Río Muchacho is not only a farm. It is an example of sustainable agricultural production and a demonstration of the use of alternative energies and technologies. The influence of Rio Muchacho reaches far beyond the compounds of their farmland. In the City of Bahía de Cáraquez a Rio Muchacho initiative successfully implemented is the paper recycling process. Thanks to recycling and other similar projects, Bahía is now Ecuador's first "ecociudad" - eco-city. Ecuadorian/New Zealand couple Dario Proaño and Nicola Mears, the founders of Rio Muchacho Farm however want more than instant success. That is why they also invest in environmental education - in their own Environmental School as well as in Baíha. Amongst their audience are whole school classes, students of all ages and from all over Ecuador, environmentally-aware tourists, children of the neighbouring farms and even the farmers themselves. The farm invests heavily in public environmental programs and does not receive support from foundations or government. Rio Muchacho can maintain this level of operation only thanks to eco-tourism.
This 5-day Study Program takes students on a rural ecological adventure. Rio Muchacho is brimming over with tropical crops, animals and alternative technologies. The students that want to learn more than Spanish encounter fantastic opportunities. Rio Muchacho's gardens are full of exotic herbs fruits and vegetables. The farmers are experts in sustainable and organic food growing and open to sharing their methods. Often students are filled with ideas and some contribute with their own know-how improving parts of the farm's biological cycle. Meanwhile, daily life is full of surprises. From compost toilets to tree housing. For example discover new types of (vegetarian) food, explore the farm on horseback, prepare and taste freshly-made chocolate and last but not least, enjoy the famous beach of Canoa!
Rio Muchacho Highlights:
- 18 hours of Spanish lessons with Vida Verde Spanish School teachers
- full immersion in an operational tropical organic farm
- horseback ride or hike into the valley and see the Howler monkeys
- enjoy the famous Pacific Coast beach of Canoa
- visit Isla Corazón, hike in the mangrove forests and see frigate bird colonies
- visit Isla de la Plata, famous for its Galapagos-like flora and fauna (seasonal and optional)
- whale-watching! (seasonal and optional)
Activities and Study Program schedules are flexible! Changes can be made according to participant's wishes and weather conditions.
| time | description |
| 11pm Sunday | Departure from Quito (night bus). Alternative: Take a plane to Manta and drive to Bahía de Caráquez in only 3 hours |
| 6.30am - 9am | From Bahía de Caráquez travel to Canoa and have breakfast |
| 9.00am - 12.00pm | Morning on the beach (Optional activities: Surfing class or horseback riding on the beach) |
| 12.00pm - 1.00pm | Lunch |
| 1pm - 5pm | Spanish Classes (4 hours) |
| 5pm - 6pm | Drive to Rio Muchacho Organic Farm - welcome and accomodation |
| 6pm - 7pm | Dinner |
| time | description |
| 7.30am | Breakfast |
8am - 12pm
| Spanish Class (4 hours)
|
1pm
| Lunch and relaxation
|
2pm - 6pm
| Farm Tour: tropical crops, permacultures, organic agriculture. Make key rings out of Tagua wood
|
6pm - 8pm
| Dinner. Prepare your own dessert, make chocolate out of fresh cacao beans
|
| time | description |
early in the morning
| cow milking (optional)
|
7.30am
| Breakfast |
8am - 12pm
| Visit to Rio Muchacho Environmental School. Handcraft workshop with tagua, mate and palm seeds
|
12.00pm
| Lunch and relaxation
|
| 1.30pm - 5.30pm | Spanish Classes (4 hours) |
| 6pm | Dinner and coffee roasting and grinding: prepare your own coffee from the bean to the cup!
