Frog Concert Mindo: Just WHAT Is It? FULL Guide (2023)
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If you’re anything like me, you’ll be thinking just what the heck is a frog concert?! And then you’ll be even more confused when you find out it’s one of the most popular things to do in Mindo!
Unfortunately, there isn’t a well-dressed band of synchronized frogs playing a symphony at any point during this activity. If I’m honest, the ‘frog concert’ isn’t anything similar to a concert at all. But, it’s definitely one of the more unique things to do in Mindo.
In the following post, I explain everything you need to know about this strange and erm, kooky activity in Mindo so that you can make up your own mind when it comes to attending!
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- Ecuador Itinerary 3 Weeks: FULL Route + Guide
- Quito To Mindo: BEST And Easiest Routes
- What To Wear In The Amazon Rainforest (That Isn’t Ugly)
Frog Concert Mindo: A Summary
Before we get down to the nitty-gritty of the frog concert, let’s talk specifics.
| Location of the frog concert in Mindo | Mindo Lago Hotel Destino |
| Cost | $6 USD per person |
| Starting time | Between 6.30pm and 7.30pm (our tour started at 7.15pm, but we were told to get there at 6.30pm) |
| Duration | 1 hour (the tour ends around 8pm) |
| Pre-booking needed? | Yes. Simply message on Whatsapp the following number: +593 098-955-6607. |
| Language | Spanish only |
| How to get there | It’s around a 30-minute walk from the main street in Mindo. A taxi shouldn’t cost more than $2 USD. Getting a taxi home is a little more difficult, and you may want to speak to your hotel about return transportation. See ‘getting back‘ section for more information. |
| Summary of the event | Although it’s called a ‘frog concert’, the event itself is walking around Lago Mindo and participating in a rainforest night walk. |
What to expect at the frog concert in Mindo
So, what actually happens at the frog concert in Mindo? I can only speak from experience, and our experience was weird. But let me start from the beginning.
When we arrived in Mindo, I had my head buried in travel blogs trying to find the best things to do. One thing that kept popping up was the ‘frog concert’, and with a boyfriend who has a phobia of frogs, I knew we had to attend.
I wasn’t quite sure what to expect – especially as there is little-to-none information about it on the Internet. The noises of frogs in unison? Or maybe the venue would play music alongside the sound of the frogs?! Whatever it was, I was intrigued.
We took a taxi from Saguamby (our accommodation) for $2 USD to Mindo Lago Hotel Destino. In the frog concert’s defence, we were in Ecuador during the ‘off-season’, but we didn’t expect most of the hotel to be boarded up with large chains draped over the front gate. I immediately – and obviously – thought we were in the wrong place.
But after a few minutes of tapping on the gate and pushing what looked like year-old, dusty vines off the entrance, a large, open-top Range Rover pulled up behind us. Two people, who I can only assume were the owners, opened the gate and we were greeted by two giant Alsation dogs barking their heads off. Luckily we love dogs (but this was a little scary).
With our expectations still high, we entered the hotel to find we were the only people there. And not just for the frog concert. The hotel was entirely deserted. This just added to the creepiness, and I asked Tom if we could leave.
As I’ve watched just a few too many horror films, Tom convinced me to stay, and we sat in the silent reception for around 45 minutes to see if anyone else was going to attend. Unsurprisingly, they didn’t, and it was just the two of us attending the ‘show of the century’.
The night walk
At around 7.15 pm, a local from Mindo showed up with two small glasses of wine, and we drank whilst listening to the trilling frog melody below. As the hotel is on the lake, there are quite literally thousands of frogs who live there, so listening to the bellows below was actually pretty cool.
Our guide was great. He sadly didn’t speak English, but with the little Spanish we had picked up over the past nine months in Latin America, we were able to understand what he was saying. (I mean we were limited to big, small, old, young adjectives, but we appreciated it).
After we had finished our wine, we headed out to the rainforest. We were told about the frogs that lived in the lake, and as the sun set, the interesting creepy crawlies started to appear.
We had a 45-60 minute night walk through the rainforest, spotting bugs, plants, insects and even snakes with our flashlights (make sure your phone is charged) and learnt all about the local wildlife. This was a great experience, and we even ended up tipping our guide a little extra for doing the night walk for just the two of us.
