Suchipakari Lodge And Spa: Amazon Highlights And Insider Tips
Suchipakari Lodge and Spa is located deep in Ecuador’s Amazon rainforest, near Puerto Misahualli, offering guests the chance to explore one of the world’s most biodiverse places.
The property borders the Pusuno River, offering direct access to the rainforest alongside modern comforts for all travelers. We vacationed at the lodge with Exoticca Travel and have a full review.
Our 14-day itinerary included Quito, Ecuador’s capital, and a multi-island stay in the Galápagos. Our primary reason for choosing this itinerary was to enjoy the wildlife activities in the Galápagos.
This review summarizes our 2-night stay, highlighting what we liked and areas needing improvement. In 5 minutes, you’ll understand the accommodation, amenities, and adventures at Suchipakari Lodge to help you decide if it’s right for you.
Suchipakari Lodge And Spa Overview
Established in 2000, Suchipakari offers eco-lodge stays, spa treatments, outdoor adventures, and cultural experiences. Its approach to Amazon exploration appeals to families, wellness seekers, and nature enthusiasts.
The property’s name, “Gift of Nature,” in Kichwa reflects its approach to sustainable tourism in one of Earth’s most biodiverse regions.
Location And Setting
Traveling from Quito, Ecuador’s capital city, the lodge is approximately a 5-hour drive, according to Google Maps. However, our bone-jolting bus ride took 6.5 hours.
Many washouts slow the road, and the last 10 km (6 miles) are on a road desperately in need of maintenance. The typical speed on the last segment of road is a maximum of 40kph (25 mph), and it took 30 minutes to cover the 6 miles.
The property includes Playa Rio Pusuno beach, a 10-minute walk from the cabins. Guests can view the jungle from a swimming pool or our favorite spot, the tree house above the bar.
The lodge sits within its own protected tropical rainforest reserve, creating a buffer between accommodations and the broader Amazon ecosystem.
There is a small pond at the lodge, creating a waterfront view. However, the water is typically brown and cloudy, so don’t dream of crystal-clear water!
Accommodation
Suchipakari Lodge offers rooms designed with native elements that balance comfort with an authentic jungle setting, including a “Honeymoon” deluxe suite near the spa.
Those expecting accommodation like modern city hotels may find the rooms different. They have open-air screens intended to reduce insects, but do not have windows to block out jungle noise. The ambient sounds of the rainforest were noticeable; for those sensitive to noise, we recommend earplugs.
The lodge features rooms inspired by native architecture, dining venues serving regional cuisine, and a range of organized activities, such as guided jungle walks, river tubing, and birdwatching.
Types Of Rooms And Suites
The accommodation featured traditional indigenous design. The construction was rugged but suitable for its location in the Amazon ecosystem. The doors had noticeable gaps, and the screens did not fit well, which allowed bugs to enter. Luckily, we only found one cockroach.
Standard rooms suit couples or solo travelers seeking an authentic jungle experience. Family suites accommodate larger groups with additional space and sleeping arrangements.
Each room is rustic, built from wood and natural materials to reflect the rainforest. There is no air conditioning, hair dryer, dresser, or wardrobe.
The native-inspired architecture includes thatched roofs and open-air elements that allow guests to feel connected to the Amazon ecosystem while maintaining privacy and comfort.
Guest Amenities
Guest rooms include private bathrooms with hot showers, comfortable bedding, and ceiling fans. Without air conditioning, rooms can be humid at night. After reading reviews, some guests reported pervasive dampness, even in the bedding!
The bathrooms were quite nice with large walk-in showers. However, our floor sloped the wrong way, so the bathroom flooded each time we had a shower.
Common area amenities include:
- Sun terrace and private beach area.
- Outdoor restaurant and bar.
- Spa facilities with massage services, facials, and manicures.
- Swimming pool and lounge chairs with jungle views.
Mikuna Restaurante serves regional cuisine for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. The property also features a beach bar and snack bar for casual dining options throughout the day.
Discovery Program
Suchipakari’s guided activities include nature hikes through the primary rainforest to spot wildlife and learn about jungle ecosystems.
On arrival, we did a Night-Walk. Wearing rubber boots and using flashlights or cellphones, we followed a guide into the dark and saw spiders (including a baby tarantula), small frogs, ants, and cockroaches. Karen even held a massive spider that would make arachnophobes run with fear.
The tour did not meet our expectations. We spent an hour looking for nocturnal mammals but observed only insects, many of which were found on the lodge grounds.
You may be lucky enough to see an occasional snake, but we didn’t see any on our tour. However, on another evening, I saw a five-foot (1.5 m) snake crossing the pathway about 10 feet (3 m) from our cabin door.
Water-based activities include river tubing and canoe rides on the nearby river. Cultural exchanges with local Kichwa communities provide insight into indigenous traditions and daily life.
We joined the make-your-own-chocolate activity: shelling, roasting, and grinding beans, then pouring melted chocolate over fresh fruit which we got to eat. We got to taste the white flesh around the beans which tasted like mango.
Spa And Wellness Experiences
The spa offers treatments using natural ingredients from the rainforest. Karen found it a peaceful and relaxing retreat in the jungle.
Massages And Facials
The spa’s massage treatments utilize techniques passed down through generations of indigenous communities in the region. Therapists incorporate natural oils and plant extracts native to the Amazon basin, including copaiba oil and guarana.
The facial treatments are similarly drawn from local botanical resources, with masks and preparations made from ingredients such as riverbank clay and plant-based compounds. Karen enjoyed an Ecuadorian chocolate facial, done with 100% dark chocolate.
