A very special place called Mindo in Ecuador where I decided to come to live!

Mindo Ecuador is a beautiful town that feels like a different world. On the journey to the town you will notice landscapes drastically change as you get nearer and ride on into the mist covered mountains. The landscape consists of deep canyons that are covered in lush green trees spreading everywhere the eye can see. Mindo is often buried in clouds, but when they pass you get hit in the face with awe inspiring views.

It is a small community involving 3,000 people located 1 hour and 30 minutes from Quito, which has changed into a very important hot spot throughout current years as a birds paradise. It’s a quite interesting village that has a lot to offer. Each day throughout Mindo Ecuador will never be boring and without surprises. It’s really a town that is certainly famous for its plentiful splendor and also the Mindo-Nambillo Cloud Forest. Areas encompassing Mindo will be probably the greatest places for bird watching in Ecuador and all the world. Mindo Ecuador is in the top-rated Birds Christmas counts in the world.

Many tourists that come from Quito just stay a few hours in the daytime and do only a few activities, simply because these people don’t get good information throughout Quito and also most likely get “full-day tours” information. Mindo Ecuador is a place to stay two, three, or maybe more nights doing activities, enjoying the gorgeous woodlands and also enjoyable along with the warm weather conditions all the year. Another great detail for Mindo is that rains a few hours normally in the afternoon and that means that you have plenty of time frame to do outdoor activities during the day.

There are tons of activities involving nature to do in Mindo Ecuador. Essentially the most well-known activity to do in Mindo Ecuador is tubing in the Rio Mindo. Throughout the dry-up time of year, this is more a relaxing movement on the water. In the rain season, it is truly a more heart-pumping action, ever since the river is even bigger and also faster.

Furthermore in Mindo, it is possible to Zipline in the Mind Cloud Forest. To cross the forest in 10 cables through the trees while trying tricks like “Superman” and “Mariposa”(Butterfly). Maybe you will also have fun surprises. With 10 cables and over 8,450ft of lines you are sure to get your fill of flying through the air. The added security of a double cable system and experienced professional staff ensures safety is the top priority.

You may also go to the Mariposario (butterfly garden), which residences 25 different types of butterflies. There also displays the four different stages involving butterfly lifetime, making it the biggest exhibit throughout Ecuador.

Canyoning. Here in Mindo, there are canyoning courses and day trips available for all skill levels including beginners. The trip will start with a gorgeous hike to the canyoning zones, and will then repel down 3 different large waterfalls throughout the day. Sounds exciting? That’s because it is!

Chocolate Tours. Delicious chocolate is farmed in these parts of Ecuador, and you can go on a tour and see exactly how chocolate is farmed, cultivated and produced, oh, and you get to eat some of the tastiest chocolate in the world. Also, we’ve got delightful dark chocolate that people farm in these parts of Ecuador. Mostly in the area of Puerto Quito and Las Golondrinas. You could make the tour and discover exactly how dark chocolate is made with artisanal methods. Additionally, you are free to try to eat a few of the tastiest dark chocolates in the world mixed for example with “aji”.

Butterfly farm. There is an astounding variety and quantity of butterflies in this reserve – the largest in Ecuador. The memory of hundreds of butterflies, of 25 different varieties flying around you is not forgotten anytime soon.

Hiking is a very famous experience activity in Mindo. You can examine the astounding nature. There are many marked and unmarked walking and bike trails. Those trails will bring you to places such as the waterfalls’ sanctuary or the famous cable car (tarabita). This is also the “fast entrance” to the waterfalls sanctuary if you don’t want to start walking. In the cable car, you can go on a breathtaking ride in the mountains.

Mindo is a very popular place for birding in Ecuador. The area is home to a staggering 470+ different species of bird. Some of the birds here include; Cock-of-the-Rock, Toucans, and the Torrent Duck. There is also an extreme diverseness of butterflies in the region too. Mindo Ecuador is a paradise for anyone who enjoys green, nature time. There are so many different things to do in Mindo Cloud Forest.

Birdwatching Activities – Because Mindo Ecuador is a bird haven, there is an abundance of bird watching guides available, in several languages. Tours can be arranged from any of the guesthouses in the town. A birdwatchers breakfast special is also available, a lovely outside dining area where you can eat a full English breakfast while watching local toucans, hummingbirds and a bunch of other beautiful bird species.

El Descanso Hummingbird Garden – A mesmerizing garden, where you can find dozens of different varieties of hummingbirds, all vying for the sugary delight on offer. The hummingbirds fly surprisingly close to the viewing balcony and even overhead.

Another activity is canyoning. Here in Mindo, there are canyoning courses and day trips available for all skill levels including beginners. The trip starts with a wonderful hike to the canyoning zones and will lead to different waterfalls.

A very exciting activity is the Night Walk in the cloud forest. A perfect option is to enjoy around 6:00 PM a birding garden with a lot of different species. Later, with the sunset where you will see how appear different species of mammals in the feeders. To finish this, a walk of 45 minutes in the cloud forest enjoying different insects, spiders, frogs, and sometimes snakes and other surprises.

Mindo Ecuador provides not only a beautiful environment, but a comforting atmosphere to stay in too. There are several hotels and hostels in the area with a host of activities to take on. The best part is there are different options for different travelers – from a relaxing stay to an experience full of nightlife activity and daytime fun.

Las Terrazas de Dana Boutique Lodge & Spa. An exclusive, luxury ecolodge with spectacular views over the surrounding valley of Mindo. The private bungalows with a hot tub and terrace offer a relaxing and secluded stay.

Why don’t you trust me and try a visit to Mindo Ecuador?. It will be an experience you will never forget.