Everything about San Juan de la Vega was truly beyond our expectations! The staff made us feel welcome from the moment we arrived. Our daughter (8) asked to be woken up early several mornings to help Mauricio with the horses, and our son (6) loved helping with the chickens and cows. We made s'mores, rode horses, went on hikes, and just generally enjoyed the stunning setting. We also had Spanish lessons every weekday morning, arranged with an excellent teacher in Otavalo who came to the farm. This is a perfect place for immersing yourself in the Ecuadorian countryside. The house (Casa Ana) was extremely comfortable and spacious, and the huge fireplaces were a treat (along with the cloud-like beds)!

Everything about San Juan de la Vega was truly beyond our expectations! The staff made us feel welcome from the moment we arrived. Our daughter (8) asked to be woken up early several mornings to help Mauricio with the horses, and our son (6) loved helping with the chickens and cows. We made s'mores, rode horses, went on hikes, and just generally enjoyed the stunning setting. We also had Spanish lessons every weekday morning, arranged with an excellent teacher in Otavalo who came to the farm. This is a perfect place for immersing yourself in the Ecuadorian countryside. The house (Casa Ana) was extremely comfortable and spacious, and the huge fireplaces were a treat (along with the cloud-like beds)!

My family and I, first time visitors to SA and Ecuador, arrived Christmas night after our days in the Amazon, to a stunning hacienda, ablaze in lights, warmed with fireplaces, and greeted by Patricio and the rest of the staff. A wonderful dinner prepared by the staff was soon waiting for us on the table. The house, its furnishings, bedding, bathrooms,kitchen appointments, staff, and comforts are top tier and will please even the most discerning traveller. The valley that the hacienda sits in feels like an emerald green Shangri-La and I regret not having an additional day in my itinerary to just stay put. The added bonus of the house is the owner, Janine, who ever so patiently responded to my voluminous emails and questions, worked with me to set up a very busy itinerary for visiting the local sights. Her attention to detail was appreciated and followup during our stay was invaluable. The house, the staff, the location, and the owner combine to put Hacienda San Juan de la Vega as one of the very best rental experiences one could ask for.

My family and I, first time visitors to SA and Ecuador, arrived Christmas night after our days in the Amazon, to a stunning hacienda, ablaze in lights, warmed with fireplaces, and greeted by Patricio and the rest of the staff. A wonderful dinner prepared by the staff was soon waiting for us on the table. The house, its furnishings, bedding, bathrooms,kitchen appointments, staff, and comforts are top tier and will please even the most discerning traveller. The valley that the hacienda sits in feels like an emerald green Shangri-La and I regret not having an additional day in my itinerary to just stay put. The added bonus of the house is the owner, Janine, who ever so patiently responded to my voluminous emails and questions, worked with me to set up a very busy itinerary for visiting the local sights. Her attention to detail was appreciated and followup during our stay was invaluable. The house, the staff, the location, and the owner combine to put Hacienda San Juan de la Vega as one of the very best rental experiences one could ask for.

We had a wonderful stay at San Juan de la Vega. The houses and and facilities are top class category. With all comfort you need. The staff is very good and helpful. My children loved to horseback ride, to take care of the garden and animals. We had great walks since the area around the hacienda is beautiful; We spent one wonderful week! I recommend this place to everyone!

We had a wonderful stay at San Juan de la Vega. The houses and and facilities are top class category. With all comfort you need. The staff is very good and helpful. My children loved to horseback ride, to take care of the garden and animals. We had great walks since the area around the hacienda is beautiful; We spent one wonderful week! I recommend this place to everyone!

Les recomiendo, es un lugar donde la naturaleza se hace presente en todo su esplendor, tanto para relajarse los adultos como para que los niños disfruten y se diviertan sanamente. Las casa son muy comodas, tienen absolutamente todo lo que uno necesita y te hacen sentir como si fuera tuya. Hay caballos, vacas, río, cascadas cerca, se pueden organizar paseos. Los dueños y empleados son muy amables y te ayudan y se preocupan de que siempre estes bien atendido. Vale la pena ir y conocerlo una vez que has ido por primera vez, quieres volver siempre!!!

