Ecuador is a country that has a little something for everyone, for travelers who seek a destination that offers tranquility, for those who are enthusiastic about geology and nature, those who look for close encounters with wildlife, and those who want to raise their adrenaline levels during their vacations.
The Ecuadorian Amazon rainforest is one of the places that has it all, adventure, tranquility, close encounters with wildlife; and to enjoy all of that there is no need to sacrifice the comfort for the spirit of adventure.
That is why we put together a list of the top 5 recommended properties to stay during your adventure in the Ecuadorian Amazon.
Napo Wildlife Center
This eco-lodge is one of the most luxurious properties in the Ecuadorian Amazon. Located in the heart of Ecuador’s Yasuni National Park, a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, Napo Wildlife Center was designed for nature enthusiasts who want to experience an authentic experience in the rainforest.
This lodge belongs to the Kichwa Añangu community. During your stay, you will have the opportunity to engage with their culture and ancestral traditions through different activities that involve the community. During your trip, you will enjoy daily excursions to the rainforest accompanied by your indigenous guide, kayaking, canoe excursions, where you will observe otters, caimans, and many others. Birding tours are also part of this unique experience.
Napo Wildlife Center features 20 cabins located on the banks of the lagoon; each room has beautiful views of the rainforest. The lodge also boasts an observation platform, meeting room, bar, restaurant and lounge areas with breathtaking views of the Añangu Lake.
La Selva Lodge
This beautiful lodge is located on the border of the Yasuni National Park, just 60 miles away from the town of Coca. The spectacular location allows for stunning views of the rainforest and Gazarcocha lagoon. La Selva features a native decoration in its 19 spacious suites, three of the suites have unique views to the Lake Gazarcocha. Family suites include spacious bathrooms, hammocks, and a sunken tub in its private porch.
One of the most outstanding features of La Selva is the spa and wellness area. The spa treatments are designed to revitalize you and make you feel connected with the peaceful surroundings.
Activities like kayaking, night excursions, and hikes to the many trails are specially designed to observe flora and fauna endemic to the Ecuadorian Amazon rainforest.
Sacha Lodge
Sacha Lodge was carefully designed to not only offer comfort to its guests but also to become one with the landscape of Ecuador’s Amazon rainforest. Staying here is like becoming one with nature, you will hear monkeys chattering outside of your room, catch a giant sloth hanging out on trees next to your cabin, and observe otters dive and call each other while you eat breakfast by the lagoon.
Each of the 26 rooms in this lodge feature floor to ceiling windows, immersive jungle showers and a private balcony with hammocks for you to relax during your stay. Additionally, you can relax and have a cocktail or wine in the bamboo bar located just above the restaurant.
This lodge offers one of the best experiences in the Amazon rainforest, a 36-meter high canopy walk (94 feet) that provides an outstanding opportunity to observe the rainforest from high over the treetops and spot dozens of animals.
This lodge is not only about comfort and peaceful surroundings, but Sacha also focuses its efforts on creating meaningful ties with the communities of the area by offering its guests immersive experiences and programs that include members of the community.
La Casa del Suizo
La Casa del Suizo is the perfect option for those who are not looking forward to getting deep into the wild. It is located only 20 minutes away from one of the Ecuadorian Amazons largest towns.
The hotel features 77 rooms with hammocks and their own terrace. On your free time, you can enjoy the refreshing swimming pool located in front of the river and indulge yourself with some of signature cocktails or wine at the bar by the pool.
Even though is not really far away from populated areas you can enjoy plenty of outdoor activities designed for individual passengers and families: trekking in the incredible primary forest and getting on the cable car to cross a short distance in the middle of the forest, tubing and kayaking in the Napo River, swinging from treetops at the canopy adventure park or enjoying the living exhibition of local butterflies and visiting the rescue sanctuary for Amazon wildlife to get closer views of an ocelot or a tapir.
Anakonda River Cruise
The Anakonda River Cruise is the definition of luxury in the wilderness. Navigate into the fascinating Amazon rainforest during 4, 5 or 8 days onboard one of the most luxurious navigational experience in the amazon.
