Ecotourism

Santa Lucía Cloudforest Reserve and Ecolodge are in the foothills of the Andes in northwestern Ecuador , in the Choco Bioregion which is considered a ‘ hotspot ' for biodiversity . Community-owned and community-run , Santa Lucía is committed to conservation, responsible ecotourism and sustainable development . Just two hours from Quito , Santa Lucía Reserve has more than 380 species of birds including the White-faced Nunbird, Beautiful Jay, Plate-billed Mountain Toucan, Giant and Moustached Antpitta and hummingbirds. The reserve is home to at least 45 species of mammals including pumas and the Andean Spectacled Bear, as well as many reptiles, frogs and toads, cecilidades and butterflies. The rich plant life of the forest includes epiphytes such as orchids and bromeliads.

Santa Lucía Lodge is an ideal place for ecotourists to visit, whether you are a birder, a backpacker, a scientist, a nature lover, looking for adventure or simply looking for a break from the city. The reserve offers a wide range of attractions such as superb hiking to mountain waterfalls along ancient trails used by the Yumbo people, camping in primary forest , birding including visiting the Andean Cock of the Rock lek , taking part in making panela (sugar) the traditional way or simply relaxing in the hammocks.

Santa Lucía has a well established volunteering programme. Following on from our highly successful reforestation programme we are looking for volunteers to help with planting the endangered trees canelo and cedro; also for help with conservation monitoring, trail maintenance, agroforestry (coffee, sugar cane and bananas,) organic gardening, English teaching, environmental education and after school enrichment programmes.