Hacienda San Juan de la Vega is truly fantastic! A highlight of my visit to Ecuador. The property is stunning and the houses immaculate. The best part of our visit, however, was the amazing staff! Darwin and Veronica went out of their way to make us feel at home and to ensure we had a great stay. The property itself offers endless activities; hiking, horseback riding, and endless photo opportunities made it very hard to leave. Having travelled extensively throughout Ecuador, I can say without a doubt, Hacienda San Juan de la Vega is the best there is!

We visited San Juan de la Vega with our 4 children and another family of friends. I can´t say enough wonderful things about staying at this beautiful hacienda. Fun activities for everyone all day long! We were surrounded by nature, a peaceful environment, and assisted by the kindest people with every detail to make our stay unforgettable. Our children had the opportunity to experience life at the countryside at its fullest. Horse back riding, fetching fresh eggs, harvesting organic vegetables and even cow milking! Adults enjoyed sitting by the fireplace, cooking in the beautifully equipped kitchen and taking long, tranquil walks. Being only a two hour drive from the city of Quito, it makes a great destination to come back any time, even on any regular weekend. Janine and David are wonderful hosts, always willing to help and come by for a nice chat. They have really thought of every detail, from fluffy pillows to fun games for the children to play. Hopefully, we will come back again soon! We are telling all our friends about this accessible yet magnificent experience for great family fun!

We visited San Juan de la Vega with our 4 children and another family of friends. I can´t say enough wonderful things about staying at this beautiful hacienda. Fun activities for everyone all day long! We were surrounded by nature, a peaceful environment, and assisted by the kindest people with every detail to make our stay unforgettable. Our children had the opportunity to experience life at the countryside at its fullest. Horse back riding, fetching fresh eggs, harvesting organic vegetables and even cow milking! Adults enjoyed sitting by the fireplace, cooking in the beautifully equipped kitchen and taking long, tranquil walks. Being only a two hour drive from the city of Quito, it makes a great destination to come back any time, even on any regular weekend. Janine and David are wonderful hosts, always willing to help and come by for a nice chat. They have really thought of every detail, from fluffy pillows to fun games for the children to play. Hopefully, we will come back again soon! We are telling all our friends about this accessible yet magnificent experience for great family fun!

We stayed in Casa Ana and I must say that the pictures online do not do the property justice. When we first arrived and walked into the house we were in AWE of how traditional, spacious, and beautiful the house is; it's modern and rustic at the same time. Plenty of room for up to eight people. Highlights of our stay: 1) The farm - We went out every day except for one day; it was the best day of the week. We milked cows, made cheese, made empanadas, went horseback riding, hiked to the waterfall, got eggs from the chicken coop for breakfast, and finished it off by watching a movie by the fireplace. As soon as the kids woke up every morning they would put on their boots and go outside to play in the creek or explore the farm; they loved the farm and enjoyed it more than any of the adults. 2) Darwin and Veronica - The caretakers were always alert to our comings and goings to make sure we had everything we needed. She took care of cleaning the house every morning and got up at 4AM to take us to milk the cows and teach us how to make empanadas; he made sure we had the fireplace going every night and took care of the horses when we went riding. They were awesome. 3) Wilmer the driver - I spent on average $100 per day on the days we went out. Two of the days we went far (2 hours away) and the other days we stayed close to Otavalo. If I had rented a car it would have cost at least that much. However, we were six so it would have been a tight squeeze and we would have been lost half the time. Wilmer has a mini school bus which was perfect for the large group. He knew exactly where we wanted to go and how to get there. On top of that he was very friendly and became a friend before the week was up. If you are planning a trip to Imbabura, Ecuador, this is by far the best place to stay. Janine, the owner, was very hospitable; she invited us to see her house, Casa Blanca, and introduced us to her husband and her parents. What an AWESOME vacation. I was posting pictures on Facebook every night and all my friends were so jealous; I can't wait to go back.

