Ecuador has one of the richest rainforest areas in the Amazon Basin. There are some excellent jungle lodges in Ecuador. From these, you can experience Amazonia and see iconic wildlife. Spot toucans, macaw parrots, many different monkeys and much more.
In Ecuador, the jungle gateway town to experience the rainforest is called El Coca. We will present our guide to the top jungle lodges from Coca. And we will mention the lodges to make sure you get the best experience of this incredible ecosystem.
But first, let's start with an introduction to El Coca itself.
The Amazon Gateway of Coca, Ecuador
El Coca is a small jungle town in the Amazon Rainforest of Ecuador.
This is also the gateway for Amazon lodges in Ecuador. The town is most often reached by visitors on a short 40 minute connecting flight from Quito.
Although known as Coca, the port’s official name is Puerto Francisco de Orellana. And it's named after the famous Spanish explorer and conquistador.
El Coca is positioned at the meeting point of the Coca and Napo River in the rainforest of eastern Ecuador.
This is where the Amazon River forms to begin its journey across South America to the Atlantic Ocean. The river feeds the world's largest container of wildlife, the Amazon Rainforest. Impressively, this rainforest covers 40% of the continent.
There are some excellent jungle lodges from Coca to experience the wildlife-rich region. Enjoy comfortable accommodation and incredible wildlife tours. Your guide will help you explore the rainforest to find many monkeys, colorful birds and more. Note that for more ideas, you can see this guide to Amazon tours in Ecuador or focus on Ecuador Amazon cruises.
So let's get started with The Top 5 Jungle Lodges in Ecuador.
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The Sacha Lodge
Nestled in a private rainforest reserve, the Sacha Lodge is an incredible place to visit. A main attraction is the incredible canopy walkway. This reaches 940 feet (275 meters) through the rainforest. And it stands 94 feet (30 meters) above the forest floor.
The Sacha Lodge was carefully designed to blend with the surrounding rainforest. To keep you connected to the rainforest, all the rooms are nestled between the trees. See the video below for a short introduction.
View The Sacha Lodge video
El Coca, Ecuador
There are 26 rooms in total. And these include single, double and triple accommodation (upon request). The rooms feature a private bathroom with hot shower and flushing toilet. All accommodations are screened from insects to keep you comfortable on your stay. As we’re deep in the rainforest, visitors even report seeing animals from the lodge.
See toucans, agoutis and monkeys right from your cabin. Other rooms at the lodge include a main bar and lounge area. This overlooks the beautiful Pilchicocha Lake. And this is also a fantastic place to see beautiful and fascinating birds. In the dining area, you will enjoy delicious food served as three buffets each day. And on at least one evening, you will enjoy a barbecue on the outdoor dining area.
You can then enjoy a variety of cocktails, liquors, wine and beer from the bar to relax of an evening. From the fantastic base of the Sacha Lodge, enjoy fascinating rainforest tours. Explore the Amazon to find many different birds, mammals, reptiles, plants and amphibians.
The birds are especially interesting. So far, 587 species have been spotted from the lodge. This represents 37% of Ecuador’s bird species. As well as the birds, enjoy spotting other animals. See several different monkeys, fascinating reptiles and caiman crocodiles on night tours. You will then find many other animals and plants of the Amazon Rainforest.
4, 5 days+The Sacha Lodge
El Coca, EcuadorLocated in a 5000 acre private ecological reserve, Sacha Lodge provides a safe and comfortable base for you and your family to enjoy the Ecuadorian Am...
- Luxury Lodge, Canopy Walkway
From $ 1,690
/ person -
La Selva Lodge
View La Selva Eco-Lodge & Retreat video
El Coca, Ecuador
This is one of the most comfortable Amazon Rainforest lodges in Ecuador. And it's one of the top luxury Amazon Rainforest tours. La Selva Lodge provides a fantastic base to explore the surrounding rainforest.
You will enjoy guided tours through the rainforest. See giant trees, several different monkeys and colorful birds. You can find an incredible diversity of rainforest plants and animals. The many trails around La Selva Lodge have been carefully positioned. And they show off the most wildlife-rich sections. Walk past giant kapoks, fascinating strangler figs and beautiful lakes.
With your guide, you can canoe wildlife-rich lakes. And you can climb a tall canopy tower to watch toucans and parrots flying over the forest. You can also visit the Yasuni clay lick to spot parakeets feeding on salt-rich clay.
