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Before you go
Your trip to Mindo.
Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.
Mindo – Pichincha Destination Quito and Mindo about 80 km from Quito
How to get there
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Aeropuerto Internacional Mariscal Sucre (UIO) Quito · 110 km
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Terminal La Ofelia (ônibus para Mindo) Quito · 80 km
Approximate road distances. Check flights and bus schedules before you travel.
Confirm before buying. The nearest airport is Mariscal Sucre International Airport, in Quito, about 110 km away. From Quito, buses depart from the La Ofelia terminal in the north and take around two hours via the Calacalí–Nanegalito road. By car or with a driver, the travel time is similar.
How many days
One night allows you to do the tarabita and the waterfalls in one day and see the birds and the butterfly house the next morning. With two nights there's time for a night walk, tubing on the river and a visit to a cacao farm.
When to go
Mindo is warmer and more humid than Quito, with rain year‑round, generally in the afternoons. From June to September it tends to rain a bit less. Mornings are the best times for birds and hikes.
The seasons shown are the most usual ones; nature doesn't always follow the calendar.
Do you need a car?
No. The village is small and can be explored on foot; local taxis and pickups take you to the trails, the tarabita and the reserves. A car only helps if you want to combine Mindo with other roadside reserves.
Suggested itinerary
An order that works
Built with the places on this page. No rush: it's paced so you have time to see them.
One day in Mindo
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Morning
Birds
Early‑morning excursion with a guide to see birds and hummingbirds in the cloud forest.
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Afternoon
Tarabita and waterfalls
Ride the tarabita, cross the Nambillo valley and hike the Santuario de Cascadas trail.
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Late afternoon
Cacao and chocolate
Visit a cacao farm to see the process from bean to chocolate, with a tasting.
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Evening
Night walk
Night walk with a guide to see frogs and forest insects.
Check before you go. Opening hours and days change, and places may close for renovations, holidays or events. This itinerary is a suggestion from Cidade Turismo, not a commitment: plan yours by checking directly with each place you intend to visit.
Before you go
Frequently asked questions
How to get from Quito to Mindo?
By bus from the La Ofelia terminal in north Quito in about two hours, or by organized tour or driver.
Can you do Mindo as a day trip?
You can, but the trip is long for just one day. One night allows you to see the birds early in the morning, the best time.
What is the cacao of Mindo?
Farms in the region grow cacao and make chocolate; some welcome visitors to show the process, with tastings.
What to take to Mindo?
Raincoat, boots or sneakers that can get dirty, insect repellent, swimwear and binoculars.