Rio Muchacho Organic Farm

Certified Ecoturism

More info about Rio Muchacho / More photos
Ecotourism Certification / Tourist FAQ
Visitor´s Book / Articles
The gardens and produce / Extension projects 2007
Sustainable living / Organic agriculture program for groups

Rio Muchacho Organic Farm is situated in the river valley of the same name on the mid coast of Ecuador just north of Bahía de Caráquez. The trip to Río Muchacho is a unique adventure with a rich interaction between environment and culture. It is not only a chance to see rural Ecuador as the locals do… from the back of a horse but to share, learn, and participate in a different culture.

“We wanted to visit a local family, and sample typical food but we got much more. Experiences like this help us evolve from tourists into like minded people “ Nic Pilbrow- New Zealand

Visits to Rio Muchacho have 3 main aspects
1. The local culture
2. Adventure and local flora and fauna
3. Organic agriculture, permaculture and alternative technology

WHAT KINDS OF TOURS / PROGRAMS DOES THE FARM RUN?
1. Three day tour (also 1&2 day tours but the 3 day tour is recommend)
2. Spanish courses 1-3 weeks
3. Cultural exchange programs for foreign students
4. Apprenticeship in Organic Farming and Permaculture
5. Group volunteer projects 3 days- 1 month
6. Volunteer program for individuals
7. Ecocamps for Children
8. Training programs for community groups in organic agriculture, rural tourism &
environmental education.
9. Adventure and relaxation for school groups, and local companies
10. If you prefer just to relax, enjoy the peace and organic food, you are welcome to stay at the farm $15/ day for accommodation and three meals.

About Río Muchacho

The area of Río Muchacho was once dense rain forest, some of which has been cleared for cattle farming and cropping. The combination of cropped areas with the remaining humid forest has created a picturesque landscape punctuated with huge umbrella shaped saman and palm trees. The people who now inhabit and farm the area are the Montubio people ( coastal farmers ).

The Montubios live from and with the land, producing most of their food needs, and cash crops like peanuts, corn, coffee, cocoa, and passion fruit. The families live in small bamboo houses scattered along the river. The main form of transport for the local people is by horse or mule.

horses are a form of transport and entertainment !

They are ingenious people who do marvels with a machete and the natural materials at hand. Although they work very closely with the phases of the moon and tides, the farming practices in the area are conventional and to some degree destructive, as in most parts of the world. Clearing, burning, monocropping and the use of chemicals are common practices, which in tropical areas only guarantee the impoverishment of the soil. Rio Muchacho Organic Farm was no exception until 1992 when work began to convert it to a non polluting sustainable system. It is now not only being developed as a productive organic farm but as a model for the community. It demonstrates reforestation, permaculture, alternative technologies and organic farming techniques.

This work is further enhanced in the environmental primary school coordinated by the farm. Here the children not only have a more creative, practical education but they learn new techniques for sustainable farming and practice recycling and waste management, vegetable growing, reforestation etc.

“Gentle interaction between human beings and the earth…there is much to learn here ” Sally Wilson - Britain

You will be guided in Rio Muchacho by the native guide and his family.
Accommodation is in a cabin by the stream or in one of the other creatively built sleeping areas. The best of typical food is prepared from the harvest and cooked over an open fire.

enjoying the home grown food

"Our stay with the family in Río Muchacho was without a doubt the most relaxed and enriching experience we´ve had in a long time, if not ever " James Howard - Canada

Río Muchacho has received ecotourism certification from the Ministry of Tourism and the Ecuadorian Ecotourism Association.

Click here for more information about the farm and its ecopractices.

Activities included in the 3 day tour:

Day 1. AGROECOLOGY-PERMACULTURE
• Horse trek (or jeep ride) through beautiful scenery to the farm.
• Visit the Environmental Community School.
• Tour of the farm to see the recycling systems & tropical crops eg. yuca, turmeric sesame, coffee, pineapple, passion fruit, cocoa, banana, and examples of rice, ginger, balsa wood, and more. Explanation of permaculture and organic agriculture practices.
• Make chocolate- from the bean to the cup !

Day 2. EXCURSION UP RIVER
• Plant your own tree.
• Harvest fruit and vegetables
• Horse trek to the humid forest and coffee plantation where there are howler monkeys. Pick tree gourds “mate” en route for working with the following day.
• Typical lunch at the water fall, the tonga (a traditional packed lunch made with peanut and wrapped in banana leaves.) Swim in the river.
• Roast and grind coffee over an open fire.

Day 3. CULTURAL DAY
• Milk cows and make flavored cheese.
• Fish river shrimp.
• Make your own cups and spoons from gourd.
• Cut palm seeds & tagua to make rings & pendants.
• Apply local medicinal clay face mask and fresh aloe vera shampoo from the farm.
• Return to entrance by jeep or by horse
Bird watching is good on the trail and at the farm. Most commonly seen species are mot mot, kingfishers, woodpeckers, oropendulas, herons and parrots.

Note: some activities are seasonal

We recommend the 3 day stay in Río Muchacho to be able to do as many activities as possible. However shorter trips are also available.

Prices
Email us for current prices.

Discounts for groups and SAEC members.

What to take
Light pack with clothes for 3 days including long pants for horse riding and shorts for shrimp fishing, sun hat and swim suit. Insect repellent, sunscreen, camera, torch (if you have one) and rain coat (in wet season).

Included
Transport, horses, food and lodging, guide, rubber boots when necessary

More Information available on the Rio Muchacho tours FAQ page.

harvesting for lunch

Rio Muchacho hosted various volunteer groups this year. GIVE A KID A BACKPACK FOUNDATION came in June and 400 backpacks were distributed to country schools where students study with the very basics . a black board and chalk. The back packs were given to the children to encourage them to continue studying. They were received with much joy and appreciation.

INTERNATIONAL STUDENT VOLUNTEERS worked in coordination with the farm in 6 rural schools from June to September. In each school the students worked with the parents, teachers and students to build climbing frames and swings out of bamboo and recycled tyres, make gardens, paint murals, and build toilets (some schools didn't have them).

Everyday the children enjoyed constructing, sharing food and playing games… a great cultural exchange for both parts.