A must do trip. If you are considering this, book it now. Hans is an incredible bird watching guide & naturalist who also taught us about the other wildlife in the forest and the true culture of Quito. Diana is an incredible chef—every meal is fresh, natural, and local. Wow! And both the home stay in Quito & the reserve in the forest are beautiful. Gorgeous views and high quality amenities. Thank you for an unforgettable trip!

We spent over a week at Choco Toucan Reserve. Hans and Diana have created a bird paradise with numerous feeders, flowers and plants that attract the local species. The property covers numerous hectacres with trails through the forest and down to the river. Our room was clean and comfortable with plenty of space to store our camera gear and equipment. For those who are not photographers or birders, the property provides a wonderful spot to unwind and relax. The meals greatly exceeded our expectations as Diane is a fabulous chef offering both Ecuadorian and Mexican specialties made with fresh healthy organic ingredients. Her juices and soups were amazing as well as main dishes and desserts. A several day visit would be worth it just to enjoy the views from the veranda and experience the cuisine. Hans is fluent in both Spanish and English and extremely knowledgeable of the local wildlife and international history which provided us much insight to his country and South America as well as the birds, mammals and plants. He took us on several day trips to encounter species at other altitudes which are not found on his property. We would definitely recommend Choco Toucan Reserve to anyone who is planning a trip to Ecuador.

The owners are very welcoming and accommodating for a comfortable stay with great food. Hans was helpful in spotting birds and suggesting trails or timings to walk for a better experience. I saw a wide range of birds here the 2 nights I stayed and would definitely recommend. There is also a lot of thought put into the hummingbird feeders and hides for easier photography opportunities.

Really enjoyed staying at Choco Toucan - great birding and photography opportunities, night walks and lots of hummingbirds visiting the feeders. Hans was extremely helpful in planning activities suited to the time of year and our interests, and Diana is an amazing cook and we had some of the best food in the whole trip. Would definitely recommend.

Having Hans as our guide made our trip so much better. We really appreciated his hospitality and flexibility throughout the stay. He went out of his way to find places we could see the birds on our target list and he was very knowledgeable about the birds as well. Loved the lodge, great amenities. Would do it again!

I recently had the privilege of visiting the Choco Toucan Reserve and I must say it was an extraordinary experience that exceeded all expectations. From the warm hospitality to the delicious vegetarian cuisine and the incredible wildlife encounters, this place is a true gem. The most unforgettable part of my stay was the opportunity to film an active red-headed barbet nest. It's not every day that you get to witness such a rare and beautiful spectacle in the wild. The Choco Toucan Reserve offers a unique and immersive experience for nature enthusiasts and wildlife photographers. I left with memories that will last a lifetime and footage that I will cherish forever. Overall, the Choco Toucan Reserve is a place where nature and conservation are at the forefront, and where guests are treated like family. I can't recommend this place enough to anyone looking for a deep connection with nature, incredible hospitality, and an opportunity to improve their photography skills. I'm already planning my next visit to this hidden paradise in Ecuador. Thank you, Diana, Hans for making my stay so incredible!

My wife and I had the pleasure of staying at Choco Toucan Reserve last week. Hans Heintz owns the property with his wife, Diana. They have several perches and feeders so that guests can view numerous birds and hummingbirds. We saw toucans, trogens, woodpeckers, barbets, tanagers, owls and many other species. There are more than 10 types of hummingbirds coming to the feeders as well as a handful of mammals. Diana is an excellent gormet chef and the meals were above our expectation. She was also able to adjust her cooking to meet my special dietary needs. Hans is extremely knowledgeable about the flora and fauna of Ecuador. We are photographers and he consistently worked to modify perches and arrange flowers to assist in us getting the best pictures. We will definitely return to Choco Toucan when back in Equador.

This is a beautiful homestay with super kind, knowledgeable hosts and incredible rainforest to explore right from the front deck. I've experienced some of the best hospitality and food ever here, and it's been a delight for nature photography and bird watching. We did a few guided days with Hans on and off property and it was super fun. I would definitely stay here again