Les recomiendo, es un lugar donde la naturaleza se hace presente en todo su esplendor, tanto para relajarse los adultos como para que los niños disfruten y se diviertan sanamente. Las casa son muy comodas, tienen absolutamente todo lo que uno necesita y te hacen sentir como si fuera tuya. Hay caballos, vacas, río, cascadas cerca, se pueden organizar paseos. Los dueños y empleados son muy amables y te ayudan y se preocupan de que siempre estes bien atendido. Vale la pena ir y conocerlo una vez que has ido por primera vez, quieres volver siempre!!!

It´s the best place ever to stay if you have kids or only adults. There are a lot of things to do, and it´s teh best place to relax from the city and really have peace. Go, visit, relax, have fun and enjoy family time and nature!!!

It´s the best place ever to stay if you have kids or only adults. There are a lot of things to do, and it´s teh best place to relax from the city and really have peace. Go, visit, relax, have fun and enjoy family time and nature!!!

We were a family of 8, with lots of young adults and a couple middle aged folk. The setting is amazing, the beds super comfortable, showers beautiful. the fireplaces were amazing, and the staff were so attentive! Everyone enjoyed the hikes, cow milking and horseback riding. The meals we had cooked were very good, the kitchen fully functional. We all want to go back!

We were a family of 8, with lots of young adults and a couple middle aged folk. The setting is amazing, the beds super comfortable, showers beautiful. the fireplaces were amazing, and the staff were so attentive! Everyone enjoyed the hikes, cow milking and horseback riding. The meals we had cooked were very good, the kitchen fully functional. We all want to go back!

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 great 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 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 great 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 were two families (4 adults and 5 children) and had wonderful stay in San Juan de la Vega. Everything at the hacienda is first rate from the well stocked kitchen to the the spacious and tastefuly decorated living spaces. Janine was a delight to deal with when we were planning our trip and it was a pleasure to meet her and her husband at the hacienda. Their staff was amazing! Veronica and Darwin made sure to keep the house and grounds impeccably clean. Veronica is an excellent cook... Be sure to try her spinach soup, even our kids loved it! Darwin took us horse back riding and hiking on Imbabura where we even saw condors! Janine set us up with a driver named Wilmer for our expeditions. He was very friendly and punctual and served as a natural guide on our expeditions with the added bonus that he would keep an eye on our kids at the market! Ask him to take you to eat cuy! We were surprised to find that the WIFI was as good as here in Montreal. Be sure to polish up your spanish. None of us ever took spanish lessons, but we were able to get by on the basic spanish we learned before this trip. ecuadorians are very kind and very patient when you speak with them so we always ended up understanding each other. We have stayed in many great vacation homes, but San Juan de la Vega is in a class apart because it is a destination in itself. Hiking, horseback riding, cooking with the garden's produce, getting fresh eggs in the morning... All priceless experiences that make this vacation getaway unique.

We were two families (4 adults and 5 children) and had wonderful stay in San Juan de la Vega. Everything at the hacienda is first rate from the well stocked kitchen to the the spacious and tastefuly decorated living spaces. Janine was a delight to deal with when we were planning our trip and it was a pleasure to meet her and her husband at the hacienda. Their staff was amazing! Veronica and Darwin made sure to keep the house and grounds impeccably clean. Veronica is an excellent cook... Be sure to try her spinach soup, even our kids loved it! Darwin took us horse back riding and hiking on Imbabura where we even saw condors! Janine set us up with a driver named Wilmer for our expeditions. He was very friendly and punctual and served as a natural guide on our expeditions with the added bonus that he would keep an eye on our kids at the market! Ask him to take you to eat cuy! We were surprised to find that the WIFI was as good as here in Montreal. Be sure to polish up your spanish. None of us ever took spanish lessons, but we were able to get by on the basic spanish we learned before this trip. ecuadorians are very kind and very patient when you speak with them so we always ended up understanding each other. We have stayed in many great vacation homes, but San Juan de la Vega is in a class apart because it is a destination in itself. Hiking, horseback riding, cooking with the garden's produce, getting fresh eggs in the morning... All priceless experiences that make this vacation getaway unique.

