Luxury Hotels Atlas / Places / Ecuador / Laguna Garzacocha / La Selva Eco Lodge & Retreat
La Selva Eco Lodge & Retreat
Laguna Garzacocha, Orellana, Ecuador · Independent · Accessible Luxury
Founded in 1986 as a pioneer of luxury ecotourism in the Amazon, La Selva underwent a comprehensive renovation in 2021 to modernize its guest accommodations. It was notably recognized as South America's Leading Eco-Lodge at the 2024 World Travel Awards, surpassing other high-profile properties in the region. Now owned and operated by Golden Experiences & Travel, the lodge is situated within the Yasuní Biosphere Reserve and remains a top-tier destination for sustainable travel.
- 19 rooms
- Opened 1986
- Neighborhood: Las Lagunas
History
Founded in 1986 as a pioneer of luxury ecotourism in the Amazon, La Selva underwent a comprehensive renovation in 2021 to modernize its guest accommodations. Now owned and operated by Golden Experiences & Travel, the lodge is situated within the Yasuní Biosphere Reserve and remains a top-tier destination for sustainable travel. It was notably recognized as South America's Leading Eco-Lodge at the 2024 World Travel Awards, surpassing other high-profile properties in the region.
Experiences
- Amazon tour programs (wildlife adventures, cultural encounters) — The Amazon Jungle offers opportunities for cultural exchange, photography, adventure, hiking, relaxation, birdwatching and wildlife observation.
- Birdwatching program — A 3-night birdwatching program; the area ranks among the world's hotspots for bird species in the Neo-Tropics.
- Family program — A 3-night Family Program with kid-friendly activities and expert guides, described as a fun, educational Amazon experience.
- Honeymoon program — A 3-night Honeymoon Program with private dinners and intimate jungle adventures.
- Combined Galapagos tour — A 10-day luxury adventure combining Ecuador's Amazon and the Galapagos.
- Combined Ecuador tour (Andes mountains and Amazon rainforest) — Combined tours covering the Avenue of the Volcanoes, cultural sites and colonial cities, with the Jungle, Galapagos Islands, Ecuador and Peru.
Amenities
- Lakeside Spa & Wellness Center offering specialized Amazonian treatments
- Daily yoga sessions on a scenic platform overlooking Lake Garzacocha
- Gourmet rainforest-to-table dining featuring local and international cuisine
- 125-foot wildlife observation tower for canopy-level viewing
- Private balconies and porches with hammocks in all staterooms
- Expert-led naturalist and native-guided jungle excursions and canoe tours
Awards
- South America's Leading Eco-Lodge 2025 (World Travel Awards) (2025)
Open La Selva Eco Lodge & Retreat in the atlas for live weekend rates, photos, and the full folio.