List of The Best Amazon Eco-lodges In Colombia
Editeur
Update
You are planning an Amazon experience; you don’t know how to choose your eco-lodge?
To me, it’s about striking a balance between your sense of adventure and your comfort expectations—I spent a month in the Colombian Amazon.
The farther you venture from the city, the more authentic your stay will be—how to choose the right adventure from Leticia.
Edit 05/2024: We completely revised this article.
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THE BEST ECO-LODGES IN THE AMAZON, COLOMBIA
To quickly and easily decide where to stay in the Amazon.
Best ecolodge
TPMT note: 9.5/10
AXEL’S ECOLODGE
Where: Brazil (3h)
Price: $$$
Service: 5/5
Comfort: 4/5
A paradise lost in the heart of the Amazon rainforest.
I love Axel’s eco-lodge for its location in the heart of the lush jungle, perfect for experiencing the true Amazonian adventure. There are several accommodation options tailored to your comfort preferences. The daily package includes everything as well as the activities of your choice. The team is fantastic, and you benefit from the extensive experience of local guides.
+ Upon arrival in Leticia, you are taken care of and accompanied by a local guide throughout your adventure.
+ You are free to choose from over 30 activities (fishing, night safaris, camping, bird watching, etc.).
+ If you’re traveling solo, the eco-lodge offers a very interesting hammock option.
+ Caipirinhas are complimentary.
– It takes 3 hours by boat from Leticia to get there, 5 hours during the low water season.
– Apart from the two solid cabins that have electricity throughout the night, the facilities and rooms are basic but functional.
- Arriving at Axel’s eco-lodge is an adventure in itself, I recommend staying there for at least 4 nights.
- If you are looking for comfort above all, Calanoa Jungle Lodge could be another option. However, be aware that you will lose that delightful sense of adventure in the heart of the jungle, and it will cost you more.
© Ecolodge de Axel
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High-end
TPMT note: 9/10
CALANOA JUNGLE LODGE
Where: Mocagua (1h30)
Price: $$$$
Service: 5/5
Comfort: 5/5
A luxurious and eco-friendly oasis in the Amazon.
Imagine waking up on the banks of the Amazon River to the sounds of nature in an elegant and comfortable cabin built with traditional materials and perched high in a tree. Here you are at Calanoa Jungle Lodge, a luxurious eco-lodge actively committed to forest conservation and education within the Mocagua community.
+ Each cabin has a private bathroom and a terrace with stunning views of the river. Perched in trees or on stilts, some can accommodate up to 6 people.
+ Calanoa Jungle Lodge is a paradise for activities (fishing, bird watching, monkey spotting, etc.), but you can only choose 2 per night packages; the others are extra.
+ The cuisine, which blends Amazonian and Peruvian flavors, is simply delicious.
+ Close to the very pleasant Mocagua community.
– Although comfortable, the ecolodge is expensive compared to other options of similar quality, and transportation is not included in the price.
– The eco-lodge is between Puerto Nariño and Leticia, so you don’t feel alone in the world, which makes an Amazon experience so charming.
- Don’t miss visiting the small Mocagua museum, where you’ll learn a lot about indigenous life and hunting and fishing practices.
- If you’re looking for adventure, Axel’s Ecolodge, with its magical surroundings, is another great option.
© Tomplanmytrip
On the water
TPMT note: 8.5/10
ZACAMBU RAINFOREST LODGE
Where: Peru (2h)
Price: $$$
Service: 4/5
Comfort: 4.5/5
A haven of peace on stilts in the Amazon.
Environmentally friendly, Zacambu Rainforest Lodge is a peaceful retreat that floats on the water during the high-water season. Walkways connect the comfortable cabins that have either private or shared bathrooms. After your day of exploration, hammocks under the palm-thatched roof of a maloka, a traditional communal house, allow you to rest while admiring the river.
+ The ecolodge provides a free shuttle from Leticia Airport.
+ The local guides are a wealth of knowledge and will offer you various activities (fishing, wildlife watching, night explorations, etc.).
+ On the restaurant terrace with a view of the river, you can enjoy delicious dishes inspired by local and Peruvian cuisine.
– During the high-water season, the eco-lodge is completely isolated in the middle of the flooded forest, making walking excursions impossible. Conversely, during the low-water season, access to the lodge takes longer.
– The local guides mainly speak only Spanish.
