Project Amigo's Hacienda in Colima, Mexico

History | The Village of Cofradía de Suchitlán | Staying at the Hacienda | Meals | The Costs of Staying at the Hacienda | All Inclusive Package | A La Carte

History

For many years Project Amigo was operated from folding tables in the living room of the rented house of Ted Rose and Susan Hill in Cofradía. In 1999 a private home consisting of a complex of buildings around an inner courtyard became available for purchase down the street from Ted and Susan's home. Seven generous individuals contributed to the purchase and subsequent extensive remodeling of the buildings, which became known as "the Hacienda." The original donors were Project Amigo Board members Catherine Munson, Joyce and Clark Palmer, and Frank and Kathie Mayhew.  Additional contributions came from Dr. Robert and Sue Parks; Doug McGeorge and Janice Petty; Cass Sylvia and Craig Reynolds; and Project Amigo founders Ted Rose and Susan Hill.

The Hacienda is now owned by Project Amigo, a California non-profit corporation. The remodel of the office space was completed in February 2000, and the guest quarters were first used by visitors in October of that year. Project Amigo is pleased to invite you to its headquarters and guest facility. We hope you will feel at home.

The Project Amigo Hacienda was purchased and renovated with private donations and now provides office space and housing for volunteers.

The fountain is the center of the Hacienda dining area.

Make your reservation and deposit for the Project Amigo Hacienda by using your credit card on-line:

The Project Amigo staff was consistently generous with their time and energy... The food was outrageous. The facility is fantastic. And it was a pleasure to feel like we were helping.

Bob Knox
Work Week volunteer from Mill Valley, California

The Village of Cofradía de Suchitlán

Cofradía is a typical country village in western Mexico with a population of about 1200 people. It is located about 20 km (12 mi) north of the city of Colima (the capital of the state of Colima) on the west coast of Mexico.

The village of Cofradía de Suchitlán is the home of Ted Rose and Susan Hill, founders of Project Amigo. Their house on the left was also the Project Amigo office until the Hacienda was purchased in 1999. Project Amigo's school bus is parked on the right.

Why would anyone ever go for a big city vacation when you could have roosters, cobblestones, smiles from children and Spanish lessons at the same time?

Audrey Royer
Volunteer from Myrtle Point, Oregon

Staying at the Hacienda

Meals

    Breakfast is usually served from 8:30 till 9:00 am and is usually a time for announcements for volunteers.
    Guests are welcome to use the microwave oven, toaster oven, and coffee makers in the downstairs kitchen. There is also a refrigerator in the upstairs kitchen above the patio.

Guests at the Project Amigo Hacienda enjoy home-cooked Mexican dinners while visiting with other guests, volunteers, and staff.

I love the pace of a day beginning here -- first the roosters, then the dogs, a few busses or trucks, the rumble of the tortilla machine across the street, birds singing, and then sweepers sweeping. Being here is a very peaceful way to start the day.

Dr. Charlie Clements,
Visitor from Santa Fe, New Mexico

The Costs of Staying at the Hacienda

There are all-inclusive work week rates, and rates for non-work week visitors and volunteers.  All prices are in US dollars, and all donations above these actual costs support educational programs for children.

All Inclusive Package (work weeks)

1 week (8 or 9 days) = $1,200.00 per person.

Includes: pickup from and delivery to airport or bus station (Guadalajara, Manzanillo or Colima), lodging, all meals at the Hacienda or local restaurants, all ground transportation, including driver, guided tours of tourist attractions, laundry service and tips. Does not include: long-distance phone calls or alcoholic beverages.

A La Carte

Airport or bus station pickup or delivery for up to four people is:
Guadalajara - $130
Manzanillo - $100
Colima - $40

Bed and breakfast at the Project Amigo Hacienda, per room, per day:
1 room, single occupancy - $60-70 depending on room;
1 room, double occupancy - $70-80 depending on room;
1 room, three people - $80 (Room #2 only);
2-room suite with private bath - $120.

Meals: Comida (large mid-afternoon meal) at local restaurant, with group when Project Amigo pays for entire meal - $15 per person
Catered dinner at Hacienda, minimum four people - $15 per person
Cena (light late evening supper) in Cofradía, with group when Project Amigo pays for entire meal - $10 per person

Car and driver, up to four people:
full day (up to 8 hours)- $120 plus tolls;
half day (4 hours or less) - $70 plus tolls

Phone calls to US - $.50 per minute

Laundry service - $4 per load

Gardens surround the center courtyard of the Hacienda. On the left are the Project Amigo offices, on the right the guest facility.

The upstairs living room at the Hacienda provides convenient space for presentations and videos.

Tropical flowers bloom all year long at the Project Amigo guest facility.

Poinsettias add a festive touch to the Hacienda in December.

As always, an unforgetable experience. The Hacienda is terrific, but working and playing with all of you is even better. And, por supuesto, the kids are totally addictive!

Joyce Palmer,
Volunteer from Novato, California

History | The Village of Cofradía de Suchitlán | Staying at the Hacienda | Meals | The Costs of Staying at the Hacienda | All Inclusive Package | A La Carte

This page last updated March, 2009.