Hotels in Cotacachi

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Several readers have inquired about hotels in Cotacachi. We are preparing a web page for pro-ecuador.com with reviews, photos, and prices. But until that is up, I thought I would give a brief preview here to let readers know that there are several choices in a variety of price ranges.

Two hostels in Cotacachi offer good value at very reasonable prices. Hostel Tierra Mia on Bolivar just off leather street charges $7 per person. Hostal Posada Munaylla, on the corner of leather street (Diez de Agosto) and Sucre has beds for $8 per person. When we were interviewing the owner at the $8 hostel, a middle-aged American woman walked in who just arrived from a bus trip across Columbia. After a little bargaining, she got her room for $5.

Both hostels have clean, comfortable rooms with hot water and private bathrooms. Don't worry about reservations as there are usually plenty of rooms. Both hostels are near leather street.

The next step up is the Hotel Sumac Huasi, belonging to our good friend Jorge Quilumbaqui, the builder of Primavera Condominiums. This very nice hotel offers room and breakfast for $25.62 for a double per night. The rooms are clean with private bath and local television (Spanish). He told us he will begin a room by room cosmetic touch up very soon, as well as painting the outside.

A newly constructed hotel, El Arbolito, recently opened just next to the bank. It is nicely decorated, and the owners are friendly and helpful. Price is $25 per couple, or $15 per person in twin beds. They also have cable television. This is an excellent value, and completely comfortable, although the beds are standard double and not queen size. If you want good reasonably priced accommodations, you can't go wrong with El Arbol.

Two hotels are just on the edge of town. The first is the 4-star Hotel Rancho Santa Fe Garden and Resort, a 44 room hotel with a dining room that seats 400. It has a swimming pool, tennis courts, and other amenities. Price is 593-6-291-6338.

Then at the entrance to Cotacachi is the El Paradiso. This is another newly built hotel and resort. El Paradiso is a lovely facility on 6 acres of land. It has several hotel rooms, lots of bungalows that can be rented for longer term, a 9 hole mini-golf course and a very nice, high quality restaurant in a beautiful setting. Rooms in both of these hotels are in the $45 dollar range. email: paradiso.ecauador@gmail.com. More specific details will be given in our web page.

El Meson de las Flores is near the town square and next to the church. It is a restored colonial home. Rooms are mostly remodeled, many with king beds. Room prices of $72 and $84 (tax included) include an excellent breakfast in the courtyard. Wireless internet and a free VOIP phone to call North America are nice amenities. They also have a full service restaurant. We recommend asking for rooms off the street. 593-6-291-6009

La Mirage, a 5-star resort and Spa offers magnificent rooms and gardens complete with all meals for $350 to $750 per night. The spa has 19 massage therapy modalities. This is a very special treat. Meals are $35 for dinner and $15 for lunch. Don't miss out on this, even if it is only to have lunch.

Two ancient haciendas are sure to thrill history buffs. Hacienda Pinsaqui is just at the entrance to Cotacachi on the Pan-American Highway. Hacienda Cusin is just outside of Otavalo. Both are delightful places to stay or to have a meal.

Wherever you choose to stay while in the Cotacachi area, you can be certain that the friendly staff and owners will do everything possible to make your visit memorable. Make sure to tell them that you found them through Pro-Ecuador.com.