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rio muchacho
For the past
fifteen years, Rio Muchacho has been developed by its owners Nicola Mears
and Dario Proaño-Leroux as a productive organic farm and as a model for the
community. It demonstrates
reforestation, permaculture and organic farming techniques.
Tourism is another aspect of the farm, popular with nationals and
foreigners alike for the cultural and educational experience it provides. We are
dedicated to ethical tourism, which is based on sustainable management of
natural resources, participation of local communities and reinvestment in
conservation work. This work is
echoed at the local environmental primary school coordinated by the farm,
the ecoschools program in Bahia Ecocity and the ecopaper project (see the
website) Rio Muchacho
has ecotourism and organic certification. Accommodation:
The main house and the sleeping cabanas are constructed
mainly of bamboo and thatch, and are lit by electricity.
We provide sheets, blankets and towels.
Our composting toilets and our showers are mainly shared. Although
some of the cabins have private bathrooms.
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We prepare
and serve food for you in the main house.
Although it is largely vegetarian, we occasionally do serve chicken
and shrimp from the river. The
food is typical to the area and cooked over a biogas
stove and a wood fire. The
local diet includes a lot of rice, green bananas and yuca but it is
complimented with tasty organic vegetables and grains from the farm. We are
careful to obtain the best ingredients possible and avoid foodstuffs that
might originate from genetically modified crops
Pets:
If you have any allergies to animals, Rio Muchacho
might not be the place for you. In
addition to the many varieties of livestock at the farm – cows, horses,
chickens, pigs, California worms and guinea pigs, we provide a home to
several interesting pets. These
currently include a cat and her kitten, two rambunctious and (very)
affectionate dogs, bats that sleep in the palm trees just outside the main
house, and a sloth named Alfa. Access:
Rio Muchacho is isolated. We are an eight hour drive from Quito and an hour from Bahía.
To get to the farm the first time, you may take a taxi from Bahía
or San Vicente, or you can come via the Guacomayo Tours office in Bahía
and someone will help you organize transport.
The office is at Avenida Bolivar y Arenas.
Once you have been to the farm and know the way, you may come and
go on foot or by riding in the back of the truck that goes in and out
three times a week (Saturday, Monday and Thursday).
Surroundings:
We are situated in the beautiful and remote foothills
along the mid coast. From the
farm, you are welcome to wander along the road or the river. It is a natural playground for children, with little danger
from cars. The local people
are very friendly. As part of
our three-day tour package or our volunteer program, you´ll get an
opportunity to ride on horseback to a lush waterfall and swimming hole, as
well as a humid forest inhabited by monkeys.
You´ll also get to visit the Rio Muchacho Environmental Community
School for children in the area. The farm
itself is interesting to explore. It
produces many varieties of fruits and vegetables, including cacao, coffee,
bananas, yuca, corn, passion fruit, papaya, carrots, cucumbers, turmeric,
sesame, chilies and ginger. We
provide a tour of the livestock areas, the house and the garden – it’s
well worth a peek! Activities:
Rio Muchacho offer a number of different programs based
on environment, culture and adventure: Three day
tour (one and two days also) One, two or
3 week cultural exchange programs One
week Spanish intensive One month
intensive course in Organic
Agriculture and Permaculture ( theory and practical ) in May, August and
November Volunteer
programs for individuals Volunteer
projects for groups If you are
interested to do the Spanish
language program, please
request these in advance as we need to bring a teacher from Quito. The farm keeps
a stock of art materials, and as part of the programs, you´ll have the opportunity to make your own gourd cups and
spoons, cut palm seeds and tagua to make rings and pendants, and apply
local medicinal clay face masks and fresh aloe vera shampoo.
You’ll also have a chance to make fresh cheese, fish for shrimp
in the river, plant a tree of your choice, horse ride, harvest, roast
and grind farm-grown coffee, visit the environmental primary school, make
chocolate etc.
There is a
meditation garden for those who want a quiet escape… you can also
stay in Rio Muchacho, just relax and not do any of the activities! Booking: Please book as early as possible, sometimes the farm is
full! Some programs are posted on the web page. To make a
booking, inquire about availability, or ask any questions please email
Nicola Mears, please include group size.
Email: info@riomuchacho.com Telefax: 593.5.2691412 Web: www.riomuchacho.com
Ten percent of all
tour fees are designated to supporting the environmental school in Río
Muchacho and other conservation projects. |
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if you are traveling somewhere remote, or to a country with an unstable political climate, please check the travel advice section first |