Mindo-Nambillo Ecological Reserve is located two hours north of Quito, Ecuador. Its main feature is the Mindo-Nambillo Cloud Forest. Mindo-Nambillo biodiversity allows more than 350 bird species to live in this area. Certainly, Mindo Cloud Forest is the perfect place for bird watching. For instance, visitors can see hummingbirds, cock-of-the-rocks, barbet toucans, golden-headed quetzals, and more. About the altitude, Mindo has an elevation of 3,280 to 9,842 feet (1,000 to 3,000 meters) above sea level.
Mindo town is close to the Mindo-Nambillo Ecological Reserve. There is a bus from Quito that stops right in the middle of Mindo. By bus (Flor del Valle) go to La Ofelia terminal terrestre (bus terminal), ride cost $3. Taking a taxi costs $10.
From Mindo, as a tourist, you may begin the "Ruta de Cacao" (Cocoa Route) a nice tour that shows how to make the perfect chocolate from scratch. Mindo-Nambillo Ecological Reserve is also a popular tourist destination for hiking, rappelling, mountain biking, rock climbing, rafting, trekking, canyoning, and kayaking. Above all, visitors come to explore the diverse natural landscapes of Ecuador. Things to do include taking a "tarabita" (cable car ride) $2; tubing down the Mindo river $6, zip-lining through the cloud forest canopy $15, visiting the Nambillo waterfall, and more.
