Las Palmeras Inn

A cosy and friendly countryside hacienda with a peaceful setting in the Ecuadorian Andes.

What a find! This welcoming hacienda set in luxuriant gardens up in the green Andean mountains just outside the market town of Otavalo is overwhelmed with Spanish colonial references to an affluent past, while at the same time offering a really homely, rustic atmosphere. Golds and crimsons dominate the colour theme in the two-storey, heavily tiled main building which abounds with rich textiles, elaborate carpets and cosy sofas. Polished wood and tiled floors gleam, local at decorates the walls.

You stay in one of a clutch of cottages with pitched wooden ceilings, each with its own wood-burning chimney which is lit for you every night. Meals are served from menu of recipes featuring produce from the local area, including the property’s own organic orchard. Many activities can be organised, such as horse riding and cookery classes; it’s a great stay for families.

What our clients say

97% of our clients rated their experience with us as Excellent or Good.

Great holiday in Ecuador
Ecuador was a fantastic adventure: welcoming friendly people, beautiful landscapes and amazing wildlife. To fit in two cities, the Andes, the Amazon, the cloud forest and the Galapagos Islands into a 16 day trip on a seamless itinerary was a fantastic solution provided by Sophie at JLA and we enjoyed every aspect.
GE, Glasgow
The Galapagos was as expected beautiful and interesting but we were pleasantly surprised by the visits to the rose plantation and panama hat factory which turned out far more interesting than we had expected. also the scenery in mainland Ecuador was breath-taking at times.
MW, London
Most memorable experience: "Where to start? Huge evening skies on the Napo river, pulling out of Chimbacalle station on the Tren Crucero in a cacophony of whistling and hooting; the Devil's nose, swimming with penguins, sharks and sea lions. The moment on the Tren Crucero when our guide wanted to reassure us, You may have heard that Cotopaxi has been erupting recently, don't worry, it's all under control. The library in the Hacienda Zuleta; Firefly larvae in the dark on Limoncocha; smoking a cigar in the garden of Hacienda La Cienega - its's hard to keep a cigar alight in the thin Andean air, but you can pretend to be Alaxander von Humbolt."
DH, Portsmouth
Ecuador Highlights: Seeing hummingbirds & humpback whales, summiting the Pasochoa peak with Kristian, Quilotoa Volcano Lake, Quito cable car ride, the Las Cajas Park walks with Wilson.
PJR
We had a wonderful time…we thought the guides we had were among the best we have known anywhere; we went for the Galapagos and would admit to mainland Ecuador being a bit of an “add on”, but we thought it was fabulous and would return-Quito was so much better than we expected
PW, Lambeth
Hard to pick one highlight when there were so many superlatives. The scenery in Ecuador was spectacular. The Devil's Nose train ride was great fun. Snorkelling with sea turtles, penguins, sea lions and marine iguanas in the Galapagos was simply a-m-a-z-i-n-g !
JB, Newcastle
It was all brilliant, we expected the Galapagos to be the highlight, but all the other trips were as good in different ways. All the Ecuadorians encountered at hotels, restaurants, shops, etc could not do enough to help, and they did it with a smile.
AH, Eastleigh
Ecuador is a wonderful country with much to see and do so often overlooked by those seeking to visit South America and that I now know is a big mistake.
DW, Lingfield
Briliant
It was all brilliant, we expected the Galapagos to be the highlight, but all the other trips were as good in different ways. All the Ecuadorians encountered at hotels, restaurants, shops, etc could not do enough to help, and they did it with a smile.
AH, Eastleigh
From the moment we were picked up, on time, from our hotel in Quito, to the moment we were left at the departure lounge in the airport in Baltra, the organisation and punctuality of everything was impeccable. As residents in South America this was a very pleasant surprise!
TP, Lima
