Peaceful Homestead & Retreat in Ecuador
Ecuador
NOTE: we have had a couple wwoofers think we are full because of the calendar layout - but we have comfortable room for 12 people - the more the merrier!
Bienvenida! A shangri-la is 'a remote beautiful place where life approaches perfection; a hideaway of idealic beauty and tranquility; where everything is pleasant and you can get everything you want.' That's the goal!
We are peaceful freedom lovers - Doug & Crystal. We share the land with our sweet shihtzu Rawsha, our new puppies Grizzly, Snarles Barkly & Heliconia, Jose the cat, a happy flock of chickens, and our 2 friendly mules: Ferris Mueller & Atilla.
We started homesteading in Canada on 2020, and within a year were 100% self sufficient in growing our own fruits and vegetables. We relocated to Ecuador in August 2023, to continue our food self sufficiency goals in a year round growing climate - and for the adventure!
We have a 35Ha retreat of Jungle, fresh spring water and clean air. We are on the Amazonian side of the Andes mountains. We do not have a wet / dry season. Rather, we receive rainfall year - which means everything is always green and lush. The property is bordered by small rivers and cascadas. Some of the land was used for cows in the past, and we are inviting the jungle to grow back in these areas.
THE SPACE
We have built cabins that can accommodate 12 people. We built them with the intention of balancing privacy and community. Now that the construction is done, we are focusing on creating gardens at each cabin, as well as planting fruit and native trees to help fill in the spaces between the cabins. There are private cabins made for people that want to take care of gardens and create a little home away from home, as well as a dorm style cabin for groups or friends traveling together. There is a large community space for cooking, gathering, yoga, making art, music, and nightly bonfires. There is also a volley ball court!
Some things to consider while deciding if the Shangri-la is the right place for you:
* We have chosen to live off grid, and free of EMF, as such the internet is joyfully not available or part of life here.
* We are also live free of artificial light, choosing to be guided by moonlight, firelight and candles when needed.
* We are fragrance free
All of this provides a beautiful opportunity to reconnect with nature, with yourself and your own circadian rhythms, and with true human interaction when freed from the distractions of technology. Phones, computers, smart devices (like smart watches etc) can be kept is a secure space in the city. We usually go the city 1x per week.
To get to the farm there is a decently challenging hike up the mountain. It takes us an hour, but if can take 2 hours depending on your activity level. But there is no rush. It's very steep in parts, and can be mucky. A combination of good strength and spirit is needed!
Due to our remoteness, we are only able to accept people who can stay for a week minimum. And we have a 3 month limit to stays.
Sound like a dream? Send us a message - we will respond to everyone - but we only check email 1x-2x per week, so it may be a few days before we get back to you.
This is what currently fills our days:
*Current gardens need to be maintained and weeded
*Planting fruit trees and vegetables
*Prepping soil and garden beds for more gardens
*Builidng composting toilets
*Creating and maintaining trails on the property
*Creating our compost system
*Digging trenches and building berms
*Building swimming pools in the waterfalls
LIFE AT THE FARM
We always start the day with a leisurely breakfast. Then get into the tasks that call to us or need to be done. A big lunch is somewhere around 1pm and then we usually have a light snack by the fire to finish the day.
We are plant based, and look forward to getting back to eating solely from our land! We have naturally raised happy chickens for eggs, and for the love of a good rooster wake up call!
We don't believe in working. We take it day by day, get what needs to be done done, and most importantly - enjoy what we are doing. We extend that same freedom to anyone staying on the land. There is plenty of time for personal practices of yoga, reading, meditation, music, singing, fireside chats...whatever makes you happy, but anyone who is interested in self sufficiency should understand that gardens need daily tending, land needs caring for - there is always something to do - we just take it on a leisurely pace. We are not interested in being 'task masters' and anyone coming to join our community, short or long term, should have the desire and self motivation to assist in raising the vibration of daily life, and will find joy in contributing to the family.
As time has passed, and we have had the joy of watching the changes in people that stay on the land, it has become clear that we are offering much more than a farm exchange. Just as important as gardening and farm tasks is the opportunity to experience a life guided by your own personal freedom. One person who needed to rest said "Its the first time in my life I took a nap, and didn't feel guilty about it". It felt like such a gift to be able to provide the space for that experience.