While onboard the Anakonda luxury amazon cruise you can spend time at the bar or sunbathing under the Amazonian sun on the upper deck of the cruise or simply enjoy your favorite cocktail while in the jacuzzi, surrounded by the characteristic lush vegetation of the Ecuadorian Amazon rainforest.
This amazon cruise features 14 standard suites with balconies, and for the most demanding travelers, there are four suites with their jacuzzi and private balconies, offering the ultimate luxury experience.
During your cruise all kind of activities are included, hikes in the middle of the rainforest accompanied by an indigenous guide, kayaking, swimming in the river, observing pink dolphins, immersing yourself with the Secoya and Kichwa community, go glamping or simply take cooking lessons from a native chef using local ingredients.
Although all these properties offer wonderful experiences and unique luxurious accommodations, the real luxury is to be able to be in touch with wilderness and communities that have been living in the Ecuadorian Amazon for thousands of years.
Carlos Beate is the Commercial Manager at Andando Tours. Andando Tours offers exclusive traveling experiences, specializing in sailing around the Galapagos Islands and overland along the magnificent Avenue of Volcanoes on the Ecuadorian Andes.If you would like to be a guest blogger on A Luxury Travel Blog in order to raise your profile, please contact us.
Carlos Beate is the Commercial Manager at Andando Tours. Andando Tours offers exclusive traveling experiences, specializing in sailing around the Galapagos Islands and overland along the magnificent Avenue of Volcanoes on the Ecuadorian Andes. With over 40 years of experience, we blend family traditions with unique expertise and knowledge to create those special once in a lifetime moments. An excellent and sustainable operation is for us the most important aspect of our business; our travel programs are designed to let all travelers enjoy Ecuador´s indescribable natural treasures while adapting each trip to match the needs and wishes of every client.
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10 Comments
I never knew that Ecuador had such a thriving tourism industry though now that I think about it people at the top of the market will always want to stay in luxurious accommodation.
Thanks for your comment! -Ecuador’s mainland is one of the hidden jewels on South America, there is so much to see and many places to stay.
You got me at the word “hammocks”. I get over excited at the thought of gently swaying in a hammock. Cocktail in hand listening to the exotic sounds of the Amazon. Can it get any better than that?
May be spotting some monkeys swinging by could top that experience.
I don’t think you can beat these places for authentic, full-on nature and rainforest experiences. I love that the Napo Wildlife centre offers excursions every day, it doesn’t sound like you could ever get bored during your trip. Is there never any flooding there, what with the cabins being on the banks of the lagoon? Then again, the same goes for a lot of these properties, but it sounds incredible to be able to stay somewhere like Sacha Lodge surrounded by tranquility, going to sleep listening to monkey lullabies!
Definitely this properties offer a unique immersive experience with the communities and nature. Everything was designed according to the weather conditions and to prevent any unexpected calamities due to heavy rain so there is nothing to worry about.
I stayed at the Sacha lodge back in 1995 when tourism in the Amazon was almost non existent. I still remember how we were swimming in the lagoon where the piranha’s were swimming freely. Also, back then the accomodation was much more basic, but the bar was already as amazing as it is today. Would really like to go back one day with my kids, when they are a little bit older as I hope they’ll have as many fond memories about it afterwards as I have right now.
Thanks for sharing your experience! -You definitely had a privileged experience, to be in the Ecuadorian amazon at that time must have been amazing.
Hopefully you will come back with your family and swim in the lagoon!
I’ve heard so much lately and read a lot about staying in rain forests. I get the impression that rain forest resorts are going to be one of the travel trends of this new decade.
From what I’ve heard, throughout the world, most of the architects respect the integrity of the environment and go out of their way to work with the local topography.
Most people are coming to understand that immersing yourself in the forest gives you the best chance of getting to see and know it. Much of the wildlife is quite furtive as there are life and death food chain battles going on out there everyday beneath the tree canopy. It’s best to be patient and to wait for the sudden glimpses of the wildlife.
That Sacha Lodge all lit up at night looks so pretty. I’ve never stayed anywhere like the Amazon rainforest before but it looks pretty magical and so peaceful. There are some surprisingly well kitted out properties here not just catering to the basics but providing a touch of luxury too and of course a great location from which to appreciate the landscape. Good to know you can either be totally ‘out in the sticks’ so to speak or choose somewhere a little closer to amenities and populated areas, depending on what you feel more comfortable with.
