Things to do in Mindo Ecuador

Table of Contents

Chair Lift

Chair lift

Mindo’s Chair Lift: A Relaxing Ride in the Cloud Forest.

One of the best ways to enjoy the scenery of Mindo is to take a ride on the chair lift, a comfortable and open cable car that takes you across the forest canopy. The chair lift is located in Minjoy Park, a family-friendly place that offers other fun activities such as zorbing, a playground, and some nature trails. The chair lift opens from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm.

The chair lift ride is a relaxing and peaceful experience that allows you to admire the lush greenery and the diverse wildlife of Mindo. The chair lift ride is a great opportunity to take some photos and videos of the stunning landscape and the colorful creatures.

The chair lift ride is also a way to learn more about the culture and history of Mindo. You can listen to the guide who explains the features and the stories of the forest and the town. You can also talk to the locals who work at the park and the chair lift station.

They are friendly and helpful, and they can share their knowledge and experiences with you. You can also try some of the local products that are sold at the park, such as chocolate, coffee, honey, and handicrafts.

Mindo’s chair lift is a must-do activity for anyone who visits Mindo. It is a fun and easy way to explore the cloud forest and to appreciate the beauty and diversity of nature. It is also a way to support the local community and the conservation of the forest.

If you are looking for a memorable and enjoyable experience in Mindo, you should not miss the chance to ride the chair lift. You will not regret it.

Cable Car

Cable Car

Mindo’s Cable Car: A Thrilling Ride in the Cloud Forest.

Nestled in Ecuador, Mindo is a town renowned for its breathtaking natural splendor and rich biodiversity. One of the most exciting ways to experience it is by embarking on a journey via the cable car.

This exhilarating, open-air cable car whisks you across the verdant forest canopy. The aerial tramway is situated in the Mindo Nambillo Cloud Forest Reserve, a safeguarded region teeming with a diverse array of flora and fauna. The cable car operates from 9:00 am to 5:30 pm.

The cable car journey offers an adventurous and thrilling experience, allowing you to marvel at Mindo’s lush vegetation and varied wildlife. You can witness a variety of trees, plants, flowers, and fruits that thrive in the cloud forest, such as orchids, and bromeliads.

You also have the chance to spot some of the birds and animals that inhabit the forest. Additionally, the cable car journey provides access to the Sanctuary of Waterfalls, a network of seven waterfalls that you can opt to visit, depending on your preference and physical condition. Some of the waterfalls include Nambillo, Reina, Guarumos, Colibrí, and Madre.

You can also take a dip in some of the waterfalls, but exercise caution as the water can be chilly and the rocks slippery. The waterfalls present a beautiful and refreshing sight, offering a contrast to the forest landscape.

The cable car ride in Mindo is an activity that should not be missed by any visitor. It offers a fun and straightforward way to explore the cloud forest and appreciate the beauty and diversity of nature.

It also serves as a means to support the local community and the conservation of the forest. If you’re seeking a memorable and enjoyable experience in Mindo, don’t miss out on the chance to ride the cable car.

Sanctuary of Waterfalls

Sanctuary of Waterfalls

Mindo’s Sanctuary of Waterfalls: A Breathtaking Experience in the Cloud Forest.

Enjoy the scenery of Mindo visiting the Sanctuary of Waterfalls, a network of seven waterfalls that you can access by a cable car and hiking trails. The Sanctuary of Waterfalls is located in the Mindo Nambillo Cloud Forest Reserve, a protected area that hosts a variety of flora and fauna.

The Sanctuary of Waterfalls is a breathtaking experience that allows you to admire the lush greenery and the diverse wildlife of Mindo.

The Sanctuary of Waterfalls is also a fun and adventurous experience that allows you to explore the different waterfalls that are hidden in the forest. You can reach the waterfalls by taking a cable car, called the Tarabita, that takes you across the forest canopy at 150 meters high. The Tarabita gives you a panoramic view of the forest and the valley, and it is a thrilling and open-air ride. The Tarabita is open from 9:00 am to 5:30 pm.

Once you get off the Tarabita, you can choose from three main hiking routes to see the waterfalls, depending on your preference and physical condition. The routes are marked with signs and maps, and they are self-guided.

Mindo’s Sanctuary of Waterfalls is a must-do activity for anyone who visits Mindo. It is a fun and easy way to explore the cloud forest and to appreciate the beauty and diversity of nature. It is also a way to support the local community and the conservation of the forest.

If you are looking for a memorable and enjoyable experience in Mindo, you should not miss the chance to visit the Sanctuary of Waterfalls.

Butterfly Farm

Butterfly Farm

Mindo’s Butterfly Farm: A Magical Experience in the Cloud Forest.

