Trips to La Selva Lodge begin in Quito, where shuttle transfers take guests to the airport for a short flight to Coca. From there, a covered motorized canoe travels along the Napo River to the lodge’s private dock. After a brief walk to a nearby stream, guests board paddle canoes for the final stretch of the journey, gliding quietly until the waterway opens into Garzacocha Lagoon. Nestled along the tranquil lakeshore, La Selva Lodge blends naturally into its rainforest surroundings.
Observation Tower
The Observation Tower at La Selva Lodge offers an exceptional way to admire the Ecuadorian Amazon from above the canopy. Rising 125 feet high, the platform provides sweeping views across the rainforest and an unforgettable perspective of the many bird species that inhabit the treetops. Early mornings are especially rewarding, as the canopy becomes active with birds perched high among the branches before taking flight in search of food. Guides enthusiastically help guests identify colorful species of every size, often using clock-position references to locate them in the trees.
Yasuni Clay Licks
One of the few excursions beyond La Selva Lodge’s immediate reserve is a short motorized canoe ride to the Yasuni Clay Lick. Rich in minerals and salt, the clay attracts large numbers of parrots, parakeets, and macaws in the early morning hours before the heat of the day arrives. Among the many species found here are the military macaw, golden-plumed parakeet, scaly-naped parrot, and cobalt-winged parakeet. Watching hundreds of birds gather around the lick is a remarkable wildlife experience that often leaves visitors reaching for their cameras in amazement.
Night Hikes and Canoe Rides
La Selva’s expert guides are skilled at locating elusive rainforest creatures both by day and under the stars at night. Quiet canoe rides along narrow creeks and the shores of Garzacocha Lagoon reveal caimans, often first noticed only by the red glow of their eyes above the dark water. Once found, guides carefully approach so guests can observe these ancient-looking reptiles more closely by flashlight. On land, guided night walks introduce visitors to the hidden life of the jungle, including brightly colored frogs, tarantulas, snakes, and many other fascinating nocturnal species.
Kichwa Community Visit
The nearby Kichwa communities welcome visitors to learn about their traditions and daily life in the Amazon. Living closely connected to the natural resources of the rainforest, community members preserve customs that have been passed down for generations. Guests may discover traditional cuisine, handmade crafts, and a lifestyle that remains deeply rooted in nature. These visits create meaningful cultural exchanges, highlighting both the uniqueness of Amazon life and the shared connection people around the world have with the natural environment.
Your Amazon adventure begins when you leave your hotel and head to Quito’s airport for a short flight to Coca. Upon arrival, you meet your guide and board a motorized canoe for a two-hour journey along the Napo River, passing riverside communities and local boats traveling these Amazon waterways.
At La Selva’s private dock, the journey continues with a short walk to an inland creek, where paddle canoes take you through a narrow channel that eventually opens onto Garzacocha Lagoon. On the peaceful lakeshore, La Selva Lodge blends beautifully into the surrounding rainforest.
After settling into your room, you will be introduced to the lodge and have time to explore the nearby jungle before enjoying dinner and your first night in the Amazon.
Early mornings are ideal in the rainforest. After breakfast, you visit La Selva’s Observation Tower, rising approximately 120 feet above the forest floor. From the platform, sweeping views of the canopy stretch into the distance while colorful birds move through the treetops.
More than 600 bird species inhabit this region, creating exceptional opportunities for wildlife observation. After returning to the lodge for lunch, the afternoon continues with a guided walk along the Charapa Trail, where monkeys may be seen in the canopy and capybaras on the forest floor.
Later in the evening, a night canoe excursion offers the chance to search for caimans beneath the star-filled Amazon sky.
Today begins with a short excursion to the Yasuni Clay Licks, where many of the rainforest’s parrot species gather in the early morning. Rich in minerals and salt, the clay attracts birds from across the surrounding jungle.
Guests may observe scarlet macaws, cobalt-winged parakeets, orange-winged parrots, and many other species as they feed, fly, and gather around the cliffs in a vibrant display of color and movement.
After an early breakfast and a warm farewell to the staff at La Selva Lodge, you begin the return journey to Coca and onward to Quito. Traveling back along the Napo River, you pass local communities, forest-lined waterways, and the landscapes that made your Amazon stay unforgettable.
The experience leaves lasting memories of the lodge’s hospitality and the extraordinary biodiversity of the Ecuadorian rainforest. Often called one of the planet’s most vital ecosystems, this remarkable region reminds visitors of the importance of protecting nature for future generations.
Before dinner, additional activities may include a visit to the Mandi Wasi community center to learn about traditional cooking, local crafts, and Amazon culture, followed by an optional night walk in search of frogs, snakes, spiders, and other nocturnal creatures.
Your journey begins with a short flight from Quito to Coca, the gateway to the Ecuadorian Amazon. Upon arrival, a representative will escort you to the river dock, where you board a motorized canoe for a scenic two-hour ride along the Napo River. As La Selva Lodge is reached only by water, this voyage is an unforgettable introduction to the rainforest.
Once at the lodge, the manager welcomes you with a brief orientation, fresh juice, and light snacks. Arriving in the late afternoon allows you to witness the transition between daytime wildlife settling down and nocturnal species beginning to emerge. In the evening, relax with cocktails and appetizers at the bar while enjoying the peaceful Amazon surroundings.
