Sleeps | 6 |
Bedrooms | 2 |
Bathrooms | 2 |
Space | 1,974 sq ft |
Property type | house |
Minimum Stay | 14 nights |
This traditional style adobe home with red tile roof and enclosed backyard is a perfect retreat for one or two couples or a couple with children. From the house, there are incredible views of both the towering peaks of Cotacachi (from the back windows) and Imbabura (from the front windows) The house is located in a gated community of single family homes with on-premises security service. It is a short 15 minute walk or a 5-minute, $1.50 taxi ride from the house to the center of town.
It has 2 large bedrooms, each with its own fireplace and built-in gas heater, and 2 baths, one with tub and shower, the other with a walk-in shower. The master bedroom has a king bed and the second bedroom has two queen beds. There is ample built-in storage in both bedrooms.
The open concept living area has a full size kitchen with gas stove, refrigerator and microwave, toaster, blender, mixer and everything you will need to cook a gourmet meal or a quick snack. There is a dining table with six chairs, and the living room has a third fireplace and a 32-in. flat screen TV connected to Direct-TV.
There is a desk for your computer in the master bedroom as well as desks in the living area and second bedroom. High speed Internet service is provided and included in the monthly rent. Off the living area there is an outdoor patio covered with a pergola. On the patio there is a gas grill and a table with four chairs for al fresco BBQing and dining.
Weekly housekeeping service and every other week gardening service are also included in the rental price and will be managed by our onsite rental manager.
We can arrange a car to pick you up at Mariscal Sucre International airport outside of Quito, and transport you and your luggage right to the front door of this home. This service costs from $60 to $80 depending on the size of vehicle required and the time of your arrival. Our rental manager (who also lives just a few houses away) will meet you at the house or make arrangments for your entry into the home if it is late at night.
We have installed a combination front door latch. With an entry code (provided in your check-in letter) you can enter the house at any time of the day or night without disturbing the neighbors.
We are a retired couple who enjoy traveling and living in a variety of places throughout the world. Ecuador had intrigued us for some time, so we decided to come for a visit. We loved Cotacachi immediately--and ended up buying this lovely house.
Christine Dean purchased this house in 2013
The house is located on the edge of the city, just a 15-minute walk to the center of town or the bus station. The location is quiet and serene with outstanding views of the surrounding mountains. It is also located in a gated community with security. Great neighbors, both Ecuadorian and North American, complete the package.
All the comforts of home, but you don't need a car!
This is my second time in the beautiful gated community of San Miguel Del Jardins ! Perfect location, walking distance to town , but peaceful and tranquil after a day of exploring! This house has great energy , you walk in and you immediately feel right at home ! The house has every amenity you could possible want , to make your stay perfect ! I was supposed to have guests join me , but they had to cancel & it was okay as I felt absolutely safe and secure! The Owners are very helpful and a joy to work with. Cotacachi is a magical place , this is my favorite place to stay ! Hope to return again soon ! Thanks for sharing your home with me !
This house is equipped with everything you might need. We stayed here 5 wks and we loved it! We did loose power for about 6-8 hrs one day and we couldn’t find any candles and there was only one flashlight, but battery was not good. Another day we didn’t have any hot water (we informed the house manager) and she said that the maintenance man would go check it out that day, however we waited til next day to show and apparently the (maintenance man) forgot to come over the day before, but came in the next day. (My husband checked it out and a battery was dead (thank god we had one in our stash we brought) and he replaced it. Although we loved this home, I actually felt apart from being mixed in with Locals. We will definitely visit Cotacachi again! We will probably just stay in a smaller place closer and cheaper to town. We tried burning some wood in that fireplace in living room but it never started (and believe me I know how to start fires, I do it all the time at our cabin) it was almost like a curse, because not even paper would want to light. We gave up on that)The place and position of this house let us see both volcanoes every morning. Well except whe it was cloud and rainy. I will suggest for you to bring an umbrella (the ones in the house were all broken) also bring a sweater when it’s rainy it gets cool but not cold. Unless you get cold easily then bring warm clothes.
We were comfortable in the home and welcomed in the community. We had a wonderful time and plan to return.
Christine has done a great job providing every amenity in her (we think of it as ours now) house in San Miguel. San Miguel is a gated community with sparkling white adobe homes, terracotta tile roofs, gorgeous landscaping, and only a ten minute walk to the town center. "Our" rental home for the holidays was freshly cleaned before we arrived, property manager was very helpful and available. The two large bedrooms with baths are located at opposite ends of the house, providing privacy for two couples, or parents and children .We had a fire in the fireplace every night in the cozy living room! Having a washer and dryer was a plus for our almost four week stay. Cotacachi is a wonderful town to use as your base to explore the Imbambura area of the Andes. The Indigenous markets, mineral springs, surrounding villages, rose farms, lakes, and historical plantations will fill your days! Our driver, Julio Moreno, was the best!! enjoy your stay at Christine's house in San Miguel.....
