Haciendas of Ecuador

The South American country of Ecuador has historical and renovated haciendas. Haciendas are traditional ranches, often covering large geographic areas and incorporating agricultural operations and other businesses. Recently, Ecuador has seen increasing numbers of traditional haciendas developing ecotourism and agritourism branches.

Historical context

Hacienda is a Spanish word for an estate. Some haciendas were plantations, mines, or even business factories. Many haciendas combined these productive activities. The hacienda system of Argentina, parts of Brazil, Chile, Mexico and Viceroyalty of New Granada was a system of large land-holdings that were an end in themselves as the marks of status (in Brazilian Portuguese and the cognate term fazenda applies to the similar system in Brazil). The hacienda aimed for self-sufficiency in everything but luxuries meant for display, which were destined for the handful of people in the circle of the patrón.

List of eco-tourism focused haciendas

• Hacienda Zuleta - Eco Lodge and Horse Back Adventures in Ecuador
• (from the site) "Located between 2870 and 3050 meters in the Andean mountains of Northern Ecuador and 110 kilometers north of Quito and the Hacienda Zuleta can be visited within two hours from the capital."
• "This Hacienda focuses on presenting visitors with many options to see the Andean highlands. By horseback, mountain bike, carriage or hiking. There is also incredible birding, nature watching and homemade organic cuisine with many ingredients from the working farm."
• Hacienda Zuleta also is involved in nature conservation through it's Andean condor rehabilitation program and Spectacled Bear protection area.
• Hacienda Primavera - link needed
• Black Sheep Inn - link needed
• Add more Haciendas here...