Ecotourism Awards

Black Sheep Inn Prices-Tarifas

Black Sheep Picks - Eco Links

We were happy to participate in this program for Certification. After carefully reviewing worldwide ECO standards, ASEC has certified hotels and agencies in Ecuador that have actualized Recycling -Waste Management, Conservation, Community Education and Safety Standards.

Photo by Tim Tadder

As a traveler you should be aware that many hotels and agencies call themselves "ECO".

We are also promoting ECO Tourism through these LINKS.
This page is continuously under construction. We are always adding new sites. Let us know if you find a dead link.

Links to other Black Sheep on this planet.     Link Exchange
Please email us with updates to any of these sites, or suggestions of additional sites to include.

( ►)  Indicates that providers are Eco-Certified by the Ministry of Tourism and ASEC.

► Black Sheep Inn has developed an ECO Definition that we believe honestly portrays sustainable tourism and ecological practices.  By creating this definition and standard we hope to help better our current projects and encourage other Ecuadorian hotels and businesses to make genuine efforts at sustainability. Also see our Eco-Awareness Page. 

We recognize the following businesses as making significant steps towards ecological practices and awareness. It may be through community involvement, conscientious tourism, permaculture, or conservation efforts.

Eco Tourism Resources - Sustainable Responsible Ethical Tourism

Planeta.com The goal behind this website is to create a much-needed public space for the development of conscientious tourism that benefits travelers and locals alike. This award winning site serves as an information clearinghouse and information catalyst. They invite experts to contribute articles and participate in virtual forums. Original features and links feature the work of communities and individuals who are pursuing holistic development strategies, particularly ecotourism. Planeta sponsors numerous online discussion groups.
http://forum.planeta.com and http://www.planeta.com 

ECOCLUB.com - International Ecotourism Club based out of Greece has three different and informative websites.  EcoClub is proud to be "Supporting Member" of The International Ecotourism Society, "Affiliate Member" of the Wildlife Conservation Society, Member of Arktouros (Bear Protection Society of Greece), Member of Greek Society for the Protection of Birds, and Founders of the Ecotourism Ring.  
Websites:   1.)  http://www.ecoclub.com   2.)  http://www.ecotourism.cc

Black Sheep Inn co-authored "Seven Recommendations for Strengthening Ecotourism in Ecuador."   Since December 2002 we have been working with "Grupo Internet en Favor del Ecoturismo Ecuatoriano" (GIFEE), a grassroots cyber-collective.  Together we have created seven recommendations for the Ecuadorian Government to take action in realizing Ecuador’s potential as an international ecotourism leader. Check out the letter that was sent to a number of government officials and is posted on both Planeta.com http://www.planeta.com/ecotravel/south/ecuador/7.html and EcoClub.com - International Ecotourism Club http://ecoclub.com/gifee.html .

South American Explorers Club (SAEC) one of the best sources of information on Ecuador. The Club is a non profit organization with Clubhouses in Quito, Ecuador, Lima and Cuzco, Peru and Argentina. Head office is located in Ithaca, New York.  Membership fees are used to fund extensive resources for travelers, and additional projects of social and cultural merit in South America.  http://www.saexplorers.org/ 

ITACA provides free information in both English and Spanish on Appropriate Technology such as water systems, sanitation, electricity, stoves, construction and more.  Check out their website for great information and designs:    http://itacanet.org/

Transitions Abroad  For over 30 years, the single most useful and comprehensive resource—THE Web portal—for Work Abroad, Study Abroad, Cultural Travel Overseas and International Living. We wrote an article for their online magazine entitled "Slow Tourism in Ecuador - Travel That Raises Awareness":  http://www.transitionsabroad.com/listings/travel/responsible/articles/slow-tourism-in-ecuador-black-sheep-inn.shtml

  As the world’s oldest and largest ecotourism organization, the International Ecotourism Society (TIES) promotes the principles of ecotourism and responsible practices in travel and tourism. With the goal of uniting conservation, communities and sustainable travel, TIES serves its members in over 90 countries, and acts as the global source of knowledge and advocacy in ecotourism. For more information, visit www.ecotourism.org.   Black Sheep Inn has been a business member of TIES since 2002.

