Nambilla Waterfalls (Nambilla Cascadas)

The Basics

Start your independent exploration of the Nambilla Waterfalls on foot or with a ride on the Mindo tarabita (cable car), which you can book in advance to save time. At the trailhead, head right to Cascada Reina or left to the Waterfall Sanctuary, which includes Cascada Ondinas, Cascada Colibries, Cascada Madre, Cascada de Los Maderos, Cascada Nambillo, and Cascada Guaromos. Of these, Cascada Nambillo—with waterfall jumps for the adventurous—requires an additional entry fee. Visit whichever falls you prefer.

Things to Know Before You Go

• The Nambilla Waterfalls are a must for nature lovers and adventurous travelers in Mindo.

• Start your Nambilla Waterfalls walk with a ride on the cable car (tarabita de Mindo), and book tickets in advance to save time on the day.

• Hiking past all of the Nambilla Waterfalls typically takes around three hours.

• Most of the waterfalls feature swimmable pools, so take swimwear and a towel.

• The Nambilla Cascadas aren’t wheelchair or stroller accessible.

How to Get There

The Nambilla Waterfalls trailhead can be reached on foot, but most travelers find it preferable to take the tarabita de Mindo (cable car), which is about 4.3 miles (7 kilometers) from Mindo. Hike uphill for around an hour or take a taxi to the cable car station. Visitors based in Quito can opt to visit the Nambilla Cascadas on a private excursion, which typically includes round-trip transportation.

When to Get There

The best time to visit the Nambilla Waterfalls is in the wet season (October to May). Setting out in the morning helps avoid the worst of the day’s rain and means paths aren’t yet too muddy. Nature fans also enjoy greater opportunity for bird spotting in the rainy season. In the dry season, the hike may be more straightforward, but the waterfalls are less impressive.

Explore Mindo

After a day visiting the waterfalls of the Nambillo Cloud Forest Reserve, take some time to see the rest of Mindo. Chocoholics visit El Quetzal or Yumbos to learn about the chocolate-making process, while wildlife fans won’t want to miss the opportunity to stop by the Butterfly Sanctuary, Armonia Orchid Garden, or numerous hummingbird houses.