Puerto Maldonado Jungle Lodge Options
Machu Picchu is one of the most amazing destinations in South America and most people plan to visit it at some point in their lives. What many people don’t realize is that Peru also has some of the best Amazon tours available. Cusco, which is the departure point for Machu Picchu, is only a 30 minute flight from the southern Amazon city of Puerto Maldonado. Combining a Machu Picchu tour with a trip to the Amazon jungle is the single best way to visit both destinations in a short time.
Puerto Maldonado is near the Tambopata National Reserve which is a beautiful part of the world full of oxbow lakes, sinuous rivers, and verdant jungle home to thousands of birds, butterflies and mammals like caimans, jaguars, and monkeys. The best way to experience this diverse region of the world is to stay at a Puerto Maldonado jungle lodge.
When choosing a jungle lodge, keep in mind that almost all accommodation in the jungle is fairly rustic. If you want things like air conditioning, electricity and Wi-Fi, you will have to pay quite a bit more. Many people find that they enjoy these rustic and simple lodges however. In the evenings, staff usually lines the walkways with lanterns and light candles in your room which creates a very romantic atmosphere. Still, don’t forget to bring both a flashlight and head lamp.
Rooms are usually simply decorated with a bed, hammock, and a chair, and many of the rooms have only three walls. This is actually a really wonderful way to explore the Amazon as you can hear all the creatures at night. Don’t worry though; as long as you are under your mosquito net you shouldn’t have any unwanted visitors in your bed.
Once you arrive in the city of Puerto Maldonado, you will most likely need to travel by boat along the river to reach your hotel. The closest lodges are about 40 minutes by boat and the furthest lodges sometimes include a few hours of boat travel and a hike. The lodges usually include three meals per day in their prices and all excursions.