We also wrote an article for TIES EcoCurrents Quarterly eMagazine - 2007 Q4 - page 6:
"Suitcase Full of Garbage"

Ecuadorian Association of Ecotourism - Asociacion Ecuatoriana de Ecoturismo (ASEC), the Black Sheep Inn is an active member of this association.  ASEC has helped to certify 12 organizations as "Empresas Especial de Ecoturismo."   We are honored to be one of the first to be Eco-Certified in Ecuador.  Check out the website, although it is still under construction.   http://www.ecoturismo.org.ec     

EcoTurismo Latino aims to be a bridge between enterprises who offer any alternative tourism service or product, and domestic or international travelers; achieving an exchange of updated information, alternative tourism services and products, and human solidarity.  http://www.ecoturismolatino.com 

Please email us with updates to any of these sites, or suggestions of additional sites to include.

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Eco-Hotels in Ecuador

► Indicates that providers are Eco-Certified by the Ministry of Tourism and ASEC.

► Black Sheep Inn High Sierra, Chugchilan, Cotopaxi.  "Top 10 EcoLodge in the World" - Outside Magazine.   Spectacular scenery, world class day hiking, horseback riding, mountain biking, sauna, zipline cable swing, permaculture tours, hiking maps and more. Black Sheep Inn offers affordable lodging in the heart of the rural Ecuadorian Andes.    http://www.blacksheepinn.com 

► Yachana Lodge Jungle/Amazon. Yachana Lodge has won several international awards!  Yachana's focus is preservation of the Ecuadorian rain forest and its people through community participation in health, education and sustainable development.  Yachana Lodge supports FUNEDESIN, The Foundation for Integrated Education and Development. http://www.yachana.com or http://www.yachana.org.ec/

► Rio Muchacho Bahia de Caraquez, Manabi Province on the Ecuadorian coast.  An organic farm where visitors participate in various projects.  10% of all tour fees support the environmental school in Rio Muchacho.  Great Permaculture demonstrations.  http://www.riomuchacho.com  Rio Muchacho is also For Sale!

► Bellavista Chocó Bioregion/Cloud Forest, near Mindo. A Private Reserve in the Cloud Forest associated with Fundacion Siempre Bosque (Forever Forest Foundation).  Bellavista manages over 600 hectares (1500 acres) of reserve land.  Beautiful trails and fantastic birding.  http://www.bellavistacloudforest.com/

► Maquipucuna Chocó Bioregion/Cloud Forest, near Mindo.  Just 50 miles northwest of Quito exists the unique opportunity of experiencing exotic species of birds, moths and butterflies, and flowers in bloom such as orchids and bromeliads. The Ecotourism Centre is a small but modern lodge built in accordance with its natural surroundings. The open-air design allows intimate contact with nature and the soothing sounds of the rushing river. http://www.maqui.org/

► Alandaluz A Passionate Embrace with Life, Puerto Rico, Manabi Province on the Ecuadorian coast.  The pioneers of eco-tourism in Ecuador!  A great success story in ecological and community practices.  We were inspired by Alandaluz and many of their ideas before building the Black Sheep Inn. http://www.alandaluzhosteria.com 

► Tierra del Volcán Machachi, Cotopaxi National Park.  Tierra del Volcán has three haciendas in the foothills surrounding Cotopaxi, each with its own ecosystem and distinctive climate. A broad range of activities are available: Horseback riding, mountain biking, trekking, hiking, mountain climbing, rappelling, bird watching, camping, cultural experiences and more. http://www.volcanoland.com  

► Cerro Blanco Dry coastal forest, near Guayaquil. The Cerro Blanco nature reserve is a privately owned and operated, 3500 hectare park, encompassing a dry coastal forest. The park is administered by Fundación Pro-Bosque, a non-profit organization, supported by La Cemento Nacional, the company which donated most of the land of the reserve.  http://www.bosquecerroblanco.com/  E-mail contact: vonhorst@ecua.net.ec 
http://www.planeta.com/planeta/02/0211eccerro.html

► Puerto Hondo at km 17 on the Guayaquil-Salinas highway.  A community effort for the conservation of the remaining mangroves in the area has formed this Ecological Club which, among its projects offers eco-tourism opportunities. E-mail contact: vonhorst@ecua.net.ec OR http://www.thebestofecuador.com/phondo.htm OR http://www.tropiceco.com/journeys/special/puerto-hondo.html.