We stayed in Casa Ana and I must say that the pictures online do not do the property justice. When we first arrived and walked into the house we were in AWE of how traditional, spacious, and beautiful the house is; it's modern and rustic at the same time. Plenty of room for up to eight people. Highlights of our stay: 1) The farm - We went out every day except for one day; it was the best day of the week. We milked cows, made cheese, made empanadas, went horseback riding, hiked to the waterfall, got eggs from the chicken coop for breakfast, and finished it off by watching a movie by the fireplace. As soon as the kids woke up every morning they would put on their boots and go outside to play in the creek or explore the farm; they loved the farm and enjoyed it more than any of the adults. 2) Darwin and Veronica - The caretakers were always alert to our comings and goings to make sure we had everything we needed. She took care of cleaning the house every morning and got up at 4AM to take us to milk the cows and teach us how to make empanadas; he made sure we had the fireplace going every night and took care of the horses when we went riding. They were awesome. 3) Wilmer the driver - I spent on average $100 per day on the days we went out. Two of the days we went far (2 hours away) and the other days we stayed close to Otavalo. If I had rented a car it would have cost at least that much. However, we were six so it would have been a tight squeeze and we would have been lost half the time. Wilmer has a mini school bus which was perfect for the large group. He knew exactly where we wanted to go and how to get there. On top of that he was very friendly and became a friend before the week was up. If you are planning a trip to Imbabura, Ecuador, this is by far the best place to stay. Janine, the owner, was very hospitable; she invited us to see her house, Casa Blanca, and introduced us to her husband and her parents. What an AWESOME vacation. I was posting pictures on Facebook every night and all my friends were so jealous; I can't wait to go back.

We have travelled all over Ecuador and this was by far the nicest property we encountered! The owners were very gracious and responsive to all inquiries, the home was completely furnished with excellent linens/beddings, the kitchen was well-stocked, excellent furniture and amenities, and the location was heavenly. One of the owners is American and the other is ecuadorian, so easy to communicate is both english and spanish. The on-site staff were kind and very professional. Close to the city of Otavalo, but far enough away to relax and enjoy the unbelievable setting! Sitting in a valley at the base of the Andes Mountains, you really get a rare glimpse of ecuador's unspoiled beauty. The property has an organic garden for you to harvest your own fresh veggies, they have an excellent stable of horses with all the equipment needed for a safe horse back ride through the valley, several wood burning fireplaces, beautiful landscaping, and each room in the house has been hand-painted with lovely details that you simply do not find in other rentals. This is a must stay for anyone traveling to this area!

We have travelled all over Ecuador and this was by far the nicest property we encountered! The owners were very gracious and responsive to all inquiries, the home was completely furnished with excellent linens/beddings, the kitchen was well-stocked, excellent furniture and amenities, and the location was heavenly. One of the owners is American and the other is ecuadorian, so easy to communicate is both english and spanish. The on-site staff were kind and very professional. Close to the city of Otavalo, but far enough away to relax and enjoy the unbelievable setting! Sitting in a valley at the base of the Andes Mountains, you really get a rare glimpse of ecuador's unspoiled beauty. The property has an organic garden for you to harvest your own fresh veggies, they have an excellent stable of horses with all the equipment needed for a safe horse back ride through the valley, several wood burning fireplaces, beautiful landscaping, and each room in the house has been hand-painted with lovely details that you simply do not find in other rentals. This is a must stay for anyone traveling to this area!

We have been to San Juan de la Vega twice and we absolutely loved this place. It is warm and exclusive, quiet and fun. Janine and David are wonderful hosts and really made feel at home. Our children loved every single activity there: horseback riding, playing in the fields, milking the cow, taking fresh eggs and making cheese. The natural surroundings are spectacular and there are many beautiful places we visited from there. Each one of our stay there was heaven. Highly recommended!

We have been to San Juan de la Vega twice and we absolutely loved this place. It is warm and exclusive, quiet and fun. Janine and David are wonderful hosts and really made feel at home. Our children loved every single activity there: horseback riding, playing in the fields, milking the cow, taking fresh eggs and making cheese. The natural surroundings are spectacular and there are many beautiful places we visited from there. Each one of our stay there was heaven. Highly recommended!

