Rainforest Expeditions — Hotel in Tambopata

Rainforest Expeditions Lodges Review (Posada Amazonas, Refugio Amazonas, and Tambopata Research Center)

Total stay: 12 nights

Overview

Rainforest Expeditions runs three eco-lodges in the Tambopata region of the Peruvian Amazon: Posada Amazonas, Refugio Amazonas, and Tambopata Research Center (TRC). Each offers a different depth of immersion and wildlife experience, but they share similar accommodation design, service style, and logistics.

Posada Amazonas – Best for Close-Up Encounters

Highlights

Parrot and Macaw Clay Lick: Easily the most intimate macaw experience. You’re close enough that even iPhone photos turn out well. About 40 parrots and macaws (scarlet, red-and-green, blue-headed, etc.) gather in the mornings.

Otters: The only lodge where you have a realistic chance to see giant river otters — and we did.

Canopy Tower: Offers some of the best sunrises we’ve seen anywhere in the Amazon. Watching hundreds of birds streaming toward the clay lick at dawn is simply breathtaking.

Notes

The experience feels personal and accessible; perfect for birders and photographers who prefer proximity over scale.

Tambopata Research Center (TRC) – Best for Scale and Immersion

Highlights

Giant Macaw Clay Lick: A spectacular, world-famous sight — hundreds of macaws congregating in waves. A must-see for bird and nature enthusiasts.

Research Focus: On-site biologists and active macaw research make this lodge feel like an immersive scientific expedition.

Canopy Tower: Great for observing macaw nesting behavior and flight patterns.

Practical Notes

The main clay lick is far away — binoculars are essential, and serious photographers will want a large telephoto lens (even a 400mm will not give you the reach you want).

There are smaller, medium-distance clay lakes, but none match the closeness of Posada.

The journey here is long (boat transfers add several hours), but the reward is worth it. Prepare for early mornings

Refugio Amazonas – Good, but Outshone

This lodge has plenty to offer — good trails, solid wildlife viewing, and the same rustic charm — but after experiencing Posada and TRC, it felt less distinctive. If time is limited, we’d prioritize the other two. Note: You can visit the large clay lick from this location.

Shared Pros and Cons Across All Lodges

Pros

Wildlife access: Outstanding. You’ll see monkeys, birds, and macaws daily.

Knowledgeable guides: Extremely well-trained naturalists. Special mention to Fernando, our bird guide — the best we had anywhere. We saw far more with him than with anyone else.

Sustainability focus: Local community involvement and conservation are at the core of Rainforest Expeditions.

Cons

Open rooms: Beautiful in concept, but less practical in reality. Rooms are completely open to the forest — meaning nightly visits from bats, insects, and a “carpet” of bugs by morning. It’s authentic, but not for everyone.

Food: Consistent but average. Edible, but nothing to rave about.

Tipping: Tips cannot be added to your credit card, so bring plenty of small bills and coins for staff gratuities.

Footwear: The lodges require separate indoor footwear. Bring light sandals or slip-ons; you’ll regret it if you don’t — the long, damp boardwalks (sometimes sprinkled with monkey pee) make bare feet a poor choice.

Lighting: Bring a headlamp — essential for early morning and evening walks.

Final Thoughts

Rainforest Expeditions offers an exceptional way to experience the Amazon. Each lodge has its own personality:

Posada Amazonas – Best for close wildlife photography and accessible experiences.

Tambopata Research Center – Best for depth, scale, and immersion.

Refugio Amazonas – Still enjoyable, but less memorable compared to the others.

The bugs, bats, and basic food are small trade-offs for what’s truly a world-class wildlife experience. We left with unforgettable memories, thousands of photos, and a deep appreciation for the work they do to conserve this...

Beyond my wildest dreams! Must visit for a deep immersive experience in the heart of Peruvian Amazon.

What a phenomenal transformative Experience with Rainforest Expeditions in Peru If you're even considering this kind of adventure, don’t hesitate — just book it.

Rainforest Expeditions delivers an unforgettable, meaningful, and truly enriching experience.

I stayed at the Tambopata Research Center and Posada Amazonas in May 2025 for a four-day, three-night stay — and it was nothing short of life-changing.

Booking was made directly with them, got a good deal during sale. Whole booking process was smooth. Kathia was amazing and patient to respond to all my questions.

Timo and Jamie were my guides throughout my stay at both the lodges. They were the best!

Breathtaking biodiversity- I saw an incredible variety of wildlife, from monkeys and colorful birds to capybaras and even macaws in their natural habitat. One of the most memorable moments was watching dozens of parakeets gather at the clay licks — a vibrant, almost surreal spectacle of color and sound as they fed on the mineral-rich soil. It was like witnessing a secret ritual of the jungle.

The warm welcome I received upon arriving at each lodge immediately made me feel at home. After the journey into the jungle, being greeted with fresh juice and light refreshments was such a thoughtful touch. It was intense due to early morning wake ups, long jungle hikes, lake rides, island visits, yet relaxing with warm hospitality by the staff and guides through the entire stay. The sunset views from the canopy tower at Posada Amazonas were absolutely breathtaking. Standing above the treetops as the sky turned orange and pink, listening to the calls of distant howler monkeys and watching birds soar across the horizon, was pure magic — a moment of stillness and awe I’ll never forget.

The guides were knowledgeable and passionate, making each excursion both educational and exciting. Their deep respect for the environment and local culture added real meaning to every step of the journey.

Both lodges offered comfortable accommodations that blended seamlessly into the surrounding jungle, with open windows and bathrooms, set high above ground for safety and ventilation.

The food is fresh, flavorful, and locally inspired — was consistently amazing. I was especially impressed by the variety and quality of the plant-based options available. Every meal felt thoughtfully prepared, with local ingredients that highlighted the richness of Peruvian cuisine without compromising dietary needs.

Rainforest Expeditions doesn’t just offer a vacation — they offer a powerful reminder of our connection to nature. I left with a deeper appreciation for the Amazon and the importance of...

We spent 3N at Posada, it was the first day the lodge re-opened this year, so we were at a much lower head count (10ish) compared to capacity of around 70. Overall an amazing experience to be in the Amazon up close and personal with flora and fauna and animals you might otherwise only catch in documentaries. Our guide, Oscar, is from the local community and has worked for Rainforest Expeditions for 15+ years. His knowledge has great breadth and depth, with special bird expertise.

Know that wildlife sightings are unpredictable so you can hope for the best but also come with no expectations. We got very lucky with sightings up close of the giant river otters (family of three), tons of cool birds, endless macaws, squirrel, howler and other monkeys, lots of spectacled and one black Damian, many cappi barra, tarantulas, and the highlight was probably the night walks when we saw wandering spider, lots of cool frogs, and a very rare 4 meter bushmaster snake (the most venomous and aggressive snake in south America!).

The lodge rooms are indeed rustic chic, love the hot showers and biodegradable shower products great quality. Open air (no net) direct to the forest on one side, and also high but open wall to your neighbors. So hopefully you aren't too shy! And you're in the forest, so there are bugs that just appear. Definitely being big spray and binoculars.

Meal times are very specific, food was fantastic and fresh, they put out snacks and fresh juices in between. Didn't try the messages as they seemed a but pricey. Rainforest expeditions boasts that 75% of proceeds are back into the community, it's a well oiled machine, and a fantastic way to experience the raw, wild abundance of the Amazon...