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| Details | |
|---|---|
| Bedrooms | 3 |
| Bathrooms | 4 |
| Sleeps | 6 |
| House | |
| Suitability |
|---|
| Suitable for Children |
| FlipKey traveler rating |
| 40 reviews |
| Stayed here? Write a review. |
Get the real scoop!
All reviews are written by verified travelers
Details
| Rental type | House |
| Minimum Stay | 3 nights |
| Living space | 200 square meters |
| Bedrooms |
3 Total
Show Details ►
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| Bathrooms |
4 Total
Show Details ►
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| Sleeps | 6 |
| Suitability |
Pet friendlyAsk Smoking allowedAsk Suitable for childrenYes Suitable for the elderlyAsk Wheelchair accessibleAsk |
Description from the owner
Villa Opuntia sleeps 6 people comfortably in three air-conditioned bedrooms, each with their own en-suite bathroom. The house has a large kitchen with everything you need to prepare your meals, a separate dining room, cozy living room and and library/work area with free wifi. Relax on the front patio where you can enjoy the beautiful garden, or take a nap in one of the hammocks on the second floor balcony, or sunbathe on the rooftop terrace. The house is just a short walk to downtown Puerto Ayora and very near the entrance to the trail that takes you to the stunning Tortuga Bay Beach. The walk to the beach along the trail takes approx 30 min,...Read more
Amenities
Location
Villa Opuntia
Puerto Ayora, Galapagos Islands, Ecuador
What's Nearby:
Additional Location Information
Villa Opuntia is located in Puerto Ayora, Isla Santa Cruz, in the Galapagos Islands. The villa is located in a quiet residential neighborhood and is within walking distance from downtown Puerto Ayora. The entrance trail to Tortuga Bay Beach is a 3 min walk from the front door.
This area is serviced by Baltra airport which has several flights arriving daily from both Quito and Guayaquil in mainland Ecuador.
Rates
Rates shown in $ USD (change)
| Date | Weeknight | Weekend Night | Weekly | Monthly | Minimum Stay |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rate Summary | $170 - $180 | $170 - $180 | $1,120 - $1,200 | $0 | 3 nights |
| Dec. 20 2012 - Jan. 20 2013 Holiday Season |
$180 | $180 | $1,200 | - | 4 nights |
| Jan. 21 2013 - Dec. 15 2013 General Rates |
$170 | $170 | $1,120 | - | 3 nights |
| All Other Dates | $170 | $170 | $1,120 | - | 3 nights |
| Can't find rates for your travel dates? Contact the owner | |||||
Rental fees
- Damage Deposit - $150 / stay - Fee - We collect the damage deposit in cash upon arrival and return it on departure when the rental is received in orde
Availability
AvailableUnavailable Last updated: June 17, 2013 ◀▶
What Past Guests Are Saying
Overall Rating
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Flowergirlla
New York, New YorkIdeal
Left on 06/06/2013 for a stay in May 2013
My husband and I stayed here with our 3 year old while in the Galapagos. We enjoyed the location as it is close to restaurants and stores. We enjoyed the beautiful beaches on Santa Cruz as well as day trips to other islands. And the outdoor terrace on top of the villa is superb! Tatjana was so helpful before our stay in answering my questions and arranging transportation as well as day tours. There were no surprises and the villa is as advertised. And you can't beat the price. I only hope we can return someday! If you do travel with small children be sure not to miss the caterpillar ride on the weekends. A big hit!
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michael w
gadsden alabamaAwesome house, awesome location!
