Mindo and the cloud forest holidays
Mindo and the cloud forest holidays at a glance
Although only a couple of hours’ drive from Quito, the misty slopes of Mindo Ecuador feel a world away from the busy capital. The cloud forest reserves here, along with nearby Mashpi and Bellavista, sit at altitudes of between 950m and 2,000m on the western flank of the Andes, in a transitional zone between the highlands and the Pacific lowlands. It’s this range of altitude that makes the region such a birdwatcher’s paradise, with around 450 species recorded across the wider area.
The forest stays damp and warm year round, with temperatures generally between 20 and 24°C, and there’s usually a few hours of sunshine most days.
Mindo’s popularity comes from this mix of accessibility and biodiversity. Hiking trails, waterfalls, ziplining, birdwatching, and chocolate or coffee tours all sit within a relaxed, small-town setting that has kept its charm despite growing visitor numbers.
Why choose Journey Latin America for your holiday to Mindo and the cloud forest
We’ve been planning trips to Central and South America for over 45 years, longer than any other UK specialist. Every holiday is built around you by a Travel Expert who has been to the places they recommend, with support from your first enquiry to the day you fly home.
Misty forests and abundant waterfalls shelter delicate orchids, a plethora of butterflies and 450 species of tropical birds.
When to visit Mindo and the cloud forest
Mindo can be visited year round thanks to its spring-like climate, but the wetter months from October to May tend to bring the best Ecuador birdwatching, with migratory arrivals and blooming flowers drawing birds in.
This is the rainy season in the humid cloud forests of Mindo, Mashpi and Bellavista and although mornings can often be sunny, it rains most afternoons. It’s the best time of the year for bird watching – the annual bird count takes place in December – as the rains trigger blooming season which provides an abundance of food for birds. Migratory birds are at their peak in February.
It is still the rainy season in the cloud forest of Mindo, Mashpi and Bellavista but an excellent time for bird watching. March and April are the wettest months with the most overcast days. Sunny mornings are not uncommon, but afternoon rains occur pretty much every day and often last into the night or the early morning.
The dry season begins in June in the cloud forests of Mindo, Mashpi and Bellavista. It is still humid (95% average all year round) and rains do still occur but visitors can expect more sunshine, not just in the mornings. It’s a popular time for locals from the highlands to visit at weekends to enjoy the warmer climate, with daytime temperatures around 24°C, and the best time of the year for night walks in search of nocturnal wildlife.
The dry season conditions of the preceding months continue in the cloud forests of Mindo, Mashpi and Bellavista. Humidity is ever high (95%) but visitors will enjoy lots of clear days and sunshine, sometimes lasting all day long. Although bird watching is at its very best during the rainy season, the level of bird activity in these drier months is still very high and birders will not be disappointed.
Top Things to do in Mindo and the cloud forest
Things to do in Mindo revolve around the forest itself. Exploring the trails on foot brings you past waterfalls and through thick vegetation, while dawn visits to a lek are the best way to spot the Cock of the Rock Ecuador’s cloud forests are known for. The Yunguilla Community Project offers a different angle, showing how a former logging community turned to conservation and tourism instead.
Discover a lush habitat of tropical wildlife, orchids and hummingbirds in the steamy cloud forest of Mindo.
See the courtship display of the magnificent cock of the rock at a cloud forest ‘lek’.
Accommodation in Mindo and the cloud forest
Accommodation here means direct access to wildlife-rich forest, whatever the style. El Monte Lodge sits right on the river, Mashpi Lodge and Bellavista Cloud Forest Reserve Eco-lodge both put you deep inside protected reserves, and Maquipucuna Ecolodge offers a quieter, more low-key base further into the forest.
Rustic, eco-friendly lodge in a remote nature reserve, with an emphasis on simple and sustainable living combined with comfort and attractive contemporary style.
An innovative eco-lodge showcasing contemporary design and luxury in Ecuador’s breathtaking wildlife-rich cloud forest.
A former Journey Latin America tour leader, Sally spent 7 years working, travelling and living throughout Latin America before returning to the UK to help people arrange their own adventures to this wonderful destination.
Tailor-Made Mindo and the cloud forest Tours
Prefer to travel on your own terms? We’ll build a trip around your dates, your pace and the things you most want to see – whether that’s a first run at Machu Picchu, a family adventure mixing history and wildlife, or a food-focused journey through Lima and the Sacred Valley. Our Travel Experts can help shape it with you.
Wildlife Wonders of the Cloud Forest and Galapagos Islands
Places visited: Quito · Mindo and the cloud forest
13 days from £6,900
FAQs about visiting Mindo and the cloud forest
Mindo and the cloud forest is one of the most popular destinations, and there’s plenty to think about before you go. Here, our specialists share their best advice.
- When is the best time to visit Mindo and the cloud forest?
The cloud forest has an all year round spring-like climate with temperatures averaging 21°C. There are on average a few hours of sunshine every day. The driest months are Jun-Aug. Mindo and the hotels and tourist attractions in the region can be busy at weekends and at national holidays.
- What language is spoken in Mindo?
The main language spoken in Mindo is Spanish.
- What currency do I need in Mindo?
The US dollar is the main currency used in Mindo. There are no banks in the Mindo region, bring your cash from Quito or another town where there are banks and ATMs.
- What is the time difference between Mindo and the UK?
The time difference between Mindo and the UK is GMT -5 hours.
- What places combine well with Mindo?
The Avenue of the Volcanoes, 98 km; the thermal springs at Papallacta, 45 km; Otavalo and the northern highlands, 68 km.
- How do you get to Mindo?
It’s a drive of 2-2.5 hrs to Mindo from Quito.
- What are the festivals, cultural and sporting events in Buenos Aires?
Fiesta de Mindo takes place on the weekend closest to the18th May. There are church masses, parties, tubing and other sports.
Ready to start planning?
Tell us where you want to go, and we’ll take it from there. No obligation, no sales pitch – just a conversation with someone who knows the region inside out.