Bellavista Cloud Forest Reserve & Lodge

Restaurant, Hotel

By Richard Parsons

Bellavista is a cloud forest reserve & lodge one hour forty minutes drive from Quito. It is a 700 hectare private reserve which offers special experience in primary and secondary forest with towering, moss-covered trees, steep mountains and cascading waterfalls.

A variety of clearly-marked trails take you through the forest to hidden canyons and spectacular viewpoints. The reserve offers naturalist guides and specialist bird guides, and the self-guided educational trail awaits the curiosity of young people of all ages. Indeed, Bellavista caters to anybody who loves nature!

Transport-inclusive packages from Quito or elsewhere are available every day. The truly original lodging facilities include the Geodesic Dome, Bamboo House, Gingerbread House, House in the Woods and Gloria´s Honeymoon House. Budget facilities are available at the Research Station, and it also offers camping areas. Gourmet food includes local trout and chicken, and vegetarian options.

The reserve is located along the first “Eco-Route” in the world, and hence the dirt road that leads to Bellavista is well-maintained and takes the visitor through a zone of fascinating scenic variety and amazing biodiversity. The Tandayapa Valley (and notably Bellavista) is famous for its hummingbirds – 42 species have been identified within the valley, a world record! In fact, if you do not see a hummingbird, they will give you a refund! Other wildlife includes the Spectacled Bear, and many colourful birds – Masked Trogon, Plate-billed Mountain-Toucan, and rarities like Tanager-Finch and Giant Antpitta. Orchids and other fascinating plants and the many animals are wide open to research options – ask about this. And for those who also just want to relax, then discover the peace of a place away from the city and busy roads.

Traveler Reviews of

love dabirds

Rating: 0%

Staff oddly patronizing and unhelpful. Guides good. Food abundant when served but staff service strangely mechanical and joyless. Birds were great. Wouldn't recommend though; 5 times higher price or more in comparison to other Equadorian venues. Not good value.

By lovedabirds from Philadephia, Mar 26, 2008

Nice trails and good guides

Rating: 100%

We did a waterfall hiking and it was fantastic, also the guides speak good english and explain everything about the place.

By V!VA User from Denmark, Jan 31, 2008

Bellavista

Rating: -10%

My friend and I stayed at Bellavista last month--Nov 2007. The staff was confused, incompetent and downright rude; they even laughed at me in front of our dining group. They fawned over a large departing Scandanavian group waiting for tips....while we were not given our room in the Dome for 4 HOURS!! The guide, Gabriel and the volunteer, Faye were the ONLY redeeming part of Bellavista; besides other travelers, and, of course, the birdies. When I voiced my complaints to the "manager," he did not hear me and seemed even to avoid contact with the guests, preferring to hang out with the staff in their dining alcove. Lastly, they claim to be eco-friendly...dirty hand towels are just plain slothful. Provide clean hand towels, already. How about the napthalene deodorizers in the toilets? Real eco friendly! This was the end of our lovely time in Ecuador. Bellavista was funky in more ways than one.

By V!VA User, Dec 11, 2007

An unforgetable visit

Rating: 100%

Our 4 day stay at Bella Vista was a truly spectacular experience. We liked all of the birds and the many hiking trails. We also appreciated the safety on those trails. The lodge has an excellent birding guide that one can hire by the hour or half day. The setting was unforgetable. Truly a shangri-la.

By V!VA User from Redlands California, Jun 18, 2006