Amazon Dolphin Lodge
Yasuni Cuyabeno Panacocha, Coca 220150 Ecuador
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Prices above are provided by partners for one room, with variable occupancy rules as provided by the property, and do not include all taxes and fees. Please see our partners for full details.
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About
#6 of 19 Specialty lodging in Coca
Location
4.0
Cleanliness
3.9
Service
4.4
Value
3.5
The Amazon Dolphin Lodge is located in the Panacocha protected forest reserve, (56,000 has) and is central to a biological corridor linking Yasuni National Park and the Cuyabeno Wildlife Refuge.Panacocha is classified as a Humid Tropical Forest. Wildlife is in abundance everywhere in the reserve. A short list of possible observations includes: Howler, Squirl, Capuchin and night monkeys along with the Black-mantled Tamarin and Pigmy Marmosets, and of course the Amazon Pink River Dolphin.Thanks to our central location in the heart of the Ecuadorian Amazon, our professional local guides, our multilingual staff, and our motivation we offer a hands-on experience of the jungle. We are able to achieve a wide range of possibilities to explore the plants, animals and cultural diversity of the area and provide the adventure that, without a doubt, you have been looking for.Amazon Dolphin Lodge is a member of YUTURI CONSERVATION GROUP, an organization involved in rainforest conservation projects helped by San Carlos Foundation.
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Property amenities
Free parking
Free breakfast
Bar / lounge
Restaurant
Canoeing
Children Activities (Kid / Family Friendly)
24-hour front desk
Room features
Room service
Seating area
Kitchenette
Bath / shower
Good to know
HOTEL CLASS
Languages Spoken
English, Spanish
Location
Full view
Contact
Yasuni Cuyabeno Panacocha, Coca 220150 Ecuador
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19Reviews2Q+A2Room tips
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We had an amazing time at the Amazon Dolphin Lodge. After the 5 hour boat ride deep into the jungle we arrived at a BEAUTIFUL lodge deep in the jungle. We had power for a few hours a day, no wifi, no connection to the world. It was amazing. The food was great and Libio did a great job of teaching us the ways of the amazon. We saw monkeys, sloths, snakes, and LOTS of birds. The rooms were clean and staff was all extremely welcoming and helpful. I cannot wait to go back! Defintely bring chacos or tevas, bug spray and lightweight long sleeve and long pants to avoid the bugs and sun!
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Date of stay: August 2021
Location
Cleanliness
Service
Helpful
+1
If you want a real in the “thick of it “ experience in this part of the Amazon then I would recommend this place. Getting there is a great adventure and it’s far from everything. Our host and guide was Livio and he was great. The only reason I would not give this place 4 stars is that small things like screens in some cabins needed small but basic repairs that could be done easily and the food portions seemed a bit small after a busy day of activities. However I understand it’s in the middle of nowhere and getting as much as they did is a logistical triumph in and of itself. It’s worth going and supporting small outfits line this knowing you are helping the local economy. Lots of wildlife but unfortunately we didn’t see dolphins.
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Date of stay: April 2019Trip type: Traveled with friends
Helpful
What an incredible trip! We had Galo (the best!) as our guide, saw incredible animals, relaxed, played soccer with kids in the local villiage, cooked together and met some wonderful people. We arrived to Nueva Loja by overnight bus and were very very confronted by what we saw on the street in the middle of the night. This town is not safe, and is on almost every international governments "do not travel red zone," including Sweden's, Germanys and Australia. Do your research and arrive in the day time if possible.
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Date of stay: December 2018Trip type: Traveled solo
Value
Service
Sleep Quality
Helpful
We were fortunate to have Livio as our guide, and agree with the other reviewer of May 2017 that he is a fantastic guide. We were blown away by his incredible knowledge of the rainforest. He is like a ‘whisperer’ of all animal and insect life. We would be trekking through thick secondary forest, with Livio using his machete to clear a path due to recently fallen trees, when he would suddenly stop and ask us to be quiet...and as if by magic a troupe of monkeys would appear. He gave us great insight to the way plants are used for medicine, survival, food, water, and much more. He is a free lance guide so it is worth specifically asking if he can lead your group, whether at this or another of the Napo river lodges.
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Date of stay: January 2019Trip type: Traveled as a couple
Value
Cleanliness
Service
Room Tip: Be aware that this is a very basic lodge, e.g. electricity only at certain hours, no internet and...