- Axel’s Ecolodge is a good alternative if you come outside the high-water season or if you don’t speak any Spanish.
© andresfnaranjof
Near
TPMT note: 8.5/10
ECOLODGE OF MARASHA
Where: Peru (45 min)
Price: $$$
Service: 4.5/5
Comfort: 4/5
An eco-lodge resting on a lake in the heart of the Amazon rainforest.
It’s nice to wake up to the sounds of the jungle surrounding the peaceful lake on which Marasha Ecolodge seems to float. Walkways connect the wooden buildings with palm-thatched roofs, and docks allow you to explore the lake by kayak or boat. The dormitory rooms are simple but comfortable enough.
+ You can choose your activities (fishing, night outings, bird watching, etc.), and you will be accompanied by a guide from Puerto Alegria who knows all the secrets of the jungle.
+ Fresh water and coffee are available to you all day, and you’ll share good meals served buffet-style on large tables.
+ Take the time to swing in one of the many hammocks and enjoy the view of the lake.
– Marasha is great but perhaps a bit too well-known. The eco-lodge is popular with groups, which can sometimes be a bit noisy. Some visitors come just for the day from Leticia.
– There is no internet or phone, so it’s best to book your stay through an agency in Leticia and organize your transport.
- Only the green public boat company can take you directly to the entrance of Marasha, where you will take another boat to reach the ecolodge.
- Don’t miss the Hoatzin birds settling on the lake at dusk. Ask your guide to tell you the legend of the birth of the Amazon River at the foot of a majestic Ceiba, an iconic tree.
- If you want more tranquility, choose a more intimate eco-lodge like Axel’s Ecolodge.
© Tomplanmytrip
Native culture
TPMT note: 8/10
YOI ECOLODGE
Where: San Martin (3h)
Price: $$$
Service: 4/5
Comfort: 3.5/5
A peaceful lodge with the Ticuna Indians of the Amazon.
The charm of Yoi Ecolodge on the banks of the Amacayacu River lies in its accommodation, which, though simple, is clean and functional. Its location near the remote community of San Martin offers an extraordinary opportunity to discover local customs and benefit from the knowledge of Ticuna guides.
+ Some cabins are spacious enough to accommodate families or groups.
+ You can choose from several activities included in the daily package (treks in Amacayacu National Park, village visits, etc.).
+ The staff is always ready to help, and the cuisine is simple but delicious, prepared with fresh local ingredients.
– It will take you 3 hours from Leticia to get there (public boat + private boat). During the low-water season, you will have to finish the travel on foot.
– The facilities might seem a bit basic to you.
- If the 3-hour boat ride worries you, Marasha Ecolodge is only 1 hour by boat from Leticia.
- If you are traveling alone, Axel’s Ecolodge offers an attractive package in a magical setting.
© Yoi Ecolodge
List of The Best Amazon Eco-lodges In Colombia
Now that you know my favorite eco-lodges in the Amazon, I’ll share some additional criteria specific to this dream region. I’ve identified these during my various stays, and trust me, you’ll need to consider them to make the right choice.
TOM’S ADVICE
Once you’ve chosen your eco-lodge in the Amazon, don’t forget to read our tips to help you prepare for your treks and excursions for an unforgettable Amazonian adventure. And if you have the time, explore Leticia and Puerto Nariño, the two main cities in the Amazon.
Leticia: the Amazon from a jungle ecolodge, dormitory option 5d
Immerse yourself for a few days in the atmosphere that reigns in the lung of humanity.
View this tourThe location of your ecolodge
The more remote your eco-lodge is in the jungle, the more you’ll feel that delightful thrill of adventure, and your chances of spotting wildlife will increase. However, reaching your ecolodge can be quite an adventure, especially during the low-water season when shortcuts through the forest are impossible to navigate by boat.
The most remote lodges are Axel’s Ecolodge and Yoi Ecolodge, both 3 hours by boat from Leticia. Marasha Ecolodge and Calanoa Jungle Lodge are the most accessible, taking 1 to 1.5 hours from Leticia. Zacambu Rainforest Lodge is 2 hours away, but the travel will lengthen considerably during the low-water season.
How many nights in your Amazonian ecolodge
You get it. Traveling to your eco-lodge is part of your adventure, so make the most of it. I recommend staying at least four nights, so you’ll have plenty of time to alternate between treks and more relaxed experiences and to organize yourself according to the whims of the weather.