Begin the day with a short walk to the Observation Tower, where you ascend into the canopy for exceptional views of the rainforest and its colorful birdlife. On the return to the lodge, you may choose to walk the Tucaneta Trail, where your guide shares insights into the ecology, history, and medicinal plants of the region. Wildlife sightings may include monkeys, birds, insects, and other mammals.
After sunset, continue the adventure with a night canoe excursion around the private lagoon. With the help of spotlights, the hidden nighttime life of the Amazon reveals an entirely different side of the jungle.
Today starts with an excursion to the parrot clay lick, where hundreds of vividly colored parrots gather each morning to feed on mineral-rich clay as part of their natural routine. Afterwards, visit a nearby indigenous Kichwa community center to learn about local traditions and daily life.
In the afternoon, depart from the shores of Garzacocha Lagoon for a guided forest walk in search of monkeys and other mammals, possibly including tapirs. Along the trails, your guide explains the unique ecosystem and biodiversity of the Amazon.
This morning features a 3 to 4-hour exploration of rainforest trails and seasonally flooded black-water forest areas. Beginning at the main dock, you travel through Garzacocha Lagoon, along the Ceiba Trail, and into remote parts of the jungle where many species of birds and monkeys may be seen, including squirrel monkeys, capuchins, and more.
In the evening, experience the sounds of the rainforest after dark. With flashlight in hand, a guided nocturnal hike introduces you to the fascinating creatures and atmosphere of the jungle at night.
Wake early to enjoy a special farewell breakfast prepared by the lodge staff. After final photos and warm goodbyes, you board the canoe for the return trip to Coca, taking in your last views of the rainforest while enjoying a light snack along the way.
Upon arrival in Coca, staff members assist with your check-in for the flight back to Quito, bringing your unforgettable journey to La Selva Lodge to a memorable close.
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Any time of year is a great time to visit La Selva. Being close to the Equator, temperatures remain fairly consistent throughout the year. In the Amazon, most days bring a mix of sunshine and rain. Many guests are pleasantly surprised to find the jungle cooler, drier, and less buggy than expected.
La Selva is family-friendly and an excellent place for children to connect with nature and wildlife. Our Junior Naturalist Program introduces young travelers to Amazon plants, animals, and conservation. Families are welcome, and our Family Suites are designed for adventurous groups. Children under 12 receive discounted rates. Families with children ages 3 to 6 are assigned a private guide. Please contact us for details.
No vaccinations are required to visit La Selva Amazon Ecolodge. There have been no reported cases of malaria, yellow fever, Zika, or cholera in the lodge area. However, we always recommend consulting your doctor for the latest travel health advice before departure.
La Selva Lodge offers 19 suites, including Scenic Suites, Superior Suites, and Family Suites. All are built in traditional bamboo style inspired by local communities, with high ceilings for natural airflow. Each suite features a private bathroom with L’Occitane amenities, ceiling fans instead of air conditioning, and optional mosquito netting above the beds. Rather than glass windows, screened openings allow fresh air and rainforest sounds inside.
Program rates include accommodations, all meals, Naturalist and Native guides, and scheduled excursions such as canoe rides, hikes, observation tower visits, and community tours. Yoga sessions are also included. The lodge provides rubber boots and rain ponchos when needed, as well as roundtrip transfers between Coca and La Selva.
Due to La Selva’s remote location, cell phone coverage is very limited. Wi-Fi is available at the lodge, but the connection is basic and may be inconsistent. Checking emails or social media messages is usually possible, though sometimes slow. Uploading large files, streaming, or video calls may not work reliably. Guests should not expect city-level internet service.
Rates do not include alcoholic drinks, bottled soft drinks, personal purchases, souvenirs, or gratuities. Optional extras such as spa treatments, massages, Charapa Turtle Adoption Conservation Program, private dinners, private guides, and sunset cruises are additional. Domestic and international flights are not included.
The lodge provides rain ponchos and rubber boots up to men’s US size 10½. Telescopes are also available at the observation tower and lounge area for closer wildlife viewing.
Wildlife sightings vary, as the Amazon is vast and animals move freely through the forest. No two days are the same. Guests may encounter squirrel monkeys, howler monkeys, capuchins, parrots, tapirs, otters, green anacondas, toucans, harpy eagles, owls, boas, tarantulas, butterflies, lizards, and countless plants and insects. While sightings cannot be guaranteed, there is always something remarkable to discover.
Yes. La Selva has a generator operating 24 hours a day, so guests may bring chargers and electronic devices. Outlets are 110V, suitable for US and Canadian devices. If your equipment uses another voltage, please bring an adapter. Plugs are three-prong US-style outlets.
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Trips to La Selva Lodge begin in Quito, where shuttle transfers take guests to the airport for a short flight to Coca. From there, a covered motorized canoe travels along the Napo River to the lodge’s private dock. After a brief walk to a nearby stream, guests board paddle canoes for the final stretch of the journey, gliding quietly until the waterway opens into Garzacocha Lagoon. Nestled along the tranquil lakeshore, La Selva Lodge blends naturally into its rainforest surroundings.
