Gocta Natura Reserve — Hotel in Valera

This is my first Trip Advisor review because I'm not really a review-leaver. However, my experience at Gocta Natura Reserve was so exceptional, so otherworldly, so damn awesome, I was compelled to create an account at TripAdvisor just to sing the praises of this unique spot. |It's definitely not easy to get to . We drove the 8 hours from Tarapoto Airport, but for our return, mudslides had closed the road back, so we re-jiggered and flew out of the much closer Chachapoyas airport (which only has departures to Lima on certain days). This meant we had to stay an extra day at Gocta Natura, but wow was that a glorious day! So the lodge is small--maybe 4 or 5 casitas--and it feels like you're staying in the private home of a very well-travelled, sophisticated, aesthetically-minded person. Just playing Chinese Checkers in the living room with a glass of wine was a highlight of our trip! Our family of four was one of the first to stay in their larger, 4-person A-frame with gorgeous old-growth floors and beams, and a spectacular view of the Gocta falls. Every afternoon, they would deliver the most divine banana bread or chocolate chip cookies!|I also need to mention the food, which was as local, innovative, and delicious as a farm-to-table restaurant in Los Angeles, where we're from. I would not be surprised if the chef, Gustavo, opens his own restaurant in the very foodie city of Lima one day. |And finally, the lodge is perfectly sited about a 5k walk to the falls. We made that walk twice, and it was the favorite part of our trip to Peru. Gorgeous, empty, and pristine. My only advice would be to wear long sleeves and bug spray, because the sand flies are brutal. |All in all, this lodge was our favorite stop in our two weeks in Peru. It's a special, unique place! The extra day thanks to the mudslides allowed us to walk into the small village of Cocachimba and visit the hummingbird reserve as well as the shop that makes its own artisinal spirits....

This is my first Trip Advisor review because I'm not really a review-leaver. However, my experience at Gocta Natura Reserve was so exceptional, so otherworldly, so damn awesome, I was compelled to create an account at TripAdvisor just to sing the praises of this unique spot. |It's definitely not easy to get to . We drove the 8 hours from Tarapoto Airport, but for our return, mudslides had closed the road back, so we re-jiggered and flew out of the much closer Chachapoyas airport (which only has departures to Lima on certain days). This meant we had to stay an extra day at Gocta Natura, but wow was that a glorious day! So the lodge is small--maybe 4 or 5 casitas--and it feels like you're staying in the private home of a very well-travelled, sophisticated, aesthetically-minded person. Just playing Chinese Checkers in the living room with a glass of wine was a highlight of our trip! Our family of four was one of the first to stay in their larger, 4-person A-frame with gorgeous old-growth floors and beams, and a spectacular view of the Gocta falls. Every afternoon, they would deliver the most divine banana bread or chocolate chip cookies!|I also need to mention the food, which was as local, innovative, and delicious as a farm-to-table restaurant in Los Angeles, where we're from. I would not be surprised if the chef, Gustavo, opens his own restaurant in the very foodie city of Lima one day. |And finally, the lodge is perfectly sited about a 5k walk to the falls. We made that walk twice, and it was the favorite part of our trip to Peru. Gorgeous, empty, and pristine. My only advice would be to wear long sleeves and bug spray, because the sand flies are brutal. |All in all, this lodge was our favorite stop in our two weeks in Peru. It's a special, unique place! The extra day thanks to the mudslides allowed us to walk into the small village of Cocachimba and visit the hummingbird reserve as well as the shop that makes its own artisinal spirits....

A-M-A-Z-I-N-G experience!||From reservation to departure everything is tailor-made and perfectly executed.||The location itself is wonderful, clean view of the Gocta Falls throughout the property. Fantastic ecological project to reforest the area, bringing back the original fauna and flora to the area. Environmental focus in everything they do. Nothing is left to chance, the property is very well planned and designed from the forests, the orchid garden, the orchard , the bungalows, the main lobby and decks. They have carefully and tastefully picked tableware, decorations, arts and crafts from the Amazonian Region. Ample space to walk around, quiet places to sit down to relax and enjoy nature. They have a keen focus on preserving nature and having a vision to being Eco friendly in everything they do.||The food is superb! Either full or half pension, fixed menus with a farm to table concept. Fresh products from around the region and their own orchard. Very creative and succulent dishes. Wines are beautifully paired.||The experience is very personalized , friendly and high quality of service all around. They offer you options for activities in the area. All third party managed, providing opportunities to local businesses: taxi services, tour guides, masseuses. ||The bungalows are high quality, very well equipped , nice and comfy bedding, amenities include drinking water, water boiler for hot beverages , exquisite coffee, daily serving of pastries/cakes/cookies, fresh fruit. ||Rocio is a wonderful hostess and Matias an exceptional chef and both promoters of local products and focused on preserving the environment.||Congrats! Perfectly...