This was the highlight of our family trip to Ecuador. A beautiful house set on a amazing property. Lots of things to do on the property which was full of animals, fresh vegetables, etc. We were greeted by a very nice couple who take very good care of the properties. The owners were also very kind and ensured that all our needs were taken care of. It was a fantastic cultural experience for our family. We highly recommend this place!

This was the highlight of our family trip to Ecuador. A beautiful house set on a amazing property. Lots of things to do on the property which was full of animals, fresh vegetables, etc. We were greeted by a very nice couple who take very good care of the properties. The owners were also very kind and ensured that all our needs were taken care of. It was a fantastic cultural experience for our family. We highly recommend this place!

I can't say enough about our long weekend at San Juan De La Vega! We were three adults and three children and had ample space -- both in the bedrooms and in the common areas. Our children (all three under 10) wandered the property safely, visiting the horses and stables, the garden, collecting eggs from the chicken house. They were always accompanied by the farm's friendly dogs, which may have been their favorite part! The owners and groundskeepers were super friendly and always available to help out, but also allowed us our privacy, ensuring we felt completely at home. We went on horseback rides with Darwin, took casual hikes to a waterfall (there are amazing views of Lago San Pablo as you ascend) and spent countless hours sitting, reading and playing games in front of both downstairs fireplaces -- kept lit and roaring by Darwin and Veronica from early in the morning until bedtime. The kitchen was bright and fabulous for cooking. A stocked "honor" pantry is there for guests who forget any key ingredients (you can either replace the items or leave money behind). Veronica made us a simple, tasty breakfast on our last morning, and taught us how to make empanadas de viento, which the kids loved preparing -- and eating! She also brought us amazing fresh honey harvested right on the farm that morning. The house can be chilly (as is true everywhere in the highlands) but the fires really warm the downstairs and the heavy duvets on all the beds kept us all super toasty at night. I felt in love with the bedding; the sleeping was fabulous! All in all, San Juan de la Vega offers a perfect escape from Quito for families. We will definitely go back -- and hopefully for a much longer stay!

I can't say enough about our long weekend at San Juan De La Vega! We were three adults and three children and had ample space -- both in the bedrooms and in the common areas. Our children (all three under 10) wandered the property safely, visiting the horses and stables, the garden, collecting eggs from the chicken house. They were always accompanied by the farm's friendly dogs, which may have been their favorite part! The owners and groundskeepers were super friendly and always available to help out, but also allowed us our privacy, ensuring we felt completely at home. We went on horseback rides with Darwin, took casual hikes to a waterfall (there are amazing views of Lago San Pablo as you ascend) and spent countless hours sitting, reading and playing games in front of both downstairs fireplaces -- kept lit and roaring by Darwin and Veronica from early in the morning until bedtime. The kitchen was bright and fabulous for cooking. A stocked "honor" pantry is there for guests who forget any key ingredients (you can either replace the items or leave money behind). Veronica made us a simple, tasty breakfast on our last morning, and taught us how to make empanadas de viento, which the kids loved preparing -- and eating! She also brought us amazing fresh honey harvested right on the farm that morning. The house can be chilly (as is true everywhere in the highlands) but the fires really warm the downstairs and the heavy duvets on all the beds kept us all super toasty at night. I felt in love with the bedding; the sleeping was fabulous! All in all, San Juan de la Vega offers a perfect escape from Quito for families. We will definitely go back -- and hopefully for a much longer stay!

My family was looking for a way to launch our 6 week tour of Ecuador and it was important for us to find a place that would allow us an escape from our day to day lives in California. San Juan De La Vega, was the perfect escape. We have four children ages 5 - 11 and they came to life during our stay. We rode horses with Darwin (one of the ranch hands who is always willing to help out), made cheese and empanadas with Veronica (another wonderful person), took day trips to a local waterfall within walking distance, hot springs, Lago (Lake)Majonda, and El Mitad del Mundo (the middle of the world) with the handy driver, Wilmer, who made us feel at home. We are now heading off to the rainforest and feel relaxed and ready to go. I cannot recommend San Juan De La Vega enough.

