Hacienda Tranquila History

Fourteen years ago, I set out to St. Cristobal, Galapagos, Ecuador, in search of waves. I had been on surf expeditions around the world, but none of them affected me, or my life path, in such a way as this one did. I found wonderful waves, a pristine environment, and equally friendly locals and wildlife, all of which I fell in love with.  Near the end of my stay, I found out that it was actually possible to purchase property in the developed areas of the archipelago, if one set up an Ecuadorian entity. Ever since my early twenties, I had visualized creating a retreat in a natural setting, where people could come and recharge themselves through healthy activities such as horseback riding, martial arts, yoga or meditation, while nourishing their bodies through a healthy, locally sourced, organic diet. I shared this dream with Geovanny Sarigu, my surf guide, and by then buddy, while enjoying a spectacular sunset at Loberia. After looking at some potential sites near town, Geovanny eventually  introduced me to his favorite part of the island,  up in the highlands.  La Soledad, about twenty minutes from the port town of Puerto Baquerizo Moreno, is located a few miles past El Progresso, bordering the national park and overlooking the north coast of the island. As the name implies, La Soledad was a lonely community at the end of the road, comprised of twenty five farms and ranches. There is a small church built into the lava rock, a schoolroom with a basketball court, and a cantina that was open only on weekends, which provided beautiful views of the north coast, along with their savory blood sausage. I immediately felt a connection with the land and we began our investigation into who owned the mesa. As it turned out, there were multiple owners spread around the globe, and the mesa was not for sale by itself, it had to include the adjoining mountainside, altogether 121 acres, which was home to over fifty head of cattle. The entity was created, the property was purchased, and the adventure began.

It took us a number of years of experimentation, and trial and error, to arrive at our present concept. Hacienda Tranquila is defined by the work its volunteers do to. We are a volunteer supported cattle ranch, with activities comprised of eco work, community service, and hippo therapy for the local children from the Family Services School, including those with special needs. Our mission is to strengthen the environment and community simultaneously. We are attempting to have a positive affect on the environment through eradication of invasive species and planting endemic species, on the local community through providing our volunteer labor, and  on the next generation through hippotherapy, and environmental education. In the early years the eco work was focused on clearing the hacienda, and the surrounding farms, of the invasive wild Mora blackberry. This was expanded though our community service initiative to farmers in all parts of the island. Our property had over four hundred orange trees, avocados, coffee plants, and multiple local varieties of fruit trees. Over the years we have planted thousands of trees and coffee plants, while maintaining an ever expanding organic garden.