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A look into my 4 day trip to Cuyabeno, Ecuador.

This was easily one of the coolest experiences I’ve had in South America thanks to @cuyabenolodge 💚

I’ve been meaning to visit the Amazon for some time but was honestly too nervous. However I quickly decided to when I arrived in Ecuador because Cuyabeno is one of the best places to see wildlife.

And to my pleasant surprise I actually fell in love with the experience. I saw so many interesting things and learned so much thanks to our amazing guide. Plus the whole experience was so much more comfortable than I expected between the amazing food, comfortable rooms and much more temperate weather than I expected. I truly loved it!!

Do you want to visit the Amazon rainforest?

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[Save this for your trip to Ecuador]

If you’ve been looking for a way to visit the Amazon, this is it.

I had such a wonderful time in Cuyabeno between exploring and feeling welcome at this amazing lodge.

The staff was so hospitable, always waiting with a lemonade when we returned by boat; the food for every meal was delicious, and the guide was really incredible at spotting wildlife.

But I think what sets this lodge apart most for me is their sustainable practices and respect to the surrounding and highly valuable environment which is unfortunately not always the case.

Make sure to check them out @cuyabenolodge if you’re in Ecuador and save this post for you trip!

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After taking the canoe out from the lodge to search for birds, we stopped in the middle of the black lake and I heard the announcement, “Okay time to swim!”

I knew we were planning to which is why I was ready wearing my swim suit, but really..? You want me to swim in the Amazon rainforest, the same one you see on planet earth documentaries with insane species in the waters. This is absolutely crazy, I thought.

But attempting to live up to the adventurous traveler I call myself, I dived in with surprising ease and no fear. I was too busy enjoying the sunset and feeling relief in the refreshing water.

It’s not until later that night and the following days when we saw caimans, pink dolphins, giant otters, and more that I realized just how insane that might have been to swim in the same pool of water as piranhas and more.

But like any traveler with a death wish, I just did it again a second and third time.

Truthfully, it is safe to swim in the middle of the lake otherwise they wouldn’t let us, as most animals hang out on the edges of the water and at night.

But the very idea of sharing the same body of water combined with the sheer realization of enjoying somewhere that’s so paramount to our entire planet..it was a surreal, pinch-me moment.
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This was on a 4 day tour with @cuyabenolodge. Leave a comment if you want to know more ❤️

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Honestly I was terrified and super hesitant to visit the Amazon.

Before going, I had traveled a lot around South America with multiple opportunities to go from various countries but purposefully didn’t.

Why?

Because I thought it would be an absolutely miserable experience where I felt sweaty, dirty, squeamish and itchy the whole time. Why would I want to pay money to go and do that?

When I reached Ecuador though, I told myself, “Okay this is it, you’re going.” I convinced myself, just do it and check it off for life.

But to my major surprise..I ended up loving this trip so much I would have stayed longer and I would definitely go back without a thought.

Here’s why:

1 The mosquitoes were not that bad, I got 20 bites in total over 4 days and I would have gotten less had I not lost my loose hiking pants and had to wear tight leggings instead. And during our downtime, I was able to sit peacefully and read without swatting any mosquitos away.

2 It was hot and humid, but not unbearably so. The tour was well organized so that the activities were in the morning and afternoon/night so you weren’t in the sun during the hottest point of the day. Also, my lodge was on a lake which kept it cooler. I think I’ve seriously experienced worse in Virginia summers.

3 Most of the exploring was done from a canoe which I personally loved because being on the water is so incredibly peaceful.

4 You can have a rugged experience, but that’s far from the only option. I was in a nice room with a king size bed, hot shower, in a tower for bird watching, and enjoying delicious cuisine for every meal.

Of course all this isn’t to say there weren’t bugs or it wasn’t a wild trip. You’re in the jungle, you’re probably going to find a big spider in your room at some point.

And experiences can be different based on season, destination (the Amazon is huge), lodge and location of it, and just individual experience.

But mine was overall incredibleee and dare I say peaceful.

I went in mid November to Cuyabeno, Ecuador and stayed at @cuyabenolodge which I highly recommend. I was in the superior room, which for the 4 day package tour is $480 USD.

What do you think, are you surprised?

it’s a pleasure to work with businesses that share my passion for sustainability and exploration.