Ecuador - The Rough Guide to South America on a Budget - page 579

this home from home has stunning photography in
the roo ms, h ummingbirds in the gardens and an outdoor
jacuzzi. $30
Cabañas la Estancia T 099 878 3272, W mindo
hosterialaestancia.com. Cross the rickety bridge to these
spacious cabins, set in landscaped gardens with out doo r
restaurant, a s wi mming pool and even a waterslide. $30 ,
camping from $3
Casa de Cecilia End of 9 de Octubre T 02 217 0243. On
the eastern edge of town, these gre at-va lue rustic cabins
stand on the banks of a roaring river. $14
Caskaffesu Sixto Duran, at Quito T 02 217 0100,
W caskaffesu.com. This American-owned place is arguably
the best accommodation in the centre of town. A friendly
atmosphere, plea sant café and imaginatively decorated
mid-range rooms. $32
Dragonfly Inn Quito, at Sucre T 02 217 0426,
W dragonflyinn-mindo.com. This wooden cabin-style
hotel is one of the best options in town, with balconies
overlooking a g arden patio along the river and a very
good restaurant. $46
Jardin de los Pájaros Los Colibres T 099 175 6688.
Well-presented hotel with carpeted rooms, and a bal cony
lounge with hammocks and outdoor swimming pool. $26
Kumbha Mela T 099 405 1675. Deep in the forest
with a selection of cabins and rooms nestled in extensive
gardens. There's a good rest aura nt, swim ming pool and
even a private lagoon. Dorms $16 , doubles $42
Mariposas de Mindo T 02 224 2712, W mariposas
demindo.com. Pleasant cabins 2km from town near the
butterfly f arm (entrance included in price, as well as
breakfast). $58
Mindo Gardens T 099 733 1092, W mindogardens.com.
One of Mindo's most popular mid-range hotels, 1km past
the butterfly farm and set in a private reserve of forest
and waterfalls. Brightly coloured cabins sit beside the
river and there's a com fortable lounge and games area.
Breakfast included. $65
Posada de Mindo End of Vicente Aguirre T 02 217 0199.
One of the most comfortable options in town, t hese new
spotless cabins have a good restaurant attached. $40

El Chef Quito. One of the best restaurants in Mindo. The set
lunch ($2.50) is outstanding value. To treat yourself, try the
speciality lomo a la piedra (barbecued steak). Mains $4-8.
Fuera de Babilonia 9 de Octubre. An alternative bar
with assorted Indian artefacts on the walls, misshapen
tables, a wide-ranging menu (dishes $4-7) and live music
at weekends.
El Nómada Quito. On the eastern edge of town, this is
the best place to fill up on carefully prepared pizza and
pasta dishes, from $6-10.
El Quetzal 9 de Octubre. Head to this organic restaurant
for vegetarian specialities, big breakfasts, fresh juices and
tasty snacks. Mains $6-8.

6

CAYAMBE
Between Quito and Otavalo, the little
town of CAYAMBE is the centre of
Ecuador's important flower industry. It's
also well known for its bizcochos , a type of
buttery cookie, and is a quieter base than
Otavalo to explore surrounding peaks,
notably the volcano the town is named
after. Cayambe celebrates the festival of
Inti Raymi fervently in late June.

ARRIVAL AND DEPARTURE
By bus There are direct buses to Cayambe from Quito's
Ofelia terminal (hourly; 1hr 20min). There are also regular
buses from Otavalo hourly; 45min.

ACCOMMODATION
Hotel El Refugio Teran, at 10 de Agost o T 02 236 3700.
Small basic rooms in the centre of town. $10
Hotel La Gran Colombia Av Natalia Jaran T 02 236
1238. More comfort just south of the centre with TV,
private bathrooms and a pl aygro und at the back (get in
touch with your inner child). $15

CAYAMBE COCA RESERVE AND
VOLCAN CAYAMBE
This is the second-largest Andean reserve in
the country, ranging in altitude from 600m
to 5790m at the top of Cayambe itself
- Ecuador's third-highest peak, and the
highest point in the world that straddles
the equator. It's a tough climb, possibly
the most difficult in the country, so is for
advanced climbers only. It's a seven-hour
trek from the refuge through constantly
changing terrain and frequent snowstorms.
Contact Alta Montaña in Quito ( T 02 252
4422) to arrange a trek. Highlights of the

EATING AND DRINKING
There are plenty of restaurants on the main street in
the centre of town offering Ecuadorian standards for $5.
Many lodges out of town listed above also have good
restaurants. Most restaurants are open noon-2pm for
lunch and 6-10pm for dinner, often staying open all day
at weekends. Mindo has very little nightlife so have a few
beers in a restaurant after dinner. There is usually one
nightclub open on Saturday night but location varies.
Caskaffesu Sixto Duran, at Quito. One of the more refined
options in town. Choose from steak, fish and vegetarian
dishes for $4-8.