Do you love pure nature and birds? Just under a two hours’ drive from Quito in Ecuador lies Bellavista Cloud Forest, a nature reserve known for its cloud forest and birds. Birdwatchers from around the world come here to look for unique species, and nature enthusiasts to hike and enjoy the beautiful surroundings. Nestled in this reserve, high on a mountain, is Bellavista Cloud Forest Lodge. A comfortable retreat, secluded from the outside world, and a perfect base to explore Ecuador’s cloud forest and inhabitants. Read more about Bellavista Cloud Forest Lodge Ecuador in this article.
Welcome to Bellavista Cloud Forest Lodge in Ecuador
When you arrive at Bellavista Cloud Forest Lodge, it is hard to believe that you are just two hours’ drive from the bustling capital of Ecuador. The surroundings are incredibly green and beautiful. Everywhere you look, there are tall trees, orchids, bromeliads, and hummingbirds, surrounded by clouds and mist, that makes for a mysterious atmosphere. Bellavista Cloud Forest was one of Ecuador’s first protected nature reserves. With an area of over 400 hectares, it is the habitat of more than 300 bird species, including the Andean Toucan, Masked Trogon, Silvery Grebe, Tanager Bush Grosbeak, and many hummingbirds. Additionally, the area is rich in numerous frog, insect, orchid, and unknown mammal species such as the tayra and olinguito.
Bellavista Cloud Forest is part of the Chocó rainforest in Ecuador, an area protected by UNESCO due to its unique ecosystem and high biodiversity. Bellavista Cloud Forest is committed to the conservation of this forest in every way, through research and education. The area is also home to a research institute at the University of Quito. New animal and plant species are regularly discovered, such as the olinguito (a small bear species) in 2013. Moreover, about seventy new moth species are recorded in nine months. Your visit not only creates memories but also directly contributes to the preservation of this unique natural area.
Do you also want to stay at Bellavista Cloud Forest Lodge in Ecuador? Check the latest prices and availability here.
The lodge
Bellavista means beautiful view, and the lodge is located in the eponymous reserve. Bellavista Cloud Forest Lodge resembles a mountain lodge with great views all around, and cottages scattered throughout the complex. In addition to several lodges with comfortable rooms, there is a large panoramic restaurant. The reception area includes a shop, a viewpoint with a small terrace, and a picturesque swing.
Bird feeders, a familiar spot for birdwatchers, can also be found here. These are points where food is regularly placed to attract birds and other animal species. There are also containers with sugar water that makes it a popular spot for hummingbirds. Surrounding the lodge are more than ten kilometers of hiking trails, guiding you through the nature reserve. Bellavista Cloud Forest Lodge is a perfect base for an exploration of Ecuador’s cloud forest.
Do you also want to stay at Bellavista Cloud Forest Lodge in Ecuador? Check the latest prices and availability here.
The rooms
Bellavista Cloud Forest Lodge offers rooms in various categories such as superior, standard, and a rustic dome with shared rooms. There are also several cottages with multiple rooms that you can rent as a whole, with a private balcony and terrace. Highly recommended if you are traveling with family or a group of friends. Regardless of the category, all rooms are unique.
I stayed in a double room located beneath the restaurant. Through the large windows, you can observe life in the cloud forest, with numerous birds flying by. On a clear day, you can even see the Pichincha volcano in the distance. The rooms are simply but comfortably furnished with good beds, hot water, and a small heater. The altitude can cause temperatures to drop significantly in the evenings.
Do you also want to stay at Bellavista Cloud Forest Lodge in Ecuador? Check the latest prices and availability here.
Restaurant
Bellavista Cloud Forest Lodge in Ecuador has a large restaurant with panoramic views of the green peaks of the cloud forest on all sides. All your meals are included during your stay. That’s almost inevitable because you are, of course, in the middle of nature. You can choose from a daily changing menu, consisting of starters, main courses, and desserts. Think of tasty soups, salads, pastas, and fresh trout. The meals are tasty and there are multiple choices. During breakfast and lunch, you indicate your preferences for the next meal.
Activities Bellavista Cloud Forest Lodge in Ecuador
All activities during your stay are included, and you can create your own program together with your guide. Are you a birdwatcher? Then the focus could be on birwatching and checking them off your list. Do you like hiking? There are different hiking trails to waterfalls. But the most enjoyable is to do a combination of everything. Here is an overview of activities I was able to experience during my stay.
Do you also want to stay at Bellavista Cloud Forest Lodge in Ecuador? Check the latest prices and availability here.