Left on 05/29/2013 for a stay in March 2013
Villa opuntia is walking distance from the port and all of the downtown restaurants. When we arrived at the house we were greeted by the housekeeper who was very friendly and helpful. The house was very clean and well equipped to make our stay very comfortable. The view from the rooftop is amazing,
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Bowerbird
Nova ScotiaCharming house with all amenities on Santa Cruz
Left on 03/31/2013 for a stay in March 2013
If you are thinking of a land based tour of the Galapagos Islands, then a stay at Casa Opuntia is worth considering. This beautiful three bedroom house, a few blocks from the waterfront, is securely tucked behind a private wall and gate and sits amid a stunning garden of cacti, flowering trees and colorful plants. Inside, an open kitchen/living/dining room, with large computer station provide several sitting areas. You will find everything you need in the well-stocked kitchen, including a 6 burner stove and side by side refrigerator. A washer and dryer are right outside the kitchen door. The living room proper has two large and well-cushioned sofas, as well as two swivel chairs, a TV and center coffee table, many current Dvds and a small library. The two downstairs bedrooms, each with bath, are away from the sun, and always cool, making the air-conditioners optional. Upstairs, the spacious master bedroom has a super comfy king size bed, a leather sofa and chair, and ample storage in a floor to ceiling armoire and separate dresser constructed from gorgeous local wood. Adjoining bath comes with a tub and shower combo! The large windows here are screened and nicely appointed with roman blinds. There is an overhead fan as well as a/c. Sliding doors lead from the bedroom to a huge outdoor patio, also accessed through a side door at the top of the stairs. Steps leading from that second floor patio take you to another rooftop level with a bar and bar stools, chaise lounges and hammocks. Careful planning, quality of design and workmanship are evident everywhere in this charming home. The owner, a professional artist, has some of her lovely paintings throughout the house. She is a pleasure to work with and will immediately respond, should you have any questions or concerns. Maid service is always available and can be arranged as you like with the owner. It was a real treat for us to have spent ten days here and it is without hesitation that we highly recommend Casa Opuntia.
Response from tatjana angermeyer - 04/03/2013
Owner
Thank you Brian and Valerie! I hope you enjoy the rest of your time in Ecuador and safe travels back home
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koro123
Ithaca, New YorkWonderful home away from home!
Left on 03/15/2013 for a stay in February 2013
What a beautiful place to land after a long journey to the Galapagos! The location was perfect - close walking distance to shops, restaurants, downtown, Tortuga Bay trailhead, etc., yet in a quiet neighborhood away from the noise. The owner was attentive, kind and very helpful with our last-minute reservations. The setting and house itself is beautiful - surrounded by beautiful flowering gardens. A full, well-equipped kitchen was great for preparing our own meals. Laundry on the premises. We enjoyed morning coffee on the 3rd floor sundeck watching the sunrise! If I ever return, I will plan to stay here!
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Shah_S_K
Scarsdale, New YorkWonderful home, great and supportive owner, and close to everyth
Left on 03/02/2013 for a stay in February 2013
From inquiry to stay Tatjana was great! She answered all of our questions, provided help with booking day tours and airport transfers. She also recommended local guide Paul who was very helpful and knowledgable.
Her home has everything you need for your stay and more. Balcony and patio has great views of beautiful gardens. We enjoyed our morning tea/coffee and kids afternoon swings in hammocks. Her home is close to everything market, restaurants, kiosks. Maria (maid) and Mr. Marco (taxi driver) were great. Maria came every other day and even did our laundry!
Easy access to Tortuga Bay for morning run and nature walk! We are so glad that we chose her home for our stay in Galapagos!
Thanks Tatjana for sharing your wonderful home and all your help!Response from tatjana angermeyer - 04/03/2013
Owner
Thank you Shalin! I am glad you had a nice stay, all the best.
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alisonjane61
WalesFabulous place to stay
Left on 02/12/2013 for a stay in December 2012
We ummed and aahed if we should have a land based trip in the Galapagos, this villa helped us decide! The accommodation was great and provided everything we need for our family of me, my husband and 2 of our grown up children. It was close to Tortuga beach for running, swimming and wildlife spotting. We saw sharks, turtles, boobies, pelicans and iguanas there each time we went. It was only a few minutes to walk to town, there are several grocery stores close by and when we booked our day trips the bus driver knew where to pick us up from. The outside spaces with sunbeds and hammocks were perfect for relaxing, the kitchen was well equipeed and there was a washing machine and drier too for us to use. The bed in the master bedroom was one of the comfiest I have ever slept in. This was a great place to stay.
Response from tatjana angermeyer - 02/15/2013
Owner
Thanks Alison, I am gappy to hear you had a nice time in the Galapagos and at Villa Opuntia!
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WulfeniteChic
Las Vegas, NevadaAmazing place to stay
Left on 01/11/2013 for a stay in October 2012
Villa Opuntia is very close to the main part of town. We were within walking distance of the Kioskos (street vendors), bars and restaurants. Tortuga bay is just down the street (albeit, a really long walk). The grocery store was just around the corner and it was easy to catch a taxi near the grocery store for day trips and near the dock to catch a water taxi.
The house is surrounded by a garden that is very relaxing to take your morning beverage. At night we sat up on the top balcony and listened to the sounds of the city. The house was clean and the maid stopped by three times per week. We stayed for 10 nights and it was an amazing place to stay.
I would highly recommend staying at Villa Opuntia to anyone planning to visit Puerto ayora. -
anca
burnsvillegreat experience!