Mindo, an Ecuadorian town renowned for its stunning natural allure and rich biodiversity, offers a unique experience. One of the best ways to enjoy it is to visit the butterfly farm, a place where you can see more than 1,000 species of butterflies at all stages of the life cycle. The butterfly farm is located in the Mindo Nambillo Cloud Forest Reserve, a protected area that hosts a variety o is to visit the butterfly farm, a place where you can see more than 1,000 species of butterflies at all stages of the life cycle. The butterfly farm is located in the Mindo Nambillo Cloud Forest Reserve, a protected area that hosts a variety of flora and fauna. f flora and fauna. The butterfly farm is open seven days a week.

The butterfly farm is a magical experience that allows you to admire the colorful and delicate butterflies that fly freely in the garden. You can see different kinds of butterflies, such as morphos, heliconids, swallowtails, and owl butterflies, and learn about their names, habits, and roles in the ecosystem. You can also observe the different stages of the butterfly life cycle, from eggs to caterpillars to pupae to adults, and witness the amazing transformation that they undergo. You can even hold some of the butterflies in your hands, if you are gentle and careful.

The butterfly farm is not only about butterflies, but also about other aspects of the cloud forest. You can also enjoy the small koi pond, the fluttering hummingbirds, and the picturesque surroundings. You can also visit the observation towers, the restaurant, and the souvenir shop that are part of the butterfly farm complex. The observation towers are made with materials from the area and offer a panoramic view of the forest and the valley. The restaurant serves local cuisine with exotic spices and flavors. The souvenir shop sells unique crafts inspired by the natural environment.

Mindo’s butterfly farm is a must-do activity for anyone who visits Mindo. It is a fun and easy way to explore the cloud forest and to appreciate the beauty and diversity of nature. It is also a way to support the local community and the conservation of the forest. If you are looking for a memorable and enjoyable experience in Mindo, you should not miss the chance to visit the butterfly farm.

Ornithological Point

Ornithological Point

Mindo’s Ornithological Point: A Birdwatcher’s Paradise in the Cloud Forest.

The ornithological point, a place where you can see different species of birds in their natural habitat, is located in the Mindo Nambillo Cloud Forest Reserve, a protected area that hosts a variety of flora species of birds in their natural habitat, is located in the Mindo Nambillo Cloud Forest Reserve, a protected area that hosts a variety of flora and fauna. and fauna. The ornithological point is open from 7:00 am to 7:00 pm.

The ornithological point is a birdwatcher’s paradise that allows you to admire the colorful and diverse birds that fly freely in the garden.
You can see different kinds of birds, such as tanagers, toucanets, woodpeckers, antpittas, and quetzals, and learn about their names, habits, and roles in the ecosystem.

You can also observe the hummingbirds, the most abundant and charismatic birds in the area, and feed them from your hands with sugar water. The ornithological point has several feeders and platforms where you can watch the hummingbirds up close and take amazing photos and videos.

Mindo’s ornithological point is a must-do activity for anyone who visits Mindo. It is a fun and easy way to explore the cloud forest and to appreciate the beauty and diversity of nature.

It is also a way to support the local community and the conservation of the forest. If you are looking for a memorable and enjoyable experience in Mindo, you should not miss the chance to visit the ornithological point.

Orquids Garden

Orquids Garden

Mindo’s Orchids Garden: A Floral Wonderland in the Cloud Forest.

Armonia Orchid Garden is a special ecoproject that aims to preserve and propagate orchids, all native to the area of Mindo.

The garden hosts a collection of wild species that are endangered by human activity. The founders and owners of the garden are passionate about orchids and their conservation, and they offer guided tours and workshops to share their knowledge and experience.

You can also buy orchids and other products made from orchids, such as soap, candles and cosmetics.

Ecuador is home to about 4,500 species of orchids. One in four plants in Ecuador is an orchid, while in the rest of the world it is only one in ten. Your visit to Mindo is not complete without seeing the Orchids Garden.

The garden has around 250 species of orchids. The goal is to grow and reproduce them.

They are also planted in a forest owned by the project leaders. This is done for demonstration, teaching and research purposes. In the garden, you can also see hummingbirds.

Chocolate Tours

Chocolate Tours

Mindo’s Chocolate tours: the magic of chocolate-making process.

Nestled within the verdant Andean foothills of Ecuador lies the charming town of Mindo, known for its dense cloud forests, cascading waterfalls, and a delectable delight – chocolate.

This small town boasts of several chocolate factories that beckon visitors to indulge in the decadence of chocolate and unravel its intriguing history.

Amongst the most popular chocolate tours, the El Quetzal Chocolate Factory Tour stands tall, as it takes visitors on an enchanted journey through the entire chocolate-making process from the harvesting of cacao beans to the final product.

The tour also offers an opportunity to sample a tantalizing array of chocolate and purchase chocolate products as souvenirs.

