La Selva, Beautiful Place, Great People, A joy! Hi Guys, some years ago we visited Ecuador and were entranced by the wildlife we were able to see, This year w... read moreHi Guys, some years ago we visited Ecuador and were entranced by the wildlife we were able to see, This year we were looking for a holiday and both my wife and I thought about a return to Ecuador. some weeks later we were Booked and ready to go. Our first stop was at the Ecuadorian Amazonia, we went to the La Selva Eco lodge , On our arrival at Coca Airport for our internal flight we were met by Andrea, who made all the minor problems of Air Flight a thing of the past.her helpful manner and her friendly character was great. When we arrived at the lodge our bags were taken to the room and we had the "Now" welcome fruit drink. We were then sat down and were given an introductory briefing on the Lodge itself, and the tours that we had planned for us, we met Danni who was going to be our guide, and Darwin who was working with Danni to improve his English so that he could become a guide, these guys had the eyes of eagles and so much knowledge of the local flora and fauna of the area we were surprised at the volume of species we saw and had explained to us, not just academically , but how the local , indigenous people used them we cant thank them enough. On to the food... Both my wife and I were surprised... Hi Guys, some years ago we visited Ecuador and were entranced by the wildlife we were able to see, This year we were looking for a holiday and both my wife and I thought about a return to Ecuador. some weeks later we were Booked and ready to go.
Our first stop was at the Ecuadorian Amazonia, we went to the La Selva Eco lodge , On our arrival at Coca Airport for our internal flight we were met by Andrea, who made all the minor problems of Air Flight a thing of the past.her helpful manner and her friendly character was great. When we arrived at the lodge our bags were taken to the room and we had the "Now" welcome fruit drink. We were then sat down and were given an introductory briefing on the Lodge itself, and the tours that we had planned for us, we met Danni who was going to be our guide, and Darwin who was working with Danni to improve his English so that he could become a guide, these guys had the eyes of eagles and so much knowledge of the local flora and fauna of the area we were surprised at the volume of species we saw and had explained to us, not just academically , but how the local , indigenous people used them we cant thank them enough.
On to the food... Both my wife and I were surprised at the meals at La Selva, not what we were expecting at all, The meals were very well presented and beautifully cooked, the waiter we had for our table was "Juan" who was a delight, good sense of humor and precise in his table craft. I'm a diabetic and when necessary I was provided with a sugar free option that was at least as good as the standard meal. We were given Cabin 17 and once again we were surprised at the quality of the finish inside, very comfortable bed, good sanitary equipment and a great shower . A super little private veranda with nice cushioned chairs and a little table for our drinks, which were served at the bar by Pepe, always happy and helpful
. Whilst the Amazonian area is fantastic, what made the trip was the people of La Selva are what makes the whole thing great, The birds and animals were outstanding, too many to document here, but we saw everything from a tiny blue iridescent frog to a five meter long anaconda. If youre thing about Ecuador and animals and birds, La Selva is the place to go.
ENJOY!!!
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Family trip My family had an amazing time during our 4 day stay at La Selva. It was a beautiful setting, with great food ... read moreMy family had an amazing time during our 4 day stay at La Selva. It was a beautiful setting, with great food and accommodations. The staff couldn’t be more friendly and attentive. Our naturalist guide Julio Rojas was excellent. There was a range of ages and physical abilities in our family group and Julio did a great job tailoring our walks, canoe rides and other activities based on this. He is incredibly knowledgeable, and very friendly. Julio’s passion and enthusiasm for the Amazonian ecosystem is infectious, as is his obvious love of his job as a guide. We highly recommend La Selva!!
S Olney and family read less

Memorable Rain forest experience La Selva is a wonderful lodge to stay at. The staff are so helpful and welcoming, the cabin was so lovely and ... read moreLa Selva is a wonderful lodge to stay at. The staff are so helpful and welcoming, the cabin was so lovely and the food was delicious. We went out 2x a day either on walks in the rainforest or out in canoes- We had the most knowledgeable guides, Julio and Dario who taught us so much about the widelife and the birds. One day we went up to a tower overlooking the forest and saw over 25 spies of birds, several species of monkeys and frogs to name just a few. Whether you are walking in the forest or canoeing down the river at sunset, the experience is magical and we truly left with a greater appreciation for conservation of the rainforest.

La Selva is a real find! read less

Great Lodge We had a wonderful time on our 5 day stay at La Selva. Tucked away far from city life in the Amazonian jungle.... read moreWe had a wonderful time on our 5 day stay at La Selva. Tucked away far from city life in the Amazonian jungle. Lots of great hikes and animal sightings. Our guides David and Bolivar were fantastico! Good food, comfortable accommodations with the jungle and lake right out side your door along with monkeys, birds and much more.

This is definitely not an experience for those looking for city amenities / luxury. No AC, hot and humid, fairly structured schedule with early wake up calls (got to get up early to see nature in action).

Guides will adjust activities to the needs of their small group so kids and less athletic persons can enjoy the wonders of the Amazon.

The spa services were excellent and in an amazing setting. Bernardo at the bar is sweet and very helpful, Miguel one of the managers was very eager to please and informative.

Bring LOTS of socks and bug spray! read less

An Enjoyable Rainforest Visit We spent 4 nights at La Selva, and enjoyed it very much. While the journey to get there is a bit long, it's we... read moreWe spent 4 nights at La Selva, and enjoyed it very much. While the journey to get there is a bit long, it's well worth it for what you get in return. The lodge itself is beautiful, with clean and comfortable rooms and glorious grounds and surroundings. My only complaint about our room was that the king-size bed didn't leave enough room on one side to actually walk, Other than that, the room was spacious and housekeeping did a wonderful job cleaning things up each morning.

Our guides, Dany and Dario, provided us with an amazing experience of the rainforest, that was also highly educational. We saw so many amazing things (3 types of monkeys, sloths, a caiman, a capybara, and more birds than you could possibly count) during our stay, and we have Dany and Dario to thank for that. Our trip to a local Kichwa community was one of the highlights of our visit, and included a sampling of local foods. You haven't lived until you've eaten a roasted grub! We also got to use a native blow gun, which was fun.

The food was good and plentiful and the chef did a great job of accommodating the special requests of guests.

Overall, we would definitely recommend La Selva if you are wanting to experience the Amazon Rainforest of Ecuador. read less

Stunning eco lodge right by a lovely lagoon We spent a few days in La Selva Lodge and we had an amazing experience. The rooms are beautiful, the service i... read moreWe spent a few days in La Selva Lodge and we had an amazing experience. The rooms are beautiful, the service is so attentive and welcoming, the food is delicious and the excursions are far beyond fun and interesting! You can swim directly in front of the lodge in the lagoon & enjoy some kayaking around. They have relaxing yoga classes right on the dock! Absolutely to recommend La Selva Lodge. read less