Weekend Guide · Ecuador
Weekend in Mindo
Mindo — a cloud forest village in the western Andean foothills, one of the world's top birdwatching destinations and a hub for canopy adventure sports..
2 days recommended Mindo, Ecuador
Day 1
Arrive & Explore Mindo
Mindo Cloud Forest Reserve
Misty cloud forest trails home to over 500 bird species, including dozens of hummingbird varieties and the elusive Andean cock-of-the-rock
Mindo Canopy Zip-lining
One of Ecuador's top zip-line circuits, soaring across a series of cables strung high above the forest canopy
Nambillo Waterfalls (Tarabita Cable Car)
A hand-cranked cable car crosses a river gorge to a trail linking several jungle waterfalls, some with swimming holes
Day 2
Hidden Gems & Local Flavours
Butterfly Farm & Chocolate Tour
One of Ecuador's largest butterfly gardens, paired with farm-to-bar chocolate tours showcasing the region's fine-flavour cacao
Local Tips
- 1Mainland Ecuador is one of South America's more affordable destinations, especially since it uses the US Dollar.
- 2Quito's historic center, Cuenca, Baños, and the Galápagos are generally safe and well set up for tourists.