Left on 12/05/2012 for a stay in November 2012
I was what it was described to be, so no ugly
surprises... -
Sergio
Buenos AiresNice days!
Left on 11/21/2012 for a stay in September 2012
Excellent services, the home is beatiful, comfortable, with a very good location,the home is ideal for people demanding.
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alfredogarriman
Santiago, ChileRealmente hermoso
Left on 09/26/2012 for a stay in September 2012
Quisiera comentar que fue nuestra primera vez alquilando una propiedad fuera de nuestro paÃs y fue una muy buena opción, seriedad en todo el proceso de arrendamiento, teniendo contacto con la propietaria, quien nos ayudo bastante en aquellos detalles que hacen la diferencia para lograr una buena estadÃa. La casa supero nuestra expectativas, muy bien equipada y de muy buen gusto en relación al lugar en que nos encontrábamos, muy bien ubicada, lo que hizo que en dos dÃas nos sintiéramos como lugareños.
Galápagos es un lugar que gira en torno a la naturaleza, que es cuidada por todos quienes la habitan y que se traspasa a los turistas que la visitan, logramos ver casi la totalidad de la fauna mas promocionada en los distintos panfletos publicitarios ,. lo que lógicamente nos lleno de alegrÃa y satisfacción, disfrutando sus hermosas Playas y flora.
Gracias Tatjana, MarÃa, y en general a todos quienes hicieron de nuestra vacaciones inolvidables momentos. -
mommicon
Long Island, New YorkBeautiful Home away from Home and a Great Location
Left on 08/17/2012 for a stay in July 2012
I visited the Galapagos Islands with my family, young adults 23,24, 25.
The house and rooms are larger than in the pictures shown. The gardens are beautiful and the location is perfect, very private, within walking distance to the town,Tortuga Bay, Charles Darvin Station.
We booked 3 excursions to other Islands.(Semore,Isabella, and Bartolome) They picked us up in front of the house . The tour operator was Galagents and boat's name was the Narel.The tour guide, Jaime Navas was excellent(explained all events) and the crew on the boat was outstanding.(boat safety,meals,and includes snorkelling equipment)
The kitchen at the villa has everything. We did breakfast and a few dinners in but there are many good places to eat within walking distance.The Kioskos has good fresh fast food.
The owner Tatjana recommended reliable taxi (Don Marco) who even stopped in the Highlands to see the tortoises and lava tunnels.
The dryer was broken when we arrived but Maria(housekeeper) managed to have fresh towels, clean sheets and even did some of our laundry.
Having wifi was good to email the owner when we there was no running water ( water pump broke).She responding so quickely and it was fixed in no time. Thank you, Tatjana for having everything well organized.( folder in the office with phone numbers, restaurants,and Island activities).
This is perfect home for families and close friends to experience the Galapagos Islands(more relaxing,very spacious) I regret not staying longer.
Thank You Tatjana for sharing your home
Great family memories and we hope to return again. Ny -
LS
in MinnesotaWonderful!!
Left on 06/22/2012 for a stay in June 2012
My 14-year-old son and I stayed in this beautiful home while we visited the Galapagos because all the space for the money was totally worth it. (When I was looking for hotels, the ones I was finding online were expensive, over $250.) Tatjana, the owner, answered all my questions in a timely manner. Marco, the taxi driver who picked us up, was great and helpful. Maria, the housekeeper who checked us in and out, was extremely nice. (I speak enough Spanish to get by, so that wasn't ever an issue.) Villa Opuntia had all the comforts of home, including a fully stocked kitchen, a small library, movies, a cell phone for local calls, a washer and dryer...the king-size bed in the master bedroom was so comfortable! I also loved the two rooftop verandas. Though the pictures showed us what the home would look like, we were so pleasantly surprised to see it in person. On the downside (which is very minor), I wasn't used to seeing so many bugs and lizards, but this is an island, so I got used to it. :-) Also, this home is several blocks from the water/dock, but because it's so wonderful, we didn't mind the walk and not being right on the water. By the way, we felt very safe there. The home had an alarm system, but I probably never needed to use it (just habit). If we ever go back to the Galapagos, I'll try to rent this home again or any other property this owner has!!
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Tim101032
227124Fantastic place to stay in Galapagos
Left on 05/16/2012 for a stay in April 2012
Tatjana was extremely helpful prior to us arriving in answering all our questions about the rental as well as what was accessible with 3 children, the youngest being 2.
