Hacienda Danesa - An Odyssey of Chocolate

Hacienda La Danesa is a private ranch located in Ecuador’s green coastal region, east of the Guayaquil and near the Andean foothills. The Food and the chocolate bean-to-bar experience are the highlights at Hacienda La Danesa — fresh cheese, vegetables, and fruits are served in the al fresco restaurant, and picnics can be arranged. Hacienda La Danesa prides itself on farm to table meals using fresh and natural ingredients with an Ecuadorian influence.

Hacienda La Danesa has six guest rooms, located in or near the historic hacienda house. Additional rooms, gardens, and an ambient temperature swimming pool (to be completed in 2020) will be located nearby.

The full board program at Hacienda La Danesa includes meals, non-alcoholic beverages, and several on-site activities—hiking, biking, river tubing, milking, and visits to the cacao plantation. Riding, yoga, beekeeping, cacao and cooking classes are offered for an additional fee.

Hacienda La Danesa is about a 1.5 hour drive from Guayaquil, located in mainland Ecuador between Naranjito a Pineapple, Banana and Cacao farming town and Bucay, an amazing hiking and waterfall national park, all right before the Andes. This charming Hacienda has been owned by the Olsen Peet family for more than 50 years and its 1,200 acres produce fine cacao, teak, 2,000 liters of milk per day, fresh cheese and pinto quarter horses. When I first visited Hacienda, this was such an unexpected trip highlight!

We are in love with the idea of ending any Galapagos itinerary with 2-3 nights at this exclusive hacienda. It was owner Niels Olsen’s dream to someday invite guests to his family farm, and that dream came true (after some initial hesitation from his parents) a few years ago. It is designed as “Chip and Jo” meets Ecuador: cozy but incredibly stylish. The short trip to the Hacienda boosts views of cacao and banana plantations, as well as the “real” towns en route, are neat to see.

The family’s business model incorporates three goals: employ local, no single-use plastic, and 100% locally sourced food. (They are at 80% now!) There are just 8 rooms on the property. The goal is to have 12 rooms in the long-run. We strongly recommend booking the Restored Stables, Garden Cottage (great for honeymoons/anniversaries), or Family Garden Cottage (2BR). The entry-level “Heritage Bedrooms” are not nearly of the same level and should only be booked if a family needs to put older kids/teens in a second bedroom. If you are a couple staying in the Garden Cottage, ask the team to set up a private dinner for them under the pergola!

INCLUDED EXPERIENES: Cacao plantation visit, chocolate-making, lazy river tubing with a guide, biking, cow-milking.

ADDITIONAL EXPERIENCES (all private): In-room spa, horseback riding, beekeeping immersion, cooking workshop, a more technical chocolate-making experiences, yoga, kids’ pick-up soccer with a local school (part of a program Niels runs) This was an amazing experience for my son who plays academy soccer, the local kids were so engaged to meet and play with people for abroad.

ADDITIONAL EXCURSIONS (all private): Cloud Forest and waterfall visit, Guayaquil with a local, buffalo farm and mozzarella experience. Visitors can enjoy fishing, buffalo encounters, waterfall hikes and even discovering Guayaquil and ecological reserves. Are you considering a stay at Hacienda Danesa? Touring Galapagos offers personalized Ecuador itineraries combined with the Galapagos Islands as well as Peru and Machu Picchu. Speak with one of our local Galapagos and Ecuador experts at (404) 971-8113.

Touring Galapagos offers a Galapagos & Chocolates Package that includes Hacienda Danesa. And it can also be combined with Galapagos and Machu Picchu.