Ecuador: Quito > Mindo > The Coast
- Jun 2
- 2 min read
Mar 2026 |
Here's info on 3 solo rides from Quito to the coast.
Quito > Mindo
After completing my trip to Galapagos, I wasn't clear on where to go next -- south, west to the coast, or east to the Amazon. These days, the coast is largely off-limits due to cartel issues. But I talked to some local riders who had just been there and said it was not as big an issue as publicised. So, I decided to head to Mindo, 2 hours from Quito, and then decide on the next steps.
Before arriving, I didn't know anything about Mindo other than that it is a good place to visit near Quito. Honestly, I now rate it as a must-visit place in Ecuador, with access to some outstanding nature, and is just a decent little tourist town in general. My guesthouse was the highlight of the trip, with an observation area that was teeming with many of the 500 bird species to be found around Mindo, as well as always entertaining agoutis. I also went on a 2-hour hike at the end of the road, though I saw no wildlife at all -- don't bother.
Ride: 100 km / 2 hrs
Stay: El Descanso / $26 / ****
Mindo > Canoa
From Mindo, I rode to the coast, final stop Canoa. I came across a massive semi crash blocking the road; I think it skidded out on a mudslide. It was a 90-minute diversion to ride back and around, or a 10-minute ride around the truck to the next junction. Some small bikes were riding around on a makeshift mud track. While I had some doubts about making it through, I decided to go for it and inched my way through the mud path. But things got really challenging when I got back onto the pavement: the road was so slippery, but the bike started to spin sideways. Fortunately, some guys helped me right my way, and I slowly managed to ride through the goop.
Canoa was a ghost town. Though previously a top-destination beach town, the recent crime wave has decimated tourism. I was the only gringo in town. I stayed 2 nights, ate some good seafood at beachside restaurants.
Ride: 285 km / 6 hrs
Stay: ?
Canoa > Manta > San Lorenzo
I started the day with a plan to ride to Puerto Cayo. I rode through Manta, a sizeable tuna fishing port, and then on to San Lorenzo, home to some spectacular beach scenery. I started riding south, but was low on fuel, so I turned back to try and make it to Manta for a refill and pit stop for the night. Manta is a nice town. I stayed in a decent business hotel, ate dinner at La Novia del Toro, a good burger place with great sunset views -- make sure to check it out if you ever get to Manta.
Ride: 250 km / 7 hrs
Stay: Hotel Voyager / $40 / ****
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