Hakuna Matata Lodge

This was a wonderful rain forest experience once we were able to get to our accommodation. But, we were not aware before arrival that we would be walking across a hanging bridge and then riding in an old pick up truck to the reception area. Our bags were carried by hand separately. This lodging was arranged by our tour operator, Exoticca. Had we known in advance that our arrival would be this way, we probably would have left most of our luggage at our hotel in Quito. Our room was rustic, but adequate. Unfortunately, we had no running water on our last morning right before departure. The provided meals were excellent. The nature walks were interesting but treacherous on slippery, muddy paths. Mud boots provided but come prepared for an authentic experience!

What a brilliant place! The lodge had 3 windows, which were just a mesh insect screen (had shutters if you wanted to close them) but it was great sleeping with shutters open, listening to the animals of the forest and rain and smelling the fresh air. The place is so tranquil, food was good and plentiful, extra meat was brought to the table, enough for everyone to have two full portions. I had my 60th birthday here and couldn’t have wished for better place

Located very, very far from anything. Even though we were in the Amazon Rainforest, aĺl 12 of us felt it could have been any hotel in a forest. Wood cabins, are very, very basic. Beds comfortable. Food was included, good. Excellent jungle massage. A hiking trail. Don't go alone. They provide rubber boots & umbrellas. When it rains there it pours. Jenny was our host. She is excellent.

OMG, I could stay there forever! Authentic lodge in the Amazon jungle with pool and river to go swimming in. Night and day walk in the rainforest nearby to discover wildlife, flora and fauna. Full board with a bar if required. Delicious food and lovely friendly staff. We also took the option of going on a traditional village tour which we thoroughly enjoyed

Clean friendly hotel. No kettle or safe in room. Supply boots for night and day Amazon walks. Lots of electrical points in bedroom. Free drinking water. Paths uneven with stones so have to take care. Not hotel for very elderly or large. Bridge broken an-out 1 mile from hotel so have to walk in heat. Cases taken by bike with carry trolly. There are motor bikes to take you but no helmets and road full of stones potholes and uneven , could be accident waiting to happen. Good food and plenty of it.

This is a rustic lodge near Tena city in the Ecuadorean Amazon. It is a fantastic launch point for activities. The staff go out of their way to make your stay comfortable. The food is simple and home made. The team clearly care and it shows in their heartfelt hospitality. The rooms don’t have AC as they clearly disclose on the website but you instead fall asleep to the sounds of the Amazon. Shout out to Miguel — you were an amazing guide and host!

We stayed here for three nights as part of our Ecuador trip and loved every minute of it. The food was sometimes simple but always really tasty and lots of it! The jungle walks were really interesting, the noises amazing, and we watched hummingbirds from the restaurant. All the staff were lovely and helpful too.

We stayed 3 nights at the Hakuna Matata as part of our Ecuador tour in November, 2021. The lodge itself is very nice with open-air rooms with mosquito netting on the windows. It was great to be able to hear the jungle noises at night and to feel part of the environment. A night hike was included in our stay with one of the staff members. It was a neat experience, and we were given rubber knee-high boots to wear on all our excursions. A local indigenous man, Dario, who contracts through the resort, gave us a full-day tour to his family's land in the rain forest. It was a great experience, hiking (in the rain!) through the jungle with someone who had grown up there. To reach the land, we took a large motorized canoe, and that was an experience because when the water became too shallow, we had to disembark on a sand bar and board the boat again in deeper water. Both our own guide, Alex, and Dario were great in assisting us in climbing up steep, muddy banks in the rain when we left and re-boarded the boat. The food was very good, and the hostess Amanda was wonderful at each meal taking care of us. My only concern about the hotel is that there are no hand rails. The hotel has steps made out of river stones going up from the reception area and to each of the rooms. While raining the steps are quite slippery, and hand rails would have helped a lot! All in all, I'd recommend the hotel for a great Amazon experience!

My lodge was immaculate and it was great having netting rather than glass in the widows as you almost felt like you were sleeping outside. The service here is excellent and the food good with quite a few courses served for breakfast. The walks were interesting however didn’t see any animals and only one snake. This is not the Amazon as we expected so if you are looking for wildlife don’t stay in this area but if you are wanting peace in lush forests then it is great. There is a beautiful pool however some cushions on the wood loungers would be a welcome addition. A beautiful river is nearby too.