PRINCIPAL ATTRACTIONS
Ziplining
Ziplining is easily one of Mindo’s best attractions and adventure sports, and each time I’ve gone ziplining here I’ve had a great experience. While it is quite exhilarating, it’s extremely safe and I’ve always felt the guides are very knowledgeable yet easy-going.
There are several routes you can choose from when selecting ziplining excursions in the Mindo cloud forest, including shorter three-line tours over the canopy, or longer ten-line tours through a larger section of the cloud forest.
The views across the mountains are incredible, and the guides are helpful in showing and informing about the area, flora and fauna, and more. There are a few sections between some of the lines that require several minutes of hiking uphill, but nothing too challenging.
Waterfall Hikes
If you’re not interested in doing adventure sports in Mindo, there are plenty of excursions you can take through out the cloud forest, including to several nearby waterfalls. The Ecuador cloud forest is well known for them.
One of the easiest ways to visit several of the waterfalls is by taking the Tarabita cable car to the entrance of a series of waterfalls. The Tarabita is exhilarating you’ll sail 1.640 ft. across the forest and if you’re nervous about ziplining, this might be the perfect way to see Mindo from above without hanging from a zipline. Hiking along these paths you’ll find several spots to swim and cool off in the river, and there are forks in the trail to different longer or shorter trail options. The hike to all seven of these waterfalls in the cloud forest Ecuador is known for should take around four hours.
Bird Watching
Mindo Ecuador is a bird watcher’s paradise, home to around 20 percent of the world bird’s species, Mindo attracts serious birdwatchers from around the world, especially in search of the impressive Andean cock-of-the-rock. Even if you’re not a serious bird watcher, birdwatching excursions are a great way to get to know the cloud forest Ecuador is known for surrounding Mindo.
Tubing
Tubing is one of the principal activities in Mindo. Strapped in with several others to a group of inner tubes, you’ll float down one of the rivers that cut through the valley with just enough rapids to make the adventure exciting. A guide helps push the tubes around and through the river and over the rapids and keeps you safe.
Butterfly Sanctuary
There are dozens of different species of butterflies you’ll get to see up close and personal, and they’ll probably even land on you, too. There is plenty of information about each species, and you’ll get to see them in every life stage, from chrysalis to adult butterflies. Just a short walk outside of town, or less than ten minutes by taxi, this excursion is a great way to wind down after a morning of adventure sports or simply for the nature lover.
Guayaquil is one of the main South American ports in the Pacific. The climate is hot for the first semester of the year and breeze cool for the rest of it. A proud city of the tropics where foreigners are well received, music rules and seafood is a must.
Quito, the capital of Ecuador, was founded in the 16th century on the ruins of an Inca city and stands at an altitude of 2,850 m. Despite the 1917 earthquake, the city has the best-preserved, least altered historic centre in Latin America. The monasteries of San Francisco and Santo Domingo, and the Church and Jesuit College of La Compañía, with their rich interiors, are pure examples of the 'Baroque school of Quito', which is a fusion of Spanish, Italian, Moorish, Flemish and indigenous art.
Esmeraldas Province is one of the 24 provinces of Ecuador, located in the extreme northwest of the country on the border with Colombia. Known for its beautiful beaches, landscapes and its hot and humid climate. Esmeraldas is synonymous with music and joy. It has its own musical instruments such as the famous marimba.
