Napo Wildlife Center Ecolodge — Hotel in Alejandro Labaka

Incredible! We did the 5-day 4-night tour, which is really more like 4 days because of all the travel.

Someone met us at the Quito airport with our boarding passes and helped get us checked in. There were 21 people total going to the lodge that day, but another day there was only one, so it varies greatly. The flight to Coca is super quick, and more staff greets you when you land. They get your bags to a boat launching point where you can get situated with a coffee or tea, go to the bathroom, and listen to the next steps from one of the guides.

The first boat ride is motorized and lasts about 2.5 hours. They give you lunch and juice to eat on the way. We got ours in branded dry bags and a filled water bottle that we could keep. You end up at their cultural center where you can use the bathroom, refill your water, and hop in a canoe with your guides. Then they paddle to the wildlife center and you'll likely see lots of animals on the way! (Its very impressive how well the guides can spot and identify animals.)

When you get to the center (and every day after your tour) you get delicious, fresh juice from the bartender and a scented cold towel to cool down with.

The rooms are beautiful—better than expected! There were two branded hats waiting for us (cute touch!). Yes, there will be some bugs... You are in the middle of the rainforest after all. But the staff cleans daily and even drops down the canopy bug nets while you're at dinner. There is eco-friendly shampoo and soap in the shower and a hair dryer.

The food was waaaay better than we expected, and they do a fantastic job catering to dietary restrictions/preferences. Breakfast and dinner are buffets and lunch is plated unless you eat lunch at the cultural center (then it's buffet). The guides also have snacks so you never go long without being fed.

There's a large bar with beer, wine, and mixed drinks. The wonderful bartender is also happy to cater to you if you want something special or NA. All drinks go on your tab and you pay at the end—at this time you can also tip your guides, paddler, and the staff with a credit card vs staff. And you'll want to because all the staff is so nice, helpful, and genuinely excited that you're there.

When it rains, the guides hand out ponchos. We were lucky and it only rained for 4-5 hours one morning, mostly while we were visiting the neighbouring community (which was very cool). After the rain ends, get ready because the animals get really active.

Your final day is only transportation. We had to leave at 4:45am to basically have the reverse experience of when we got there. They even packed tupperware with individual hot breakfast and fruit for everyone.

If you've made it this far, thanks! I hope you get the opportunity to visit and have an...

The ideal jungle adventure. Huge diversity of animals and birds, great guides, good food, fantastic logistics etc.

We saw the following animals in 4 full days: Giant Otters (5) /Gold tamarind monkey (only found in Yanusi Park area) / Red howler monkey / Three-toed sloth / Woolie monkey / Mottled turtle / Squirrel Monkey / White fronted capuchin monkey / Long nosed bat /Pink river dolphin / Red titi monkey / Spider monkey / Green Anaconda /Cayman / White cayman (seldom seen)

We saw the following birds in our 4 full days: Cuckoo bird greater Ani / Smooth billed ani /Anhinga (cormorant) / Hoatzin /Lesser kiskadee flycatcher / Rufus bellied hummingbird /Grey headed kite / Orange winged parrot / Hook billed kite /Blue headed parrots / Yellow crown parrot / Mealy Amazon partot / Dusky headed parrakeet / Speckled chachalaka bird / Crested Owl / Amazonia umbrella bird / green Acouchy / Ringed kingfisher / Green kingfisher / Snail kite / Red throated Caracara / Red bellied macaw / Many banded Aracari toucan / Scarlet Macaw / Slender billed kite / Blue & yellow macaw / King Vulture / Purple tanager? / Flame crested - Tanager / Paradise Tanager / Green Honey Creeper ? /Turquoise Tanager / Greater yellow headed vulture / Grey headed kite / Orange winged parrot / White necked puff bird / Great tinnamor / Wattle Jakana / Ferruginous pigmy owl / Great kiskerrie/ Boat billed heron / Tropical king bird / Cobalt winged parakeet / Blue & grey tananger / Smooth billed Anni cuckoo bird / Red capped cardinal /Silver beaked Tanager / Roadside Hawkm / Blue morpho butterfly / Striated heron / Bare necked foot crow / Capped Heron / Squirrel cuckoo bird / White winged swallow / White Hawk / White throated toucan / Gilded barbet /Amazon Kingfisher /...

I don’t even know where to start but this was one of the best travel experience’s I have ever had. We just stayed for 3 nights April 4-7 2025. First off they have unmatched organization. They take care of you as all as you step off the plane. Getting to the resort is part of the adventure. High speed motor boat then onto a man powered canoe ride. That’s when the Amazon adventure begins. We saw our first cayman and monkeys about 10 min in. The resort is unreal on a lake in the middle of the rainforest. This is not roughing it at all. Full luxury accommodations and the hot candle lit bath for two ready as we stepped into our room was a nice touch. The main lodge is a marvel with its many floors and top look out. The excursions I could write a novel about but we saw all kinds of birds, monkeys, lizards, beautiful plants. The best part of it all is the people. Unlike any other place I have stayed this resort is owned and operated by the local community. It was built to conserve the jungle while also providing jobs to the locals and it has been very successful in doing so. I’ve never felt so good spending money knowing it’s 100% going back to the community and into conservation. This is eco tourism at its absolute best. Our guide Remi was a true professional but also a genuine person. All the staff were so kind and you can tell they all truly care about their guests. Food was so delicious and everything was so clean and well kept. I could go on and on but if you want a once in a lifetime Amazon experience you need...