The Vision, Expanded
When La Ecovilla Original opened in 2012, it proved something important: that a diverse group of people from across the world could live regeneratively, beautifully, and in genuine harmony with each other and the land. By 2023, that proof was solid enough to go bigger. Much bigger.
Ecovilla San Mateo is the second project from the same founding team — built on 220 hectares of former petting zoo land along the same Machuca River, just 10 minutes from the original community. Where La Ecovilla Original was 42 acres and 48 families, this is 544 acres planned for approximately 300 homes across six distinct neighbourhoods. The land that was once ecologically damaged is now being regenerated with native trees, syntropic forests, and a mindset that every design decision should give more than it takes.
The residential area is composed of six neighbourhoods — Espavel, Bambu, Ceiba, and others — each with 40 to 50 homes and its own shared common area. Each neighbourhood has a pool, yoga shala, organic garden with weekly produce basket, and a rancho for co-working and gathering. Community connection happens at neighbourhood scale, while the wider shared spaces bring everyone together.
Those wider spaces are substantial. A 25-metre chlorine-free pool and sport park with tennis, padel, pickleball, soccer, and basketball courts. An Art Village for music, performance, and creative gatherings. A River Park with natural swimming holes along the Machuca. And 300 acres of nature reserve surrounding the residential area, threaded with 25 kilometres of walking trails through jungle and mountains.
Ecovilla San Mateo launched in 2023 and is actively growing. Lots are available across multiple neighbourhoods, and the community infrastructure is being built alongside the homes. This is a project at an exciting stage — buying in now means being part of shaping what it becomes, not inheriting a finished product.
As homes complete and residents settle in, rental stays and resale properties will be listed here on Off Grid Destinations. If you’re interested in renting or buying before listings go live, enquire below and we’ll connect you with current availability directly.
Interested in the community? Enquire below and we’ll be in touch.
Ecovilla San Mateo has received 0 reviews with an average rating of out of 5
