Mindo
A cloud-forest valley on the western flank of the Andes, about 80 km from Quito, with some 500 species of birds and the orchids, butterflies and cacao to match.
- Arrival
- Quito Mariscal Sucre · UIO
- To the valley
- About 80 km north-west of Quito by road
- Private jets
- General aviation terminal at UIO
- Best time
- June to November
The city
Where the Andes meet the Chocó.
The Mindo valley runs from 960 metres up to 3,440, at the point where the forests of the Chocó lowlands climb into the Andes. Three rivers, the Mindo, the Saloya and the Cinto, and hundreds of streams keep it green. Birders count about 500 species here; on one December day in 2007 the Christmas count recorded 425 in 24 hours. There are some 90 kinds of butterfly and more than 170 orchids, and Ecuador's tourism ministry has put the valley on its cacao route.
It rains in every month. June to November is the drier half of the year, with fewer wet days in July and August. Temperatures barely move, between about 15 and 24 °C.
- Mindo-Nambillo The protected cloud forest of the valley, with waterfalls and the tarabita, a cable crossing over the trees.
- Mindo lake A short walk from the village, with hummingbirds by day and a chorus of frogs from six in the evening.
- Butterfly farms The best known lies about three kilometres from the village, a short taxi ride out.
Arriving
From the airport into the forest.
Every arrival comes through Mariscal Sucre, Quito's airport on the Tababela plateau, about 47 km from Mindo in a straight line. The rest of the journey is by road; a taxi from the airport costs about US$80.
- Bogotá 1 h 20
- Lima 2 h 05
- Mexico City 4 h 20
- Los Angeles 7 h 30 long-range jet
- Lisbon 11 h 00 long-range jet
When to go
June to November.
A cloud forest, wet all year, with afternoons near 22 °C in every month. The drier stretch runs from June to November; July and August have the fewest rainy days, while February to April see rain on about twenty days a month.
- 22° J 491
- 22° F 453
- 22° M 461
- 23° A 473
- 23° M 399
- 22° J 340
- 22° J 353
- 22° A 359
- 22° S 361
- 22° O 362
- 22° N 386
- 22° D 469
Where to stay
In the reserve beyond the valley.
Shown for information. We have no arrangement with any of these hotels.
Where to dine
Dinner in the cloud forest.
No MICHELIN Guide covers Ecuador and Mindo has no high-end restaurant of its own. The table to book is the dining room of Mashpi Lodge.
- Mashpi Lodge Dining Room Signature restaurant, Mashpi Lodge Ecuadorian Mashpi Lodge, about 27 km from Mindo
Elsewhere in Ecuador
More reasons to come.
Flying to Mindo?
Choose how you arrive.
A Business or First Class seat on a scheduled airline, or an aircraft of your own. Tell us the date and how many are travelling, and we reply with one final price, our margin included.