Top Things to do in Mindo
What to do and see in Mindo, Pichincha Province: The Best Nature & Wildlife Areas
Discover the best top things to do in Mindo, Ecuador including Las Tangaras Reserve (Reserva las Tangaras), Rio Bravo Reserve, Paz de las Aves Bird Refuge, Mindo Nambillo Cloud Forest Reserve, Mariposas de Mindo - Butterfly Garden, Lago Mindo Frog Concert, Rancho Esmeralda, Laberinto de Bambu.
Restaurants in Mindo
1. Las Tangaras Reserve (Reserva las Tangaras)
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 61 reviews
A lodge with full meal service in spectacular cloud forest near Mindo, Ecuador, Reserva las Tangaras is home to more than 300 bird species including Choco endemics: Andean Cock-of-the-rock, Club-winged Manakin, and Choco Toucan. Rare amphibians and reptiles, 25+ species of hummingbird, spectacled bear, and endangered capuchin monkeys reside here. We invite "ecologically minded" visitors - birdwatchers, photographers, and students of wildlife conservation. We provide guided visits to an Andean Cock-of-the-Rock lek, with up to 18 cocks displaying at sunrise and night walks to see tropical frogs. A network of trails, camping areas, and river and waterfall swimming holes are easily reached from the reserve lodge. We offer a beautiful and comfortable lodge with a large private or communal sleeping loft, hot showers, flush toilet, library, and delicious homemade meals. Join us at the Reserve for an incredible experience living in, learning about, and exploring the cloud forest.
Reviewed By asier2p
My partner and myself stayed for few days at las tangaras reserve in November 2019. We camped with our tent in the roofed hut (November can be quite rainy) and alternate our food with the meals they offer at the reserve. We highly recommend this place: from the main building we could watch many bird species, and we loved to stay at the terrace just watching the hummingbirds while they were feeding. The visit to the cock of the rock lek it's a MUST. Just amazing. At the time we were there, the managers Ayla and Guillermo helped us a lot: provided us with a lot of information and tips about the birds and birdwatching, and we learnt a lot with them. We spent few nights checking bird guides and asking them questions about the birds we had just seen during the day... It was great to share the experience with them.
2. Rio Bravo Reserve
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 16 reviews
Reviewed By TABTrips
This place is not widely advertised and thus much less crowded (thankfully) which allows the natural beauty and tranquility of the area to shine! It is private property and Juan is exceptionally friendly and full of information. My wife and I spent a weekend in Mindo and this was by far the most captivating and memorable experience during our visit!
3. Paz de las Aves Bird Refuge
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 239 reviews
One of the best place for birdwatching and photography in Mindo, Ecuador. Here you can see 5 species of Antpittas, antthrus, Wood-quail, tanagers, quetzal and others, be part of our family Refugio Paz
Reviewed By Lsuch302 - Manhattan Beach, United States
We stayed for one night. This is a small, family run place that is a challenge to find but completely worth it. The lodge is on the side of a mountain with hummingbird feeders and a bird viewing platform. Even in the rain you can spot birds all day long. We had the suite with bathroom, very simple but exactly what you'd expect in a remote lodge like this. The food was also simple but very good, and the owners and guides were very friendly. The best part are the tours. We went out on several bird-watching tours. Not being birders, we were fascinated by not only the birds, but also the serious bird watchers. It was so much fun to observe the birders observing the birds. That aside, we were impressed by how many birds we saw, and how our guides were extremely knowledgeable about the birds and able to spot and find them. We saw the Cock Of The Rock, Antpittas, Tanagers, Toucans, Hummingbirds, and so many other types of birds, and went on some fun hikes and muddy drives, making for an adventurous and fun experience. There are day trips that bring visitors up to the lodge, so it can get busy when they arrive, but if you stay at the lodge, you have it all to yourself most of the day.
4. Mindo Nambillo Cloud Forest Reserve
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 137 reviews
Reviewed By whaleloveralways
Our drive to Mindo and The Cloud Reserve was worth every penny. It is so green and lush with rushing rivers and waterfalls. So many speices of plants and birds, you can't take your eyes off the scenery. We would definitely recommend going there and enjoying nature.
5. Mariposas de Mindo - Butterfly Garden
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 841 reviews
Reviewed By 532jons - Guayaquil, Ecuador
Great place to kill a little time, the butterflies are especially active when it's warm and sunny. Really cool to see the pupas and new butterflies emerging!
6. Lago Mindo Frog Concert
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 121 reviews
Nightly tour of the gardens by flash light. Frogs, toads, spiders, fireflies and more!
Reviewed By robinn477
My husband and I thoroughly enjoyed the Frog Concert in Mindo. We just happened to be the only guests on the night we visited, and so we got all the attention. We were served a small glass of red wine and heard the most melodious concert of frogs "ribbeting" that we have ever heard. Included was a nighttime walk through the forest around the hostal and we saw all sorts and varieties of frogs and spiders. The guide could identify each of them--it was amazing.
7. Rancho Esmeralda
8. Laberinto de Bambu
Find your way trought a labyrinth built under the trees of a cloud forest, cross the lake, and solve the messages and questions about the nature of Mindo.
