Mindo, Ecuador: travel guide
Cloud-forest village of hummingbirds, waterfalls and chocolate
A cloud-forest village in the Andean foothills northwest of Quito, one of the world's top birdwatching spots (hummingbirds, cock-of-the-rock), with waterfalls, tubing, ziplines, butterfly farms and chocolate tours.
About Mindo
Mindo is a small village in the cloud forest on the western slopes of the Andes, a few hours' drive from Quito. The forest here is rich in birdlife, and the area is regarded as one of the best places in South America to see hummingbirds and the Andean cock-of-the-rock.
Walk to waterfalls such as Nambillo, ride a cable car across the canyon, go tubing on the river, or spend a morning in the butterfly farm and the hummingbird gardens. A chocolate tour traces cacao from tree to bar, and many lodges offer guided dawn walks for birders.
Mindo suits nature lovers, photographers and anyone looking for a green escape from the capital. It is wet for much of the year, with the drier months from June to September generally the easiest for walking.
- Country
- Ecuador
- Currency
- USD
- Time zone
- America/Guayaquil
Last updated
Top places to visit in Mindo
Mindo Cloud Forest Reserve
cloud_forest · 4.7 rating · about 3 h · check the fee at the gate
A biodiverse cloud-forest area around Mindo, one of the world's richest birding hotspots with hundreds of species including the Andean cock-of-the-rock, plus orchids and butterflies.
Santuario de Cascadas (Cascada de Nambillo)
waterfall · 4.6 rating · about 3 h · check the fee at the gate
A cluster of waterfalls in the forest reached via a cable car (tarabita) over the canyon then trails, with natural pools and jumps.
Mariposario de Mindo (Butterfly Farm)
butterfly_farm · 4.6 rating · about 1 h · check the fee at the gate
One of Ecuador's best butterfly farms where you can watch the full life cycle and have butterflies land on you, best visited mid-morning when they're active.
Mindo Hummingbird Gardens
bird_garden · 4.6 rating · about 1 h · check the fee at the gate
Café-gardens around Mindo with dozens of hummingbird feeders attracting many species at close range — a relaxed introduction to the area's birdlife.
Mindo Chocolate Tour
food_experience · 4.7 rating · about 1.5 h · check the fee at the gate
Bean-to-bar tours at local cacao producers (such as El Quetzal) showing how Ecuadorian fine-aroma cacao becomes chocolate, with tastings.
Things to do
- Mindo Birdwatching Tour Nature · 4 h · from USD 45 per person
- Mindo Chocolate (Cacao) Tour Food Experience · 1.5 h · from USD 12 per person
- Mindo Canopy Zipline Adventure · 2 h · from USD 20 per person
- River Tubing in Mindo Adventure · 2 h · from USD 15 per person
Day trips and tours
- Mindo Cloud Forest & Chocolate Day 8 h · from USD 70
Where to stay in Mindo
- Mindo Centro about USD 75 per night
The village centre, walkable to tour operators, cafés and the chocolate factories.
Hotels
- Casa Divina Lodge 3-star · USD 90 to USD 160 per night
- El Monte Sustainable Lodge 4-star · USD 180 to USD 300 per night
- Dragonfly Inn 3-star · USD 55 to USD 95 per night
- Bio Hostal Mindo Cloud Forest 2-star · USD 12 to USD 40 per night
Where to eat
- El Quetzal de Mindo Cafe, International · about USD 12 per person
- El Nómada Gastro International, Ecuadorian · about USD 14 per person
- Mishqui Quinde Cafe, Ecuadorian · about USD 7 per person
Getting to Mindo
Nearest airport: Quito (UIO), about 48 km away in a straight line. The road or rail journey is longer.
Getting around
- Bus
- Taxi
- Walking
More in Ecuador
Frequently asked questions about Mindo
- What are the top-rated places to visit in Mindo?
- The highest-rated places in our Mindo guide are Mindo Cloud Forest Reserve, Mindo Chocolate Tour, Santuario de Cascadas (Cascada de Nambillo), Mariposario de Mindo (Butterfly Farm), Mindo Hummingbird Gardens.
- Where should I stay in Mindo?
- Our guide covers these areas to stay in Mindo: Mindo Centro.
- How do I get around Mindo?
- Ways to get around Mindo covered in our guide: City bus, Taxi, Walking.