This lodge belongs to the Kichwa Añangu community. During your stay, you will have the opportunity to engage with their culture and ancestral traditions through different activities that involve the community. During your trip, you will enjoy daily excursions to the rainforest accompanied by your indigenous guide, kayaking, canoe excursions, where you will observe otters, caimans, and many others. Birding tours are also part of this unique experience.
Napo Wildlife Center features 20 cabins located on the banks of the lagoon; each room has beautiful views of the rainforest. The lodge also boasts an observation platform, meeting room, bar, restaurant and lounge areas with breathtaking views of the Añangu Lake.
La Selva Lodge
This beautiful lodge is located on the border of the Yasuni National Park, just 60 miles away from the town of Coca. The spectacular location allows for stunning views of the rainforest and Gazarcocha lagoon. La Selva features a native decoration in its 19 spacious suites, three of the suites have unique views to the Lake Gazarcocha. Family suites include spacious bathrooms, hammocks, and a sunken tub in its private porch.
This lodge belongs to the Kichwa Añangu community. During your stay, you will have the opportunity to engage with their culture and ancestral traditions through different activities that involve the community. During your trip, you will enjoy daily excursions to the rainforest accompanied by your indigenous guide, kayaking, canoe excursions, where you will observe otters, caimans, and many others. Birding tours are also part of this unique experience.
Napo Wildlife Center features 20 cabins located on the banks of the lagoon; each room has beautiful views of the rainforest. The lodge also boasts an observation platform, meeting room, bar, restaurant and lounge areas with breathtaking views of the Añangu Lake.
La Selva Lodge
This beautiful lodge is located on the border of the Yasuni National Park, just 60 miles away from the town of Coca. The spectacular location allows for stunning views of the rainforest and Gazarcocha lagoon. La Selva features a native decoration in its 19 spacious suites, three of the suites have unique views to the Lake Gazarcocha. Family suites include spacious bathrooms, hammocks, and a sunken tub in its private porch.
One of the most outstanding features of La Selva is the spa and wellness area. The spa treatments are designed to revitalize you and make you feel connected with the peaceful surroundings.
Activities like kayaking, night excursions, and hikes to the many trails are specially designed to observe flora and fauna endemic to the Ecuadorian Amazon rainforest.
Sacha Lodge
Sacha Lodge was carefully designed to not only offer comfort to its guests but also to become one with the landscape of Ecuador’s Amazon rainforest. Staying here is like becoming one with nature, you will hear monkeys chattering outside of your room, catch a giant sloth hanging out on trees next to your cabin, and observe otters dive and call each other while you eat breakfast by the lagoon.
Each of the 26 rooms in this lodge feature floor to ceiling windows, immersive jungle showers and a private balcony with hammocks for you to relax during your stay. Additionally, you can relax and have a cocktail or wine in the bamboo bar located just above the restaurant.
This lodge offers one of the best experiences in the Amazon rainforest, a 36-meter high canopy walk (94 feet) that provides an outstanding opportunity to observe the rainforest from high over the treetops and spot dozens of animals.
This lodge is not only about comfort and peaceful surroundings, but Sacha also focuses its efforts on creating meaningful ties with the communities of the area by offering its guests immersive experiences and programs that include members of the community.
La Casa del Suizo
La Casa del Suizo is the perfect option for those who are not looking forward to getting deep into the wild. It is located only 20 minutes away from one of the Ecuadorian Amazons largest towns.
The hotel features 77 rooms with hammocks and their own terrace. On your free time, you can enjoy the refreshing swimming pool located in front of the river and indulge yourself with some of signature cocktails or wine at the bar by the pool.
Even though is not really far away from populated areas you can enjoy plenty of outdoor activities designed for individual passengers and families: trekking in the incredible primary forest and getting on the cable car to cross a short distance in the middle of the forest, tubing and kayaking in the Napo River, swinging from treetops at the canopy adventure park or enjoying the living exhibition of local butterflies and visiting the rescue sanctuary for Amazon wildlife to get closer views of an ocelot or a tapir.
