★★★★★Tripadvisor review
Cuyabeno is a unique experience of reconnection with nature
paujau2016, August 2026
Cuyabeno is a unique place and the lodge enhances the experience with a variety of activities and a warm and welcoming atmosphere.
The food is delicious and homemade, the service is always attentive to everything, and the rooms are comfortable; I loved the mesh balcony for resting and enjoying the jungle, it is perfect!
★★★★★Tripadvisor review
Amazing experience in the rainforest.
aac2020, April 2026
4 of us picked the 3 nights 4 days trip and we were picked up from the Secret Garden hostel in Qutio. In total there were about 24 campers staying in the lodge. It is an unique experience, our first-ever amazon rainforest trip. We learned a lot of the people, the landscape, the plants, the animals and the way of life. We were able to see the pink dolphins, caimans and an anaconda while on the boat. The guide took us to the jungle 3 times and we saw the many insects including bullet ants, poisonous banana spider, and a tarantula caught, killed and ate a cicada etc. The guide also explained some of the medicine plants, which is very informative. The sunset view in the lagoon was amazing, and folks enjoyed swimming in it as well. The visit to the local community was nice, especially the part where we made the lunch together with the local girl in her house. We also like the facility of the lodge, clean and relaxing. And the food prepared by the staffs in the kitchen are tasty and healthy. The services are great and staffs are friendly, definitely highly recommended for those who wanna experience Amazon rainforest.
★★★★★Tripadvisor review
Three trips to Cuyabeno, Tucan Lodge keeps bringing me back
971mihaio, March 2026
Quick summary
- Beautiful lodge experience in the heart of the Cuyabeno Reserve
- Very flexible tours, especially with the private option
- Friendly local staff and excellent food
- Strong conservation focus and community involvement
- Surprisingly good satellite internet for longer stays or remote work
Just came back from my third trip to the Cuyabeno Reserve. I first visited Cuyabeno in 2017, when I was lucky enough to have Gilver as my guide during a group tour at a different lodge. From the outset, the nature and peacefulness struck me. From paddling on the river to hiking through the jungle, I was mesmerized by the place. Gilver's knowledge and love for the place just amplified the beauty of it even more. I left back then with the clear idea that I would come back.
In 2025 I returned, this time to Tucan Lodge, as I had found out he was now a part owner and lodge manager there. Based on my previous experience with him, I knew for me this was the place to go.
Tucan Lodge impressed me in all accounts. Outside of the default group tours they offer, you can also choose a private tour option with the flexibility to build your experience in whatever way you would want, be it more hiking, paddling, more activities during the night, exploring deeper into the jungle, or even camping. They will work with you to always find a suitable activity to your liking and adapt accordingly based on weather conditions, even last minute.
The lodge itself is homey, well set up, and offers a variety of accommodation options, from the more budget-friendly dorms option (a great setup for larger friend groups) to the more upscale suites (private, comfortable rooms with amazing views directly into the jungle). If you do choose to spend some more time here (even in group tours you most of the time have an optional activity you could choose to do), you have ample options to relax. From the well-placed relaxation area with views of the river, to perhaps grabbing a refreshing jungle beer in the restaurant, or having a walk around the middle of the garden in search of the many hummingbirds visiting the premises.
Food is very tasty and plentiful. They provide more of everything they have to offer at every meal. They cater to dietary restrictions, and you will always get a tasty meal. For in-between meals, or if looking for a boost of energy, there is locally sourced coffee, hot chocolate, or tea, free and unlimited at all times. Personal tip: I would always add a bit of honey, it gives a great combined aroma.
The staff is incredibly friendly and attentive to all your needs. They always seem to have a smile on their faces and are always on hand to offer help with any wish you might have. Big shoutout to Eduardo, it felt like he was reading my mind some days, offering me a beer or the likes :). The staff is almost exclusively from the local community, which makes it even more special.
