Aguas Negras River Lodge, Cuyabeno Wildlife Reserve

5.0 (2 reviews) · Standard
Basic, eco-friendly lodge only accessible by river with simple cabins or elevated tent platforms

Overview

Aguas Negras River Lodge is a rustic and remote native-style hideaway on the eastern shore of the Cuyabeno River, right in the heart of the Cuyabeno Wildlife Reserve. Accessible only by river, the lodge provides an authentic and immersive experience in the Ecuadorian Amazon Rain Forest. A few minutes from the camp, you'll find the Aguas Negras River, a blackwater river known for being clean yet darkly stained, resembling tea or black coffee. 

The Aguas Negras River Lodge accommodations are no-frills, emphasizing the rugged outdoors. Previous guests have appreciated the comfortable beds, mosquito netting, and cleanliness of the lodge, though keep in mind that there aren't many modern conveniences, like air conditioning or ice. You can choose from simple cabins or pitch a tent on one of the elevated platforms. The attentive Indigenous staff, who possess excellent jungle survival skills, contribute to the overall experience.

The lodge also features a commitment to community-based tourism and environmental conservation. Built by residents from the Kichwa Native Community, the lodge supports a sustainable income for the tribe and the preservation of this biodiverse region for future generations. During your rustic and adventurous stay, you'll enjoy the beauty and wildlife of the rainforest, learn about local living, and have the chance to spot rare animals like tapirs. 

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Hotel Information

Hotel stars icon 2.5-star Hotel
Hotel phone icon +593 999114495
Hotel address icon 18 de Noviembre 604 and Vicente Narvaez Street

Traveler Reviews

2 total ratings, 2 with reviews
5.0
Feature ratings
Authenticity & Character
5.0
Location
5.0
Staff
5.0
Cleanliness & Comfort
4.0
S
shilo n.
Cameron Park, CA | Reviewed on Mar 31, 2022
If you want to get away, this is the place. Beautiful. rustic. Animals!!!!! Read more

If you want to get away, this is the place. Beautiful. rustic. Animals!!!!!

Tips for future travelers

This is a rustic place. Electriciy is by generator, so have fast chargers. Watch for spiders if you get up in the middle of the night ( they are harmless, but don't want to step on them) Bring a Flashlight or 2.

Authenticity & Character
great way to experience the jungle, without even going hiking if you don't want. I have limited mobility but was able to manage getting in and out of the canoe :)
Location
AMazing! All the noises - cicadas, Birds, and especially the morning wakeup call of the Howler monkeys. Swimming in the river was wonderful, even with high water.
Staff
Can't say enough about Fabian. very knowledgeable , caring, and environmentally conscious.
Cleanliness & Comfort
beds comfortable, netting was good too! Never did have hot water, but lukewarm in this environment was fine )
Stayed in March 2022
Cathy
Cathy B.
Charleston, WV | Reviewed on Mar 18, 2022
Do not stay here if you need modern conveniences. It is a wonderful rainforest home, kind of like camping without the work. It was a wonderful experience for us. Fabian was a great guide and fun to be with. The indigenous staff were wonderful. I wish we could speak their language so we could have interacted more. We learned about how people live in the rainforest. We enjoyed the beauty and wildlife. The highlight was seeing a tapir!!! Not many people are this lucky! Read more

Do not stay here if you need modern conveniences. It is a wonderful rainforest home, kind of like camping without the work. It was a wonderful experience for us. Fabian was a great guide and fun to be with. The indigenous staff were wonderful. I wish we could speak their language so we could have interacted more. We learned about how people live in the rainforest. We enjoyed the beauty and wildlife. The highlight was seeing a tapir!!! Not many people are this lucky!

Tips for future travelers

Do not bother with makeup for fixing your hair. If you are picky about food do not stay here. I highly recommend it for the adventurous nature lover. Not a good place for small children.

Authenticity & Character
Location
The rainforest! The breeze off the river when it rained was so nice.
Staff
The indigenous staff was over-the-moon attentive to us. They know jungle survival skills.
Cleanliness & Comfort
Nothing can be improved being deep in the jungle. But the comfort is the best that can be expected without air conditioning and iced drinks. I craved cold drinks but they were room temperature.
Stayed in February 2022

Like what you see?

Chat with our local specialists and let us help you customize your trip with hotels like this.

Get started

Hotel Information

Hotel stars icon 2.5-star Hotel
Hotel phone icon +593 999114495
Hotel address icon 18 de Noviembre 604 and Vicente Narvaez Street