Anakonda River Cruise
The Anakonda River Cruise is the definition of luxury in the wilderness. Navigate into the fascinating Amazon rainforest during 4, 5 or 8 days onboard one of the most luxurious navigational experience in the amazon.
While onboard the Anakonda luxury amazon cruise you can spend time at the bar or sunbathing under the Amazonian sun on the upper deck of the cruise or simply enjoy your favorite cocktail while in the jacuzzi, surrounded by the characteristic lush vegetation of the Ecuadorian Amazon rainforest.
This amazon cruise features 14 standard suites with balconies, and for the most demanding travelers, there are four suites with their jacuzzi and private balconies, offering the ultimate luxury experience.
During your cruise all kind of activities are included, hikes in the middle of the rainforest accompanied by an indigenous guide, kayaking, swimming in the river, observing pink dolphins, immersing yourself with the Secoya and Kichwa community, go glamping or simply take cooking lessons from a native chef using local ingredients.
Although all these properties offer wonderful experiences and unique luxurious accommodations, the real luxury is to be able to be in touch with wilderness and communities that have been living in the Ecuadorian Amazon for thousands of years.
Carlos Beate is the Commercial Manager at Andando Tours. Andando Tours offers exclusive traveling experiences, specializing in sailing around the Galapagos Islands and overland along the magnificent Avenue of Volcanoes on the Ecuadorian Andes.
If you would like to be a guest blogger on A Luxury Travel Blog in order to raise your profile, please contact us.
I never knew that Ecuador had such a thriving tourism industry though now that I think about it people at the top of the market will always want to stay in luxurious accommodation.
Dear Lesley,
Thanks for your comment! -Ecuador’s mainland is one of the hidden jewels on South America, there is so much to see and many places to stay.
You got me at the word “hammocks”. I get over excited at the thought of gently swaying in a hammock. Cocktail in hand listening to the exotic sounds of the Amazon. Can it get any better than that?
May be spotting some monkeys swinging by could top that experience.
I don’t think you can beat these places for authentic, full-on nature and rainforest experiences. I love that the Napo Wildlife centre offers excursions every day, it doesn’t sound like you could ever get bored during your trip. Is there never any flooding there, what with the cabins being on the banks of the lagoon? Then again, the same goes for a lot of these properties, but it sounds incredible to be able to stay somewhere like Sacha Lodge surrounded by tranquility, going to sleep listening to monkey lullabies!
Definitely this properties offer a unique immersive experience with the communities and nature. Everything was designed according to the weather conditions and to prevent any unexpected calamities due to heavy rain so there is nothing to worry about.
I stayed at the Sacha lodge back in 1995 when tourism in the Amazon was almost non existent. I still remember how we were swimming in the lagoon where the piranha’s were swimming freely. Also, back then the accomodation was much more basic, but the bar was already as amazing as it is today. Would really like to go back one day with my kids, when they are a little bit older as I hope they’ll have as many fond memories about it afterwards as I have right now.
Dear Kristof,
Thanks for sharing your experience! -You definitely had a privileged experience, to be in the Ecuadorian amazon at that time must have been amazing.
Hopefully you will come back with your family and swim in the lagoon!
I’ve heard so much lately and read a lot about staying in rain forests. I get the impression that rain forest resorts are going to be one of the travel trends of this new decade.
From what I’ve heard, throughout the world, most of the architects respect the integrity of the environment and go out of their way to work with the local topography.
Most people are coming to understand that immersing yourself in the forest gives you the best chance of getting to see and know it. Much of the wildlife is quite furtive as there are life and death food chain battles going on out there everyday beneath the tree canopy. It’s best to be patient and to wait for the sudden glimpses of the wildlife.
That Sacha Lodge all lit up at night looks so pretty. I’ve never stayed anywhere like the Amazon rainforest before but it looks pretty magical and so peaceful. There are some surprisingly well kitted out properties here not just catering to the basics but providing a touch of luxury too and of course a great location from which to appreciate the landscape. Good to know you can either be totally ‘out in the sticks’ so to speak or choose somewhere a little closer to amenities and populated areas, depending on what you feel more comfortable with.