Mindo is 90 km northwest of Quito, about a two-hour journey. Direct buses depart from the Terminal de La Ofelia (Terminal Noroccidental) in northern Quito on weekday mornings and more frequently on weekends. The journey takes two to two and a half hours. Return buses from Mindo to Quito run through the day; the last departure is typically mid-afternoon, so plan accordingly for day trips.
By car from Quito, take the Mitad del Mundo road north and then turn west towards Calacalí; from there the road descends steeply through cloud forest to Mindo. The old road via Nono (rather than the newer road via Calacalí) is longer but spectacular for birds — birders often drive this route slowly, stopping at every promising stretch of forest. The Mindo road also passes through the villages of Mindo Valley, and the surrounding farms and remnant forest are worth exploring if you have a vehicle.