With its breathtaking setting surrounded on all sides by steep mountains of cloud forest, tiny Mindo has become somewhat of a backpacker slash hippy paradise and now lives and breathes tourism. Located just two hours from Quito, Mindo is entered by a dramatically steep and curvy hillside that takes you past dozens of hotels and lodges to a rather ramshackle yet likable town center.
People of all ages flock here, and for good reason. Locals have created exciting activities for enjoying the cloud forest: butterfly farms, zip lines over treetops, hiking through waterfalls. I did all of this and more, and my experience was only a tiny portion of this peaceful getaway.
With a group of 5, ranging in all ages, we enjoyed the international cuisine (best pizza and fish I have had since coming to Ecuador) and immensely entertaining night life. I loved that you could walk everywhere and feel like you were in a completely different world. I highly recommend Mindo. More pictures from my adventures to come!
Here is the one and only main road in town. And so much more random stuff…
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| Street food. SO good, even though I am not sure exactly what it was. |
Zip Lines through the forest
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| Great hostel right on the river. $10 a night got you breakfast, a river view and a bug net. Total deal. |
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| Oh, and a hatch (just like LOST!) and a hole in the floor looking into the lobby. |
I ride in the back of a lot of pick up trucks in Ecuador. The only way to get around!
kind of reminds me of Nimbin!
It was exactly like Nimbin!!! Awww memories!