Tandayapa Bird Lodge

The food and service were outstanding, and every meal was great. But the view from our three-bed room was pitiful for such a nice place: we faced a plastic sheet and a wall. They did offer us another room, but it’s their only room with three beds. The recommended hike on the property was beautiful, though it seemed unused for 3-4 months. The man in charge had only been there for two months and hadn’t walked it himself. Trees were down in several spots, a machete would’ve been needed the whole way, and I never found the side trail. There wasn’t much entertainment beyond birdwatching, with no board games or cards. If you’re traveling with kids, stay at tambo quinde next door. They have birds, well-maintained hikes with educational signs, good food, games, and good prices.

Birding in the area was absolutely fantastic, and Sam, our Tropical Birding guide, was incredible. I spent three nights at Tandayapa, and the feeders, food, and friendly staff were all great. My lower rating is about the price and location: the hotel was nice enough, but significantly more expensive than comparable places I’ve stayed in Ecuador. It also wasn’t ideal for birding at different spots around the area, since it sits a long way down a bumpy dirt track that probably added 1-2 hours of driving each day.

Alex and Antonio were the best guide and driver we could’ve asked for. Alex was patient and worked hard to help us see as many birds as possible. He also shared lots about local people and culture, as well as birds, animals, and their habitats. Antonio drove the roads safely and comfortably and kept us smiling. We speak very little Spanish, but enjoyed his company all the same. My husband and I came to Ecuador for birding and photography and spent a week at Tandayapa Bird Lodge in April 2024. We felt at home from the moment we arrived and met the staff. The lodge is beautiful, the rooms were sparkling clean, and laundry was done promptly when requested. The food was delicious, and the staff always greeted us with smiles and went out of their way to make sure we were comfortable and looked after. Thanks to Tandayapa Bird Lodge, Alex, and Antonio, our trip was everything we’d hoped for and more!

The lodge was peaceful and serene, with loads of hummingbirds at the feeders, delicious meals, especially the soups, and comfortable rooms with big windows over the forest. My four-year-old also loved the little play set behind the lodge. We had a magical two-night stay, and our guide Alex found trips to the lowlands and Tandayapa Valley that worked for both my bird-loving father and our four nature-loving kids. He even took our three older kids on a night walk to look for frogs. I’d highly recommend a visit, whether you’re a keen birder or just love nature and want to enjoy the Cloud Forest.