There are many fine options for visiting Eucador and staying on one of the beautiful haciendas and ranches, many of which are located near Quito. Some of them are very old, and invite travellers to step back to simpler times and relax, free of the stresses of modern living.

The haciendas date from the time of the Spanish conquerors, who seized and divided territory from the Inkas and created a system of land division; eventually this resulted in the creation of large haciendas or ranches which were placed into the hands of the descendants of the original conquistadors.

The oldest hacienda in Ecuador is the Hacienda Guachala, which is located on the Ecuator an hour away from Quito and twenty minutes from Otavalo, site of the world-famous crafts market. The most antiquated buildings at the Hacienda Guachalá date from 1580. The ranch has two churches, a colonial patio, and an old mill. It is also a working farm and has horses, dogs, alpacas, llamas, geese, sheep, pigs, and a mule. Its rooms have been adapted to house visitors while retaining an ambience of Spanish colonial charm.

Other Haciendas in Ecuador include the Hacienda Cusin, with winding cobblestone paths and courtyards with fountains. It is located ninety minutes north of Quito and boasts quest rooms with log-burning fireplaces and beamed ceilings.  The Hacienda
Pinsaquí was built in 1790 and was once a colonial textile enterprise that employed more than a thousand weavers and spinners. Its 200 year-old grounds have ponds, palm trees, and roaming llamas; its rooms have fireplaces; some have jacuzzis.

Ecuador also has numerous ecolodges where visitors to the Amazon can base as they explore the diverse wildlife and nature of some of the most pristine wilderness left on the planet.

One of these is the Sapos y Ranas Hostel. Sapos y Ranas means Frogs and Toads, and the name refers to the over 2000 figurines and art objects that comprise a collection located on the grounds. The hostel is located in the Pichincha Province, and over 160 species of birds can be found there, along with an orhid nursery with more than 70 species of orchids and temperate swimming pools. Massage and facial/body treatment services are offered as well.

The Huasquila Amazon Lodge is located 4 hours by car from Quito in the Sumaco Biosphere Reserve. Each of its six luxury cabins has a private bathroom, hot water, and a balcony with a view of the Amazon. The lodge´s activities include Jungle tours, excursions to petroglyphs, kayaking and rafting, caving, horseback tours, and more.