Quito is a fabulous city with residents that seem to be pleased to see you, really helpful if you make just a little effort to address them in Spanish. Ecuador is a wonderful country with much to see and do so often overlooked by those seeking to visit South America and that I now know is a big mistake.
DW, Lingfield
Ecuador is perhaps a most underrated country for a great visitor experience. The people are great and helpful and, for anyone with an interest in the natural world, there is so much variety to see and enjoy.
IB
Everyone was very concious of preserving water and not littering - it seems part of everyday life in Ecuador
KK, Belfast
Highlight?: The trek up the Chimborazo with mountaineering legend will live with us forever!!
TT, Bolton
We had a wonderful holiday to Quito and Galapagos with Journey Latin America. We just wish it had been longer!
HS, W4
Most memorable experiences: Snorkelling with huge sea turtles and iguanas whilst they were feeding with sea lions, penguins and flightless cormorants also coming to join in the party.
LA, London
Two parts: Seeing cotopaxi and the surrounding area for the first time, and stepping off the boat onto floreana and having to avoid sea lions and iguana, magical.
HT, Conwy
Highlight?: The Napo Lodge experience. It exceeded our expectations and we were very lucky to have dry weather.
HB, Todmorden
Most memorable experiences: Galapagos snorkeling at Devils Crown and the inland lagoon; walk on Fernandina; mountain bikes and trek at Cotopaxi.
JG, Sevenoaks
Surpassed expectations
We had a wonderful time… we thought the guides we had were among the best we have known anywhere; we went for the Galápagos and would admit to mainland Ecuador being a bit of an “add on”, but we thought it was fabulous and would return - Quito was so much better than we expected.
PW, Lambeth
It was all amazing to use an overworked word, but (i) the Cotopaxi days (train plus condors plus steaming volcano) was extraordinary, and (ii) encountering the Galapagos Islands and their unique wildlife were memorable - but so was the whole trip!
JL, Winchester
Avenue of the Volcanoes was superb plus swimming with sea lions and penguins.
JK, Sheffield
Probably the Tren Crucero (was the top experience) but too many highlights to mention.
SB, Cambourne
Highlight?: Galapagos Islands
RN, London
Most Memorable Moment?: Drving up Mt. Cotopaxi and watching a Gaucho chase a cow riding a horse at the gallop whilst trying to lassoe it on a cobbled road,...some rider! The Papallacto hot baths.The basket ride across the canyion south of Banos.
NBH, Watchet
Excellent service
From the moment we were picked up, (on time) from our hotel in Quito, to the moment we were left at the departure lounge in the airport in Baltra, the organisation and punctuality of everything was impeccable. As residents in South America this was a very pleasant surprise!
TP, Lima
Loved it
Ecuador is perhaps a most underrated country for a great visitor experience. The people are great and helpful and, for anyone with an interest in the natural world, there is so much variety to see and enjoy.
IB, Kendal
Highlights:- “Quito celebrating their anniversary of independence. All the Haciendas we visited were full of history and interesting in different ways .Las Cajas and getting up into the high Andes was great”
GW, Truro
Ecuador was a fantastic adventure: welcoming friendly people, beautiful landscapes and amazing wildlife. To fit in two cities, the Andes, the Amazon, the cloud forest and the Galapagos islands into a 16 day trip on a seamless itinerary was a fantastic solution provided by Sophie at JLA and we enjoyed every aspect.
GE, Glasgow
Waking up at Hacienda Porvenir and being able to see the sun rising near Cotopaxi. Being in the Galapagos once again and seeing all the wildlife - such a unique experience.
JB, Edinburgh

Tailor made holiday

Our specialists have been expertly crafting award-winning tailor-made holidays to Latin America for 40 years. We would be delighted to create a truly personalised trip which perfectly matches your wishes and requirements.

Kathryn Rhodes - Travel Expert

Kathryn backpacked across Argentina, Chile, Bolivia and Peru before joining us. She has a degree in Philosophy and French and is a keen netball player.