What a lovely home and situated in a picturesque community. The views of the two volcanos was surreal! The weather was perfect, hot hot sun and cool breezes... and cool at night. Everything we needed in the house and more! Thank you so much for a wonderful
stay.
We stayed in this home for 90 days. The home is beautifully furnished with a very well-equiped kitchen. The views from the house are memorable. The weekly maid service can not be improved upon. Unfortunately the first week of our stay this home was broken into at night while we slept. We later learned this is not the first time this has happened in this home. The owner was more concerned about the property that was taken from her home during the break-in rather than our safety, our property and our emotional well-being. Our security deposit was unfairly and unreasonably withheld without any discussion with us. The previous reviews of this home are all true. Unfortunately the location of the home with the potential for break-ins and the owner's position on security deposits we would not recommend leasing this home.
Must See Destinations Near Cotacachi
One of the reasons my husband and I chose Cotacachi for our second home, is that there is so much to see and do in the area. The setting of Cotacachi is amazing. The city lies in a fertile valley between two dormant volcanic peaks that tower over the city: to the east is Imbaburaat more than 15,000 ft and to the west Cotacachi at more than 16,500 ft—absolutely spectacular.
For those interested in hiking, bird watching, and the flora and fauna of the region, there is the enormous Cotacachi-Cayapas Ecological Reserve, with an entrance (free admission) located just a 15-kilometer taxi ride west of the city. This reserve extends from the mountains of the Sierra to the western edge of the coastal rain forest in the Esmeraldas region. It contains 752,235 acres of land and a mix of many biological zones, so it is possible to view many different kinds of flora and fauna depending on the altitude.
One of the more interesting areas included in the reserve is the Cuicocha Lake. This lake was formed when the caldera of the now dormant Cuicocha volcano filled with water. The islands in the middle of the lake are the remnants of lava domes from its former days of volcanic activity more than 3000 years ago. The lake is crystal clear and more than 600 feet deep. You can take a 4 to 5-hour hike around the rim of the caldera, which offers spectacular views, enhanced by the local flora composed of miniature orchids and other Andean flowers, and the possibility of spotting local animals such as fox, llamas, Andean ducks and even the majestic Condor or the Spectacled Bear. After hiking, you have the optional opportunity to take a short cruise around the islands in the lake.
Otavalo, just a short bus ride away from Cotacachi, is a center for traditional weaving and the site of the largest weekly market in South America spreading out for more than 36 blocks around the Plaza de Ponchos. At dawn on any Saturday, you can see indigenous people arriving at the market place from many nearby villages and towns to sell their products.
One may also visit the workshops of local weavers working on back-strap and Spanish treadle looms. One local artist is Jose Cotacachi. Visit his workshop and showroom in the town of Peguche (a $2 taxi ride from Otavalo) for a demonstration of natural dyes and weaving and a display of his tapestries that are for sale. Also in Peguche visit the Peguche Park. Stroll through the towering Eucalyptus forest and enjoy the cascading waterfall in this charming park. Not far from Peguchi and Otavalo is the Condor Park (Parque de Condor) where rescued birds of prey have been rehabilitated and remain on display. Flight demonstrations are given at different times most days.
The Thermal Baths of Chichimburo are another must to experience. They are volcanic in origin, and are some of the most healing waters in Ecuador. The chemical composition is high in iron, copper, iodine and other minerals. The springs can be reached by bus, car or taxi from Cotacachi either by way of Ibarra, a slightly longer route, or through Atuntaqui. Either way, the route takes you through the village of Urcuqui. Our favorite baths are at Arco Iris where you can sample pools of different temperatures from steaming hot to comfortably warm. In between, take a plunge into the polar pool to really get your circulation going. Usually a cab will charge about $30 -$40 for the round trip from Cotacachi to Chachimbiro and a 2-3 hour stay at the hot springs. While you're in the Chachimbiro area, try an overnight stay at Hostelería Pantaví for the ultimate relaxing spa and getaway experience. The owner is an artist and has decorated every square inch of this spectacular environment with his paintings and sculpture. The gardens are a delight, and the restaurant offers delicious meals for a reasonable price.
Rate Period | Nightly | Weekend Night | Weekly | Monthly * | Event | ||||
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My Standard Rate
14 night minimum stay
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AU$356
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AU$1,197
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Refundable Damage Deposit | AU$323.55 |
We require a minimum rental of two weeks and a maximum of one month. The local manager will arrange a tour of how everything in the house works and help you with whatever questions you have about the house and the Cotacachi area during your stay. Our local property manager will also take care of the gas, electric, and water and manage the gardener and maid, both of whom are trustworthy. Your damage deposit will be refunded within 30 days if no damage or excessive utility use is reported and excessive cleaning or maintenance is not required.
* Approximate monthly rate. Actual rate will depend on the days of the month you stay.