Our top five socialbnb accomodations in Ecuador
Only about half the size of Germany, but incredibly diverse: Ecuador. Its landscapes, cultural diversity, warm-hearted people and breathtaking biodiversity (like almost nowhere else in the world!) make the republic in the northwest of South America an incredibly exciting (travel) country. There are also a lot of socialbnb’s where you can stay authentically with a good conscience and definitely gain a special insight into the life of the locals. You can’t do that with a classic hotel stay! Therefore, here are our five accomodations in Ecuador that are so cool, that you’ll never want to leave again!
Have fun with the travel fever you’ll get into…!
La Hesperia Cloud Forest Reserve
Contributing to the protection of a 700 hectare Ecuadorian cloud forest with your overnight stay – a bit unreal, isn’t it? But the whole thing works, and your accommodation is also super cool and close to nature. With a beautiful view of the forest, which you help to preserve with your overnight stay, you’re sure to have a great night’s sleep.
Your room belongs to the Hesperia Cloud Forest Reserve of the western mountain range of the Ecuadorian Andes. In addition to protecting this reserve, the project’s mission is to unite environmental protection and human development through sustainable tourism, organic and sustainable permaculture and agriculture. And that’s not all: in addition, the organization offers educational projects for sustainability and supports a regional children’s soccer team. If you are still not convinced, then you just have to see the location on the pictures here and book your next stay!
Fundación Otonga
Just a stone’s throw away from Cloud Forest Reserve (1.5 hours by car) is another accommodation worth mentioning. At this accomodation ecological sustainability is written in capital letters. With your booking you help to protect the environment, preserve biodiversity and sustainably manage the natural resources on site. And the view of the forest from your room is magnificent – the windows could hardly be bigger. You can also do some great bird watching from there. Or – for the lazy among us – just listen to them while you are still in bed in the morning.
The aim of the project is to improve the quality of life of current generations, but above all that of future generations. This is to be achieved by creating more environmental awareness among the population and a new social ethic. Exciting approach, isn’t it?
Turismo Comunitario Salasaka
We continue to Salasaca – deep into the interior of Ecuador. Salasaca is a Kichwa village in the Andes between the towns of Ambato and Baños in the canton of Pelileo in the province of Tungurahua. Here you will find the turismo comunitario. By spending the night there, you will contribute to the financing of a project dedicated to the preservation and conservation of the Kichwa language and sacred sites. An English school is also supported financially.
The accommodations are surrounded by waterfalls, mountains and volcanoes. Here you can enjoy Baños de Agua Santa. There are impressive waterfalls, and you can see or even climb the volcano Tungurahua, active since 1999. Also the volcano Cotopaxi or Chimborazo, the highest mountain in Ecuador, are not far away and perfect to do some hiking. And if you feel like a little jungle feeling, the Amazon is also close by. As you can see, you can’t get bored at all! Because even in the village itself there are enough opportunities to chat with the locals, to cook and to experience the culture up close.
Inti Sisa Art Guesthouse
South of the Andes is a small indigenous village called Guamote; just 2000 people live there. But it is almost perfect for a short stopover on your journey through Ecuador and is located on the Avenue of Volcanoes. At the Inti Sisa Art Guesthouse you will find your place to sleep, and with your booking you will financially support an educational center for locals in Guamote. The goal of the organization is to promote the education of disadvantaged people, especially young girls and women. With different workshops like computer classes, sewing classes or music and English lessons in the education center this goal is realized.
The sustainable guesthouse offers 24 bedrooms. You can choose between single, twin, double or multi-bed rooms. Breakfast is always included and if you feel like having lunch or dinner there, you can easily book that as well.
Huerta Luna Galapagos
About 1,000 km west of the Ecuadorian coast lies the Galapagos Islands. A trip there is probably everyone’s dream. The fantastic wildlife, unique landscapes, white sandy beaches and a wonderfully pleasant climate make the islands an absolute highlight. If you can also financially support sustainable agroecological food production and research on the Galapagos Islands with your overnight stay at the Huerta Luna farm, you’ve just won, haven’t you?
The self-built bamboo huts where you stay are made almost exclusively from local materials and are located in the middle of the Galapagos “jungle” – just like the farm. Here, research is being conducted into techniques and plant species with which it is possible to practice regenerative and sustainable agriculture. The long-term goal is to contribute to the clean and local production of products, to promote the local circular economy and to preserve the ecosystem.
If you’d rather travel to Asia, we’ve prepared a similar post on our top 5 places to stay in Southeast Asia. Read through and awake the wanderlust in you!