La Habana Amazon Reserve

We spent two nights at La Habana Amazon Reserve and loved it. The change from Cusco to Puerto Maldonado feels striking despite the short distance. The rainforest is full of life. During our stay we saw lots of tropical birds, a troop of monkeys, a pair of porcupines on the property, and two sloths nearby. There’s a great 2.7 mile trail through the forest, and I walked it each day, seeing different things each time. Bring a stick and wave it ahead of you to clear spider webs from your face. The Tambopata River is also an easy walk across the street. The staff are incredibly friendly and helpful. They can arrange affordable taxis into town, though you can just stay on the property if you prefer. We only went out once. Food and drinks are available there, and the food is tasty and affordable. There’s free safe water at the bar, so you don’t need to keep buying disposable bottles. We had fun with Pepe the pool cat, whatever the staff say his name is, and Brian the goat. It’s best to arrive with the right expectations. This is a nature preserve with a lodge, more like luxury camping than a luxury hotel resort. Everything is outdoors, the cabins have thatch roofs, and there will be bugs even though the place is as clean as it can be. Bring mosquito spray. They didn’t bother me much, and Ben’s 30% DEET wipes worked well for me. La Habana Amazon Reserve is a great place to experience the Amazon on a trip to Peru. If you go, give Pepe some scritches from me!

The full 2.7-mile loop through the forest gave us a real taste of the rainforest, and the trails were in good shape. The lookout tower could use some TLC. We saw monkeys in the trees, heard wonderful bird calls, spotted a beautiful macaw one morning, and had a fun visit from porcupines one evening. There are bugs, of course, and you should bring a stick to clear spider webs as you walk. La Habana is the furthest out, but we were told it’s also the largest. It felt like we had a private patch of rainforest to ourselves. The gated entrance helped us feel secure, and the air-conditioned rooms were a lifesaver after humid walks. The pool was refreshing, though it has no cover, so expect a few bugs floating in it. A cockroach and a tiny lizard surprised us in the shower, but it didn’t spoil the stay. The food is simple, not gourmet, but it does the job. The sweet resident cat was a cozy little bonus, and the young man working there was very kind and helpful. The rest of the staff were kind too, though some Spanish or Google Translate would help. For us this was a proper jungle glamping trip, with a bit of comfort, rather than a polished resort. If you want an off-the-grid Amazon adventure, this place could suit you.

We were lucky to spend three nights at this lodge and absolutely loved it. The staff gave amazing service, and the rooms and facilities were great. I’d definitely recommend it.

I visited Peru for the first time in June and stayed here with friends. It’s probably the best option in the area, with a large family estate, gorgeous clean cabins, a good restaurant and bar, an awesome pool, and plenty more. The property runs down to the river, and there’s a five-story lookout tower on a hill with views straight into the Amazon. It’s a 15-minute cab ride from town, but well worth it. The family who own the place were extremely friendly. One of the older gentlemen, a professor, took time to tell us about the hardships he’s faced over the years while protecting his property and preserving the environment. If you ask nicely, he may take you around his incredible garden full of fruit trees.