In summary; it’s not really a ‘frog concert’. It’s a night walk through the rainforest, which is well worth the $6 USD. Our guide was fantastic – he had so much patience with our broken Spanish, and he had extensive knowledge of the area. For this reason alone, I’d say the frog concert is worth it.
But don’t go there and expect anything different! I’ve heard during peak time in Ecuador it’s a little busier, but maybe get a group together if you want to attend. We couldn’t get a taxi home after (Mindo is a sleepy town, and 8 pm is the equivalent of 3 am), so we had to jump in the back of a local’s van to get back to our hotel safely! This isn’t something I’d want to do solo.
All in all, it was an experience. Not one I’d do again, but one that I’m absolutely glad we did. It might have felt a little like a horror movie at first, but when else can you say you’ve been to a frog concert in the middle of Ecuador?
How to get to the frog concert in Mindo
Mindo Lago Hotel Destino is at the top of a hill, around a 30-minute walk from the main centre of Mindo. You can either walk or jump in a taxi for around 2 USD.
Related post: Travelling to the Amazon Rainforest in Ecuador? Check out my full Cuyabeno guide!
Getting back to your accommodation from the frog concert in Mindo
Whilst I can’t speak for taxis in Mindo during peak season, I can for the off-season. Mindo Lago Hotel Destino isn’t in one of the busiest areas, and there were simply no taxis (or even cars) to take us back to our accommodation after the frog concert.
As the concert finishes at 8 pm, you’ll leave in the pitch black, so walking back isn’t the best idea (it seems pretty safe in Mindo, but we didn’t want to risk it).
We spoke to reception and asked for a taxi, but unfortunately, none of the drivers were working as it was too late. We had one of their family friends pick us up and drop us back home. We paid them $5 USD (and gave a lot of thanks).
A little strange, and definitely not the best-case scenario, but like I said; I can’t speak for peak season. If you’ve visited during this time and know if the taxi situation is different, let me know!
Mindo is a sleepy, quiet town; so don’t expect anything to be happening in the evenings! That’s what makes booking a unique hotel like Saguamby even more important.
Related post: Quito to Mindo: How To Get There
Cost and duration of the frog concert in Mindo
The frog concert (and night walk) is $6 USD per person, which can be paid upon arrival. Don’t forget to pre-book via Whatsapp on the evening you will be attending (message on Whatsapp the following number: +593 098-955-6607).
Depending on the number of people attending, your concert and night walk will start around 7.15 pm. However, you are asked to arrive by 6.30 pm. The night walk and concert end by 8 pm.
Related post: Quito to Banos: Full Guide | What To Wear In The Amazon Rainforest (That Isn’t Ugly)
Is the frog concert in Mindo worth it?
In my opinion, yes, simply as I love night walks. Walking through the rainforest at night – for me – is unbeatable. We were able to talk 1:1 with a local and ask about the different wildlife and plants. In this case, the frog concert was great value for money. Our guide was also fantastic, and we would happily recommend him to anyone.
However, the fuss of getting into the frog concert and getting home wasn’t ideal. It also felt a little strange that we were the only ones there (and the hotel was completely deserted). And if you can’t speak Spanish, you may want to Whatsapp and see if there’s any way they can do the tour in English before turning up.
In summary, go to the frog concert if you like doing things that are a little different. If you’d rather avoid the fuss, you aren’t missing out on too much.
Where to stay in Mindo
Mindo is a tiny village in a cloud forest, around two hours north of Quito. It’s entirely walkable, and most accommodations are close together.
We stayed in the incredible Saguamby Mindo Lodge – which was genuinely one of our favourite hotels we stayed in throughout our entire Latin America trip. Our rustic cabin was right next to the River Mindo, and we were able to hear the gushing water from our bed.
The peace, quiet and tranquillity of the rainforest lodge were just bliss. I highly recommend booking Saguamby if there is availability!
- Saguamby Mindo Lodge: my top choice for couples or groups in Mindo! It may be a little quiet if you’re a solo traveller, but if you don’t mind having a relaxing few days by yourself, this hotel is perfect.
