Ecuador
Community Connections
Ecuador has two of our favorite community-based lodges and guesthouses. One is the Runa Tupari project in the Andean highlands, near the market town of Otovalo. Runa Tupari works with local families who want to host travelers in small guesthouses on their farms. Staying in these comfortable guesthouses, each with private bathroom and hot water shower, allows us a glimpse into the lives of local villagers. You'll see their houses, crops, and animals, and scenes of daily life in a high altitude Andean village.
The guesthouses are comfortable and cozy, and on cool nights the local families build fires in the guesthouse fireplaces.
The guesthouses are an excellent base from which to hike at the Ecological Reserve Cotacachi-Cayapas, climb the extinct volcano Fuya-Fuya, or browse the colorful tapestries in the market of Otovalo. Runa Tupari has trained two dozen local and native guides who are licensed by the Ecuadorian Ministry of Tourism and Ministry of the Environment, allowing guests to learn about the regional wildlife, flora, culture, and history.
Yachana Lodge (described on "Destinations" page) is a second community-based highlight, in the Amazon rainforest instead of the Andean highlands.
