Best known as the capital of the Peruvian Amazon, Iquitos is a vibrant jungle metropolis and one of the most popular destinations to explore the unique biodiversity, vegetation, and wildlife of the rainforest.
Below, we’ve compiled ten of the best Amazon lodges near Iquitos that offer a magical place for any wildlife or nature lover to stay.
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1. Heliconia Jungle Lodge
The Heliconia Jungle Lodge is located right on the banks of the Amazon River, approximately 50 mi (80 km) away from the buzzing city of Iquitos.
Right in the middle of the jungle, the Lodge is the perfect base to begin your Amazon adventure, which is why it’s included in both the 3-day Iquitos tour and the 4-day Iquitos tour.
Along with being a great starting point for travelers to explore the jungle, the Lodge is ideal for those who also wish to have the essential comfort available to them during their adventure. The Heliconia Jungle Lodge offers hot showers, hammocks, private bathrooms, and refreshing dips in an open-air pool.
We recommend you check out our blog post about the 3-day jungle tour for more information.
2. The Otorongo Lodge
Close to the village of Oran, and 2,5 hours away from Iquitos, you will find the Otorongo Lodge – the only national heritage site in the Peruvian Amazon.
The Lodge has rustic cabins and each area is equipped with mesh nets to protect you against mosquitoes and other insects.
From the Otorongo Lodge, you can enjoy different itineraries and activities, such as boat rides and hiking. You can also spot different wildlife such as pink river dolphins, parrots, toucans, and macaws.
3. The Muyuna Lodge
The Muyuna Lodge is located in the Tamshiyacu-Tahuayo Reserve, about 87 mi (140km) away from the city of Iquitos.
The lodge is surrounded by nature with fewer tourists around and it offers bungalows, as well as family accommodation. Some of the activities you can enjoy during your stay at the Muyuna Lodge include canoeing, visiting a local village, exploring nearby lakes, and spotting wildlife.
4. The ExplorNapo Lodge
Focused on giving guests a true Amazon experience, the ExplorNapo Lodge is hidden deep inside the heart of the rainforest, approximately 100 mi (160 km) from Iquitos.
The Lodge lies on the banks of the Napro River and serves as an entrance point to the lodge’s own protected area – Sucusari Reserve.
ExplorNapo Lodge is ideal for more adventurous travelers looking for a simpler lodge located close to untarnished nature.
5. The Explorama Lodge
The Explorama River Lodge is located in a private reserve 50 mi (80 km) from Iquitos.
With 55 guestrooms designed in traditional style, the Explorama Lodge strives to give guests an authentic yet comfortable stay during their jungle adventures. The Lodge has recently added private bathrooms and beds with individual mosquito nets.
On the property, you’ll find a ‘Hammock House’ – a space, specially designed for relaxation. Around the Lodge, you’ll also see different trails which lead you through the rainforest, showing you different birds, monkeys, and sloths.
6. Treehouse Lodge
The Treehouse Lodge is a unique, all-inclusive lodge found between Pacaya-Samiria and Tahuayo Reserve.
The Lodge offers a luxurious jungle experience at treehouse-like bungalows at an elevation between 36 ft (11m) and 67 ft (20m) above the ground. Guests staying at the Treehouse Lodge can choose from a number of tours in the area, all led by a private guide.
7. Yarapa River Lodge
Located on the Yarapa River, a tributary of the Amazon River, the Yarapa Lodge is an award-winning accommodation heavily involved in conservation activities and alliances.
This eco-friendly lodge offers tours of the surrounding rainforest, including a peek inside the indigenous healing of the area’s shamanic traditions.
8. Pacaya Samiria Lodge
The Pacaya Samiria Lodge is found in one of the largest protected areas in Peru – the Pacaya Samiria National Reserve.
The Lodge has eight cabins with private bathrooms, hammocks, and terraces, as well as breathtaking views of the reserve. During both the daytime and evening, guests staying at the Pacaya Samiria Lodge can enjoy a number of private tours in the area.