Back at the lodge itself, enjoy delicious cuisine in the dining room. This offer beautiful views of the rainforest and lake. Your comfortable suite provides king-size beds and luxurious linen. The suites offer private bathrooms, balconies and rainforest showers.
You can also enjoy the La Selva Lodge spa. Choose from a range of massages and treatments to relax in the rainforest. La Selva Lodge is committed to sustainable tourism and is Rainforest Alliance verified.
4, 5 days+La Selva Lodge
El Coca, EcuadorLa Selva Lodge is an award-winning Amazon Rainforest lodge in the Ecuadorian jungle and is regarded as the premier eco-lodge in the Ecuadorian Amazon....
- Luxury Lodge, Canopy Tower
From $ 1,570
/ person -
The Napo Wildlife Center
This is another favorite lodge. The Napo Wildlife Center offers a high level of comfort. And it is positioned on the Napo River providing fantastic tours of the Yasuni region. Enjoy the main hall with wildlife books in the small library, the full-stocked bar, and a restaurant serving delicious meals.
There is also a 20 foot high observation tower for 360-degree views of the surrounding rainforest and nearby lake. The tower is perfectly positioned for ease of access and you can see toucans and colorful parrots flying high over the rainforest from the comfort of the lodge itself. You will also enjoy very comfortable suites with 24/7 electricity provided by solar panels, ceiling fans, private bathrooms with hot water, and a private balcony with views of the lake and rainforest.
The Napo Wildlife Center provides a fantastic base to explore the Yasuni National Park. With your naturalist guide, head into the rainforest to see many different animals and plants.
You will visit the Yasuni clay lick to see different colorful parakeets, learn about the Kichwa Añangu community who are your hosts at the lodge, enjoy guided walks around the different trails, and canoe the black waters of the Añangucocha lagoon to see different animals.
Napo Wildlife Center
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The Sani Lodge
Positioned in a private reserve of the Ecuadorian Amazon, Sani Lodge sits in 40,000 hectares (100,000 acres) of untouched rainforest near the Napo River. The lodge is owned and managed by the Sani Isla community who will be your hosts in this incredible area of Amazonia. Over 550 different birds have been seen from the Sani bird list. You will start spotting the wildlife as you begin your journey from Coca and up the waterways to the lodge.
Enjoy guided walks through the rainforest to find several different monkeys, interesting birds, rainforest flowers, and the black caiman on night adventures. You will also climb the 36 meter (108 ft.) high Sani Lodge canopy tower to look over the rainforest, which is a great place to spot parrots, toucans, hummingbirds, and colorful tanagers. The lodge itself accommodates 38 guests housed in ten private cabanas with private bathrooms. Each offers a personal experience of the Amazon Rainforest with a traditional design.
Meals at Sani Lodge are served in the open-air dining room, which provides great views over a beautiful lake. Of an evening, enjoy a drink at the bar while enjoying the rainforest sounds. This is the best place at the lodge to spot different birds and binoculars are available at the bar to see different species. In addition to the interesting wildlife walks around the lodge, you will enjoy kayaking, community visits, and test your hand at a traditional blowgun used by the Kichwa people.
Sani Lodge
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Yachana Lodge
An eco-lodge and community focused experience, the Yachana Lodge is a great lodge to learn how local people in the Amazon live their day-to-day lives. Enjoy comfortable cabins to explore the region with guides from the local community. The environmentally conscious construction of the cabins provide great views of the rainforest and river.
You can enjoy guided walks to see medicinal plants, trees, vines, and flowers and your local guide will provide information on different flora and fauna. Although you will visit both primary and secondary forest where you will see different animals and many different birds, the focus of this experience is more on the culture of the local communities. In addition to a birding tour, visit a traditional healer, see the Yachana Foundation Training Center, tour a local farm, take a cooking class and see how to make chocolate from locally grown cacao beans to see the economic benefits of this favorite food.
Ash
Tour Advisor at TourTheTropics.comAsh Card is a frequent visitor to the Tropics and has a passion for helping visitors get the best experiences from tropical locations. Ash is a contributor and tour advisor at TourTheTropics.com. Feel free to contact Ash for tour help in the tropics. When not helping tourists with tours and info, Ash can be found traveling, on wildlife tours or salsa dancing. Ash has completed a BSc in Biology, a Master’s degree in Zoology, and has undertaken a research scholarship at a world-class university on animal behavior. He has published scientific research in the Australian Journal of Zoology and the Journal of Behavioral Ecology. His goal is to help a global society live in balance with the natural world.