Margarita Ville

Just 25 KM from Baños, (25 minutes by bus), on the Puyo highway, is a wide spot in the road called San Francisco. There is not much there, outside of a few houses, and a general store.

Margajita River

Photo by J. Walker

A few hundred meters past the "City Center" is the Margajita River and a small resort consisting of three A-frame cabins, river fed swimming pool, main house on the highway and an outside restaurant...And just about the prettiest scenery you could ever imagine.


Photo by J. Walker

A month ago I received an E-Mail from a friend of mine who lives in Mexico, advising me that a friend of his, for many years, was bored in Cabo San Lucas and was going to visit Baños. When Lorenzo Walters arrived, I gave him a tour of the neighborhood, so to speak, and when I showed him the property that was for lease on the Puyo Highway, he went a little nuts. A couple of days later he asked me if I wanted to go 50-50 on the place. I guess going nuts is contagious because a week later, we have "Margarita Ville".

The main house and restaurant are on highway level.
Margarita Ville on the Margajita River.

Photo by J. Walker

One of the most popular activities here in Baños is a bicycle trip to Puyo. Since it is 90% downhill it is an easy trek even if you are a little out of shape. All of these trekers have to pass Margarita Ville, and our first order of business is to get flyer/maps in the hands of all of the bike-rental companies with our new name highlighted and offering, Coke, Beer or a pitcher of Margaritas. If they go for the pitcher we may have them for the night. I suggested to one of the outfiters that they sell them a two day trip with an overnight. No need to fly by these natural wonders, that should be seen in two or three days at the least. Hardly anyone bikes the return. They put the bike on the top of a bus and ride in comfort.

Looking up to the main house and restaurant.

Photo by J. Walker


Photo by J. Walker

The sleeping units are clean and comfortable. Each cabin has two levels and sleeps up to six.


Photo by J. Walker

We are not overly optimistic about the overnighters, so we have decided to turn one of the units into an English school for the pre-school children from San Francisco and Rio Negro. There is sufficient room for two volunteers to live in the upper level and have the lower level for a class room. If anyone is interested in this type of volunteer work please let me know.

For continuing information on what is going on at Margarita Ville and the English school for toddlers click here.