Amazon Basin Hotels

The Amazon rainforest basin, or El Oriente, is a popular tourist destination, and a number of jungle lodges are located here. Most of them are centered around Tena, Puerto Francisco de Orellana (Coca), or Nueva Loja (Lago Agrio), which are transportation hubs in Ecuador’s eastern lowlands. Although each is quite unique, activities and basic features don’t vary too much, unless you splurge on a high-end option.

Location is the first consideration for a trip to the Amazon rainforest. Hotels and lodges near Tena, such as Cotococha, are more easily accessible than those near Coca or Lago Agrio, but have significantly less wildlife. Getting from Quito to Tena is a relatively easy six-hour bus ride, whereas the buses from Quito to Coca or Lago Agrio take at least 10 hours. There are also flights to all major launching points in the jungle to and from Quito. Flights to both Coca and Lago Agrio take about 25 minutes and cost $120 round trip.

Another consideration is comfort. If your idea of a vacation always includes a pool, a buffet table and hammocks, there are jungle lodges that will provide that. If you're more interested in animals and birds than comfort, you should check out the more remote lodges, such as lodges in the Cuyabeno Reserve. If you're willing to pay, there are lodges that offer both comfort and good animal-watching. Still others offer a closer look at local jungle communities, which can be fascinating as well.

Of course, it is also possible to stay in the region's major towns instead of one of the jungle lodges in their outskirts. Whether you want to spend a night or two in Lago Agrio, Coca or Tena before or after your jungle tour, or prefer to base yourself in Tena, Puyo or Misahuallí and take day trips from there, each town has enough of a tourist infrastructure to provide a selection of lodging options.

Other Hotel pages in Amazon Basin that may be of interest: Cuyabeno National Reserve Hotels, Tena Hotels, Coca Hotels, Misahuallí Hotels, Yasuní National Park Hotels, Macas Hotels, Puyo Hotels, Cosanga Hotels, Lago Agrio Hotels and Pusuno Bajo Lodging.