Hacienda hospitality and rural life
A hacienda is a rural farm estate, many of which were established in Ecuador in colonial times. In style, they range from grand mansions to rustic homesteads but all are rooted in their environment and play an important role in the local community often providing employment and helping with education.
Staying as a guest is a wonderful way to experience life in the countryside away from the cities and towns, learn about the history of the region and enjoy hearty Andean cuisine.
- Historic, characterful accommodation
- Go walking, biking and horse riding
- Get a feel for rural life
- Help out on the farm
- Tasty, home-cooked food
- Take a break from sightseeing
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Welcome to the hacienda
Take time out from sightseeing to be part of life in a rural community, staying as a house guest and experiencing life on the farm as well as enjoying the beautiful surroundings.
© PCook
© PCook
© PCook
Hacienda hospitality
It’s not every day that you stay at the home of two former presidents so Hacienda Zuleta is something special. It has been in the Galo Plaza Lasso family since 1898 and has a homely atmosphere. You’re even assigned your personal host on arrival who’ll help you make the most of your stay.
You’re welcome to take your pick of daily activities from carriage rides to cookery classes, embroidery to milking a cow, horse riding to touring the cheese factory plus plenty of hiking and biking trails. There are special options for kiddies, a troop of tail-wagging dogs an impressive condor rehabilitation project and you can round off the day with traditional Andean music and toasted marshmallows around the bonfire.
R&R and more at Piman
If you’re craving a retreat from the hectic pace of the 21st century Hacienda Piman is the place. Located in a verdant valley with its own micro-climate you can unwind on the shaded terrace, stroll round the tranquil gardens, enjoy a dip in the pool and an expert massage.
Should you wish to venture you can explore nearby Ibarra with its colonial architecture and cobbled streets and take the gentle two-hour train ride to Salinas on the coast. Other attractions unique to this area are El Chota Valley with its Afro-Ecuadorian population and El Angel Ecological Reserve where you can see strange high attitude trees and flowers.
History and nature
San Agustin de Callo has Inca, colonial and republican heritage which you take in from the main courtyard complete with llamas and as you take a guided tour of the hacienda’s historical and archaeological sites. On a walk round the property you may see horses being trained, cows milked, help out in the veg garden and even train using a fake bull in the bullring!
The unmistakable snow-capped peak of Cotopaxi dominates the view, its foothills ideal for walking and biking, and an energetic hike takes you to photogenic Quilotoa Crater Lake. Village and market visits can be arranged to gain an insight into local life.
Fun on the farm
Hacienda La Danesa is a working dairy farm and cacao plantation and the Oslen family, your host, are happy for you to be involved in day-to-day life, helping with milking, tasting the chocolate, learning about bee keeping and joining cooking workshops as well as having fun cycling, horse riding and river tubing.
If you want to experience ‘real’ Ecuador away from the tourist crowds this is for you and children are very welcome making this a great choice for families.