► Yunguilla Chocó Bioregion/Cloud Forest, near Mindo. Yunguilla is a community located in the Andes, about two hours away from the capital of Quito. 45 families have formed an association to produce some products such as marmalades, cheese, organic products, recycling paper, and Ecotourism.  Has a good volunteer program.  http://www.tropiceco.com/journeys/special/yunguilla-mindo-cloudforest-tour.html.

► Kapawi Jungle/Amazon.  Kapawi is the largest community-based project ever developed in Ecuador.  Kapawi was created to provide high service in one of the most remote and pristine areas of southeastern Ecuador, away from oil exploitation and other destructive practices.  http://www.kapawi.com 

► Manatee Amazon Explorer Jungle/Amazon.  This riverboat accommodates 30 guests in comfortable cabins with private bathrooms and running hot water, individual air conditioning, on board laundry service, large dining room, bar and lounge area, panoramic terrace, delicious cuisine and the finest multilingual naturalist guides, plus the highest safety standards, personable service and efficiency.  http://www.nuevomundotravel.com OR http://www.advantagecuador.com.

Bosque Nublado Santa Lucia Chocó Bioregion/Cloud Forest, near Mindo.  Santa Lucia has also won several awards in 2004 and has been short listed for the Tourism for Tomorrow Awards 2005 in the Category of Conservation.  GO ECUADOR!!  The community-owned conservation organization manages over 1600 acres of mountain cloud forest in northwestern Ecuador. This is an area of extreme biodiversity, with over 320 bird species, including the Andean Cock-of-the-Rock. Visitors to the Ecolodge enjoy comfortable accommodations with panoramic vistas of the surrounding cloud forests, as well as birding, hikes to mountain waterfalls, and other activities. Volunteers are also welcome to aid in reforesting and other conservation projects.  http://www.santaluciaecuador.com 

Golondrinas Northern Esmeraldas Province.  Golondrinas Foundation is one of the most successful grassroots conservation projects in Ecuador because it incorporates the participation of local farmers. The project's goal is to conserve a unique forest ecosystem while improving the standard of living for the people who reside in the region. Golondrinas offers treks from the high paramo grasslands down to the coast, promotes Permaculture and accepts volunteers.  Eliza, one of the owners, won the Rolex Award. http://www.fgolondrinas.org/

El Monte Sustainable Lodge, Mindo.  The goal of El Monte is to help preserve and protect the natural beauty of Mindo, one of the most biologically diverse and endangered Cloud Forests in the world.  Stay in beautiful two-story handmade A-frame cabins.  http://www.ecuadorcloudforest.com  

Finca La Nueva Esperanza between Los Bancos and Pedro Vicente Maldonado.  The farm is a Permaculture project with the aim of creating an ecologically sound sustainable system of agriculture and living, in harmony with nature and people as equals.  http://www.fincaesperanza.org/ 

LA SELVA Jungle Lodge, situated high on Lake Garzacocha, deep in the Ecuadorian Amazon region, we offer you the ultimate in luxury jungle experience. Ours is a very special way to visit the Amazon rainforest, and we hope that this web page will answer many of your questions about how to visit us. We have many exciting excursions that will give you a genuine feeling for this important, beautiful and richly biodiverse region of the world. It is our hope that your stay with us will give you an experience of, and a relationship with our jungle which you will never in your life forget. http://www.laselvajunglelodge.com/

Please email us with updates to any of these sites, or suggestions of additional sites to include. 

Back to The Black Sheep Inn Homepage

Please email us with updates to any of these sites, or suggestions of additional sites to include.

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Andres Hammerman & Michelle Kirby
The Black Sheep Inn
An Ecologically Friendly Hotel
P.O. Box 05-01-240
Chugchilan, Cotopaxi, Ecuador
South America
Telf : (593) 3 - 281-4587 or try our cell number by clicking:
Contact Us at Black Sheep Inn