The house and stunning gardens were much larger than appeared in the photos and you couldn't get much closer to the entrance to Tortuga Bay. Everywhere is within walking distance, the main centre of Puerto ayora was about 10 minute walk (with young children).
Tatjana also put us in touch with a local naturalist Guide, Paul Mcfarling, who was originally from England and who married a Galapagos girl. He was very friendly, helpful and extremely knowledgeable on the three tours we booked with him. I would certainly recommend booking him for the Charles Darwin Tour as we learnt so much more than we would have done by just walking around the place (there are very little information boards about the place), there is also a little beach near by, just off the road leading to the Cdrs which is well worth a stop off on the way back.
All in all a great holiday and we would recommend renting Villa Opuntia and booking tours with Paul Mcfarling. -
Guss Guarino
Denver, ColoradoA Pertfect Place to Stay on the Galapagos Islands
Left on 04/10/2012 for a stay in March 2012
We were traveling with four kids (ages 5 to 11), we did not want to book a tour in advance (to maximize flexibility), and we were looking for a comfortable place to stay on the Galapagos Islands - Tatjana's home was by far a perfect place to stay. Located just a few blocks from the harbour heart of Puerto ayora, this home was beautiful, spacious, well-equipped and relaxing. The home is surrounded by a beautiful shaded garden, the kitchen was well equiped, the roof-top deck was a restful place to wait out the heat of the day in a hammock, and the air conditioned bedrooms just what we needed at night. From the house we took 1/2 day excursions to the local beaches/swim holes (Los alemane's beach, Las Griegas, and Tortuga Bay) to swim and snorkle with with the marine wildlife all around (iguanas, seals, skillet rays, sea turtles, beautiful fish, etc.). The local markets were just down the road to shop for meals and there were restaurants aplenty to go to when cooking wasn't in the plans. Though it didn't work out in our plans, the ability to book a trip to other islands was ever-present at the many tour shops within the town.
From our initial contact with Tatjana, she was very helpful, friendly, responsive to our many inquiries, and overall very easy to work with - you really couldn't ask for a better homeowner. She had great informational material about the islands at the house (guide information, "how to" directions, etc.). Also, she was very willing and able to help us with contacting a very reliable taxi driver (to and from the airport) and a local guide, Paul, to tour the highlands of the island (lava tube, scalacia forests, giant tortoises, and more). Her caretaker, Maria, was just great to greet us, for touching base about how things were going, and letting us know everything we needed about the house (water, laundry, towels, etc.).
I recommend Tatjana's home without reservation and hope to stay there again some day! -
Lin
JerusalemGarden of Eden in Puerto ayora
Left on 04/08/2012 for a stay in March 2012
We arrived at the gates of this villa and entered a magical place. The tropical garden is just amazing. The home is extremely comfortable with at least three bedrooms. We only used the master suite which had a great bed and beautiful picture windows that looked out on the green. Also aC. Large and well equipped kitchen. Nice patio. Another major benefit of this villa is its close proximity to Tortuga Bay-- a national park whose entrance is only a few minutes walk from the rental. 2.5 km. later, you reach the most beautiful white sandy beach, filled with birds, crabs and iguanas. amazing experience. The city is a 10-minute walk in the opposite direction. So, great location! Thanks Tatyana for your wonderful service.
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CTJodi
Amston, CTNicest rental in Puerto ayora!
Left on 02/27/2012 for a stay in February 2012
I think this was the largest house in the small village, and it most assuredly had the most gorgeous grounds. Every attention to detail has been paid to make this the one and only one vacation rental in Puerto ayora. The linens are new and luxurious and the queen bed upstairs is the most comfy bed I've ever had.
All three decks offer a spectacular view. The grounds are immaculate with many footpaths. All of the flowers and cactus were in full bloom so it was simply breathtaking. The property sits behind a rock wall and with all the green vegetation, it's almost hard to see the house except for the fact of the third floor deck. But that was OK with me because it felt much more private.
Very safe neighborhood; very very short walk to talk; maybe a 10-15 minute walk to Darwin Center; entrance to Tortuga Bay (which everyone has to enter through) is less than 5 minutes, but walking the well-made trail to Tortuga Bay is a good 15 minute fast walk, or 25 minute leisurely walk.
I cannot say enough about Tatjana. She took care of every detail of my trip, and even arranged a personal guide who has degrees from Swansea University in Biology and is employed at the Darwin Center. I felt like a got a college education from Paul!
Maria, the housekeeper, is one of the sweetest people I've ever met. She takes very good care of the place and any other needs you may have (although she doesn't speak English).
