Born from a dream during the pandemic, nestled among the rugged hills of Spain, Finca EcoVida began as a crumbling ruin—and a bold vision. With two young daughters in tow, a family set out to create an off-grid, eco-conscious retreat that could offer travelers both comfort and connection with nature. Today, that dream is a thriving reality. We spoke with Maartje, founder and host of Finca EcoVida, to learn more about the inspiring journey behind this unique place.
What’s the story behind Finca EcoVida? How did it all begin?
Three years ago, EcoVida was nothing more than a ruin. A part of the ruin still had a roof, but the majority of the walls had collapsed, and trees and plants were growing in the finca.
We were living in Barbados, the Caribbean, when during the pandemic, the idea sprouted to give our lives a different direction. We dreamed of building an off-grid, ecological holiday home to show guests that it was also possible to enjoy a comfortable holiday, without a big CO2 footprint. We went on Google and found this renovation project with a license and a building plan. It was located in the mountains of the province of Alicante in Spain, close to the Costa Blanca.
The project was part of Refugio Marnes, a well-known holiday destination that had been in business for 23 years. We decided to go on a holiday to Refugio Marnes to check out if we liked the location. We did! We flew up and down three times before we decided to buy the ruin.
Flash forward in time. In 2022, we gave away, sold, and threw away our entire household, put the items that we were really attached to in 8 suitcases, and flew from Barbados to Spain to start our new life. And the renovation!
PS: We went with our two girls, who were 6 and 9 by that time. One of the suitcases we took back to Europe was full of Lego… They just couldn’t say goodbye to their Lego, and up until today, they still play with it!
You’ve adopted some inspiring sustainable practices – could you tell us more?
We have renovated the ruin with as many items that were already available in the ruin as possible. We have recuperated the roof beams, the floor and roofing tiles, and of course, all the rocks we could find to rebuild the walls.
All the furniture you see in the house is either second-hand or refurbished. We visited all the flea markets in the area over the last 3 years and found some real treasures.
The house runs on solar power. We also recover the water that is used in the kitchen and in the bathrooms. It is cleaned and used to water the garden. We share a solar system, batteries and a generator with Refugio Marnes, so we are always sure the finca is powered.
Are there any green itineraries or eco-friendly activities nearby that you usually recommend to your guests?
There are so many nice hikes in the mountains where the finca is located. Too many to write down here. If guests go online, they will find them easily. Our location is also known for mountain biking and cycling. Every year, rock climbers visit us to spend some time discovering the different routes.
Our region is also known for its wine. The valley of Lliber, the municipality where EcoVida is located, has multiple vineyards and bodegas. Very lovely to visit and taste the (ecological) wines.
Which experiences do your guests enjoy the most during their stay?
Just being in nature. Our location is perfect for disconnecting and just enjoying. It’s quiet, it’s peaceful and you don’t hear anything else but nature. We love to go down with our family (2 daughters, 10 and 13 years old) and just spend time together, play games, go for a hike, prepare some nice food and watch the stars at night. In the summer, we enjoy the pool, which is beautifully tucked away in nature and has sun all day.
What does being part of the Ecobnb community mean to you?
We believe it is very important to be mindful of our way of living, also when we are on a holiday. We believe we should live with nature and not at the cost of nature. That’s why we created our holiday home the way we did. EcoBnB resonates with us for this reason, we find like-minded people who want to enjoy all the beauty our planet has to offer in a mindful way.
Finca EcoVida is more than an eco-friendly holiday home: it’s an invitation to slow down, reconnect with nature, and rethink the way we travel. By embracing sustainability without sacrificing comfort, Maartje and her family have created an eco-retreat that reflects their values and welcomes like-minded guests from around the world. A visit here is not only a getaway, but a glimpse into a more mindful way of living.