We had a fantastic stay, everything was perfect and the attention to detail is just impressive. From the fresh flowers at our arrival, the fireplace going, to the horseback rides..we really had a splendid visit, and would recommend anyone that is looking for a unique exprience to stay here. Excellent for kids!

We had a fantastic stay, everything was perfect and the attention to detail is just impressive. From the fresh flowers at our arrival, the fireplace going, to the horseback rides..we really had a splendid visit, and would recommend anyone that is looking for a unique exprience to stay here. Excellent for kids!

Wow! We will never forget our amazing experience at the ranch or the friends we made while there. The owners, David and Janine, have fulfilled their vision of the perfect, peaceful getaway. By design, this was a fantasy land for our three children. As parents we wanted our children to experience a taste of a simpler life, but we also feared that our children (ages 9-16) would be bored without the technology they are used to. The reality was that our kids were up early every morning eager to play with all of the animals and go "exploring" as they called it. They rode the donkey, played with the rabbits, guinea pigs, baby chicks, dogs and cat. They milked the cow, collected the eggs and gathered the vegetables which we ate. They also worked and planted in the garden. Truthfully, we had trouble getting them to come inside at the end of each day. The house itself was very charming and well-appointed while at the same time comfortable and cozy. It was also thoughtfully stocked with games, books and all of the supplies that made it feel like home. Best of all were the helpers and the owners. They were all more than happy to help us in whatever way they could and they enjoyed showing us around and giving us many different experiences. We didn’t want to leave, but we plan on staying in touch and hopefully coming back once again. Donna and Greg Naples, Florida

Parece que la tecnología se opone a que deje mi testimonio de aquellos días maravillosos que pasamos en la Vega en la Casa Mónica!! Fue un escape de la civilización y del estres de la ciudad a la mágica quietud del campo, en un escenario tan confortable y acogedor que nos sentimos por unos días dueños de ese lugar maravilloso. Como ya conocemos los alrededores turísticos no hicimos sino pasar en la Vega, paseos a la montaña, cruzando ríos, charcos, cosechando vegetales orgánicos, horneando galletas, viendo los animalitos, peliculas frente a una gran y enorme chimenea y TV!!! Mi familia entera, Antonia (6), Juan Simón (4) mi esposo, mi mamá y mi hermana todos cautivados por esta maravillosa estancia!! Gracias David y Janine....esperamos con ansia volver !!!!! Familia Dávalos Romero

We arrived at 11pm and the driver was ready and waiting with a very comfortable car to take all 6 of us and a mountain of luggage to the hacienda. When we arrived at the Hacienda it was very late but the staff was wonderful and had waited up for us. There were 2 huge fires going and the home was extremely clean and warm and ready for us. the beds all have wonderful european duvets on them and we dove in and had the best night sleep ever! The Honesty pantry that Janine set up was a life saver as we did not need to go into the grocery store the first day or so, she has thought of everything from wine to toothbrushes. The staff is friendly, helpful and easy to understand if you speak even a little spanish. Always smiling and ready to serve. They are all great with our kids. They have given us multiple tours of the farm and protect the kids and teach them how the farm runs. This place is a dream come true. Janine and David are very good people and although we have just gotten here, count them as trustworthy friends, they have provided everything they said they would and more. We are looking forward to many more trips to this beautiful hacienda.

Janine and David have worked very hard to provide lovely, affordable, boutique-style homes in the midst of a traditional, working farm. This northern highlands area is surrounded by volcanic mountains, lakes, pastureland and forests. Traditionally-dressed indigenous people and talented artisans populate the nearby towns and villages including the popular Otavalo. The house is furnished and equipped with everything we needed. In fact, I was more comfortable in this home than my own! The kitchen is completed outfitted for the gourmet and we were lucky to share some meals with our hosts, introducing us to some local specialties. We were free to help out on the farm including milking the cows (and taking home the milk), planting seeds and weeding the garden (and eating the vegetables) and helping build the chicken coop. We took riding lessons and helped feed the horses and our kids adopted the 3 dogs as their own. Janine and David went out of their making sure we were comfortable including walking us through all the possible day trips we could make and introducing us to a wonderful driver to tour us around. The full-time staff live on the property, popping in every day to the housekeeping, including keeping the fire burning - a real luxury! One of the best properties we've stayed in!