9. Cumaceba Lodge
About an hour away from the bustling city of Iquitos, you’ll find the Cumaceba Lodge.
Right on the banks of the Amazon River, the Lodge’s 30 rooms lie quietly among lush tropical gardens, each equipped with a private bathroom. Some of the best activities around the Cumaceba Amazon Lodge include a visit to the floating houses in Belen, insect observation, visiting a local native tribe, and canoeing.
10. The Tahuayo Lodge & Amazon Research Center
The Tahuayo Lodge is located about 93 mi (150 km) from Iquitos.
The lodge is situated in the Tamshiyacu Tahuayo Reserve, which offers several opportunities for guided walking and hiking tours around the reserve.
A little deeper into the Amazonia, you’ll find the Tahuayo River Amazon Research center and its 1000-acre primate research grid. There, you can spot tamarins, squirrel monkeys, capuchin monkeys, howler monkeys, and pygmy marmosets.
As it cannot be considered a lodge, it’s not part of the list above, but the Delfin Amazon Cruises is one of Peru’s most unique accommodations. We prepared a short video with more information for you below.
Tips on How To Choose The Right Lodge
Traveling to the Amazon Rainforest is a unique nature experience and, although there are plenty of great options, picking the right one for you can be overwhelming.
To help you out, here are four key factors to keep in mind when considering which jungle lodge to choose.
Location
Location is a defining factor of any lodge. In many cases, the more remote the lodge is, the more likely it is to spot rare flora and fauna. That said, due to logistics, the price will often be higher too.
Before you make a decision, be sure to check things such as whether the lodge is located in national parks or reserves or closer to urban areas.
In addition, to ensure a more comfortable trip, it might be sensible to consider the weather in Iquitos before you book, as well.
The lodge you stay at in our tour has a beautiful location in the Amazon jungle.
Amenities
Staying in a lodge in the Peruvian Amazon is one of the best ways to feel close to nature. With that in mind, you can still choose how authentic of an experience you want.
Some lodges have hotel-like rooms with air-conditioning, while others have more rustic cabins with ceiling fans. If you are looking for specific amenities, make sure you check that the lodge you’ve chosen has those facilities up and running before you book.
Regardless of the type of accommodation, deciding on what to wear in the Amazon Rainforest beforehand can be immensely helpful in packing smart and ensuring you are well-prepared.
Price
Understandably, your budget is one of the main considerations when selecting a lodge. However, it should not be the only factor when making your final decision. See some quotes on Peru travel costs, so you can better plan your stay.
When comparing prices, be sure you’re aware of the most important things to know about Iquitos and look at what is included during your stay (e.g. transport, meals, tours, English-speaking guides, etc.)
Canoeing on the Amazon river will be an unforgettable experience in your jungle tour.
Activities
The vast majority of jungle lodges and tour operators include a range of different activities in their prices.
When choosing your Amazon activities, be sure to consider your interests, but also the difficulty of the itinerary. A visit to Monkey Island, the Belen Market, and a local community are among the top 10 things to do in Iquitos and are worth considering when planning your jungle stay.
Enjoy Your Unforgettable Stay in Iquitos
Ready for an unforgettable jungle experience? Check out our Peruvian Amazon travel guide and kick-start your adventure today!
lia 4 March, 2024 at 4:11 pm
hola ! me gustaría saber si los lodge que has puesto están puestos de mejor a peor 1 al 10 , o los has puesto a tu gusto de forma aleatoria , un saludo gracias
Adam s87 13 October, 2022 at 12:02 pm
Awesome! We stayed at the Heliconia lodge in 2018 and it was just amazing. What we loved the most were the well protected rooms against bugs and mosquitos. Really life saving haha.
Konsti from Exploor Peru 18 October, 2022 at 7:41 am
Hey Adam,
thanks a lot for your comment! Couldn’t agree more with you on that. The rooms are well protected against mosquitos and the beds are very comfortable. Hope to see you soon in Peru.
Best,
Konsti