Quito To Mindo: BEST And Easiest Routes (2023)

Some links in this post contain affiliate links. I receive a small commission if you use the links at no extra cost to you! Happy reading 😀

Looking for the best ways to get from Quito to Mindo? You’re in the right place! Quito is the perfect base for any adventure seekers in Ecuador, and Mindo is a hidden cloud forest around two hours north of the city. It’s the perfect nature escape for those wanting to head out of the city!

This post outlines everything you need to know about getting from Quito to Mindo, from safety concerns, journey times, prices, drop-off points and more.

So, let’s start and discuss all the possible ways to travel from Quito to Mindo!

Still got a question about the journey from Quito to Mindo? Let me know over on Instagram or shoot me an email at jennie(@)jenniewanders.com!

🇪🇨 Other Ecuador posts:

Want to see epic photos and videos from these experiences?

Follow me on Instagram! As we travel, I post everything live on Instagram, so check out my recent highlights and posts. If you can’t find what you’re looking for, drop me a DM!

Quito To Mindo: A Summary

Contents

The journey between Quito and Mindo is roughly 62 miles (100 km). It will take around 2 hours to drive directly between the two locations, depending on traffic, road conditions and mode of transport.

The most popular way to travel between Quito and Mindo is by public bus.

In summary, there are three ways to get from Quito to Mindo. These options are:

Personally, I think the best way to get from Quito to Mindo is by private transfer. Journeys can easily be booked online here, making your journey reliable, easy and straightforward.

But, there are three ways to travel between the two places, so I’ll explain them all and let you decide! Let’s get down to the ins and outs of travelling between Quito to Mindo!

Related post: Travelling to the Amazon Rainforest in Ecuador? Check out my full Cuyabeno guide!

1. Quito to Mindo by public bus

Getting the public bus from Quito to Mindo is easy. On average, it takes around 2.5-3 hours (depending on traffic and the road conditions), and costs under £5 ($6 USD) per person.

So, how do you get the bus from Quito to Mindo? Here are my step-by-step instructions:

Travel to the Ofelia bus terminal in Quito. This is situated north of the city, so you may need to get a taxi or Uber from La Floresta or wherever you are staying.
Buy tickets for the Flor de Valle bus at the bus terminal. Bear in mind you will need a little Spanish! Tickets to Mindo are popular, so make sure you arrive in plenty of time to secure a seat.
Wait for your bus – there are usually four buses per day (and more at the weekend). These usually run on time.
The bus itself is fine – it’s not anything special, but it’s doable. Expect lots of bumps and twists whilst driving to Mindo – being in a valley means it’s a little windy!
Keep all of your belongings ON YOUR LAP. Do not put your bag under your seat, as thieves are known to slash bags open under your feet, without you even noticing!

The bus timetable for Mindo, as of July 2023 is:

Monday to Friday: 6.30am, 11am, 3pm, 4.30 pm
Weekends: 6.30am, 11am, 3pm, 4.30pm, 4.45pm

2. Quito to Mindo by private transfer

If you want a quick, safe and easy way to travel to Mindo from Quito, I recommend a private transfer. We decided to go with this option, as the prices aren’t too high, and we didn’t want to faff around with the public bus. Especially as we only had a few days in Mindo!

The private transfer will pick you up from your accommodation in Quito, and drop you straight off at your stay in Mindo.

On average, the journey between Quito and Mindo takes around 2 hours. This means you can sit back, relax and enjoy the views (and the views on the way are stunning!)

I recommend heading to Mindo during the daytime, as the evenings get pretty dark. As it’s in a cloud forest, there isn’t a lot of unnatural light, so we found the streets to be dimly lit.

➡ Book your private transfer from Quito to Mindo now!

3. Quito to Mindo by a day tour

Another great way to explore Mindo from Quito is by booking a tour. There are so many tours that run to Mindo from Quito, and you can choose either staying for the day, a night or longer!

Tours usually include some sort of adventure activity, cable cars, birdwatching and exploring the cloud forest. If you’re tight on time, I recommend booking a day trip to experience the magic of Mindo.

Is a day in Mindo enough? It is if you’re short on time! The tours also pack in quite a few activities, so you’ll have the same experience as if you stayed for longer. I’d recommend visiting Mindo for at least a day to enjoy it properly. If you can stay longer, 2-3 nights in Mindo is perfect.

➡ Book your Mindo Valley and cloud forest tour now!

Arriving in Mindo: What next?

When you arrive in Mindo by bus, it’s likely you’ll be able to walk to your accommodation on or around the main street. Mindo is only small, and it is entirely walkable.

However, if you’re staying further out in the Valley, you can grab a yellow taxi from town. Taxis in Mindo are safe and inexpensive.

Where to stay in Mindo

Mindo is a tiny village in a cloud forest, around two hours north of Quito. It’s entirely walkable, and most accommodations are close together.

We stayed in the incredible Saguamby Mindo Lodge – which was genuinely one of our favourite hotels we stayed in throughout our entire Latin America trip. Our rustic cabin was right next to the River Mindo, and we were able to hear the gushing water from our bed.

