Best things to do in Mindo

Mindo Essentials

Located in the Ecuadorian Andes, Mindo is a biodiversity hotspot centered around the 19,000-hectare Nambillo Protective Forest. This selection features the Tarabita cable car crossing the Nambillo River gorge, leading to a sanctuary of seven waterfalls. It includes specialized conservation sites like Las Gralarias and Nathaly’s garden, alongside the region’s famous bean-to-bar chocolate production at El Quetzal. The list highlights specific ecological attractions, from butterfly flight enclosures to high-altitude canopy zip-lines.

Mindo Essentials — Map

A

Tarabita y Santuario de las Cascadas

Open-air cable car crossing a 150-meter deep gorge. It connects to a trail network leading to seven distinct waterfalls within the cloud forest.

Victor Bln / CC-BY-SA

B

Butterfly & Hummingbird Garden Nathaly

Garden featuring feeders that attract numerous hummingbird species. Includes a butterfly house showcasing local Lepidoptera in various stages of development.

C

Canopy Adventure

Zip-line course featuring ten cables stretching across the cloud forest canopy, offering views of the forest ecosystem from heights up to 400 meters.

D

El Quetzal de Mindo

Cacao farm and restaurant offering bean-to-bar chocolate tours. Demonstrates the traditional fermentation, drying, and roasting processes of Ecuadorian fine aroma cacao.

E

Bosque Protector Nambillo

19,000-hectare reserve spanning altitudes from 1,100 to 4,700 meters. It provides habitat for the cock-of-the-rock and the endangered spectacled bear.

F

Cascada Nambillo

15-meter waterfall featuring a natural pool used for swimming. Accessible by the tarabita or a trail from the main road.

G

Hosteria Mariposas de Mindo

Butterfly farm and lodge with a large walk-in enclosure. Houses thousands of butterflies and offers educational exhibits on their life cycle.

H

Mirador Mindo

Elevated observation point providing panoramic views of the Mindo-Nambillo valley and the surrounding Andean cloud forest.

I

Cascada la Reina

The furthest waterfall in the Nambillo Sanctuary, reachable via a 50-minute hike. Known for its steep drop and surrounding primary forest.

J

Reserva Las Gralarias

Private conservation area focused on protecting rare birds and amphibians. Notable for its populations of glass frogs and the endemic Mindo glass frog.

Other Lists

Mindo Waterfalls