Historic haciendas

Hacienda Zuleta

Just 16 km from Ibarra, this colonial home was the property of the ex-President of the Republic, Don Galo Plaza Lasso. It is now a productive hacienda in dairy, general grain crops and fish-farming. The construction has Roman, Greek and Doric influences and building was started in the 17th century. It boasts three internal courtyards. In 1916 Don Galo Plaza Lasso’s mother purchased the property and it remains in the family to this day.

The Hacienda boasts a Caranqui archeological site that dates to the 1250-1500 A.D. and here are approximately 300 tolas or mounds spreads out over the valley.

There is also Condor rehabilitation project where this majestic bird is protected and soon will be reintroduced. They breed Condors in captivity as well.

Hacienda Chorlavi

Located just 4 km from Ibarra, its name in Quichua means "Love Nest". Lulled by the cascading Río Amarillo, legend has it that it was the trysting spot for the princess Paccha and the Inca Huaynacapac.

Hacienda Pinsaqui

This centuries-old hacienda holds some of Ecuador’s history. The Pedemonte – Mosquera peace treaty between Ecuador and Colombia was signed here.

Hacienda San Jose

Originally property of the Jesuits, who with Afro-Ecuadorian slave labor produced great quantities of sugar cane. There are hot-springs found in the Hacienda of the same name and are of volcanic origin and have curative powers.

Hacienda Monasterio Cusin

Hacienda Cusin is a restored 17th century Andean estate at 8,500 feet, 90 minutes north of Quito and 20 minutes south from the famous market town of Otavalo. Hacienda Cusin was purchased in Spain in1602 by the prominent Luna family at an auction from Philip II, King of Spain. The estate was comprised of the two valleys of Gualavi and La Rinconada, and all the land between the valleys and the lake. The property amounted to approximately 100,000 acres, held until its division in 1945 and 1964