A Guide to Mindo Waterfall Hike, Ecuador
Nestled in the cloud forest, Mindo is a must-visit place for many reasons. One of the best activities to do is the Mindo Waterfall Hike that allows you to see up to seven waterfalls in one day. The trail can be reached by Tarabita cable car. Our travel guide to Tarabita y Santuario de Cascadas Mindo includes tips on what to expect, trailhead, entrance fee, and what to pack.
Mindo, a small village in Ecuador, has recently gained almost an international reputation for being a place no traveler can miss on the journey across this small South American country. And we can only agree on that.
Despite its size, Mindo offers many things to do, and always when we hear the name, we imagine its laidback vibe combined with immense beauty and would like to get back in a heartbeat.
Mindo is not only a village where backpackers flock to escape the hustle and bustle of Quito.
Mindo is a renowned destination for cloud forest diversity, photographing unique flora and fauna, birdwatching, butterfly watching, ziplining, staying in peaceful retreats (if the budget allows), chocolate tasting, and last but not least, exploring waterfalls.
In this travel guide, we would actually like to introduce Mindo's waterfalls more closely.
WATERFALLS IN MINDO
The area is rich in waterfalls and cascades of different sizes, and you can find them all over the region, especially after the rain. Still, there's one place in particular where it is possible to see many waterfalls in a span of a few hours.
Although the official name of this area is Tarabita y Santuario de Cascadas Mindo, we simply called it Mindo waterfall hike to make our lives easier.
This path deep in the cloud forest reveals not one but seven waterfalls, all of them accessible on foot.
What is even better, the best way how to reach the hike is by Tarabita cable car that offers sweeping views and adds exceptionality to this trip.
Riding the Tarabita cable car is also one of the must-do activities in Mindo, so why wouldn't you combine waterfalls, hiking, views, and possibly swimming and enjoyed an exceptional day out?
This travel guide includes tips on how to get to the Mindo waterfall hike, how to get around, what to pack, where to stay, how much things cost, and much more.
Feel free to get inspired - this outdoor activity is well worth it.
CASCADA LA REINA HIKE
It did not take long, and we appeared on the other side of the valley, where we could start the trek.
The staff at Tarabita cable car should hand you over a map of the area with waterfalls and walking times, but we preferred to follow Maps.me app as usual. Right at the beginning, there's a decision that must be made.
One of the waterfalls is on a different trail. But as the hostel owner told us, this one is the best, so we headed there first.
This waterfall is called Cascada Reina, and you will get there when you take the path that leads to the right (when you stand with your back facing the cable car).
We absolutely loved this part of the waterfall hike.
One of the biggest advantages was that it was not crowded at all. We actually met only one couple by the waterfall. But the highlight, apart from the waterfall that was at the very end, was the fauna and flora.
Trees that line the trail are incredibly photogenic, and we were lucky enough to spot monkeys and colorful subspecies of toucan, Pale-mandibled Aracari.
The official map says that it should take you 50 minutes to reach Cascada Reina. We are normally faster than average travelers, but it took us about hour and ten minutes as we took a lot of pictures along the way.
We walked a bit faster back, so the overall trip, without the time we spent by the waterfall, took us roughly two hours.
This is something you should keep in mind, especially if short on time. Once we reached the waterfall, we could enjoy wonderful views, a quiet location, and swimming in a pool, just be careful as stones are slippery.
After some time, we decided to walk back to the cable car.
We recommend you to start the hike as early as possible because we could see animals only on the way to the waterfall (they are usually active in the morning and then later in the evening). We could not see anything on the way back, and the walk was not that exciting.
CASCADA NAMBILLO
Once we reached the Tarabita cable car, it was time to explore the rest of the trail that is dotted with more waterfalls. First on the way is Cascada Nambillo, and this trail will take you deeper into the forest.
To reach Cascada Nambillo, you need to walk many steps down from the main trail to the cascade, so it is obvious, you will have to go the same way up later.
Because of the proximity to the cable car, it is one of the busiest points along the trail. If it is possible, hike the trail on the weekdays, because weekends in Mindo get busy.
The view of Nambillo waterfall is sufficient enough, but you can pay an additional $3 for getting to a viewing platform.
To be honest, we skipped it, as we found the entrance fee quite steep given the fact that this day was all about waterfalls that we could see for free.
MINDO WATERFALL HIKE
Then we returned to the main trail, and ahead of us were the next five waterfalls that are cumulatively known, such as Mindo Waterfall Sanctuary.
The best thing about this waterfall hike is that you can choose how many waterfalls you want to see and how far you want to get, so you can adjust this trip based on how much time you have or what's your level of fitness.
Some of the waterfalls are small cascades in the cloud forest; some of them are bigger with large plunge pools inviting travelers to take a dip.
The waterfalls along the ways are Cascada Ondinas, Cascada Guarumos, Cascada Colibries, and the last two are Cascada Madre and Cascada de los Maderos.
The last waterfall can be a bit tricky to reach after torrential rain or in the wet season because to get closer to it; you will have to cross a river - it is recommended to do it barefoot.
Thanks to it, Cascada de los Maderos is the least visited waterfall of all seven located on the trail.
It is furthest from the cable car, and many visitors are put off by the water level - in case you decide to get to this waterfall, always make sure it is safe to cross the stream.
To explore this side of the trail, including photos and swim stops, took us approximately three hours return.
