Donnant sur City Lights de Cotacachi

The environment was lovely. The property was beautifully cared for and looked like an English Garden. There was excellent security and the people living there were welcoming and helpful. We had wonderful fires in the evenings. Everything we needed was available.

The condo is beautiful and very spacious, clean and well equipped. It is in a very secure and quiet gated development outside of Cotacachi. Upon our arrival there were flowers, water and fruit waiting for us which was much appreciated after a 17 hour travel day. The view is spectacular! It is about a 25 minute walk into town or a $2.00 taxi ride. We will definitely be back!

We really enjoyed our month long vacation in Cotacachi. The views from the condo were spectacular and ever changing. There really is a lot to do in Cotacachi and surrounding villages and cities. We enjoyed the walk into town and back and did it every day.

We did run into a problem with the Internet and the propane, and trying to look for solutions in the three ring binder was a bit of a nightmare. It just needs to be updated with current and correct information and phone numbers.

The neighbors at the condo were very welcoming and helpful.

These condos are units of 4 and ours was on the top left; lovely neighbors right below, others traveling. Interior design reminded me of medieval keeps with a very large, open living room, dining room, kitchen with at least 20 foot ceilings, some skylights, and lots of dark beams and dark wood through out. We did not need the fireplace, but it was nice to have. The master bedroom was huge, gorgeous, and the bathroom very nice with jets in the tub as well as a great shower. I took the guest bedroom, also very large, bathroom just out the door, so available to guests as well.

The only drawback was that the tap water could not be used for cooking because the well had become contaminated with ecoli. Of course, we only used bottled water for drinking, cooking, and brushing our teeth. I do hope the Home Owners Association will remedy this as soon as possible.

The enclave, call Jauha Pacha, was a kilometer from downtown, a walk downhill through homes of indigenous Quecha people, then a climb of 4 blocks to the bus terminal and market.

By taxi, it was just $2.50 from our door.

Cotacachi is only about 10,000 people, the leather capital of the country, so shopping was fun and prices were quite reasonable. One of our favorite days was spent with a local guide who took us to the villages where we saw weavers starting with raw wool and finishing with gorgeous shawls, blankets, bags, and more. We also got to go to a local artist who does amazing wall hangings in designs both modern or native. Also that afternoon, we went to see the family that makes the range of flutes and other instruments; they did a concert for us and have toured all over Europe and South America. Lastly he took us to a 300-year-old hacienda, owned by the same family for generations, where we had an excellent upscale lunch. This tour was just $25.00 each, so find Luis at his store just across from the Cotacachi bus terminal. We loved being in this interesting small town.

Jahua Pacha is a very nice small community in the hills overlooking Cotacachi. It is not easy to find, the first time, if you are in a rental car, and we simply paid a taxi to "lead us there". GPS doesn't help much, either, too many in-named roads!

They are very security conscious, and getting in to the property proved to be a bit of a chore. But once we had gained access it was worth the effort. The residents (typically expats from USA and Canada) are warm, friendly and very welcoming. Be sure to go to "happy hour" on "the bench" at 3pm daily!.

The apartment is very nice... fairly well equipped... but the hot water can be a little hit or miss. The overall preparation of the apartment for our arrival left a little to be desired.

The locals advised us that the best place for dinner in Cotacachi was "La Mirage". They were right... it is a spectacular dining experience.

Overall, our party of four had a wonderful time staying at this property for four nights and we will surely return!