Weekend trip to Mindo, Ecuador

Mindo is a great escape for nature lovers coming from Quito, Ecuador. Located about 2 hours from Quito, it is a perfect breath of fresh air after spending time in the exhaust-rich capital.

Mindo is one of the most ecologically aware towns in Ecuador. Citizens get actively involved in fighting oil companies, city planners and officials from Quito wanting to take advantage of the rich cloud forest. Much of the land is protected by a national reserve - and with good reason: over 350 bird species have been spotted in the area along with other animals and lots of flora.

It is a beautiful place to visit; I highly recommend it!

Quick Tips:

Fiestas de Mindo begin the second week in May and last until the end of the month.

Lodging ranges from budget - per person up to luxury - per person!

Bring a flashlight, lots of bug spray, a rain coat, and your swimsuit.

Best Way To Get Around:

It is best to drive in your own car from Quito if you can. Otherwise, taking the bus and walking or biking around town is fine.

El Monte is a relaxing eco-lodge offering full service. Three meals, personal guides, and a private cabaña isolated in the cloud forest are all included in the price.

Among the efforts that El Monte makes to keep the lodge ecologically friendly are: an organic garden that provides most of the veggies served at mealtime, conservation activism locally and nationally, volunteer work at other eco-lodges in Ecuador, solar panels providing the only electricity in the lodge, and preservation of 44 hectares of cloud forest in the area.

Each cabaña is spacious, comfortable, and cozy. Large windows provide for excellent bird-watching, even from your bed.

One negative aspect is that if you are a group of five (maximum amount for cabañas), you have to climb the ladder/stairs to get to the bathroom. This can be tricky at night, as there is no electricity in the cabañas.

The lodge is reached by crossing a rushing river. To do this, you sit on a wooden plank which pulls you across the river by a pulley system.

The cloud forests of Mindo, Ecuador, are perfect for nature lovers and people who enjoy hiking. Miles of paths wind through this flora and fauna rich secondary forest. Spot hundreds of different species of birds (over 350 species have been seen in the area), see orchids in their natural state, and finish your walk with an icy-cool river swim, or cliff-dive into a waterfall!

If you follow the path past the butterfly farm, there are well-defined paths. Another option is to stay at an eco-lodges outside Mindo that are normally located on hundreds of acres of preserved cloud forest.