popular destination for local Ecuadorian tourists. Over weekends and public holiday feriados this sleepy town quickly becomes a party destination. Bus tickets become harder to find, restaurants fill up, and Mindo’s main street comes alive with music and people. Tourists going to Mindo in search of tranquility may need a hotel out of town on these days.
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In conclusion, Mindo Ecuador is a great choice for a quick and easy Cloud Forest adventure. It’s within close access to the capital city Quito, with good road links. The mix of Mindo activities & excursions is diverse, from nature to adventure. Mindo is a destination that does not have to hurt your budget, with choices ranging from backpacker to rustic comfort. Whether for a day or a long weekend, Mindo Ecuador is a tiny town that packs a big punch and deserves to be part of your Ecuadorian travel itinerary.
