Why Visit Mindo?

Mindo’s cloud forest is a biodiversity hotspot, ideal for nature walks, orchid spotting, and birdwatching in Ecuador. It’s a great one-day trip from Quito, or better yet, a peaceful two-night add-on after a Galapagos trip—a chance to relax, reconnect with nature, and indulge in the region’s famous cacao and coffee.

Accommodation options range from eco-lodges like El Monte, with forest trails and rustic cabins, to boutique stays like Terrazas de Dana, offering spa treatments and a swimming pool for added comfort.

A Sweet and Stimulating Experience: Mindo Chocolate & Coffee Tour

At Original Ecuador, we always include a chocolate experience for our visitors to Mindo. On a recent team visit, we discovered a new and engaging Chocolate & Coffee Experience that’s both fun and educational—a perfect way to explore two of Ecuador’s most prized exports.

Ecuador Chocolate Experience in Mindo

Ecuador is globally recognized for its high-quality cacao, and this hands-on tour allows you to discover the chocolate-making process from bean to bar:

- See the cacao plants up close, with their large red and yellow pods.
- Taste the raw fruit pulp—sweet, tangy, and refreshing.
- Watch as the cacao beans ferment and dry, then get roasted and peeled to become raw chocolate.
- Learn how the beans are milled into powder and transformed into:

        - Cacao nibs
        - Rich hot chocolate
        - Chocolate bars, syrups, liqueurs
        - And even cacao tea, brewed from the left-over husks

- Enjoy a chocolate fondue with fresh tropical fruit.
- End with a natural chocolate face mask—a fun and skin-soothing treat!

This chocolate tour in Mindo offers a rich, hands-on look at local traditions and flavors.

Ecuador Coffee Experience in Mindo

Just like cacao, Ecuador’s specialty coffee is gaining international attention. On the coffee tour, you’ll:

- Walk among the coffee plants and learn how they grow and fruit
- See how the beans are harvested, fermented, sun-dried, and roasted
- Try your hand at grinding and brewing the perfect cup
- Sip on a freshly brewed Mindo coffee, taste coffee liqueur, and enjoy coffee ice cream

The tour provides valuable insight into what goes into producing quality coffee, from cultivation to cup.

Combine Both for the Ultimate Taste Experience

You can choose to do just the chocolate tour or the coffee tour, but why not include both on a full-day Mindo tour from Quito. Each offers a unique perspective into how these iconic products are crafted—from plant to palate.

Not only are these tours interactive and informative, but they are also delicious, making them ideal for foodies, families, and curious travellers alike.

Before you leave Mindo, don’t forget to stop by their specialised shop where you’ll find an array of coffee and chocolate products made in Ecuador—perfect as gifts or souvenirs to bring a taste of Ecuador home with you.

Plan Your Mindo Day Trip or Overnight Adventure

Whether you’re adding Mindo as a relaxing stop before flying home or seeking a unique cultural experience close to Quito, this charming cloud forest town delivers on every front.

Chocolate and coffee lovers—this is your perfect Ecuadorian escape.

Ready to include Mindo’s chocolate and coffee tour in your Ecuador itinerary? Check out our Private Mindo Cloud Forest 1 Day Tour or if you have more time our Private Mindo Cloud Forest 3 Day Tour.

Or you can contact us today to customize your trip.