An Ecuador Amazon lodge like no other

Amazing trip! Went as an add on trip before visiting the Galápagos Islands. So glad we did as we had a really fabulous time.... read moreWent as an add on trip before visiting the Galápagos Islands. So glad we did as we had a really fabulous time.
We fished for Piranha during our down time, there is so much to do or time to have a siesta if you prefer.
The guides were very knowledgeable and had super sharp vision when it came to animal spotting. La Selva was really a superb lodge.
Have the best memories and everything about this trip was perfect for us travelling as a family with 19 and 22yr olds! read less

A must stay in the Amazon We LOVED our three night stay at La Selva Ecolodge. The room was huge, netted bed, large bathroom and fantasti... read moreWe LOVED our three night stay at La Selva Ecolodge. The room was huge, netted bed, large bathroom and fantastic little balcony looking over the lagoon. The food was fantastic, staff were very attentive and helpful including arranging a surprise birthday cake and bottle of champagne for me with my mum in Australia. The spa is a lovely touch for a massage and is secluded - just you and nature. Our local guide Henry was amazing and our main guides Robby was incredibly knowledgeable, funny and made our trip memorable. The guides join you for dinner each night which is a nice way to get to know them more too. The groups are small - no more than 5-6 people per guide so it is very personable and they will stay out exploring for as long as you’d like (within limits of course). It was the perfect way to see the Amazon and the wildlife spotting was beyond belief!! Do yourselves a favour and stay here - once in a lifetime, bucket list item! More read less

Great stay! Abundant wildlife and birds We stayed 4 nights, going out on wildlife walks or by canoe twice a day. It is a rain forest, so no surprise w... read moreWe stayed 4 nights, going out on wildlife walks or by canoe twice a day. It is a rain forest, so no surprise we had some rain. Staff provided clean dry ponchos when they were needed, and carried them when they weren’t needed. We had a great guide, Paul, who really knows the birds and other animals in the area, and how to spot them. Darwin paddled the canoe and also spotted wildlife. He kept the canoe very steady so we could watch through our binoculars or take pictures. Between the two we were able to see more wildlife than we expected. Bird watching from the tower was great! Also we ate very well, and had plenty of time to relax at the lodge. A lovely visit, and a great introduction to our first visit to Ecuador read less

Amazing experience of the rainforest La Selva is an amazing Lodge. All the staff were very helpful and the food was one of the highlights of the tr... read moreLa Selva is an amazing Lodge. All the staff were very helpful and the food was one of the highlights of the trip. Our guide, Paul was very knowledgeable and knew all of the species names that we saw. The villa we stayed in at the lodge was beautiful and had everything we would need. We participated in the yoga which was lovely. The scenery around the lodge was stunning. Overall the stay was wonderful and I would definitely return here. read less

An Amazing Rainforest Adventure We enjoyed our boat rides on the Napa River going to and from La Selva. The motorized canoe is steady and tra... read moreWe enjoyed our boat rides on the Napa River going to and from La Selva. The motorized canoe is steady and travels fast. It is piloted by a skilled driver who knows exactly where the sandbars are both above and below the water. On our way to the resort we saw dark clouds and a wall of rain ahead. The boat stopped and we were given heavy ponchos that covered us completely. The rest of our luggage had already been placed in heavy plastic bags so nothing got wet. Don’t worry about the weather ~ the staff will take care of you. Our trip back was sunny and smooth. Both times we saw amazing trees and spoonbills & egrets fishing on the sandbars. We also saw barges of heavy equipment used by the oil companies that have mineral rights in places along the river. The resort fits perfectly into its surroundings. The lodge holds a reception area, an open-air restaurant & bar, and an observation platform. There were no mosquitoes or other insects to bother us around the lake. We only needed to put on insect repellent when we went into the jungle. Large fans kept us cool and we always had access to water coolers and tea and coffee. The staff was incredibly friendly and helpful. The food was plentiful and delicious. It included a huge breakfast buffet each morning and then three course meals or buffets at lunch... We enjoyed our boat rides on the Napa River going to and from La Selva. The motorized canoe is steady and travels fast. It is piloted by a skilled driver who knows exactly where the sandbars are both above and below the water. On our way to the resort we saw dark clouds and a wall of rain ahead. The boat stopped and we were given heavy ponchos that covered us completely. The rest of our luggage had already been placed in heavy plastic bags so nothing got wet. Don’t worry about the weather ~ the staff will take care of you. Our trip back was sunny and smooth. Both times we saw amazing trees and spoonbills & egrets fishing on the sandbars. We also saw barges of heavy equipment used by the oil companies that have mineral rights in places along the river.