The Maya Chocolate Tour is another popular excursion that takes you through the town’s chocolate-making process, tantalizing your taste buds with a variety of chocolate flavors. Visitors can also purchase chocolate products at the end of the tour, carrying a piece of Mindo’s magic with them.

Lastly, the Yumbos Chocolate Tour offers a comprehensive experience of the chocolate-making process, including tasting of different chocolate varieties, culminating in the chance to take home some of the finest chocolate products.

These chocolate tours are a must-do for anyone visiting Mindo, as they offer an unparalleled chance to delve into the origins of chocolate and indulge in some of the most exquisite chocolate in the world.

Yellow House Trails

Yellow House Trails

Mindo’s Casa Amarilla trails: A combination of nature, adventure and culture.

Located in a private reserve that belongs to the Yellow House, a lodge and restaurant that offers accommodation and food in a rustic and cozy setting. The trails are well marked and maintained.

The trails are:

  • The Orchid Trail: This is the shortest and easiest trail, which takes about 20 minutes to complete. It is a circular loop that starts and ends at the Yellow House.
  • The Waterfall Trail: This is a moderate trail that takes about an hour to complete. It is a linear trail that starts at the Yellow House and ends at a beautiful waterfall, where you can swim and relax.
  • The Monkey Trail: This is a challenging trail that takes about two hours to complete. It is a linear trail that starts at the Yellow House and ends at a viewpoint, where you can see the valley of Mindo and the surrounding mountains.
  • The River Trail: This is an easy trail that takes about 40 minutes to complete. It is a circular loop that starts and ends at the Yellow House. It follows the Mindo River and offers some scenic views of the water and the forest.
  • The Bird Trail: This is a moderate trail that takes about an hour and a half to complete. It is a circular loop that starts and ends at the Yellow House. It goes through different habitats and elevations, where you can see a diversity of birds.

The Casa Amarilla trails are a great option for hiking in Mindo, as they offer a combination of nature, adventure and culture. You can learn about the flora and fauna of the cloud forest, enjoy the views and the sounds of the water and the wildlife.

Canopy - Ziplining

Canopy / Ziplining

Mindo’s canopy: Adrenaline along the cloud forest.

There are several canopy adventures in Mindo, but one of the most popular ones is Mindo Canopy Adventure, which offers unlimited adventures in their canopy tour.

Mindo Canopy Adventure has the support of technicians and experts from Costa Rica, who guarantee the safety and quality of their canopy tour, which is built according to international standards. They also use the best materials and equipment for their canopy tour.

Mindo Canopy Adventure has a total of 10 different cables, with lengths ranging from 80 meters to 400 meters. These cables have different characteristics that allow tourists of all ages to enjoy different sensations and emotions in the course of their canopy tour.

You can fly over the forest, the river, the waterfall and the mountains, and feel the adrenaline and the freedom of the flight. You can also see some of the wildlife and plants that live in the cloud forest, such as hummingbirds, butterflies, orchids and bromeliads.

Mindo Canopy Adventure also offers a new adventure called the cycle canopy, also known as the sky bike. This is a unique activity in Mindo and the first in the country that has a distance of 300 meters long, in which you can experience the unique sensation of riding a bike over the treetops. The total distance is 600 meters of cycling.

Mindo’s canopy adventures are a must-do activity for anyone who loves nature and adventure, and wants to see the cloud forest from a different perspective.

You will not only have fun and excitement, but also support the local economy and environment. Mindo’s canopy adventures are a great way to discover the wonders of Mindo.

Tubing

Tubing

Mindo’s tubing: Exciting adventure in Paradise.

One of the most popular activities in Mindo is tubing, which consists of floating down the river on a raft made of six tires tied together. Tubing is a fun and adventurous way to enjoy the scenery and the thrill of the rapids.

There are different levels of tubing in Mindo, depending on the river and the season. The easiest and most common one is the Mindo River, which has a 3 km (1 hour) route with semi-rapid waters.

This is suitable for families and beginners who want to have a relaxing and enjoyable experience. The Mindo River tubing includes a local transport, a guide, and access to a hot shower and changing rooms.

For those who want more challenge and excitement, there are two other options: the Cinto River and the White River. The Cinto River has a 10 km (2.5 hours) route with semi-rapid waters and white-water rapids. This is a more intense and exhilarating adventure that requires more skill and courage.

The White River is the most extreme and adventurous option, with a 30 km (4 hours) route with semi-rapid waters and white-water rapids. This is only available in the summer season (June to September) and requires a high level of physical fitness and experience.

Tubing in Mindo is a great way to explore the cloud forest and have fun with friends and family. It is an activity that combines nature, adventure, and adrenaline, and that can be adapted to different preferences and abilities.

Tubing in Mindo is an unforgettable experience that you should not miss if you visit this amazing place.