I booked an all-inclusive trip to the Amazon rainforest, and I can't believe how much I got for $90 a day

23.06.2024 - 13:19 / insider.com

As a child, I dreamed of visiting the Amazon rainforest, but I always envisioned it being wildly inaccessible.

Traveling, especially internationally, is expensive. Looking at lodging alone, hotel prices shot up by 1.7% between April and May, according to NerdWallet's Travel Price Index.

So when I found a three-day, all-inclusive tour of the Amazon rainforest at Green Forest Ecolodge for just $270, I knew I had to go.

The package included all my meals, bus and canoe transfers, a private lodge, and up to four activities a day.

Here's what it was like.

After landing in Ecuador, I hopped on an overnight shuttle from Quito to Lago Agrio. Still slightly sleepy, I splurged and spent a few dollars on a taxi from the bus station to Magic Hostal, the designated meeting spot.

From there, a driver met me for a complimentary transfer to the canoe launch. The drive took about two hours, winding through suburbs and navigating a mixture of tarmac and grit roads.

After jumping off the minibus, the real adventure started. I was ushered toward the river, where a guide placed my luggage in a thick plastic bag on a canoe to keep it dry.

He then helped me board the precariously wobbling vessel and gave me a green poncho (it's not called the rainforest for nothing).

A driver steered the vessel while a tour guide kept a sharp eye out for wildlife. They seemed to understand that time was of the essence in my short three-day stay.

The most exciting sighting was squirrel monkeys — sociable little primates that leaped along overwater branches. But by the time the two-hour canoe ride was over, I'd already seen multiple monkey species, birds, and a sloth.

It started raining as the canoe navigated the last few bends of the Cuyabeno River. I was dry under my fancy green poncho, but not wearing waterproof mascara was definitely a poor choice.

I was ecstatic as we approached the wooden dock and I got my first glimpse of the lodge I'd be staying in.

I opted for a private overwater bungalow with a terrace and hammock. The double bed inside came equipped with a mosquito net, and the bathroom was semi-open and overlooked the jungle.

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It was truly beautiful.

Lunch was served right away. Everyone staying here ate together three times a day in the main lodge, and a bell rang to announce each meal.

Meals consisted of three courses of traditional Ecuadorian cuisine.

There was a starter, main, and dessert at lunch and dinner, and breakfast was a mixture of fruit, toast, and a hot meal. Unlimited hot drinks and bottled water were also available 24/7.

I'm vegetarian, and I was a little worried about the food and drink situation, but I didn't have any issues during my stay. The staff were very conscious of food quality and water