(This insert is a small note from douglas: Crystal has done a beautiful and creative portrait of our space here in the amazonian highlands of Ecuador, this land is very special to us and for this reason we want to share it with all who are called by intuition. The other day when I was hiking to one of the woofer cabins I had this thought, -it was a kind of dialogue as I was walking along with my machete chopping grass, noticing the dew covered webs of spiders, the tiny mushrooms scattered the path my feet were on, hearing the enormity/intensity of bird songs and distant waterfall, smelling the nectar of orchid and forest and grass, feeling the humid warmth of the amazonian mother hold me as I noticed.- the thought was of a dialogue with someone who just arrived to share space. So excited I am to share with this new arrival all that I have learned in this short time, I know it is not us who grows food, it is Her our mother, we just help by planting a seed and watching, maybe throwing some compost down to encourage. Being in gratitude. Simple tools like the machete for chopping green compost, (side, side, note***also kids, if it has been a lifelong dream of yours of how to sharpen a machete, a local showed me how and I am happy to pass this wisdom along, please ask) the barretta a one meter iron bar with a point on one end and a flat gouge on the other essential for digging rocks, or new holes for trees, and of course hands and feet for feeling the earth and being intimate with plants, insects and funghi. Wow I guess my short note turned into a ramble, I guess more than anything i just wanna say, You are welcome here. To in-joy similar dialogues, amazing food (thanks to Crystals genious with combining plants and sauces), or maybe just to ramble on in the midst of ineffable beauty. in love, douglas)
Possible day trip adventures close by: hiking Podocarpus National Park; Swimming in Rio Bombuscaro; Touring the beautiful botanical gardens of Finca Monay (which is between Zamora and our farm).
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Learning opportunities
Vegetable farming
Fruit or nut farming
Vegetable or fruit preservation
Methods or systems
No-till farming
Permaculture
Host type
Self-sufficiency property
35
Hectares
|
86.5
Acres
Doug
Member since 2023
Languages spoken:
English, Spanish
Sun
Mon
Tue
Wed
Thu
Fri
Sat
Response rate: 100%
Response time: typically within 3 days
Ecuador
Zamora Bus Terminal, which is 1.5 hours from Loja
Reviews
Max
United Kingdom
•
April 2026
What a special and loving place. I spent 3-4 weeks at Shangrila, where time stands still, you chat, share stories, hug, admire nature and play volleyball.
You wake with the birds, and sleep exactly when you feel compelled to. At your own pace, when you want. Much like everything else, where you have the freedom to make your own choices for your day. I learnt so much here, about the land, others and myself. I personally love gardening, and being allowed that space to create was really nourishing for me.
You can assume the food is exceptionally nourishing too... If you like saurkraut (and super life giving food) you're in for a splendid time here. Damn good fun cooking with everyone.
Thank you so much Crystal and Doug for having me. I wish you well on your journey.
'Weather ought either to be celebrated or ignored' - Tom Robbins
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Reply from Doug
Max! you make it sound like a vacation destination haha. Yes, of course we emphasize personal freedom and the ability to check in with yourself every day, but there are lots of farm / community tasks to be done. You were a perfect balance of this - taking the initiative to recreate the gardens at your cabin, constantly helping in the kitchen, so much energy into building a huge new bed at the main garden, the potato field - and taking time to read and enjoy and play. We miss your goldenness on the court!
Love Crystal and Doug
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Quentin
United States
•
April 2026
What an experience of a lifetime! My stay at Shangrila was incredibly fulfilling, in so many more ways than I could have ever expected. I had the absolute pleasure and privilege of opening my heart up to the people I met during my time here. Crystal is loving, selfless, thoughtful, and a total hoot to be around. More than that, I would like to consider that we became true friends. Being in her company always brought a smile to my face and made me feel completely at ease. I was one out of the three volunteers staying here, and I was so comfortable around everyone that I felt like I was at home. The general environment of the farm is very peaceful, allowing a lot of time and energy to focus and work on yourself, without the distractions of everyday life. The food was seriously exceptional and abundant. The entire living situation was very pleasantly comfortable, having a lot of room to myself. I originally planned on staying for 9 days, but ended up staying for 2 weeks, and that time went by in a flash. I could not recommend this place more!