The outside BBQ grill was fantastic! I went down to Pelican Bay and bought fresh fish off the boats, and then grilled the fish at night for dinner. The rains always started in the afternoon through the night, but with the covered porch, it was easy to grill fresh fish.
The kitchen is huge; all rooms are large; bathrooms are large; there is even a half bath hidden behind Door #3!! All bedrooms have air conditioners; all rooms have ceiling fans.
Can't say enough about this rental! I highly recommend it.
Response from tatjana angermeyer - 03/12/2012
Owner
Thank you Donna!! It was a pleasure to have you and I hope you return one day... all the best!
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a1helen
40505better than expected
Left on 02/24/2012 for a stay in January 2012
Villa Opuntia is situated in a magical walled garden which delights all of ones senses, we were welcomed with a big fruit basket, fresh flowers and fresh bread. Close to town and the trail to Tortuga Bay, I would highly recommend it as the place to stay when visiting the Galapagos Islands.
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Hifromaptos
29103Lovely home in Puerto ayora
Left on 01/13/2012 for a stay in January 2012
We're a family of six and stayed at this lovely house for four days. It was a perfect arrangement for us. The house is beautiful and spacious. It's less than five minute walk to the entrance of gorgeous Tortuga beach and short distance to town. The location couldn't be any better. We walked every where including to Charles Darwin Center. The owner was exceptional. She answered every of our long list of questions; she also arranged transportation to pick us up upon our arrival which made it much easier after long travel. There are tons of videos that we enjoyed every night after dinner. The house is surely a better choice for family or big group.
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jpaull
32655Villa Tortuga is a peaceful, relaxing, private home.
Left on 01/02/2012 for a stay in December 2011
This is a charming house with a beautiful garden. The rooms are spacious with tall ceilings and the windows are great. One easily feels inside and outside with privacy. The owner was quite thoughtful and attentive to making sure our stay was comfortable. The house is located on the opposite side of town from the Darwin Research Center. It was easy to walk to everything, and at the same time the house feels closer to the Santa Cruz Island community.
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Dave
New JerseyPerfect stay in Puerto ayora
Left on 12/21/2011 for a stay in December 2011
From the very first contact with the owner Tatjana, everything went perfect. She helped me set up flights,land tours, dive trips and arranged to have a taxi meet me on arrival. The home is in a perfect location, away from downtown, but only a few minutes walk to the entrance to Tortuga Bay and the main street on the bay of Puerto ayora. The villa is immaculate thru out, from the custom woodwork to the huge beautiful garden landscape. The house has everything you would need and then some. Though the villa was very spacious, the best was sitting out on the decks off the living room/kitchen, upstairs master bedroom or the rooftop terrace overlooking Puerto ayora. I would definitely recommend Villa Opuntia!
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RMSM710
RMSM710Perfect Place to Stay
Left on 11/21/2011 for a stay in May 2011
This was the perfect place to stay for someone who is traveling with young children. My husband and I traveled to the Galapagos Islands with our 2 year old and wanted him to have his own room so we didn't have to whisper when he fell asleep early at night. This house was recommended to us by a friend who stayed there and it couldn't have been better! It is located about 3 minutes (walking) from the entrance to Tortuga Bay Beach, one of the most beautiful beaches I have seen. It is only a few blocks away from the main avenue where all the restaurants and stores are. There's an ice cream store right on the corner. The location was perfect.
The house was well equipped with everything you could possibly need if you felt like cooking (which we did twice for dinner). There were over 500 Dvds to choose from, which we often enjoyed. There was a refrigerator full of food to start off with (bread, fruit, cereal, etc.) and a purified water machine. The laundry area was well stocked and was perfect for doing a quick wash after a day at the beach. There were towels in all the bathrooms and even towels for the beach. There were ceiling fans in every room and air conditioning in each of the 3 bedrooms. It took a day or so to get used to the heat downstairs and it would have been great to have a/C down there, as well, especially after a day at the beach, but the ceiling fans did the job. The a/Cs in the bedrooms worked well and kept us real cool while we slept. Beds were very comfy and not hard at all.
Overall, we had a great experience and would definitely return to this location. Staying in a house with a child is a must! Glad we found this wonderful house! -
KathyinMIA
Miami, FL, USAA Terrific Week in Santa Cruz!