|
| time | description |
| 7.30am | Breakfast |
8.30am - 12.30pm
| Spanish Class (4 hours)
|
1pm
| Lunch and relaxation
|
2pm - 6pm
| Horseback ride (or hike) to see Howler Monkeys in the Rain Forest. Visit a waterfall and go for a swim in a natural swimming pool. Special: Baño Negro (clay face mask) |
| 6pm | Dinner and relaxation
|
| evening | Campfire (guitar available)
|
| time | description |
7.30am
| Breakfast and depart from Río Muchacho
|
| 9am - 12pm | Options: Visit to the lookout points, the Galapagos Turtle, ecopaper manufature or go in for a scenic ride along the shore in a eco-taxi
|
12pm
| Lunch |
12.30pm - 2.30pm
| Spanish Class (2 hours)
|
2.30pm - 6.30pm
| Isla Corazón: Mangrove Islands with a colony of frigate birds
|
7pm - 10pm
| Dinner and leisure
|
| 10.15pm | Bus to Quito
|
| time | description |
7.30am
| Breakfast and departure from Río Muchacho
|
| 9am - 12pm | City tour in Bahía de Caraquéz and visit of the Ecopapel project; optional: work with the ecopapel.
|
12pm
| Lunch in Bahía de Caraquéz
|
2.30pm
| Departure for Puerto López
|
evening
| Arrival in Puerto López. Dinner and accomodation
|
| time | description |
8.30am
| Boat ride to Isla de la Plata: Whale watching with guide (seasonal)
|
| 11am | Arrival at Isla de la Plata and Lunch
|
11.30am - 2pm
| Hiking Tour on the Isla. Watch blue-footed boobies, frigate birds, albatrosses, etc. Chance to encounter see lions! Fantastic panorama view off the island's cliffs
|
2pm - 3pm
| Snorkeling inside the island's cove
|
3pm - 5pm
| Return to mainland: whale watching (seasonal)
|
6.30pm
| Dinner
|
| 8pm | Bus to Quito from Puerto Lopez
|
Sheets, blankets, and towels are provided. Showers and clean composting toilets are shared by the guests. Delicious organic meals are prepared by the family who live on the farm.
The food is largely vegetarian, occasionally complemented by chicken and river shrimp. It is typical food with many vegetables and salads and usually cooked over a wood fire. Fresh fruits from the farm are almost always served at breakfast. The local diet is very tasty. It is heavy on rice, green banana and (cassava) yuca. Most people sleep without a mosquito net, but students should bring one if they feel more comfortable with a mosquito net.
Río Muchacho is not only a farm. It is an example of sustainable agricultural production and a demonstration of the use of alternative energies and technologies. The influence of Rio Muchacho reaches far beyond the compounds of their farmland. In the City of Bahía de Cáraquez a Rio Muchacho initiative successfully implemented is the paper recycling process. Thanks to recycling and other similar projects, Bahía is now Ecuador's first "ecociudad" - eco-city. Ecuadorian/New Zealand couple Dario Proaño and Nicola Mears, the founders of Rio Muchacho Farm however want more than instant success. That is why they also invest in environmental education - in their own Environmental School as well as in Baíha. Amongst their audience are whole school classes, students of all ages and from all over Ecuador, environmentally-aware tourists, children of the neighbouring farms and even the farmers themselves. The farm invests heavily in public environmental programs and does not receive support from foundations or government. Rio Muchacho can maintain this level of operation only thanks to eco-tourism.
This 5-day Study Program takes students on a rural ecological adventure. Rio Muchacho is brimming over with tropical crops, animals and alternative technologies. The students that want to learn more than Spanish encounter fantastic opportunities. Rio Muchacho's gardens are full of exotic herbs fruits and vegetables. The farmers are experts in sustainable and organic food growing and open to sharing their methods. Often students are filled with ideas and some contribute with their own know-how improving parts of the farm's biological cycle. Meanwhile, daily life is full of surprises. From compost toilets to tree housing. For example discover new types of (vegetarian) food, explore the farm on horseback, prepare and taste freshly-made chocolate and last but not least, enjoy the famous beach of Canoa!