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Reply from Doug
Quentin! Thank you for everything - your infectious peaceful calm energy, hugs, your dance moves on the volleyball court, real conversations, cards, cheese talks, your curiosity, patience, and maybe most importantly - for hanging your butt out the window hahaha. Actually most importantly - your love for others. I feel grateful that I got to spend so much time with our card crew.
Love from us both
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Lila
United States
•
April 2026
Beyond grateful for the opportunity, range of experiences, and kindness offered by Crystal and Doug- I could not recommend this place enough. They have created stunning, bountiful gardens while also providing the ideal space for personal reflection and recharge at Shangri La. I felt very comfortable being "off the grid" with them for the month I had dedicated- all my needs were met and then some. I learned so much about the world, living off one's own land, and myself. All through the grass pulling/garden beautifying time, competitive volleyball matches, and of course the countless stories shared during candlelit cards & time spent together in the kitchen. 10/10 would come back in a heartbeat. Thank you guys so much💗✨
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Reply from Doug
Oh Lilita! Beyond grateful for you! The hugs, the smile, the sleepy morning face, your authenticity....and your laugh that lit up the entire 35 hectares hahah. Not a tree in the jungle went untouched by that joy. Such a special time that is forever in my heart. Love from us both.
Maxwell
United States
•
March 2026
Hellooo,
I stayed 3 weeks at the reserve and wow, as I reflect upon my stay I keep thinking how incredibly special of a place it is. I can’t help but think there aren’t too many places in the world like it. And what I mean by that is; first, the commitment to living with out pollutants (non natural emfs, lights, and processed foods) is real, and it’s real coming from a place of love and authenticity, that is not stemmed from a mindset of fear, but rather a mindset of becoming one’s truest and fullest self. And secondly, as an American, some times traveling it can be hard to relate to other expats that flock towards the business scene or the night lift, or just have a different flow of life. But for someone that wants to connect with nature and build meaningful connections with others… this is place is perfect. Not to mention, you learn a lot about your self and are given the opportunity to take things as they are, if you want to read a book, practice yoga, or wonder along through the forest, Crystal and Doug want you to take things as they come to you and I can’t be more appreciative for that!
Not to mention all the other amazing volunteers you meet there as well :)
Thank you !🙏 ✌️
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Reply from Doug
Aww Max - thanks for getting it! And thank you for being you, for questioning the world, for looking for a better way. It's inspiring to see the your generation making changes. We wish you nothing but the best adventures. Love from all of us.
Ainhoa Deyaneira
Spain
•
February 2026
Heaven is not a place, it’s a state of mind. And that state of mind is much easier to experience in Shangri-La than anywhere else we’ve ever been.
Thank you, Crystal and Doug, for everything, for your company, your delicious meals, the joy of playing volleyball together, and for showing us not only how to grow our own food, but also that there truly is a healthy way to live on this Earth, and that there is hope for humanity. ✨
We can't wait to come back!
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Reply from Doug
Ahh you loves! Thank you! For your peaceful energy, beautiful communication and your curiosity about a new way of living! So happy you are able to come back...see you in a couple weeks! LOVE
Nataly
Ecuador
•
January 2026
Everything I learned on the farm goes beyond farming. It was also a spiritual journey. Doug and Cristal taught me many things and made me feel infinitely grateful for all the love and passion they have for the world they’ve created. I’m so lucky to have experienced something that nowadays is almost impossible to find: to have learned that what’s inside is what really matters, that our perceptions and interpretations can be influenced by everything around us, and that sometimes curiosity is the cure. Thank you, thank you, thank you. My heart and soul are all yours.
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Reply from Doug
Curiosity is the cure! ahhh you are such a beautiful, wise, and lovely soul. Your morning hugs were cherished and will be in our hearts forever. Thank you for everything you shared - for all your love, confidence and vulnerability. The only consolation to you leaving is that you are only a few hours away to visit! LOVE you!
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