Fodor's Expert Review Bellavista Cloud Forest Reserve

Two hours out of Quito puts you smack-dab up in the heights of Ecuador's best-known cloud forest, replete with trails, waterfalls, orchids, and an amazing 275 bird species to add to your life list. You can do the place as a day trip—a long day trip from the capital—but staying here at the reserve's rustic but comfy dome-shape hotel makes a much more relaxing alternative. Rooms, one of which is wheelchair-accessible, have wood floors, basic furnishings and private balconies. (The birds will be your morning alarm clock.) A couple of other small cottages on site offer more seclusion, but all offer you access to surprisingly yummy food considering the isolated location. Various mix-and-match packages let you include tours and transportation.