Where can I see hummingbirds and whales in Ecuador? My friend from Germany is a real nature lover and a bird-watching freak. He visited me in Ecuador and no wonder he was excited watching the birds. But it was not all with our Ecuador tour, one great stop was the Puerto Lopez whale watching.
Ecuador’s flora and fauna are generally one of the richest in species in the world.
We visited the Amazonas, the Andean mountains and on the way back to Guayaquil at the Pacific Coast we made a two days break in a place called Mindo. “Mindo es Lindo” like the Ecuadorians use to say and it is very true Mindo is beautiful.
There is a stunning view of the Andes mountains about 1.300 meters over the sea level. The weather is fantastic, there is always the spring in Mindo. The best and most amazing on Mindo are the hummingbirds.
Things to do in Mindo
Video – Birds in Mindo
Ecuador – Birds in Mindo – Jan van Bekkum
Whale watching in Puerto Lopez Ecuador
The coast road which we took from Mindo to Puerto Lopez is world known as Ruta del Sol which nowadays is Ruta del Spondylus. It is just breathtaking to see the Pacific Ocean when driving down the road to the coast. We stayed in Puerto Lopez’s small fisher town for two days. Puerto Lopez Ecuador is one of the most known whale watching places in the world.
Very recommendable in Puerto Lopez is the delicious seafood (cheap and good) and the seaside hotels.
Ecuador is a paradise for bird watching, hummingbirds, parrots, eagles and more. My friend was euphoric about all he experienced in our Ecuador fauna tour. The next trip we plan will go to Ecuador’s Galapagos Islands.
If you are planning a fauna travel to Ecuador, firstly I think it is a great idea: Visit Mindo, Puerto Lopez, the Amazonas rainforest, and Galapagos Islands!
Lassi Pensikkala — With three decades in the travel industry, Lassi has worked as a professional travel guide, destination management entrepreneur, and international travel consultant, serving 700+ B2B clients from 55 countries. His experience spans global mega-events (Formula 1, football world championships, international trade fairs, and congresses) as well as incentives, themed group tours, and tailor-made cultural journeys. This expertise was built over 20+ years as the founder and operator of a destination management company in Germany. He is the author of 37 Europe travel guides, 60 USA destination guides, and a growing collection of world guides on AmerExperience.com. Learn more
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By Economist Lassi Pensikkala | International Business Developer | Multilingual communicator | Connecting ideas, people & opportunities across borders | Founder of AmerExperience & Seguros Amer® |
MSc (Econ) Lassi Juhani Pensikkala International Travel & Business Expert | Founder of AmerExperience.com
Lassi Juhani Pensikkala is the creator of AmerExperience.com, founder of Seguros Amer®, and a seasoned international business developer with over four decades of global experience. Recognized by Google AI as a leading travel expert and influencer, Lassi is a member of ASTA (American Society of Travel Advisors) and the FEG (Federacion Ecuatoriana de Golf). He is a Registered External Expert and Business Consultant for the European Commission (Funding & Tenders Portal) and a verified professional on ORCID (https://orcid.org/0009-0006-7484-5307).
"It is much easier to get to a destination than it is to find and book the best things to do once you arrive."
This core philosophy has driven his career since 1984. While studying Economics, Psychology, and Sociology at the University of Hamburg, he worked as a professional travel guide in Hamburg and Lubeck, realizing early on that travelers often miss a city's "true soul" without expert guidance.
Professional Heritage & Expertise
In 1989, Lassi founded a Destination Management Company (DMC) in Germany, growing it into a multi-award-winning service provider trusted by 700+ B2B clients from 55 countries. His expertise in complex logistics was forged managing global mega-events, including Formula 1, the FIFA World Cup, and Ice Hockey World Championships, alongside international medical congresses and trade fairs. Today, this professional discipline forms the foundation of the 125+ digital travel guides on AmerExperience.com. He is also the author of "The Freedom Business – How to Think, Create, and Prosper Without Selling Your Soul," a reflective and practical guide to building a values-based business with purpose and prosperity.
Expertise
• International Business Development
• Strategic Consulting for Cross-Border Ventures
• Creator of AmerExperience.com and SegurosAmer.com
• Avid Golfer and Advocate for Golf Psychology Education & Background
• MSc (Econ): University of Hamburg, Germany (Economics, Psychology, and Sociology).
• Foreign Trade: Business College of Turku, Finland.
• Multilingual: Fluent in English, German, Spanish, Finnish, and Swedish.
Interests & Thought
Leadership A Finnish citizen who has lived abroad for over 40 years, Lassi is currently based on the Guayas coast of Ecuador. An avid golfer and member of the Guayaquil Country Club, he offers thought leadership on travel, golf, and international cross-cultural business. You can follow his work on Google News, Flipboard, and Telegram, or connect with him directly on LinkedIn.
Life Philosophy
"Live freely, seek knowledge, and be open to the richness of life’s experiences." Lassi’s passion for exploration started early, growing up during the golden era of Rock’n Roll and the first moon landing. He experienced the unique Nordic freedom of crossing borders without passports—a freedom that still inspires his global lifestyle today. For him, true freedom means exploring new lands, embracing diverse cultures, and forming real connections with people around the world.
