DESCRIPTION OF THE ECOLOGIC BATH (Santa Rosa):

The ecologic bath is equipped with hot water shower, sink, urinary and toilette, where sawdust is used instead of water. The waste materials are treated every day with lime and ash to contribute to decomposition and prevent bad odors as well.

Our ecologic baths have been designed to cover the following aspects:

- To hold and decompose material, not only to keep it inside the ground.
- To provide a simple model for rural areas
- To eliminate re-infection with parasites.
- To provide a fertilizer to be used in the reforestation of rural areas and ornamental gardens.
It is specifically useful to prevent black waters subsoil contamination no water is used. Water is an scarce element in the world and specially in the Manabí Province. The reduced amount of water available is used for the vegetable and flower gardens and for other indispensable needs. Untreated black waters are a source of ocean, soil and subsoil contamination. The design and daily handling of our baths contribute to decompose the material which is buried and treated for a period of over 12 months prior to using it as a fertilizer for ornamental plants and reforestation areas. A normal bath takes 5 gallons of water. The average of daily visits to the bathroom per person is 7. That is the amount of water saved and used for agriculture and reforestation purposes.

BAR - RESTAURANT:

Exotic dishes and healthy Food: most of the fruits and vegetables that are consumed at Alándaluz as well as in Cantalapiedra Wildlife Sanctuary are organically grown with pure water (non-recycled). A percentage of the production is for local consumption within the resort. All remaining surplus is equally distributed among the employees of Alándaluz. A blend between the rich nutritional traditions of the local native towns and varied western cuisine serve as the basic of our gastronomical inspiration.

Our efforts extend beyond the production of culinary delights to recover certain endemic fruits and dishes that were once important to our ancestors and have fallen into disregard with modernization. An example of this is a variety of dishes and exotic ice-cream blends that are unique to Alándaluz such as “El Viudo”, “Passionate pumpkin” (“Zapallo apasionado”), “Encocado”, “Spondylus gratin”, etc.

GARDENING AND LADSCAPING

There is a tradition among local communities in the region to create gardens with a rare mix of fruits, vegetables, flowers and medicinal plants. Alándaluz has taken this one step further and has enhanced local architecture by utilizing innovative landscaping methods to complement and harmonize buildings by surrounding them with splendid gardens full of light and exotic nature. The region is blessed with a wide array of tropical plants, heliconias, bromelias and orchids (Ecuador has the largest variety of orchids in the world), which enriches architectural objects.

The landscaping project at Alándaluz and Cantalapiedra Wild Life Sanctuary has not only given life to architectural spaces, but has also transformed these former arid sports into veritable oasis full of fauna previously endemic to this region along with plants from other regions of Ecuador and the rest of the globe. This has been possible due to the implementation of appropriate irrigation systems that have optimized and that re-use black and gray waters, as well as implementing integral recycling systems.

The main objective of increasing the local flora has been directly linked with an increase in the fauna. Alándaluz, who once hosted around thirty bird species, now boasts over forty five species. In Cantalapiedra Wild Life Sanctuary, the numbers also have increased from two hundred to two hundred and thirty species. Gardening not only has the mission of giving life to architectural spaces, but transforming these spaces into more hospitable habitats for the local flora and to have a harmonious balance between humans and nature.

CAMPING AREA:
The camping area has space for the installation of 10 medium size tents. Also, it has available a sanitary battery, showers, illumination and signaling. It has direct access to the beach area and a privileged sight of the beautiful “Los Ahorcados” islands; likewise, it is surrounded by coconut palm trees and gorgeous gardens.

INFORMATION CENTER:
The Information Center is located in the central area of the Lodge. You can find maps, guidelines and pictures of the natural, cultural and archeological attractions of the area.
La “Cabaña del Árbol” will become the “Center for Child Interpretation”. Explanatory information regarding the flora and fauna will be available, where manual activities such as painting, etc. will be conducted.

ORGANIC GARDENS:
We have rescued the associated crops, its rotation, the preparation and use of the natural compost, the biological control of plagues, etc, versus the general use of pesticides, chemical fertilizers, the anti natural increase of crops, etc.

RECYCLING SISTEM:
Another activity carried out in the area is the garbage recycling. As a matter of fact, waste materials are converted into fertilizers to be used in biologic gardens. Inorganic waste materials are classified and part of them are sold to Portoviejo recycling companies.

With the initiative of “Alandaluz”, an integral handling of waste materials was initiated at the Puerto Rico Town through the installation of a recycling yard. A participation methodology has been developed with this purpose, and the communities separate the garbage, prepare the “compost” and sell the recycled materials to the specialized companies. Inspired by this initiative, more than 40 communities from the North of Guayaquil and the South of Manabí have available programs for the separation and classification of waste materials and further selling.
Gray waters: The waters coming from the showers, sinks and kitchen sinks are recycled through a simple system using a desander, a grease trap and an infiltration field for the different garden areas.
Black waters: an integral filters system made of: septic tank, anaerobic filter, phitopedologic filter and an irrigation system by infiltration is used to recycle the waters coming from the toilets.

HORSE AND BICYCLE RIDES:
Visitors can enjoy horse riding. If you prefer bicycle riding, we have available 12 mountain bikes for the adventure of discovering the incomparable sites of the coast, valleys and mountains of the south of the Manabí Province.

SPORTS:
For sports fans, the south of the Manabí Province is recommended for snorkeling in the outskirts of the “La Plata” island; diving in the “Cantagallo” sandbanks and outskirts of the “Salango” island; sports fishing in “Puerto López”, and trekking along the “El Rocío”, “San Sebastián”, “Cantalapiedra”, etc. trails.

CONFERENCE ROOM:
We have a multiple use Conference Room to hold over 100 persons.

TRANSFERS:
For the comfort of our visitors, we have available a service of transfers from and to Manta, Portoviejo and Guayaquil. For more information, please dial : 5932 2 440-790 or email: info@alandaluzhosteria.com