The lodges on the Tambopata and Madre de Dios Rivers are why most people come to Puerto Maldonado. They range from the super luxurious Inkaterra Reserva Amazonica to more humble homestays on Lake Sandoval.

Most travelers book with one of the lodges before arrival and are picked up directly from the airport for the boat ride to the lodge. If you have time and a low budget, go to the agencies on the north side of the Plaza de Armas to see what kind of deals you can get. Only a few of the agencies have their own lodge, so be sure to ask each agency if you’d be at their lodge or at the lodge of one of their partner agencies.

I visited three places on my trip: Los Amigos Biological Research Station, Jaguarundi’s Inn and Green House Tambopata. Los Amigos was my favorite for the amount of wildlife I saw there but it is too far to be able to do the popular day tours. Stay at a lodge closer to town if you want to do any of the day tours.