Left on 11/03/2011 for a stay in September 2011
Six friends stayed in this house for a week, and loved it. Upon our arrival (the taxis were pre-arranged by the owner) we were met and given a brief house tour. There was plenty of space and the house was well appointed. The kitchen had every appliance I could dream up. There were lots of towels. The house was immaculate, kept so by our visits by a lovely housekeeper. We were walking distance to town, docks, markets, restaurants, beach entrance, everything. Taxis ( white pickups) were easy to flag down. We had a rooftop terrace and a 2nd floor lanai for morning coffee and afternoon cocktails. I would easily recommend this beautiful custom house to groups and families!!
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Sheila
CTrelaxing, comfortable and spacious
Left on 10/08/2011 for a stay in September 2011
The house is in a beautiful environment. There is plenty of room for six. There is room to have happy hour together-inside or outside or time to yourself. The kitchen is fully equipped. The house is near downtown and the beach. A great place to come home to. Much better then a hotel.
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6 Well Travelled Friends
Georgetown, MAAngermeyer House
Left on 09/30/2011 for a stay in September 2011
The service we received was great. We didn't have to wait to check in after the long journey. Any issues or problems we had were addressed quickly. The amemities we enjoyed the most were the gas grill on the front porch, The roof deck hammocks and lido deck hammocks. the wifi (which was a little slow at times but never down for long periods of time). Huge selection of DVD movies, books on The Galapagos Islands and nice hot showers! The Ceiling fan in my bedroom didn't really have a slow speed but it drowned out the rooster at 4 am, lol. The privacy of the grounds makes you feel like you are tucked away in the jungle. Its a special place.
Response from tatjana angermeyer - 10/02/2011
Owner
Thank you! It was a pleasure to meet all of you and I am glad you had a nice time in the Galapagos!
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KathyinMiami
MiamiSpacious!!
Left on 09/30/2011 for a stay in September 2011
Six of us stayed in this house for a week. There was plenty of room for us and our belongings. The kitchen was well equipped with every appliance imaginable (even a rice cooker!). Bottled water. 2 1/2 spotless bathrooms, lots of towels. Washer/dryer. Awesome location!! Steps from the main street, market, dock, beach entry. Lanai off bedroom and rooftop terrace with hammocks. The house is walled so we felt very secure at night, lots of privacy. Maria the housekeeper was wonderful.
Tatjana answered all questions promptly and arranged taxis. Her colleague was at the door to meet us and give a house tour.
I would definitely recommend this place to friends. Much cozier and cheaper than a hotel! -
badmanners
New York CityGreat House in the center of town
Left on 09/15/2011 for a stay in August 2011
Initially reserved this house for 1 week but decided to go for a land based tour of the islands because we were unsure of what we would be going through. Big mistake!!!, overpriced and disorganized. Ended up in this house for 2 nights and what a wonderful end to our time in the Galapagos. The house was clean, comfortable and spacious. If we had to do it all over again we would book our tour from here. We would have saved half the cost of what we paid for. Overall we had a wonderful experience. Next time we would make this house our home base.
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Christian
Minneapolis, MNWonderful stay - great piece of property (much better than hotel
Left on 09/09/2011 for a stay in August 2011
My friend and I stayed at this property for four nights and I can only say wonderful things about it. The house was bigger than we ever needed, easily sleeping six in its three bedrooms. The kitchen was spacious and featured a gas stove which was great for preparing breakfast in the morning and the occasional lunch. The patio on top provided a great place to relax with the overhang keeping out the equatorial sun.
The owner, Tatjana, was also incredibly responsive to my initial emails and had set up a very welcoming atmosphere within. This included a basket with a great variety of fruits on the table. It really seemed like she had thought of everything. Most of these were small things, but it really goes to show how much Tatjana wants to make the client's experience an enjoyable one.
I have only good things to say about this house and the owner, and would highly recommend it to anyone (I think its a much better alternative to a hotel). -
Betty et al
Pawtucket, RIA beautiful repite for an active vacation
Left on 09/01/2011 for a stay in August 2011
We found the Villa Opuntia to be more than we expected. It is a large spacious hacienda, of sorts, with lots of space for private communing with nature and plenty of common areas for enjoying home cooked meals and happy hour.
The house is conveniently located, about a ten minute walk, if that, from the main area of Porto ayora, yet it was tucked away in a quiet neighborhood. We highly recomend it for both quality and price. Gracias, Tatjana! -
Carrie Pullen
Los Angeles, CaliforniaFabulous House!
