Cloud Forest

What ages are your children. I think they would probably enjoy both places but it depends on their ages as to what activities they can be involved in. Banos will be partying then if it is anything like what is was several years ago with activities for children of most ages included. A carnival atmosphere is usually the go around Christmas/New Year and also in the mid-year school and uni holidays.

Mindo is great for nature and if the children are old enough there are other activities also but I suspect yours might be too young to ride the Ziplines or go rafting down rapids (not too rough actually and I saw quite a few children enjoying that) on hugh rubber tyres etc which older children can do.

Hi!
I travelled to Ecuador on a school trip and stayed a few nights in both Baños and Bellavista. Both were enchanting, although in different ways. Bellavista is more remote than Baños, but that doesn't mean there's nothing to do. It really feels like a cloud forest-y other world in Bellavista! The proprietors and staff there are knowledgeable and friendly; the view is absolutely astounding; there are TONS of bugs and mud, which your kids might really like. :) There are great hikes on the property -of varied length and difficulty- and hummingbirds that buzz right up to you. You can also see how bananas grow and hear toucans cheering from the trees. The accomodations are simple, but clean.

Baños is a fun, pretty town. I remember there being more opportunities for structured activities, like bike-riding and ziplines over the nearby river. There are also several beautiful and breathtaking waterfalls nearby. Though the Bellavista preserve is more remote, there is beautiful scenery all over Ecuador, including in Baños. Apparently, there is also a cloud forest near Baños, but I haven't been there so can't give you any advice!

I hope I've given you a little more information to make a choice - both are good destinations!

Happy trails!
Katie

We have been to both places with our kids. In Mindo, the kids loved the butterfly "farm", the amazing birdwatching, and river tubing. The Banos hot pools are fun and the road from Banos to Puyo decends in just a few hours to the amazon basin and has great short hikes to waterfalls along the road going down. The Banos trip is more town centered with lots of restaurants and cafes with nature close by. The Mindo trip is more of a nature experience.

Oustide of Banos, the volcano Tungurahua is smoking away with occasional eruptions. That can either be exciting or nerve racking, depending on your point of view.

Both places are worth a visit.
-Peter

Peter as always is right. We were in Mindo this summer with our children and really loved it. Although we did not stay at Bellavista, friends that we met while traveling had and thought it was extraordinary. The hiking, river rafting, birding and visit to cock in the rock were all great. We also spent time in Banos and really enjoyed that too. They were very different experiences and both gave you a feeling on the diversity of Ecuador's environment.