While the Amazon rainforest and the Galápagos Islands tend to hog the limelight, Mindo is an often-overlooked natural highlight of Ecuador. Serving as the gateway to the Mindo-Nambillo Ecological Reserve—one of the most biologically diverse forests in the world—this rural mountain town is rife with things to do for the outdoorsy traveler. Hike and spot wildlife in Mindo Cloud Forest, swim in the natural pools beneath the Nambilla Waterfalls (Nambilla Cascadas), and watch more than 1,000 species of butterflies flutter at Mindo Butterfly Farm (Mariposas de Mindo).
Year-round rain is responsible for the lushness of Mindo’s greenery, so you’re likely to encounter showers even if you visit during the dry season, which runs from June through September; this is the best time to spot mammals, as many of the trees are in fruit. For birdwatching, the rainy season from October through May is best. The wettest months are between February and April, when it rains most of the day.
Even though Mindo is only 62 miles (100 kilometers) from the capital of Quito, it feels like a world away. Buses depart regularly from Terminal La Ofelia in Quito and take around two hours. If you suffer from car sickness, bear in mind that the mountainous roads leading to Mindo are windy and steep. Mindo-Nambillo Ecological Reserve covers 48,000 acres (19,200 hectares), so on arrival, you’ll need to join tours or hire a driver to get around.
Travelers scared of heights, look away now—Mindo’s Cable Car (Tarabita de Mindo) soars 500 feet (152 meters) above the rainforest. It’s not your usual cable car—the open-air, motorized carriage offers spectacular views of the Mindo-Nambillo Ecological Reserve and saves you the long hike to each of the seven waterfalls it stops at. The cascades look best during the rainy season when they’re most powerful.