Total, if you decide to see all the waterfalls on this path, including Cascada Reina, reserve five to six hours.
If short on time, you have to prioritize and choose either the right-hand side, which is quieter but has only one waterfall or the left-hand side, which is home to six other cascades.
Just make sure you return back to the cable car on time so you won't get stuck in the forest.
Travel Insurance
We never leave home without travel insurance that was designed to cover our expenses if something goes wrong during the trip.
Travel insurance protects against theft, flight delays, injury, illness, cancellations, and much more.
World Nomads provides travel insurance for travelers to cover their trip essentials, including sports and adventure activities.
SafetyWing is affordable travel insurance for backpackers, long-term travelers, and digital nomads.
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HOW TO GET TO TARABITA CABLE CAR
In order to get to the beginning of the trail, you need to get to the Tarabita cable car first. The cable car is 7 kilometers from the center of Mindo, and it gives you three options.
You can either walk, bike, or take a cab.
Walking is definitely a more budget-friendly option, but it will take you more than an hour to get to the cable car because the path from the town leads almost all the way uphill. Then do not forget you need the energy to hike the waterfall trail itself.
On top of that, the trail is not very interesting, and even though we love hiking, we decided to take a cab.
Every driver in Mindo will be happy to take you to the cable car. The ride costs around $6 one way, so it pays off to share the trip with someone.
We figured out it is a norm to bargain a bit, and drivers usually tend to ask for more, so you will later settle on a price that is reasonable for each party.
Unlike at Laguna Cuicocha in Otavalo, we did not find it necessary to ask the driver to pick us up, as we assumed there will always be a taxi waiting.
If not, we would be able to walk back to Mindo, this time downhill.
The last option is biking.
We think Mindo is a perfect place for biking - you can even rent a bike in advance - but we would keep this activity for a separate day because you would have to keep the bike locked for several hours when hiking along the waterfalls.
TARABITA CABLE CAR
Tarabita cable car, powered by a small engine from an old Nissan 2002 pickup truck, is an attraction on its own.
The ride will take you to the other side of the valley, and although the ride is very short, it is photogenic as you will get sweeping views of the valley, tops of the trees, and an often low hanging cloud.
In short, the cable car will take you to a different world. World of Mindo-Nambillo Ecological Reserve and the world of birds and waterfalls.
The cable car operates between 9 AM and 5:30 PM from Monday to Sunday, but reconfirm the hours once you get in Mindo. Some sources say it is closed on Monday.
The round-trip cable car ride costs $5.
WHERE TO STAY IN MINDO
As one of the top travel destinations in Ecuador, Mindo has many hotels and hostels, so every type of traveler can choose the right alternative that suits the best budget and required level of comfort.
The town offers both backpacker places but also secluded retreats a bit away from the center, where you can find your zen.
We've handpicked the best accommodation options in Mindo, which can be your base for exploring the area.
Budget | La Casa de Cecilia Mindo - There's a large selection of cheap hostels in Mindo, but most of them have excellent quality, like this one. Rooms are spacious and clean, and guests can use the communal kitchen, terrace, and lush green garden.
Mid-range | La Posada de Mindo - Close to the center and still reasonably priced, this hotel offers one of the best quality/price ratios in the town. There's a swimming pool where you can cool down.
Luxury | Las Terrazas de Dana Boutique Lodge & Spa - If you want to make your stay in cloud forest exceptional, make sure you do not miss this place. This boutique hotel offers everything a traveler needs, but the biggest feature is the terrace with a wonderful view of the cloud forest.
WHEN TO GO
Mindo offers its visitors enjoyable temperatures, but it can get a bit cooler, especially when the clouds roll over the hills. The dry season is from June to September, but it does not mean that a short shower cannot come. Rather the opposite.
On the other hand, it is possible to arrive in Mindo at any time of the year.
Birdwatchers and nature lovers even tend to book their stays during the wetter season, from October to April, because the forest is greener and birds more active.
No matter what season you decide to visit Mindo, you should come well prepared.
WHAT TO PACK
What should you pack for a waterfall hike that will take you five to six hours, in case you decide to see all cascades along the way?
We were quite happy that we took hiking boots as the trail can often be slippery.
Leggings or hiking trousers, functional short-sleeved t-shirt, and jackets are also a must. But that's not all. It is possible to swim in a few plunge pools, so pack a swimsuit and travel towel.
When we know we are about to do a water activity, we always carry our waterproof dry bag or a dry sack to keep our valuables safe.
For photographing birdlife, it pays off to carry a telephoto lens.
Another thing we never leave behind is a durable and reusable water bottle to reduce our plastic footprint.
Bug repellent and sunscreen are also essential for this half-day trip from Mindo.
Travel Resources
Here you can find links to all the travel resources we use and which you might find helpful when planning your next holiday.
Accommodation: When looking for accommodation, we usually search hotels via Booking.com or Hostelworld.
Tours: Although we love to travel independently, some places are better to visit with a guided tour.
We prefer GetYourGuide for its easy-to-use interface and solid reputation. Another great alternative is Viator.
Rental Cars: When going on a road trip, we always use Rentalcars.com, a reliable site for booking a rental car in advance.
Flight Tickets: When looking for flight tickets, you can search Skyscanner to find the best price.
Travel Insurance: World Nomads and SafetyWing cover against risks of travel.
