Explore Mindo, Ecuador in 2 Days

Ultimate Cloud Forest Travel Guide for Birdwatching, Waterfalls & Adventure

Mindo is in the middle of a cloud forest with a pleasant weather temperature and few insects/mosquitos thanks to its altitude. It is one of the best places in the world for birdwatching and is only a 2-hour-drive from Quito.
It is a small town consisting of a central park, 2-3 newly paved streets full of many restaurants and cafes, tour operators, and car rentals. There is one and only ATM in town so bring some cash with you. Most restaurants and shops accept major credit cards. All attractions are situated just a little outside the town centre and can be reached on foot in around 20 min. or by taxi in 5 min.
Mindo is the favourite weekend destination of Quiteño’s, therefore it is better to go during the weekdays.
It is actually all about the birds, waterfall exploration, and some excitement on Mindo`s unique cableway called tarabita.

Getting Around in Mindo

In Mindo, you can easily explore on foot or by taxi.
Walking is a great way to enjoy the charming town, but for convenience, taxis are widely available.
The minimum taxi fare is $2 USD, and for early morning or late-night rides, expect to pay double the usual rate.
To reach major attractions from the town center, taxi fares typically range from $5-6 USD, making it a quick and affordable way to get around.
Whether you’re heading to Mindo’s famous waterfalls, butterfly farms, or birdwatching spots, taxis provide a hassle-free option for travelers.

How to get to Mindo from Quito

Traveling to Mindo, Ecuador is easy and convenient, with several transportation options available from Quito.

Buses to Mindo: There are daily, frequent buses departing from the Carcelén and La Ofelia terminals in Quito. This is an affordable and reliable option for budget travelers, providing direct access to Mindo.
Taxi from Quito to Mindo: A taxi ride from Quito to Mindo is a popular and comfortable option, especially for those who prefer door-to-door service. A taxi from the north of Quito typically costs around $30 USD, while from the city center, it may cost approximately $50 USD. Taxis offer a convenient, faster alternative, taking around 2 hours to reach Mindo.
Private Driver/Cab: For added convenience, you can arrange for a private driver or taxi directly through your accommodation in Mindo. This is a great option for travelers looking for a more personalized and hassle-free experience.

Whether you choose a bus or a taxi, getting to Mindo from Quito is straightforward, with options to suit a variety of budgets and preferences.

Where to Stay in Mindo

When choosing where to stay in Mindo, you have a variety of options depending on your preferences for proximity to nature or town center amenities.

Lodges in the Nature: If you prefer an immersive nature experience to see birds and enjoy Mindo’s cloud forest, opt for a lodge located a little farther from the town center. However, it’s recommended to stay within a reasonable distance from Mindo’s center, as taxis can be infrequent, eventhough a quick ride to town may cost around $2 USD. Keep in mind that many lodges in the area do not offer lunch or dinner, so you may need to plan ahead for meals.
Staying in the Town Center: If convenience is a priority, staying in Mindo’s town center can be an ideal option. You’ll be close to local restaurants, markets, and shops, making it easy to explore and enjoy the town’s vibrant atmosphere. The streets are pleasant to walk, offering scenic views of lush plants and nature. However, be prepared to take taxis frequently as most attractions are a short ride away.
Compromise with a Lodge Near the Center: For a balance between nature and convenience, consider booking a lodge just outside the center. This way, you can enjoy the tranquil surroundings while still being close to the town’s amenities. You’ll have the opportunity to see birds and hummingbirds both in the lodge and nearby areas, ensuring a memorable nature experience without the need for long taxi rides.

What to Do in Mindo

Cableways:

There are two different cableways in Mindo. The first one is a chairlift called “teleferico”. The second one is a little unique, a yellow steel basket called “tarabita”. They are open from 08.30 till 16.00.
They can be used as transportation to get to the waterfall routes but you can also take them just to have an enjoyable ride in the cloud forest. The teleferico has a 5 min stop in the middle of the ride so that you can enjoy the view. Neither teleferico nor tarabita is recommendable if you are afraid of heights. If this is the case then to reach the waterfalls you can hike.