To me Tucan Lodge is truly a special place. Outside of the fact that it is located in the spectacularly beautiful Cuyabeno Reserve, you can feel in everything they do how much they love the place and how they are trying to give back to it. They are conservation-focused at their core, from the eco-friendly systems they use to the community-focused hiring practices.
For myself, after my 2025 trip, mostly focused on camping and deeper jungle exploration, I returned in 2026 as a "digital nomad". I stayed at the lodge for 16 days, working during the weekdays, with jungle trips only very early in the morning and late at night, and full days on the weekends. Satellite internet worked amazingly, the staff took care of all my needs (snacks, drinks, adapting to clean my room only at my availability), and I could enjoy working from nature for once, instead of my classic concrete city jungle. The ability to get a private guide allowed me to take advantage of all the free time I had to the maximum, an absolute perfect match. It was as relaxing as it could be, I will definitely do it again.
Few tips:
Having a private tour gives you better chances at spotting wildlife. If that is your main goal, do consider it. While never a guarantee, less noise, flexibility with time of the day, and location choice does increase your odds of seeing more. That doesn't mean you won't see amazing things in a group. In 2017 I was on a group tour and saw plenty. But in terms of odds, going private will raise them, and that is one of the reasons I went private both times since.
Bring binoculars and a good flashlight. Those will make spotting infinitely easier.
Come in with the right expectations. This is not a zoo, you won't always see the animals up close. To some degree, that's the beauty of nature. You don't know what you will see, where and when. You never know what's behind the next corner.
There's beauty all around, from the amazing adaptation of the walking palm in search of sunlight, to the symbiosis between the lemon ant and the Duroia hirsuta tree, the azure blue color of a tinamou egg, to the superb mating dance of manakins, and of course the occasional views of some of the big animals.
Wildlife highlights I personally saw during my trips:
- 9 species of monkeys
- anacondas
- tapirs (twice, both closer than 10m away)
- river dolphins
- giant otters
- sloths
- 4 types of tarantulas
- approximately 10 species of snakes
- jaguarundi
- more than 100 species of birds
- many many others
Can't wait to be back.
★★★★★Tripadvisor review
Incredible Place with Amazing Staff
markvR5628TC, March 2026
Few experiences in my life have truly impressed me the way Tucan Lodge did. From the moment we arrived, it was clear this was something special. Nestled in a breathtaking stretch of the Amazon rainforest, the scenery feels almost surreal, like something out of a documentary rather than real life. Considering the lodge is located in such a remote part of the jungle, I was genuinely surprised by how well-maintained and comfortable the rooms are. Every detail is thoughtfully cared for. The staff go above and beyond to make you feel welcome; ensuring every request is met with warmth and professionalism. Also, they brew their own local beer right at the lodge — and it’s fantastic. Beyond the exceptional hospitality, Tucan Lodge offers an incredible range of activities, so there’s never a dull moment. We opted for a tailor-made experience and embarked on a two-day jungle trek deep into a rarely explored area of the Amazon. It was an unforgettable adventure that felt truly off the beaten path. I cannot recommend Tucan Lodge highly enough. It’s a rare place that exceeds expectations in every way. I only wish more people could experience this extraordinary corner of the world for themselves.
★★★★★Tripadvisor review
Solo 3D/2N wildlife tour!
jamesmG3442VY, February 2026
I had a great time at Tucan Lodge with Carlos. His ability to spot animals in the jungle, and his friendliness is unmatched. He was quite amazing. And his laugh was sooooo jolly!
The food seemed very authentic, which was fantastic. The serving sizes were good, and only once did I ask for more, and it was provided without delay!
The room was great. I had the Conga hut, and I loved having no walls on 2 sides of it. Jungle in my room was my favorite!
Of the group that arrived on the same day as I, I was the only one that stayed for 3D/2N (the others had reserved for 4D/3N), but the staff provided transportation for me back to civilization and helped me get on the correct bus. No hassles!
During my stay, I saw a sloth, monkeys, pink dolphins, birds birds birds, caimans, and during the night time jungle walk owls, spiders, and frogs.
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