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Helpful
The wildlife and birds were absolutely incredible. We saw pink dolphins and way more. The day trips and our guide, Tamara, were wonderful though Tamara is still working on her English and I'm still learning Spanish.. Usually another tourist in the group was able to translate. The accommodations are VERY rustic. No fans at night and the temps are stifling. I couldn't sleep. The moskito netting is helpful but kills the least bit of breeze. Funky critters all around. I'm still recovering from a wasp bite sustained on the canoe and it's been 2 weeks... No sound insulation. It's like summer camp for grown-ups. We met some wonderful people. Cold water showers felt fantastic. Rice with almost every meal. Breakfast at 8am, lunch at 2 pm and dinner at 8 pm. Bring snacks and re-fillable water bottles or you will definitely be hungry from all the hiking and canoe paddling. Obviously there is no cell or internet. Enjoy the peace and nature sounds. Dolphin Lodge was the least expensive place around. Beware of the shuttle ride from Lago Agrio to Quito. All of the lodges contract with various companies for the $20.00 USD drive back to Quito. We rode on Christland Services Touring van # 13, None of the seats had seat belts and all the roads in Ecuador are super twisty and dangerous. There are many accidents and preventable deaths on Ecuadorian roads. Thankfully we were lucky though there were some close calls... Really my major complaint is the lack of seat belts in use even on expensive tourist transport throughout Ecuador. At 20 bucks a head in a 20 passenger van going out daily, one would think they would fix the seat-belts. 3 weeks prior I was involved in an accident in a taxi going from Quito to Mindo. Our taxi driver took a turn too fast and the only thing keeping us from going over the edge of a cliff was the boulder we hit. I was still a bit skiddish. …
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Date of stay: February 2018
1 Helpful vote
Helpful
Yes, it’s an almost 5 hr ride to Amazon Dolphin, but it's fascinating and part of your experience. The "motorized launch" is a covered (open but with a roof) 20+ person boat with plastic seats. Not comfortable, but not a small canoe either. The first three hours are spent on the Napo River, which is a jungle highway. You’ll pass oil company barges delivering trucks or supplies or possibly dredging. Bag lunch is about 1 hr in. Bathroom stop about 2 hrs in. There's a hard left into the Panacocha reserve / Pirana River about 3 hrs in. Then things get interesting. The boat slows and you’re in the jungle. Have your binoculars ready. Rivers were very low in late December. We saw pink dolphins at the confluence of the Napo & Panacocha Rivers at the Park offices on the way home. Kitchwa guide Livio was fantastic! His knowledge of local animals, plants, medicine, and craft was extensive. We learned a lot and enjoyed the process. Cabins are amply sized with a double & a twin bed in each. Toiletries are provided. Showers are hot, even if there are no shower heads (in our two cabins at least). Food is very good. After some stringy beef, we enjoyed several good meals of fish, chicken, local fruit, rice, salads, and accompaniments. Always a cream soup first course, with popcorn croutons, the local custom. What you really need to pack: Socks at least one pr for each day - you will be in the provided boots Bug repellant An extra shirt or two - it’s hot & humid and you may want to change after a hike Hat & sunscreen for boat trips; long sleeve sun shirt if desired Flashlight or two; small is fine Sandals Hiking boots or sneakers if indicated for your stay- we didn’t need them Long pants - zips-offs are great because you’ll also want shorts T shirts - cotton or micro fibre, your choice Plastic garbage bags inside any non-waterproof luggage The jungle soundtrack included howler monkeys (the morning alarm and the sunset chorus), birds, and insects. We were met by a heron at the dock, red bellied macaws flew by as we had our orientation, and oropendolas nests were numerous. These snippets I will remember: sitting in the open lounge and feeling the forest come alive with the night. Canoeing through the morning mist, listening to the birds and crickets. Watching a heron winging past. We stayed the last night at sister lodge Yarina. More people, similar facilities, but larger and many more people.…
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Date of stay: December 2017Trip type: Traveled with family
Value
Service
Sleep Quality
1 Helpful vote
Helpful
It was my first time in the jungle, but it was so amazing. We saw a lot of animals and the guide was able to see even in the dark the smaller animals (snakes, frogs, spiders etc). We went for a night walk, day hike, watch the sunset every evening, had a early boat trip for the sunset at the lake. We went to the village and make some yuka bread with locals. The lodge was nice and clean and the food was delicious! I had such an amazing time!
