We recently covered Tamara's Galapagos cruise and also some tips for visiting Ecuador, but this week we are digging into where to stay in Ecuador. Tamara gives a recap of her trip including some mini hotel reviews for Hacienda La Danesa, Mashpi Lodge, and Hacienda Zuleta.

Episode Highlights

• Tamara spent 17 nights in Ecuador including 5 nights in the Galapagos, 1 night at Hacienda La Danesa, 2 nights in Cuenca, 1 night near Cotopaxi, 3 nights in Quito, 2 nights in the Mashpi Lodge, and 2 nights at Hacienda Zuleta
• You wouldn't want to move around this much but Tamara wanted to see a lot of the country
• Hacienda La Danesa is a good pairing with the Galapagos
• It is 1.5 hours from Guayaquil
• It is on a large property with a farm, cacoa plantation, and a teak plantation on site
• It is an all-inclusive property. There are only seven accommodations and there is also the family home, as it is still family run
• The lodge is very beautiful with a bar, restaurant, lounge area, and library
• The design and style is very beautiful and perfect for those that really appreciate nice design
• Included activities include milking the cows, biking with a local guide, river tubing, a visit to the cacao plantation, and a chocolate tasting and making workshop
• Additional activities include horseback riding, cooking classes, and off-site excursions
• For a Cloud Forest experience, especially if you don't want to go all the way out to the rainforest, Mashpi Lodge is a good option to pair with a visit to Quito or Cotopaxi
• It takes about two hours to get to Mashpi Lodge and the last hour is on a very rough dirt road and not great if you have neck or back issues
• Mashpi Lodge is really great for birdwatchers
• Tamara wouldn't recommend it for families with very young kids as it is pretty active
• 2-3 nights is perfect for the Mashpi Lodge
• There are morning and afternoon excursions and you can also opt into a night hike
• Each evening there are presentations from naturalists or biologists
• It is an all-inclusive experience with meals and activities (not alcohol or spa services)
• The Sky Bike gives a "birds eye" view of the Cloud Forest but it is hard work to pedal across the cable
• Hacienda Zuleta is located in the mountains about 1.5-2 hours from Quito
• It is a historical, family-run, colonial-style hacienda that offers a very authentic feeling stay
• This is also an inclusive stay with meals and activities
• The town is known for embroidery and there is a handicraft market every Sunday
• Some of the activities include hiking, biking, horseback riding (additional), visiting the Condor rehabilitation center, embroidery classes (additional), visits to the cheese making factory, tours of the kitchen garden and grounds, watching the sheep or cows be milked, and more
• The food is fantastic at Hacienda Zuleta
• Tamara also spent two nights at Casa Gangotena in central Quito, which is a fantastic luxury hotel which is well-located in the historic old town

Related Episodes

• Galapagos cruise