Bird watching
I am not an avid birdwatcher, but I can fully enjoy looking for birds during my travels. Especially at Bellavista Cloud Forest Lodge in Ecuador, you don’t need to be an expert to appreciate it here. You can spot the most beautiful species with the naked eye, where the trogon, both the male and female, were the highlights for me. The colors and long tail are truly magnificent. Even while walking through the cloud forest, the guide points out sounds. There’s nothing more fun than searching for the bird together and hopefully finding it. If you don’t see them, you can look them up later in a book and learn more.
Birds are best observed early in the morning or late afternoon. The alarm clock goes off between 5:30 and 6:00 AM, so you hear the birds wake up. This is accompanied by beautiful sounds. And if you’re lucky, you might spot the tayra, a weasel-like animal that often shows up in the morning.
Hiking
Bellavista Cloud Forest in Ecuador has ten kilometers of hiking trails, divided into twenty trails. The paths range from easy to medium to difficult, with lots of ascents and descents. The routes can be walked with a local guide to learn more about nature or on your own. In any case, try to visit one of the waterfalls. Bellavista Cloud Forest has four.
Hummingbirds
Around Bellavista Cloud Forest Lodge in Ecuador, numerous species of hummingbirds can be found, each more beautiful than the other. One of the experiences you shouldn’t miss during your stay at Bellavista Cloud Forest Lodge is watching hummingbirds balance on your fingers with a bowl of sugar water. A unique way to admire the hummingbird up close. The speed at which these creatures fly past you and the breathtaking colors are images you won’t quickly forget!
Night walks
One of my favorite moments of the day is witnessing nature transition from day to night. The frogs start croaking, crickets and other insects make themselves heard, and the birds come back to life. In addition, on clear days, you have the chance to see sunsets. Just take a seat on the terrace, with a drink in your hands, and take in the surroundings.
After dinner, you can go on a night walk with your guide, experiencing the cloud forest in an entirely different way. You hear new birds and get to know insects that only show themselves in the dark. If you’re lucky, you might even see the olinguito, a mammal from the raccoon family, which was discovered in the area in 2013.
Mini travel Guide Bellavista Cloud Forest Lodge in Ecuador
How long to stay at Bellavista Cloud Forest Lodge
This depends entirely on your interests, but my personal advice is to stay here for at least two nights and three days. Depart early from Quito on day 1 so that you have plenty of time to explore the different sides of Bellavista Cloud Forest in Ecuador.
How to reach Bellavista Cloud Forest Lodge
Bellavista Cloud Forest Lodge is about a 2-hour drive from Quito in Ecuador. The lodge offers a daily shared shuttle service. You can also book a private shuttle. If you prefer more freedom, you can also rent a car and drive there by yourself.
Curious about what to do in Quito? In my Quito Ecuador Travel Guide you will find all my insider tips for things to do, museums, restaurants and cool neighborhoods in Quito.
Car rental
Looking for a rental car for your trip to Ecuador? Use Rental Cars to search and compare your car rental options. A quick and easy tool and no need to have up multiple tabs trying to figure out which company is the most affordable. They also have great discounts and cancellation policies.
What to bring to Bellavista Cloud Forest Lodge – Packing List
What should you bring during your stay at Bellavista Cloud Forest Lodge in Ecuador? Firstly, it’s good to know that Bellavista Cloud Forest Lodge is comfortable. Nonetheless, there are some essential things you should bring. Here’s a packing list you can use to prepare your visit.
- Walking shoes (boots are available during you stay)
- Comfortable socks
- Sandals
- A Travel Insurance
- Light clothing (long and short sleeve, no bright clothing)
- Something warm for the evening (for when it cools down)
- Rainwear/poncho
- Daypack
- Dry bags and Ziploc bags
- Binoculars – they are also available on site.
- Cameras + long lens
- Self-charger because of humidity
- Headlamp/Flashlight
- Water bag and/or water bottle
- Hat against the sun
- Sunscreen
- Sunglasses
- Anti-mosquito spray
- After bite
- Medicines and other personal items
Travel Insurance
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More about Bellavista Cloud Forest Lodge in Ecuador
Want to know more about Bellavista Cloud Forest Lodge in Ecuador? Check the website, instagram of facebook. Do you also want to stay at Bellavista Cloud Forest Lodge in Ecuador? Check the latest prices and availability here.
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In every country I look out for the most beautiful and unique places to stay. A boutique atmosphere, a stylish design, a lovely setting, and a good service are important topics for me, when choosing a hotel. In addition, I like to support the locals and love a sustainable approach around a hotel. Are you curious about my favorite hotels in Ecuador? In the next article you will find an overview of the best boutique hotels in Ecuador, where I personally stayed.
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Disclaimer: I was invited to stay at Bellavista Cloud Forest Lodge in Ecuador but this review is based on my personal view and is independent from the invitation. This article may contain affiliate links. If you purchase something using one of our links, we may receive a commission at no extra cost to you, which helps us keep this blog alive. Thank you for your support! Please see our disclosures for more information.