When to go to Mindo and the cloud forest

Discover the best time of year to visit Mindo and the lush tropical cloud forest.

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December - February

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.

22°C Average max daytime temperature

9°C Average min nighttime temperature

18 days per season rainfall

None humidity

Plate-billed Mountain-Toucan

March - May

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.

22°C Average max daytime temperature

9°C Average min nighttime temperature

20 days per season rainfall

None humidity

Mindo Cloud Forest

June - August

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.

22°C Average max daytime temperature

8°C Average min nighttime temperature

8 days per season rainfall

None humidity

Mindo Cloud Forest

September - November

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.

22°C Average max daytime temperature

8°C Average min nighttime temperature

16 days per season rainfall

None humidity

Hummingbird

Papagaio

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  • Chris
    Chris Rendell-Dunn - Travel Expert

    Anglo-Peruvian Chris grew up in Lima and spent much of his adult life in between London and Cusco as a tour leader, before settling permanently in our London-based Tailor-made and Group Tours sales team.

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    Heloise started her Latin American journey as an exchange student in Santiago, Chile. With extended summer holidays this was the perfect opportunity to backpack through Bolivia, Peru, Argentina and Brazil.

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    A former JLA tour leader, Carrie brings a wealth of on-the-ground experience to our London-based Tailor-made and Group Tours department.

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    Having spent part of her childhood in Colombia and worked in Brazil and Costa Rica, Hannah's ties to Latin America run deep. Hannah is a much valued Travel Expert in our Tailor-made Holidays and Group Tours sales team.

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    Sophie lived in Chile before joining us and has travelled extensively across Latin America, from Mexico to the furthest tip of Patagonia and beyond to Antarctica.

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    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.

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