La Mana accommodation from NZ$49

We were contacted by the host via Whats App. We did not speak Spanish well, nor did our hosts. We used a translate app to communicate. A wonderful, tiny town accessible only by a dirt, windy, hilly, mountainous road. Family made us a beautiful egg omlete breakfast with fruit and juice. Ecuador does not have a coffee culture like the states, there was no coffee at this place. We had a barley tea brew in the morning. When we arrived, tired after driving from Cotopaxi, our host made us hot water and bread. For dinner they charged us 3$ each and we were fed fresh, home grown, split pea soup, bread, a potato and carrot mixture from their organic garden and tea. Lovely place. The host took asked us to join him while feeding his guinea pigs. they had sheep, a pig, dogs, chickens, and cats. The host helped us find a route up to Lake Quillatoa. We hiked 2.5 hours up to 12,000 ft to the beautiful crater lake. The hike went past other lone houses and fields owned by the villagers. We met two men with their machetes on the way up. Great, beautiful. fill up with some snacks or protein bars and water before coming to this village. You will need food for the hike. there is one tiny corner store with your standard cookie, candies and soda.

The hotel was locked shut and no one was present to receive us. Nit sure if 1 star is a fair assessment as I could not even get to experience it at all.