Choose your experiences
Although most lodges in the Colombian Amazon offer similar activities, they each have a specialty.
Axel’s Ecolodge proposes you explore the flooded forest by kayak, go fishing (peacock bass), birdwatching (harpy eagle), and engage in some physically demanding treks.
Marasha Ecolodge is the perfect place to admire giant lotus flowers by moonlight and spot caimans in the dark.
Due to their proximity to Indigenous villages, Calanoa Jungle Lodge and Yoi Ecolodge offer a fascinating glimpse into the Amazon’s cultural mosaic.
Zacambu Rainforest Lodge only offers boat activities during the high-water season.
Leticia: the Amazon from a jungle ecolodge, comfort option 5d
Stay in the world's largest forest and discover its wonders and diversity.
View this tourWhen to visit the Amazon
When preparing for your adventure, take the time to understand the high-water (November to June) and low-water (July to October) cycles of the Amazon. As you have seen, this will impact travel times and available activities, influencing your choice of ecolodge.
It’s also advisable to book in advance if you plan to visit the Amazon in January, during Easter, in July, or in August (high season).
What’s included in your stay
I recommend finding out in detail what is included in the price. Additional costs for experiences can quickly increase the daily cost of your Amazonian adventure.
All the ecolodges I have selected for you include meals, local guides, and activities, but they differ on the following points:
- Calanoa Jungle Lodge and Marasha Ecolodge do not include transportation from Leticia.
- Calanoa Jungle Lodge limits activities to two per reserved night, with others available at an additional cost.
- Axel’s Ecolodge is the only place that provides a translator.
Small or large ecolodge
The larger its capacity, the noisier an ecolodge is likely to be. I recommend choosing one that is not too large if you want to immerse yourself in the sounds of the jungle and admire stunning sunrises and sunsets from a platform without being disturbed.
The ecolodges that can accommodate groups are Marasha Ecolodge, Yoi Ecolodge, and Zacambu Rainforest Lodge.
The cost is high for solo travelers
I won’t lie to you, an Amazonian adventure is not budget-friendly for a backpacker. Axel’s Ecolodge offers the most advantageous package for solo travelers who are willing to sleep in a hammock under a maloka (minimum 3 nights, transport not included). Rest assured, it’s comfortable, and there are mosquito nets.
Do nature and comfort go well together?
The level of “comfort” varies from one ecolodge to another. It ranges from a hammock to a solid cabin with a private bathroom, including dormitory options.
Most lodges in the Amazon do not have internet or continuous electricity, with a few exceptions, such as the Premium cabins at Axel’s Ecolodge, which have 24-hour electricity. Forget about air conditioning as well; ceiling fans are effective.
Meals are generally simple but homemade and prepared with fresh local ingredients.
Depending on your accommodation choice, Calanoa Jungle Lodge offers the most comfort, followed by Axel’s Ecolodge.
FAQ: Amazon Lodges
Answers to the questions you might have when choosing your eco-lodge in the Amazon.
Marasha Ecolodge (1 hour from Leticia) and Calanoa Jungle Lodge (1.5 hours from Leticia) are the most accessible.
Calanoa Jungle Lodge offers the most comfort, followed by Axel’s Ecolodge, depending on the accommodation option you choose.
Axel’s Ecolodge is undoubtedly the most interesting if you are traveling alone, thanks to its affordable dormitory or hammock options, while still providing sufficient comfort.
In my opinion, Axel’s Ecolodge wonderfully combines immersion in the heart of the jungle with unique and personalized experiences without neglecting comfort and guidance.
Favorite experiences in the Colombian Amazon
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Leticia: the Amazon from a jungle ecolodge, dormitory option 4d
Colombia
4 Days
1 place
Immerse yourself for a few days in the atmosphere that reigns in the lung of humanity.
View this tour
Leticia: the Amazon from a jungle ecolodge, comfort option 4d
Colombia
4 Days
1 place
Stay in the world's largest forest and discover its wonders and diversity.
View this tour
Leticia: the Amazon from a jungle ecolodge, dormitory option 5d
Colombia
5 Days
1 place
Immerse yourself for a few days in the atmosphere that reigns in the lung of humanity.
View this tour
Leticia: the Amazon from a jungle ecolodge, comfort option 5d
Colombia
5 Days
1 place
Stay in the world's largest forest and discover its wonders and diversity.
View this tour
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