Left on 08/18/2011 for a stay in August 2011
We had a wonderful stay at this large and lovely house, and had a very difficult time tearing ourselves away when it was time to leave. The owner was super nice and accommodating, and the house had everything you could possibly need. If you get an opportunity to rent this house then you definitely should do so - you won't regret it!
Response from tatjana angermeyer - 08/22/2011
Owner
Thank you Carrie! I am glad to hear that you enjoyed your stay and that it all worked out. Enjoy the rest of your around the world travels!
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Helen
Quito, EcuadorSuper Stay
Left on 08/08/2011 for a stay in July 2011
We stayed end July at Villa Opuntia. I can recommend this house without reservation. It is very well located with an excellently-equipped kitchen which is very useful for family stays - we were able to buy fresh fish and eat it in the evening over a bottle of chardonnay. The cleaner, Maria was punctual and friendly and Inti, unobtrusive and efficient. I would certainly recommend this property for anyone travelling with kids or without. There is an extensive book and DVD collection which is a plus.
Response from tatjana angermeyer - 08/08/2011
Owner
Thanks Helen! Glad to hear that you had a nice stay!
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Lisa
Honolulu, Hawaii2 nights at the villa opuntia
Left on 07/21/2011 for a stay in July 2011
excellent location, accommodations, service, and accessories. very comfortable with a large, well equipped kitchen. the cell phone offer was a plus and the wireless internet was great! I will recommend the villa opuntia to my friends back home and in ecuador.
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Kristin
Santa Rosa, CaliforniaOur Week in the Galapagos
Left on 07/21/2011 for a stay in June 2011
We loved this house! It is beautiful within an enchanted garden setting. Very private, yet close to everything, except the beach! We were under the impression that it was close to the beach, but nothing is close to Tortuga Beach. It was about a 6 mile round-trip walk to a safe beach to swim at. There is a smaller beach at the Darwin Research Station, but nothing like Tortuga Beach. It is very difficult to find a good supermarket in town as there are so many of them. The best one was at the docks where there is a long pier. They had a good variety of everything. Hotel Silbertstein is a great place to have a meal. We had a maid who did our laundry! Such service that we did not expect! The only thing that was frustrating in the house was that the water would shut off randomly at various times throughout the day. It never stayed off longer than about 10 minutes, but when you're in the shower with your hair soaped up, that can be frustrating. Thankfully, that only happened once and the water came back on shortly thereafter. The beds were very comfortable, the hammocks were wonderful to read in and the kitchen had everything you would need. I would definitely recommend this home to anyone and would love to stay here again.
Response from tatjana angermeyer - 07/21/2011
Owner
Thank you for your review! Sorry if you got the impression that Tortuga Bay was close, it is within national park so it is a 30 min walk along a trail within the park (they do not allow cars or bikes). But the house is as close as you can get to the start of the trail... but no, that does not mean that you are right next to the beach. Again, I apologize if I gave you that impression! Not sure what the deal was with the water, sometimes the water supply in Galapagos is un-reliable, I hope that did not cause too much inconvenience! Thanks for your comments!
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Paul
WisconsinA Place I Can Honestly Say Exceeded Our Expectations
Left on 07/18/2011 for a stay in June 2011
We stayed 4 nights and definitely would have stayed the entire week had it been available. It was sort of unfortunate for us that we were so active during the day because we could have easily spent more time enjoying the spoils of the house.
Aside from immensely enjoying the three balconies (each with multiple hammocks) and the beautiful gardens surrounding the house we were wonderfully surprised by the openess of the property especially on the first floor where you could open all the doors and windows and really connect the outdoors with the indoors. This created a wonderful tropical experience. We were a group of 6 so having the openess of the (sunken) kitchen to the dining area to the rather large living space/den to the first floor patio was a definite plus.
Everything was very clean and all appliances were in good working order. The beds were extremely comfortable. It was a short walk to the downtown area but conveniently located between downtown and Tortuga Bay.
If and when we come back to Puerto ayora this is the first place we'll check for availability. Very affordable for everything you get! -
NY Traveler
Buffalo, NYFantastic!
Left on 07/16/2011 for a stay in July 2011
The house was absolutely beautiful and Paola did a great job of welcoming us! She had boughten eggs, fresh fruit and bread for us, and provided a cell phone we could use. Can't wait to visit again!
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helen
philadelphia, paperfect choice in the galapagos
Left on 06/07/2011 for a stay in May 2011
great choice for families, we thoroughly enjoyed our stay
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Julie Holeman
Pigeon Forge, TNGreat Experience
Left on 05/28/2011 for a stay in May 2011
House was very comfortable, Owner was excellent. Location was great, very close to town, easy walk. House sits in a great private garden setting. My 22 year old son was thrilled with the lava lizards in the garden. I really appreciated the internet access and the washer & dryer.