Waterfall Routes:

To reach the waterfall routes you can either hike for 12-15 km. or you can take 2 cableways, first the “teleferico” and then walk for a few minutes to take “tarabita” or you can walk and just take the tarabita. The recommendable option is to take 2 cableways to enjoy the views and reserve some energy to complete the waterfall routes. Once you reach the tarabita station you can choose from the map your route. There are 5 different waterfall routes.
1- Nambillo Waterfall: The easiest and quickest route, just 20 min. from the Tarabita station:
2- Reina (Queen) Waterfall: The biggest waterfall requires a 50 min. hiking one way.
3- Series of Waterfalls Route: A route to see 5 waterfalls, the nearest is 35 min hiking.
The waterfalls are not very big (except for the Reina) but you get the chance to refresh yourself in the little pools. Do not forget to bring your swimming suit. In the afternoon it is likely to rain so bring also a raincoat unless you want to walk in your swimming suit.

Mariposarios – Butterfly Farms

There are three butterfly farms (mariposarios) in Mindo at the moment and 2 of them have the same name, Mariposario of Mindo, one being inside the town, one outside. The best is the one close to the cableway. As the butterflies fall asleep after 13 you should go in the morning, though not very early if you would like to watch butterflies complete their metamorphosis process. The best is to go at around 9 o’clock when the butterflies are very active, after your tour in the garden to have a coffee or chocolate at the cafe and observe the beautiful colourful birds from the window and go back to the area where the butterflies born. There is no exact hour but certainly every day some butterflies emerge from their cocoons at around 10.30-11.00 it is a process of an hour so you have a good chance to see it.

Birdwatching:

You will not find many birds when you do the cableway and waterfall tours. Therefore it is better to join a birding tour with Alsavia at the Mindo Ontological Centre for only 15 USD per person. He takes you on a tour of his immense property, provides you with quality equipment and shows birds otherwise you could never see. But if you do not want to do this tour, you can enjoy / it is guaranteed / many colourful birds just after your must-do-visit at the butterfly centre – Mariposaria de Mindo’s Caffe in the morning. Their hot chocolate is amazing. While in the evening you can enjoy calibres drinking sugary water before going to sleep at the terrace of El Quetzal while enjoying their artisanal beer with cacao.

Perfect Mindo Itinerary for 2 days

HOW TO MAXIMIZE YOUR 2 DAYS IN MINDO WITH TOP ATTRACTIONS:

Half-day:
Birdwatching and butterflies can be done only in the morning so for the half-day, you can choose any activity you like among the various options tour operators offer like tubing, zipline etc. You can join a chocolate tour or hike for the waterfalls to get one route covered before the full day.
Have your lunch at the Dawn Coffe

Full day:
Use the full day to get up early and go to birdwatching.
Then go to the butterfly farm and take the tour
Have your breakfast at the butterfly farm’s cafe and wait for the metamorphosis process to complete.
Walk 2 min. to the cableway
Take cableway then tarabita and choose the waterfall route you like.
Have your lunch with delicious empanadas at the tarabita station between the routes.

Take a taxi to the teleferico
Take teleferico and then tarabita
Do the first waterfall route the big one
At the tarabita station, there is a nice cafe making good empanadas.
When you finish just walk or take a taxi to your hotel/city centre
Dinner at the Quetzal’s terrace to admire hummingbirds drinking water before going to sleep

Is Mindo Expensive?

Mindo is not an expensive. You can find many budget friendly accommodation and some restaurants. You have the chance to choose among free options for the attractions. You can choose to hike to the waterfall sanctuary or go on bird watching on your own. You should be careful when you choose your accommodation’s location to not to be dependent on the taxis as it is there is no public buses inside the town.

Where to Eat in Mindo

Unfortunately, there are not many restaurants to recommend in Mindo. Most of them seemed too touristy to us, and menus offering international food—even spaghetti—never attract us!

Below are two places where we really loved the food and enjoyed the atmosphere:

Dawn Café – A lovely budget spot where mainly locals go. Perfect for lunch, it is located right at the Park Square, the main square of Mindo. The food was delicious, cheap, and the menu was local! Since the tables face the main square park, you can watch birds passing by.

The Quetzal – This place is an institution in Mindo; however, we wouldn’t have found it if not for a local’s recommendation. It’s not a budget dinner option, but neither is it very expensive. It’s a cozy place to enjoy fusion food and their artisanal beer. We sat outside at the entrance, and hummingbirds were flying all around us. An unforgettable dinner! They also offer chocolate tours.

Ah, we also loved the café at the butterfly farm—great food with a view of the forest and colorful birds flying around!