Places to stay in Mindo, Ecuador

There are a variety of accommodations in Mindo, Ecuador spanning all budgets. I will say the best in town option is El Descanso (currently 18usd w/ breakfast). Rodney, is a superb host and he keeps a clean house. The rooms are rustic, clean, and the water is hot.  The building is quite nice and he … Continue reading →

Galápagos Islands: Santiago Island (Egas Port) on the northern cruise itinerary

A northern itinerary in the Galápagos Islands may take you to Santiago Island. The main attraction on Santiago Island are the dense numbers of fur sea lions vs. Galápagos sea lions (see the short post on the difference between fur sea lions and Galápagos sea lions here). The area around Egas Port was owned by … Continue reading →

Ecuador: Las Cajas National Park high in the Andes Mountains

Cajas National Park located high in the Andes above Cuenca, Ecuador is an excellent, well organized park worthy of several day treks or even a week long backpacking journey.  The trails are well marked and you receive a free (fairly navigable) map. The park is well above tree line (~3900m/12,800 ft) so with a compass … Continue reading →

Introducing: Birdwatching the highlands and the lowlands of Ecuador

Complete birding tour of Ecuador With your guide, Sandra, you are going to experience some excellent birding. Sandra knows her birds as well as their habitats. She has an incredible sense for the timing of their appearance and patiently waits. Here she is calling in the ochre-breasted antpitta aka “Shakira” for her incredible shaking moves. … Continue reading →

Galápagos Islands: Travel to Genovesa Island (Tower Island), the land of boobies

A cruise that visits Genovesa Island in the Galápagos Islands is one worth considering. Genovesa Island is home to all three species of boobies found in the Galápagos Islands. Breeding times are the best time to go if you want to see courtship displays, nesting , and/or young, recently hatched birds. To see the the … Continue reading →

Ecuador:Bird watching in Mindo

Birding in Mindo is excellent.  No. That’s a huge understatement, it’s unbelievable, it’s overwhelming. There are about 1,700 documented bird species in Ecuador alone. Birding Mindo, Ecuador is some of the best in the world. North American birder, ask your guide how many birds they have seen just in northern Ecuador.  One my guides, Angel, … Continue reading →