ABOUT US
Montemar Eco Luxury Villas is the enchanted land where we, former naturalist guides Reyna Oleas and Roberto Plaza, chose to live, work, raise our children and establish our life’s work. Our mission: to take good care of this piece of heaven and share it with other conscious nature lovers who seek life-changing experiences on our beloved Galapagos Islands.
In the company of the amazing Galapagos giant tortoises, who also inhabit and love this place, we and our staff welcome you to the most memorable experience of refined sustainable hospitality in this unique place.
No front desk, no big groups, no pressure: Just nature at its purest
click on the image to enlarge
YOUR
HOSTS
“The Galapagos changed my life forever. Sharing the power of nature on the Galapagos, this wonderful natural gem, is a pleasure.”
— REYNA OLEAS
“The Galapagos is a place where you can connect and be one with nature. The closeness you experience with wildlife here can be found nowhere else.”
— ROBERTO PLAZA
OUR BACKGROUND
We, the owners of Montemar Eco Luxury Villas, are passionate Ecuadorians Reyna Oleas and Roberto Plaza, a married couple who have devoted our lives to nature and conservation.
Our dedication to science began even before we started out as naturalist guides on the Galapagos in 1994.
Roberto studied biology and specialized in sustainable development, while Reyna holds a degree in ecology and an MBA in sustainable resource management.
Moving to the Galapagos was not easy and we’ve made our share of mistakes — one of them forced us to spend our first year here with no electricity at all — and with two kids at home!
But we’ve learned from our missteps, which have proved essential in bringing us to where we are today.
Also as partnered entrepreneurs, we designed Montemar Eco Luxury Villas and became hoteliers.
As passionate hosts, we love to collaborate with scientists, participate in projects with the local community and provide our guests with inspiring experiences.
OUR HISTORY
A brief timeline of our love story with the Galapagos:
1994: Reyna and Roberto come from the continent and start working as guides on the Galapagos
1996: By now experts who frequently travel to the islands, the naturalist guides fall in love and become a couple
2003: Cayetano, our first child, is born
2004: A new baby, Marisol, arrives, making the family bigger
2006: The family moves to the Galapagos
2009: We take the opportunity to buy a piece of land up the hill on Santa Cruz Island, overlooking the ocean
2011: Construction of the main house, Tortuga, and the guest house, Lechuza. Beginning of the coffee plantation, aiming to raise money to support the tortoises that live in the area
2012: For the first time, our family hosts scientists, helping to support research projects about the giant tortoises
2019: After converting the former home and guest house into luxury Villas, Montemar Eco Luxury Villas opens for business.
AWARDS AND RECOGNITIONS
TEDx Galapagos: I live on an Island
Galapagos, Ecuador – 2005
We were invited to tell the environmental story behind the architectural conceptualization of Montemar.
I Live on an Island | Reyna Oleas | TEDxGalapagos
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3FYd91ppfu
TEDx UCS: !Vamos a Tejernos!
We were invited to tell the social history behind our work with hospitality at Montemar.
Guayaquil, Ecuador – 2022
!Vamos a Tejernos! / Reyna Oleas / TEDx UCSG
https://youtu.be/x6BDbZH5mic?si=lu0CnnWjq2MqHc-Q
Recognition for contributions to strengthening the community in Puerto Ayora
Frente Insular de la Reserva Marina de Galápagos
Galapagos, Ecuador – 2021
Finalists for the Green Awards of Latin America
Selected from among over 3000 participating projects in Latin America.
Galapagos, Ecuador – 2022
Recognition for supporting local community strengthening on Santa Cruz Island
Santa Cruz Municipal Government
Galapagos, Ecuador – 2022
Recognition for supporting the strengthening of the community on Santa Cruz Island
Galapagos Chamber of Tourism
Galapagos, Ecuador – 2022
Recognition for contributions to the strengthening of volunteer culture in Galapagos
Ecuadorian Red Cross
Galapagos, Ecuador – 2023
REMOTE SEEDS Talk: Can we work collectively in an “ecosystemic” way?
We were invited to share our story at Remote Immersion, the boutique tourism fair from REMOTE Latin America, a community of worldwide professionals focused on Latin America.
Cuenca, Ecuador – 2023
Can we work collectively in an “ecosystemic” way? /REMOTE SEEDS Talk