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Mili Murtagh
Guayaquil - EcuadorGardens Villa
Left on 04/10/2011 for a stay in March 2011
Estuvimos en la casa casi 1 semana.
El d?a que llegaron mis amigos los estaba esperando Tatjana para entregarles las llaves y explicarles cosas de la casa.
Muy c?moda, espaciosa, acogedora, limpia y sobretodo que tiene todo lo que necesitas sin salir de ella. Tiene una terraza arriba en un tercer piso.
La mayor?a de los d?as regres?bamos de los tours y no quer?amos pensar en volver a salir. Como la casa ten?a todo, no necesit?bamos nada m?s que preparar la comida que llevamos. La cocina tiene todos los ?tiles/artefactos que puedas llegar a necesitar.
Tatjana nos hab?a dejado varias cosas para el desayuno. Tambi?n nos recargaban el agua para tomar.
3 veces por semana va una persona a limpiar, con lo cual siempre est? impecable.
Tiene DVD con gran variedad de pel?culas, videos, series, libros, por si alg?n d?a no tienes ganas de salir. Y tambi?n para conectar Ipods.
Tambi?n incluye wifi
Est? muy bien ubicada, porque esta muy cerca del centro de Puerto ayora. Y muy cerca de la entrada a Tortuga Bay.
Si es que vuelvo a Gal?pagos, volver?a a llegar ah?.
En cuanto a precio/calidad no podr?amos haber encontrado algo mejor.
Es 100% recomendable. Ideal para todo tipo de viajes: en familia, grupo de amigos, parejas, etc.
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Cathy
Chapel Hill, NCGalapagos alternative to cruising
Left on 03/24/2011 for a stay in March 2011
Great house with convenient location. Was a bit warm as there is only a/C in bedrooms and March is very hot. Lots of opportunities for day tours. House offered Wi-Fi, washer/dryer, filtered water, housekeeping all of which we used. Very spacious and relaxing. Owner very helpful and responsive prior to and during the rental. Great, reasonably priced alternative to see the Galapagos without living aboard a boat or in a hotel room. Would recommend a stay here.
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Yuliya & Ross
San DiegoThe best value in Puerto ayora!
Left on 01/14/2011 for a stay in December 2010
We stayed in this house for only one night but absolutely loved it.
We booked it through Jonathan angermeyer who gave us the best customer service ever. He promptly answered all questions in our emails, provided full description and pictures of the house, and made arrangements with a taxi driver to pick us up from the airport and bring to the house, where he personally met us and showed around. Jonathan was very courteous and hospitable and made it feel like we were staying at our friends or relatives house. He even brought us milk and cereal for breakfast and a bottle of wine!
The house was spacious, cozy and clean. It had large patios with hammocks and was surrounded by a cute garden. It had everything we needed including a fully stocked kitchen with purified water, TV/Dvd-player with lots of Dvds, books and what not. Washer and dryer were a life-saver since we ran out of all clean clothes by then. It was also so nice to use Wi-Fi and not be charged for it a separate fee (a nasty habit that some other hotels have developed).
The location was very convenient. Just a few minutes/blocks away from the main tourist area (Av. Charles Darwin and around). It was also literally a few steps away from the entrance to the park with the road to Tortuga Bay where you can go for a nice swim and iguana watching. It comes in handy when you can quickly sneak back in "your? house right after exiting the park instead of marching through the whole town wrapped up in a wet towel.
Our only regret was that we didn't stay long enough to enjoy all the amenities of this beautiful house. We hope to come back again sometimes in the future.
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SiestaGirl
TorontoThe Best Vacation Ever!
Left on 01/13/2011 for a stay in December 2010
I recently had the pleasure to stay in this beautiful home during a vacation with friends. The location is extremely convenient. Both the supermarket and Tortuga Bay (the most breath-taking beach ever) are right around the corner...not to mention that everything else is just a 5-10 min walk away.
We were able to make many wonderful dinners together after buying fish right from the fish market. All the accutremants were readily available for us to use in the kitchen. The 3 bedrooms also allowed us all to have our own rooms. The use of the washing machine and dryer also came in handy. Everything was spotless and spot-on!!!
We couldn't have asked for more perfect accomodations. I would definitely recommend it to anyone who is travelling to Santa Cruz.
Here 1 more rental located nearby.
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