Photo: Andy Morffew from Itchen Abbas, Hampshire, UK (CC BY 2.0) via Wikimedia Commons
December divides neatly in two. In the first weeks, Mindo is calm and green and the rain is returning after the dry half of the year. In the last two, Ecuador's holidays arrive and the town fills with Quito families on vacation. Both halves have their appeal; they're barely the same trip.
Weather in December
The constants hold: about 21°C in the day, 14°C at night. December sits at the start of the wet stretch that runs through April. Rain becomes more frequent than in the dry months, usually in afternoon bursts, and the forest rewards it — orchids, full rivers, frogs. Mornings still often start clear, which keeps the birding window open.
We won't quote a December rainfall figure: verified month-by-month numbers aren't published for Mindo, and we'd rather say so than invent one. Check current conditions before you travel.
| December in Mindo | |
|---|---|
| Day / night temp | ~21°C / ~14°C |
| Hermit Night Walk | $15 — the glassfrog night walk |
| Rain | Increasing — the wet season is starting |
| Mornings | Often clear; showers build later |
| Trails | Muddier than mid-year; grip shoes matter |
What's active in December
The Christmas Bird Count. This is Mindo's claim to ornithological fame: the count has posted the highest tallies in the world in several years, over 400 species in one count circle. It runs mid-December, draws birders from multiple countries, and if your dates align, participating (or just being here for the sightings reports) is a genuine bucket-list item. Details in our Mindo Christmas Bird Count page.
Birding generally. Year-round, as always: the 6:00 AM cock-of-the-rock lek, hand-fed antpittas at Refugio Paz de las Aves, the hummingbird feeders. December mornings are productive.
Rainy-day plans. The butterfly farm ($8.50) is covered and warm. The chocolate tour at Mindo Chocolate Makers (around $10, check current) is indoors. This is the month to pair a morning hike with an afternoon of chocolate tasting while the shower passes.
Waterfalls at full power. The returning rains fill the seven falls of the Nambillo sanctuary. More dramatic, muddier trails, and cooler swims. The tarabita still runs 8:30 AM to 4 PM ($5 adults, $3 children 5-11).
The holiday weeks
From around December 20 to early January, Mindo runs on Ecuadorian holiday time:
- Town fills with national tourists; weekends get crowded and loud.
- Lodges and transport book out — reserve everything well in advance, including the Quito transfer ($105 through us; taxis run $80-90).
- Activity prices don't rise, but queues do. Do the tarabita and waterfalls at opening.
If you want quiet Mindo, come December 1-15 instead. If you want festive energy and don't mind company, the holidays deliver it.
What to pack for December
Proper rain jacket (not a folded poncho of hope), quick-dry clothes, grip shoes, dry bag for electronics, insect repellent, cash. This is the month where the jacket earns its place in the bag.
Who December is for
Birders targeting the Christmas Count window, travelers who want the forest at its greenest and loudest, and anyone whose only free stretch is the holidays — for whom the advice is simply: book early, start early, and embrace the rain between activities.
Plan the rest of the trip
- Best time to visit Mindo — the year at a glance
- Mindo cloud forest guide — everything there is to do
- How to get to Mindo from Quito
- Where to stay in Mindo
Facts checked: September 2026