Each session is designed to maintain connection with the jungle environment and typically lasts 30 to 60 minutes.
Theraputic Baths
The spa facilities include areas dedicated to water-based wellness experiences that complement the massage and facial offerings. These therapeutic baths incorporate minerals and plant materials collected from the Amazon ecosystem.
We tried a floral jacuzzi, which felt indulgent—sitting amidst fresh flowers and citrus slices, framed by the jungle.
Spa Packages
Suchipakari’s spa packages bundle treatments for cohesive wellness at prices lower than treatments at home or on a cruise.
Note that staff are very accommodating, and packages can be customized to accommodate the length of our stay at the lodge. Multi-day visitors often schedule spa treatments to complement their activity itineraries, balancing physical exertion with restorative wellness sessions.
Dining Options
The lodge has one restaurant serving regional Ecuadorian food from local ingredients. Meals were satisfactory but basic. Due to the lodge’s remote location, no alternative dining options were available.
On-Site Restaurant
Mikuna Restaurante serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner daily. Breakfast was generally a buffet, but we could choose buffet or à la carte at lunch or dinner. The team can accommodate special dietary needs, including vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, and kosher options, with advance notice.
My chicken Caesar salad was a standout meal that came loaded with garlic. The chocolate bread served one day at breakfast was also very good.
Meals are typically included in lodge packages, though specific inclusions vary by booking type. Our package included breakfast, but we had to pay for lunches and dinners.
Other guests at the lodge had ALL meals included, which made sense since there were no other dining venues nearby.
Adventure And Outdoor Activities
Immersive jungle experiences bring guests into direct contact with Amazon’s diverse ecosystems. The activities range from guided forest treks to river-based adventures.
For the Night Walk, rubber boots are provided, but it is recommended to bring a flashlight, wear long clothing, and apply insect repellent before the walk. The trail can be quite muddy because you are in a rainforest.
Daytime hikes show different rainforest life than night walks. We enjoyed seeing colorful birds, insects, plants, and especially butterflies.
Wildlife Watching
The Amazon supports monkeys, parrots, toucans, owls, and ocelots. On the lodge grounds, we saw few jungle species—mostly butterflies, not birds. This helped adjust our wildlife expectations.
To see monkeys, guests needed to book the half-day Amazonian excursion. It included a canoe ride to Paikawe Lagoon, a visit to the Misahualli Monkey Village, and a meeting with the residents of the Amupakin community. Everyone agreed that it was the best tour offered by the lodge.
Water Sports
The Pusuno River provides the setting for water-based activities at the lodge. River tubing is available, and we noticed a large narrow boat available for excursions.
Travel Tips And Practical Information
Suchipakari Lodge is about 5 hours from Quito, making it a long, bumpy bus ride. We traveled from Quito airport to Old Town, stopped for lunch, and then made the long trek to the lodge. Door to jungle: 10.5 hours. It was an exhausting day by the time we arrived at night.
Getting To Suchipakari Lodge And Spa
Most visitors arrange transportation through the lodge, which costs USD 45 per person, one-way. The route travels east through the Andes, descending into the Amazon basin near the town of Tena.
From there, it’s about an hour’s drive to Puerto Misahualli and the lodge, located near the Pusuno River.
Independent travelers can take a bus from Quito’s Quitumbe Terminal to Tena, then hire a taxi to the lodge. This option costs less but requires more coordination. The lodge staff can provide specific directions and meet guests at designated pickup points.
Vaccines For the Amazon
Interestingly, the lodge’s website suggests no vaccines are required. However, they caution that yellow fever vaccination is strongly recommended for anyone visiting Ecuador’s Amazon region. Our doctor recommended:
- Hepatitis A and B
- Typhoid
- Dukoral for Cholera
- Malaria
We took all the precautions and received all the recommended vaccines. Interestingly, we saw a few mosquitoes, and most of the bugs were crawling. Be sure to check with your family physician at least 3 months before your visit to the lodge.
What To Pack
Light, breathable clothing in neutral colors works best for the humid environment. We packed long-sleeved shirts and pants to protect against insects and sun exposure, even though daytime temperatures were 30 °C.
One brand we favor is Rashguard, which offers SPF50 protection during the day and long sleeves to protect against mosquitoes in the evening. These shirts are lightweight and dry quickly.
Essential items include:
- Insect repellent with DEET (30% or higher).
- Waterproof rain jacket or poncho.
- Sturdy shoes and water-resistant sandals.
- Sunscreen (SPF 30+), hat, and bathing suit.
- Refillable water bottle.
- Binoculars for wildlife viewing.
- Headlamp or flashlight with extra batteries, although most use a cellphone.
The lodge provides towels and basic toiletries, but we should bring any specific personal care items. A dry bag protects electronics and documents during river activities. Cash in small denominations is useful for tipping guides and purchasing crafts from local communities.
Ready to book your stay?
Choose your Suchipakari Jungle Lodge accommodation here.
Final Thoughts
Our trip to Suchipakari Lodge was memorable, and while we were glad it was only a 2-night stay, it offered us a unique glimpse into the Amazon jungle. Although we don’t see ourselves returning, it left us with a valuable experience.
Considering your own comfort levels, what could your ideal balance between adventure and ease be? Whether it’s the tranquility of a cruise or the thrill of an exotic forest, each journey adds a significant chapter to our travel stories.
If you’re looking for an adventure that will provide an amazing experience far outside your comfort zone, a stay at the lodge may be just what you need. Guest services were excellent, and they worked hard to make our stay enjoyable.
