The Story of a Home Born from a Dream
In San Mateo, just 15 minutes from Tarija, Bolivia, there is a place that for generations has been much more than a country home.
LEA Quinta Carmencita was born from one woman’s dream, grew through cherished family memories, and is now beginning a new chapter.
QUINTA CARMENCITA
Mamá Carmen’s Dream
In 1978, when this was nothing more than a piece of land, Mamá Carmen began imagining what would one day become her country home. Little by little, with hard work and lots of love, the place began to take shape.
A Home Built Little by Little
Mamá Carmen didn't have vast resources, but she found a way to build the space she dreamed of for the family. Many of the items that found their way into the house were gifts from relatives and friends. In this way, every piece of furniture, every object, and every detail gradually found its place in San Mateo.
Where Everything Had a Story
Without planning it, that simple home gradually developed a character all its own. It was filled with objects from different eras, furniture passed down from one family to another, and little details that are now part of its charm.
The Place Where We Gathered
San Mateo became our gathering place. Days in the countryside, shared meals, long conversations, visits from friends, and entire weekends together as a family made this home a place filled with memories. Sometimes there were so many of us that mattresses ended up on the floor. And no one ever complained.
A Place We Always Wanted to Return To
One of the things that made San Mateo special was its proximity to Tarija. We could escape there for a few hours, spend the day, or stay for the entire weekend. Over the years, the quinta became that special place we always wanted to return to.
The Dream Never Faded
Over the years, Mamá Carmen lived in Houston with our family for nearly fifteen years. But she never stopped carrying San Mateo in her heart. When she returned to Tarija at the age of 94, that home was still an important part of her story.
And the Dream Continued
Before she passed away, Mamá Carmen left us with a request we have never forgotten: “I never want you to sell it. I want it to be a place for the family to enjoy.” Today, after years of improvements and more than a year of transformation, we are giving the quinta new life while preserving the spirit of the place she once dreamed of.
Now We Want to Share It With You
For generations, San Mateo has been a place to gather, relax, enjoy time together, and create lasting memories.
Today, we open the doors of LEA Quinta Carmencita so you can experience that same feeling and create your own stories in this very special place.