The resort fits perfectly into its surroundings. The lodge holds a reception area, an open-air restaurant & bar, and an observation platform. There were no mosquitoes or other insects to bother us around the lake. We only needed to put on insect repellent when we went into the jungle. Large fans kept us cool and we always had access to water coolers and tea and coffee. The staff was incredibly friendly and helpful. The food was plentiful and delicious. It included a huge breakfast buffet each morning and then three course meals or buffets at lunch and dinner. The staff took allergies and food preferences into account. At breakfast and dinner we sat with our small group (5) and our interpretative guide. This allowed us to plan our day and talk about what we had seen. The tiny gift shop has an excellent booklet on birds and common mammals that are seen around the lodge.

Our room was lovely. It was fully screened and had a private balcony and a modern washroom. The overhead fan did a great job of keeping us cool at night. While it is hot and humid in the daytime we actually appreciated the comforter over night.

The quality of the interpretive naturalist guides and the local guides make the programs at La Selva world class. Omar and Darwin were our guides. This partnership provides a great balance. Omar had an encyclopedic knowledge of the flora and fauna and Darwin had incredibly sharp eyes and the local expertise needed to help us spot wildlife. The programs start early in the morning, provide you with free time during the heat of the day, and then resume in the late afternoon. This pattern matches the activity of wildlife. We went on day & night hikes, canoe rides, visited a local Kichwa village and climbed the 35 m observation tower. Free time can be spent catching piranha, practicing yoga, relaxing at the spa, socializing with other guests, kayaking around the lake, or napping.

In our four days at La Selva we saw 55 different species of birds well enough for us to identify them on our own and 19 species of animals. We didn’t even try to keep track of the number of species of insects and plants. We could easily have doubled the length of our stay and continued to have new experiences. More read less

Amazing Amazon Experience We had booked our trip originally for March 2020, but the pandemic came and we had to cancel everything. Fortu... read moreWe had booked our trip originally for March 2020, but the pandemic came and we had to cancel everything. Fortunately, La Selva offered to give us a credit for when we could come, which we used after being vaccinated in early 2021. The first thing to know about La Selva is that they are determined to bend over backwards to make everything perfect for you. When the local airlines cancelled our flight into Coca, they quickly arranged for a driver to pick us up in our hotel in Quito. When our son was feeling a bit ill with traveler’s stomachs, they took great effort to make sure he was comfortable. The guides are amazing here. They can spot things that are completely invisible. We saw three kinds of monkeys, plus pigmy marmosets, dozens at least of bird species, caimans, turtles, and insects we never could have imagined. The cultural visit was amazing as well, with a hands-on experience in one of the local indigenous communities, with food and drink tasting, and a chance to understand how the local community lives. The kitchen gave us way too much food, but adapted to our tastes over the few days we were here. They were always at their best when showcasing local flavors. The spa (yes, an active spa during COVID!) was fantastic, offering professional, therapeutic sessions. We have been to the Amazon before, but THIS is the way to see it: close... We had booked our trip originally for March 2020, but the pandemic came and we had to cancel everything. Fortunately, La Selva offered to give us a credit for when we could come, which we used after being vaccinated in early 2021.
The first thing to know about La Selva is that they are determined to bend over backwards to make everything perfect for you. When the local airlines cancelled our flight into Coca, they quickly arranged for a driver to pick us up in our hotel in Quito. When our son was feeling a bit ill with traveler’s stomachs, they took great effort to make sure he was comfortable.
The guides are amazing here. They can spot things that are completely invisible. We saw three kinds of monkeys, plus pigmy marmosets, dozens at least of bird species, caimans, turtles, and insects we never could have imagined.
The cultural visit was amazing as well, with a hands-on experience in one of the local indigenous communities, with food and drink tasting, and a chance to understand how the local community lives.
The kitchen gave us way too much food, but adapted to our tastes over the few days we were here. They were always at their best when showcasing local flavors.
The spa (yes, an active spa during COVID!) was fantastic, offering professional, therapeutic sessions.
We have been to the Amazon before, but THIS is the way to see it: close to nature, guided by experts, close to the indigenous communities, and yet pampered and comfortable. Good for guests of all stripes - families, couples, singles, whatever.
This is the Amazon adventure you are looking for! More read less