The peace, quiet and tranquillity of the rainforest lodge were just bliss. I highly recommend booking Saguamby if there is availability!

Saguamby Mindo Lodge: my top choice for couples or groups in Mindo! It may be a little quiet if you’re a solo traveller, but if you don’t mind having a relaxing few days by yourself, this hotel is perfect.
Terrabambu Lodge: another tranquil and peaceful lodge in the rainforest.
Cinnamon House: for solo travellers or couples wanting a hostel in Mindo.

BOOK YOUR STAY NOW!

Where to stay in Quito

Quito is a big city. Whilst we were there, we stayed in two different areas; the main city centre and La Floresta.

If you’re staying short term, I recommend the city centre. This is the main cultural ‘hub’ (although there is nothing going on at night) and has a lively atmosphere during the day.

For digital nomads and those staying over 2 nights in Quito, I recommend La Floresta. This is a buzzing part of Quito full of bars, restaurants and cafes.

Sadly, we were told – by locals themselves – to not walk around Quito at night. I have no idea what it is but for a capital city, Quito at night is exceptionally quiet. Even in the busy parts!

If you’re visiting Quito, I highly recommend cooking your own meals in the evenings or staying at a hostel that runs family dinners at night. When writing this, we did not feel safe walking around Quito at night (but safety is subjective).

Some of the best accommodations in Quito include:

Viajero Hostel (city centre): a beautiful hostel that includes free breakfast!
Community Hostel (city centre): the perfect hostel if you are doing the Amazon Rainforest tour!
Secret Garden: (city centre): around a 15-minute walk to the main square
Hotel Stubel Suites & Cafe (La Floresta): a hotel with offers stunning views of the Guápulo Valley.
NH Collection Quito Royal (La Floresta): a more luxurious stay with a health club, free WiFi and free breakfast.

BOOK YOUR STAY NOW!

Quito to Mindo: FAQs

1) How much is a taxi from Quito to Mindo Ecuador?

A taxi from Quito to Mindo will range between $50 USD – $70 USD. This is the same price as travelling from Quito to Mindo via a private transfer.

Related post: Travelling to the Amazon Rainforest in Ecuador? Check out my full Cuyabeno guide!

2) Where to get the bus from Mindo to Quito?

If you want to get the public bus from Quito to Mindo, you need to travel to the Ofelia bus terminal north of the city. If you are staying in the city centre or La Floresta, an Uber or taxi shouldn’t cost more than a few dollars.

3) What time is the bus from Mindo to Quito?

The bus timetable from Quito to Mindo, as of July 2023 is:

Monday to Friday: 6.30am, 11am, 3pm, 4.30 pm
Weekends: 6.30am, 11am, 3pm, 4.30pm, 4.45pm

Need help packing for the Amazon Rainforest? Check out my post: What To Wear In The Amazon Rainforest (That Isn’t Ugly)

4) How long to spend in Mindo?

If you’re visiting Mindo for the first time, I recommend staying for at least 2 nights. This gives you enough time to explore the local area, hike to some of the waterfalls and take part in some activities along the river (like tubing).

Don’t forget travel insurance for South America!

If you’re visiting South America as a backpacker, or even for a short vacation, it is so important to have travel insurance. And if you ended up on a post that’s called ‘epic party tips’, you know (just as well as I do) that you definitely need travel insurance.

Personally, I recommend SafetyWing. As a digital nomad and world traveller myself, I can confirm it is the best travel insurance out there. And one of the cheapest – they have deals that start at just $42 USD per month.

I know, I know, you’re thinking ‘but I can’t afford that!’. I was the same! It’s tough to fork out $42 a month on something ‘you might not need’. But what if something DOES happen? That extra Mezcal shot results in you falling down the stairs, or you eat something dodgy from a street food van.

If you need medical help at any point whilst in South America, you need travel insurance.

With SafetyWing, you’re covered on travel emergencies, basic medical costs and medical expenses throughout your trip, so you can travel without worry (at a backpacker’s price!)

Don’t even think twice about getting travel insurance for South America. Trust me, I have heard enough horror stories about backpackers who haven’t had insurance and have ended up in a lot of debt. Don’t be that person!

If you’ve been putting the job off because it takes a lot of time and effort to research the best travel insurance companies, I understand. That’s why I’ve done the hard work for you. Sign up for SafetyWing, and the job is done!

Quito to Mindo: In a Nutshell

So, there you have it! Everything you need to know about getting from Quito to Mindo. When you’re planning a trip to Ecuador, make sure you let me know over on Instagram or in the comments below!

If you haven’t seen my blog before, I write posts aimed at real-life travellers wanting authentic and down-to-earth information. I’m currently travelling around the world with my boyfriend (read more here!), creating guides and itineraries for you to follow in our footsteps!

Keep an eye out for more Ecuador content, all written from a personal and realistic point of view. You can sign up for my newsletter and juicy travel updates here!

As always, thanks for reading and supporting the blog!

Happy travelling 🙂

Jennie x