My family was looking for a way to launch our 6 week tour of Ecuador and it was important for us to find a place that would allow us an escape from our day to day lives in California. San Juan De La Vega, was the perfect escape. We have four children ages 5 - 11 and they came to life during our stay. We rode horses with Darwin (one of the ranch hands who is always willing to help out), made cheese and empanadas with Veronica (another wonderful person), took day trips to a local waterfall within walking distance, hot springs, Lago (Lake)Majonda, and El Mitad del Mundo (the middle of the world) with the handy driver, Wilmer, who made us feel at home. We are now heading off to the rainforest and feel relaxed and ready to go. I cannot recommend San Juan De La Vega enough.

What a fantastic week! We loved the house, property, and Staff! The house was absolutly phenomenal, with fire place in the master bedroom for a cozy end to the chilly evening! The caretakers made sure that our every need was attended to without being intrusive, and made sure that our stay was wonderful. We rode horses, picked fresh eggs for breakfast, and made meals from the fresh vegetables right out of the garden. This was truly one of the best vacations that I have ever had. Day Trips to nearby Otavalo and Mital del Mundo were great. If you are looking for a place to relax, unwind and see nature in an organic farm setting, then this is the place for you. My only wish is that we could have stayed longer!

What a fantastic week! We loved the house, property, and Staff! The house was absolutly phenomenal, with fire place in the master bedroom for a cozy end to the chilly evening! The caretakers made sure that our every need was attended to without being intrusive, and made sure that our stay was wonderful. We rode horses, picked fresh eggs for breakfast, and made meals from the fresh vegetables right out of the garden. This was truly one of the best vacations that I have ever had. Day Trips to nearby Otavalo and Mital del Mundo were great. If you are looking for a place to relax, unwind and see nature in an organic farm setting, then this is the place for you. My only wish is that we could have stayed longer!

My family just stayed in this beautiful place in December 2012. What an amazing experience it was! The hacienda is beautiful and very well thought out. There is everything you could need.....the kitchen probably was better equipped than my own at home!! The folks that work there are so nice and helpful and they had two roaring fires waiting for us the night that we arrived (it was late). Janine the owner had told them that we had not had time to pick up groceries and so we had a lovely breakfast made for us the next morning, with fresh warm bread rolls bought from the closest town. We asked if we could have these rolls other mornings and so every day we paid a couple of dollars to have them with our breakfast! The scenery out of the beautiful picture windows was breathtaking and it was good for the soul to be able to see the animals in the foreground!! The owner is a delight and we were glad to meet her and her husband; they really care and want their guests to have the best possible time! You will not be disappointed!

My family just stayed in this beautiful place in December 2012. What an amazing experience it was! The hacienda is beautiful and very well thought out. There is everything you could need.....the kitchen probably was better equipped than my own at home!! The folks that work there are so nice and helpful and they had two roaring fires waiting for us the night that we arrived (it was late). Janine the owner had told them that we had not had time to pick up groceries and so we had a lovely breakfast made for us the next morning, with fresh warm bread rolls bought from the closest town. We asked if we could have these rolls other mornings and so every day we paid a couple of dollars to have them with our breakfast! The scenery out of the beautiful picture windows was breathtaking and it was good for the soul to be able to see the animals in the foreground!! The owner is a delight and we were glad to meet her and her husband; they really care and want their guests to have the best possible time! You will not be disappointed!

My wife and I, two adult daughters, and our son in law stayed at Casa Ana for one week over the New Year. We had an incredibly wonderful time. The house is very beautiful and extremely well appointed and equipped. The location is beautiful and we certainly enjoyed the remoteness and tranquility that it provided. We collected the fresh eggs each morning, gathered produce from the garden, helped to milk the cows and made some cheese, and had several horse back rides. The staff at The Hacienda were extremely kind and helpful and made the stay very enjoyable. We found the listing description and photographs to be very accurate. The property owner was so very helpful in email communication prior to our arrival and clearly and accurately answered all our questions. We enjoyed meeting the owners during our stay. We used a local driver to collect us at the airport and then another local driver to drive us around. This worked well for us but others might prefer to have their own vehicle. The home is a 45 minute walk from the nearest small town. We enjoyed this remote location and walk. We have no hesitation in recommending the property to others who are looking for a beautiful home in a beautiful location with an abundance of nature, and peace and quiet. We may return again ourselves.