The Hacienda San Joaquin, as mentioned in the previous post, is a 663–acre ranch in the Andes Mountains, just two miles outside of Vilcabamba.

There are a limited number of riverfront and hillside homes that are available for purchase on the property, which will for the most part remain untouched.

Hacienda San Joaquin is bordered by the Andes Mountains on three sides and the Vilcabamba River on the fourth. The lowest elevation on the property, at the bottom of the valley is 4839 feet, and rises up to 6512 feet in the mountains. Most of the homes are located at an elevation of 5000 feet.

Homes are spread out over less than half of the property, with the main focus of the hacienda being on the natural beauty of the region. Most of the ranch serves as a private playground for residents, ideal for hiking and horseback riding.

The Equestrian and Hiking Center is located at the center of the Hacienda and boasts two stables (forty stalls) an information center with hiking and riding trail maps, an outdoor cafe, a corral and more.

Horses can be kept at the stables, or at home in the pleasant surroundings of lush vegetation and other wildlife. Organic gardens are popular with residents, as almost anything grows in this region.

Lee Harrison, writer for International Living, who has covered projects extensively in Central and South America, describes Hacienda San Joaquín as “the best-run” project he has seen, “well-planned, well-executed, well-managed, imaginative and well-backed”

This private community is reached by taking the private entrance after the public road from Vilcabamba ends in Chaupi, but for now you may be content to read about it on the web at VilcabambaHomes.com.

There are a limited number of properties left; to see a complete list of properties and prices, click here. (Lowest priced at $98,000 – just $17.17 per square meter)

The newest project at Hacienda San Joaquin is SUNRISE, which is in the works at this very moment. It includes a mountain-top hotel with 43 guest cabanas, 25 hillside homes, and a riverfront health spa.

The hotel, which will be finished towards the end of 2009 features large porches, balconies, open dining areas, ceramic and wood flooring. There is a subterranean wine cellar/lounge, a grand piano and a dance floor, suites, meeting rooms, and a business center.

The cabanas are available for purchase in revenue-sharing plans. Owners, one per cabana, hold the title and are entitled to four free weeks of usage per year. More information on the Sunrise project can be found by clicking here.

Check out VilcabambaHomes.com today and start planning your trip, or your move, to this Ecuadorian paradise.