After travelling all day, our family stepped over the threshold of this home and stopped dead in our tracks. All we kept saying was "wow" - from one room to another. Wow. This is a breathtakingly beautiful home in an equally beautiful setting. It is well furnished and fully appointed with the comforts of home - and then some. It is warm and welcoming - just like our hosts, Janine and David. This is an ideal destination for those who are looking for a destination - not just some place to hang a hat and spend their energies elsewhere. You come, you stay, you walk, hike, gaze, explore, rest, restore, inhale, and exhale. When we felt like exploring, we hired a helpful driver who took us to neighbouring towns and sites. We were able to create a lovely balance of doing, seeing, enjoying and resting. We explored the market in nearby Otavalo - a must; we shopped for beautiful leather goods in Cotacachi; we looked at wood working in San Antonio de Ibarra; we visited the condor sanctuary and toured a nearby rose plantation. On the property, we helped with tasks, hiked to a waterfall, and just enjoyed being. The owners, Janine and David, were very responsive to what we needed (which was very little as they had thoughtfully furnished the home already). The property was beautifully kept - lovely gardens and lawns. Janine and David have a love of the land that comes across clearly. If you're going, bring books, your camera, good walking shoes, and a range of clothes that allow you to layer-up in the evening, and dress lightly in the day. Evenings are cool (they were in March) so have warm slippers, jeans, and a sweater. I had a hard time leaving, and hope to return!

Ranch San Juan de la Vega is a lovely property in a beautiful valley that you have all to yourself. David and Janine are perfect hosts and go out of their way to make your stay as comfortable as possible, even paying attention to small details like providing rain boots to trek on the land and through the creek that happily gurgles through the property. The home is clean, well maintained, and beautifully decorated. On arrival, we were happily surprised to find that it was more beautiful in person than the photos do it justice, and fresh Ecuadorian roses and flowers filled the rooms. Nancy, who provided cleaning services is delightful. She would arrive every morning and afternoon (you can choose the times) to clean, tidy and light the two fireplaces, one on each level. We love to cook and found the kitchen well stocked and well equipped to whip up evening meals; it was terrific to pick some herbs and fresh greens from the organic garden. The home is a perfect place to explore life and attractions of the northern highlands. A car is recommended unless you want to walk a couple of kilometres to get to local transport (gives you an idea of how tranquil and private the location is). Otavalo, Lagunas Mohandes, Cotacachi, Zuleta, Cuicocha....great places for culture and to experience nature with almost no one else around. Janine and David were very helpful in giving tips and were happy to link us to an acquaintance to help book a trip to the Galapagos. This was the perfect place to begin our month in Ecuador....a place to relax and enjoy the magnificent natural beauty of Ecuador. We hope to be back some day with our adult children. M & J Ottawa, Canada

Hace unas semanas pasamos un fin de semana con unos amigos y nuestros hijos en esta maravillosa hacienda. Los niños pudieron recolectar en el huerto, correr por el campo, cuidar los cachorros de la perrita que acababa de ser mama en fin jugar en el campo sin ningun riesgo. Los padres pudimos disfrutar de la paz que se respira en este maravilloso enclave, y de una casa llena de encanto, buen gusto, y amplitud, donde se ve el cariño con que los propietarios cuidan esta hacienda.Cualquier cosa que necesites en la casa esta disponible, desde botas de agua, juegos de mesa hasta una despensa repleta para imprevistos de ultima hora.Esperamos poder volver pronto, pues lo pasamos fantastico.

We stayed at San Juan de La Vega last weekend and we loved it! The hacienda is beautiful.. We had a blast playing in the river and harvesting in the organic garden with our daughter!!! Our family had such fun that we're going back this weekend with some friends.. We totally recommend it!!! The host are fantastic... and the place is just magical... Since we live here in Ecuador, we will defiantly be regular visitors! It's a great escape from the city! See the pictures we've submitted of our daughter harvesting and playing in the river! Her joy says it all!