An Ecuador Amazon lodge like no other

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

Unbelievable Experience Start to Finish It takes impeccable service for me to take the time to write a review, and the service at LaSelva Lodge exceed... read moreIt takes impeccable service for me to take the time to write a review, and the service at LaSelva Lodge exceeded my expectations across the board. We came here on our honeymoon, as visiting the Amazon jungle has always been on my bucket list, and from the moment you arrive you are fully immersed. It's beautiful, clean, amazing food, beautiful comfortable rooms, amazing forest walks and canoe rides, friendly and helpful staff, plus they give you the ability to customize your trip and cater to your specific wants/needs. I've honestly never had a better experience on a vacation. Our naturalist guide was Julio Rojas and our local guide was Tio Jose. The two of them together were fantastic at spotting birds and finding wildlife in the jungle. I'm an avid outdoorsman and very comfortable in the forest and Julio picked up on that immediately and took us deep into the jungle to give us a 'full dose' (our full dose included a hot lunch on the canoe, chicken with a cranberry sauce, but still... lol). They never took the easy way out, and both were invested in us having the experience we paid for. Both men are close to 60 years old and they took my wife and I, 31 and 32 on a strenuous 4-5 mile hike, up hill off trail, in the heat and humidity without flinching. They took the time to get to know us and find... It takes impeccable service for me to take the time to write a review, and the service at LaSelva Lodge exceeded my expectations across the board. We came here on our honeymoon, as visiting the Amazon jungle has always been on my bucket list, and from the moment you arrive you are fully immersed. It's beautiful, clean, amazing food, beautiful comfortable rooms, amazing forest walks and canoe rides, friendly and helpful staff, plus they give you the ability to customize your trip and cater to your specific wants/needs. I've honestly never had a better experience on a vacation.
Our naturalist guide was Julio Rojas and our local guide was Tio Jose. The two of them together were fantastic at spotting birds and finding wildlife in the jungle. I'm an avid outdoorsman and very comfortable in the forest and Julio picked up on that immediately and took us deep into the jungle to give us a 'full dose' (our full dose included a hot lunch on the canoe, chicken with a cranberry sauce, but still... lol). They never took the easy way out, and both were invested in us having the experience we paid for. Both men are close to 60 years old and they took my wife and I, 31 and 32 on a strenuous 4-5 mile hike, up hill off trail, in the heat and humidity without flinching. They took the time to get to know us and find out what we were there to see and experience, and they made that the focus of our outings.. Most guests are probably older and more into birdwatching than we were, and I'm sure it's extremely rare for them to have guests that want a full dose, but they did it anyways. You can tell Julio and Jose really love their jobs and they deserved more of a tip then we could ever have given them. The faint sounds that Tio can pick up in the jungle are absolutely incredible and the love that Julio has for the forest, including plants/ animals and local people, is contagious. Hats off to both of them for making our trip of a lifetime truly a trip of a lifetime. Simply amazing! More read less

Amazing Amazonas Experience This is definitely the most beautiful lodge in the entire Amazonas! You do not need to worry about anything, e... read moreThis is definitely the most beautiful lodge in the entire Amazonas! You do not need to worry about anything, everything is
coordinated by the lodge. Very experienced guides, amazing food, just once in a lifetime experience. I would recommend to directly book through the lodge, you get the best package. Its absolutely worth to pay a bit more!! read less

Magical experience in the jungle La Selva met all my expectations and more: great location (isolated) by a lake with beautiful sunrise and suns... read moreLa Selva met all my expectations and more: great location (isolated) by a lake with beautiful sunrise and sunset, very few mosquitoes (when near the lake), beautiful room with spacious bathroom (L’Occitane products is a +), excellent food (very good to accommodate any food restrictions / preferences), very knowledgeable guides (which you need to see the wildlife, very different than Galapagos islands), at least 6 hours of planned activities per day and many other optional activities (fishing piranhas, kayaking, yoga at 5a under the stars / sunrise was a magical moment for me).
It is very hot and don’t expect air conditioning but you are in the jungle after all!
GM Miguel and guide Paul were wonderful.
I am putting on my list to places to visit again! More read less

Experience of a Lifetime! Kudos to the fantastic staff at La Selva who made our excursion into the Amazon such a rewarding and fun exper... read moreKudos to the fantastic staff at La Selva who made our excursion into the Amazon such a rewarding and fun experience. We spent three nights and hated to leave.

Pickup at the Coca airport and boat travel to the lodge (2 1/2 hours by motor canoe and another 45 minutes by paddled canoe) were handled flawlessly. It was also a nice distance—long enough to settle in to the feel of the jungle and to enjoy the remoteness of the experience without the longer, more draining approaches we later heard other visitors had to make to other lodges.

Our naturalist and native guides were PHENOMENAL! Ask for Rodrigo and Mendardo aka Chicuki. Their sightings and skills were magnificent, and they were patient with us, extremely helpful and fun.

The restaurant and bar fare was delicious. Juan took great care of us there. With so much to see —the birdwatching, even on the property!—I hated to spare an entire hour for a massage, but was glad I indulged in a 30-minute one in their open air spa with the sounds of rain and jungle in the background. It beat any one-hour massage I’ve had elsewhere.

I wish I could name everyone, as Miguel has clearly put together a professional, attentive staff.

By all means, GO! Yes the humidity is taxing, but the bugs are not. Take quick-dry clothes and knee socks for their rubber boots and prepare for the adventure of a lifetime. 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