Vinicio Pérez, the owner of the Birdwatcher's House and restaurant, is also a seasoned English speaking tour guide in Mindo and all Ecuador. He was born in the Mindo region and knows the area like the back of his hand. 
More frequent buses (at least one per hour) leave for Los Bancos from the “Carcelen” bus station also in northern Quito. Ask the bus driver to let you off at the entrance to Mindo “La entrada a Mindo” which is also known as “La Y.” From here, ask a taxi (which are sometimes trucks), to take you to Vinicio Perez’s Birdwatcher’s House near Santa Rosa. From Mindo, hire any taxi (again oftentimes they are trucks) to take you to the Birdwatcher’s House owned by Vinicio Perez near Santa Rosa.
Birdwatcher's House in Mindo, Ecuador
Hello birders and photographers,
The Birdwatcher’s House has moved from Mindo to a new location deep in the cloud forest. This new location has breathtaking views and incredible biodiversity right at its doorstep. It´s located at an altitude of 1800 meters, just off of the world-renowned Nono-Mindo Road, about 15 km from the town of Mindo, Ecuador.
This cobblestone road, also known as the “Paseo del Quinde” (Quinde means hummingbird in Quechua), has long been known by birdwatchers as a legendary birding destination. And if you visit this new location, you´ll quickly discover the road was aptly named by the Quechua people. Just a few meters from where we serve your meals we have hummingbird feeders which are frequently visited by as many as 18 hummingbirds, or “colibries,” as we call them here in Ecuador.
Vinicio Perez, the owner of the lodge, speaks English and is an expert birdwatching guide with many years of experience. Vinicio is available to guide birding tours right from the lodge, and has garnered a wealth of information about the astounding variety of bird species you may encounter here. But our new location is not only an ideal destination for birders and ornithologists. Entomologists, botanists, nature enthusiasts of all kinds, and even people who simply want to relax in a place of great beauty and tranquility—everyone sure to love this place. An amazing diversity of beautiful butterflies, moths, and other insects are found here, as well as many flowering plants.
The property has been replanted with many native plant species to attract a great diversity of insects and birds. And the Birdwatcher’s House also makes a great destination for anyone who simply wants to get away from the city to a safe and relaxing environment. Here is a place you can truly relax and breathe freely.
We have 7 comfortable rooms at the new lodge, all with private bathrooms and hot water. Many of the specialty birds to be found in this area (especially hummingbirds!) can be seen right from the porch outside the rooms or elsewhere on the property. And we also have a covered dining area with spectacular views into the cloud forest and the valley down below. Delicious meals are included with the price of the rooms. Laundry service is also available.
The Restaurant
Our restaurant has excellent home-cooked meals that range from typical Ecuadorian food to more European-style cuisine. Vegetarian or other diets are available upon request. Meals are served according to birders' schedules; box meals and snacks are available.
There is free coffee, tea and water. Alcoholic beverages and soft drinks are available for purchase. Come and enjoy the work of our excellent chefs and try the menu in our restaurant. Our menu is new with fish, chicken, and meat dishes.
Tours in Mindo and elsewhere in Ecuador
In our hostel you can also make reservations for different styles of birdwatching tours. For very reasonable prices we can take you on a tour that will allow you to see and photograph an immense number of different bird species.
Check our bird pages for more information.
Our English-speaking tour guide Vinicio Perez will take you through the cloud forest and give you the opportunity to see some of the amazing wildlife the Mindo region of North-West Ecuador has to offer.
