El Monte Lodge

El Monte Lodge, the brainchild of environmentalists Tom Quesenberry and Mariella Tenorio, has six individual thatched cabañas and a natural swimming pool filled from the fast-flowing river that borders the property. Outdoor activities include zip-line adventures, river tubing, hiking and others. In the main house, you’ll feast upon mostly vegetarian meals created from locally-grown organic vegetables, while enjoying spectacular views of the cloud forest.

To enter the lodge, you cross the river by “tarabita,” a hand-pulled cable car that is large enough for two people to cross at a time. (Your luggage will be pulled across separately.) The cable car gives the lodge a sense of privacy from the outside world, while also providing access to the lodge and the buffer zone to the Mindo-Nambillo Protected Reserve. Most guests find the cable car ride to be quite fun!

Excursions:
During your stay you will be able to explore the Mindo area with the El Monte guides. In addition to looking for birds and other wildlife, popular excursions include visits to nearby waterfalls, zip lining, and visiting the local Butterfly & Orchid Pavilion.