- Terrabambu Lodge: another tranquil and peaceful lodge in the rainforest.
- Cinnamon House: for solo travellers or couples wanting a hostel in Mindo
Other things to do in Mindo
Mindo was one of our favourite places in Ecuador. If I’m honest, if you book a good hotel like Saguamby, you don’t even need to plan a lot of things to do. Just relaxing in nature was good enough for us!
But if you find yourself becoming a little restless, some of the best things to do in Mindo include:
- Hiking to the local waterfalls
- Visiting the butterfly sanctuary
- Tubing or watersports on the Mindo River
- Bird watching
- Browsing the local markets and main street
- Taking it slow!
Need help packing for the Amazon Rainforest? Check out my post: What To Wear In The Amazon Rainforest (That Isn’t Ugly)
Frog concert Mindo: FAQs
1) Where is the frog concert in Mindo?
Mindo Lago Hotel Destino in Mindo. It is at the top of a hill, around a 30-minute walk from the main centre of Mindo. You can either walk or jump in a taxi for around 2 USD.
2) How long to spend in Mindo?
If you’re visiting Mindo for the first time, I recommend staying for at least 2 nights. This gives you enough time to explore the local area, hike to some of the waterfalls and take part in some activities along the river (like tubing).
3) Do I need an eSim to travel around Ecuador?
Yes, I highly recommend downloading an eSIM on your phone to ensure you can use it for directions and safety in Ecuador.
We found most of the cities to be chaotic and difficult to find local SIM cards. ESIMs are easy to download and ready to use within a few minutes of purchasing, so there’s no longer a need to hunt down free Wifi! ➡ You can check out the prices and packages for eSIMs here!
Don’t forget travel insurance for South America!
If you’re visiting South America as a backpacker, or even for a short vacation, it is so important to have travel insurance. And if you ended up on a post that’s called ‘epic party tips’, you know (just as well as I do) that you definitely need travel insurance.
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I know, I know, you’re thinking ‘but I can’t afford that!’. I was the same! It’s tough to fork out $42 a month on something ‘you might not need’. But what if something DOES happen? That extra Mezcal shot results in you falling down the stairs, or you eat something dodgy from a street food van.
If you need medical help at any point whilst in South America, you need travel insurance.
With SafetyWing, you’re covered on travel emergencies, basic medical costs and medical expenses throughout your trip, so you can travel without worry (at a backpacker’s price!)
Don’t even think twice about getting travel insurance for South America. Trust me, I have heard enough horror stories about backpackers who haven’t had insurance and have ended up in a lot of debt. Don’t be that person!
If you’ve been putting the job off because it takes a lot of time and effort to research the best travel insurance companies, I understand. That’s why I’ve done the hard work for you. Sign up for SafetyWing, and the job is done!
Frog concert Mindo: In a Nutshell
So, there you have it! Everything you need to know about the kooky and rather strange frog concert in Mindo. When you’re planning a trip to Ecuador, make sure you let me know over on Instagram or in the comments below!
If you haven’t seen my blog before, I write posts aimed at real-life travellers wanting authentic and down-to-earth information. I’m currently travelling around the world with my boyfriend (read more here!), creating guides and itineraries for you to follow in our footsteps!
Keep an eye out for more Ecuador content, all written from a personal and realistic point of view. You can sign up for my newsletter and juicy travel updates here!
As always, thanks for reading and supporting the blog!
Happy travelling 🙂
Jennie x
🇪🇨 Other Ecuador posts:
- Amazon Tours Ecuador: BEST Cuyabeno Trip From Quito
- Ecuador Itinerary 3 Weeks: FULL Route + Guide
- Quito To Banos: FULL Guide + Route
- What To Wear In The Amazon Rainforest (That Isn’t Ugly)
- Quito To Mindo: BEST And Easiest Routes
MEET THE AUTHOR!
Hi! I'm Jennie! As a part-time travel blogger based in London, I'm using my 10+ years of travel expertise to encourage & inspire you to step out of your comfort zone through sustainable, mindful and purposeful travel.
If I'm not writing, I'm either reading, drinking coffee or taking a wild swim (all at the same time if I'm feeling impressive).