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Date of stay: November 2017Trip type: Traveled solo
Helpful
In a tour that included this, the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu and the Galápagos Islands - this tour through the Amazon with Livio was the highlight. If fact, it was one of the best experiences of my life. My guide Livio was so incredibly knowledgable about the plants and animals of the rainforest I learned more in 4 days with him than I have the whole rest of my life about the Amazon. He showed how the jungle provides materials for rope, cups, medicine and even weapons like the famous blow dart poison. His quick eyes can spot of frog in the dead of night. His ears can pick out the sound of a tocan in the distance. His nose can pick up the smell of a boa. It was amazing. Unlike the other reviewers guide he followed the itinerary (and added more) and was up earlier than me and even woke me up one day! He went out of his way to help me capture photos of monkeys and birds, often grabbing the camera and dashing to capture the photo. I saw so much wildlife and had such a wonderful time. If you have Livio as your guide, you will have an amazing Amazon adventure. THANK YOU LIVIO!!!!!…
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Date of stay: May 2017Trip type: Traveled as a couple
Rooms
Cleanliness
Service
1 Helpful vote
Helpful
We had a fill in guide that could have been incredible with his knowledge but he did not follow the itinerary at all and when asked repeatedly if we could, grudgingly did some of the items. Staff had to get him up several mornings and itinerary on website had items that never happened with monkey trip shut several month prior without notifying us. We were told to tell them to stop if we saw anything of interest...several times we shouted stop over the boat engine to be told it was time to head back and we could see the following day...of course that part of nature didn't stick around. Pirana fishing with 2 extra hooks left 3 of 4 of us doing nothing but guide was also fishing. As we sat in a local hut the guide had a discussion for 45 min while we asked to have info translated...the guide later told us how interesting the local was and later told us about his discussion and questions to him. We asked several questions which were translated, but were quickly given one line response and guide continued his conversation. After 10 attempts we sat there silent unable to fully translate what was being said for ourselves. Staff rocked in hammocks until we were instructed to leave. All the hikes were cut short and we were told we could "rest" as we looked tired. We advised we weren't but again told it was "time". Confusion about our tour needed to be clarified with the main office so we lost a half of a day while this occurred where we were told to look around a community. We had been asked the night prior if we wanted to go on this excursion to town for them to make a call. We advised clearly we didn't and preferred to continue our tour while others went to town to work out the confusion. The next morning our "dolphin tour" ended up in the town so that they could make their call to our shock as we had been very clear. We were advised it was on the way but we sat there for 2 hours while they made calls to friends, home etc. Ample time to see dolphin needs to be changed. We spent very little time on the water outside the lagoon, and locals said it is very rare to see the pink dolphin even on the river. We were issued 2 left boots for one of our party only noted by time we reached the remote retreat. Safety was another of our concerns with the boat taking off before people were seated and the guide leaving us out of site several times on the trail. We had to ask the guide to give a hand for parties balance over moss covered logs over 1.5 m off the ground. Ended up very disappointed with no answers from the company but did note their website was changed 5 mo after our experience.…
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Date of stay: January 2017Trip type: Traveled with family
Value
Cleanliness
Service
1 Helpful vote
Helpful
I had 5 amazing days in Cuyabeno Amazon forest with Dolphin Lodge. Wellcoming and profesional staff, nice and clean room , good meals... Interesting activities : jungle exploration, animals and vegetation watching (crocodiles, birds, monkeys, dolphins...), night walk, visit of a community , magic sunset in the lagoon.... Perfect place to enjoy the jungle !
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Date of stay: December 2016Trip type: Traveled solo
Value
Service
Sleep Quality
Helpful
PRICE RANGE
$492 - $879 (Based on Average Rates for a Standard Room)
LOCATION
EcuadorOrellana ProvinceCoca
NUMBER OF ROOMS
11
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Claim Your Listing Frequently Asked Questions about Amazon Dolphin Lodge
What are some of the property amenities at Amazon Dolphin Lodge?
Some of the more popular amenities offered include free breakfast, an on-site restaurant, and a lounge.
What food & drink options are available at Amazon Dolphin Lodge?
Guests can enjoy free breakfast, an on-site restaurant, and a lounge during their stay.
Which languages are spoken by the staff at Amazon Dolphin Lodge?
The staff speaks multiple languages, including English and Spanish.