This
lodge was quite different from other lodges we had been to. It is owned by a
couple who are wholeheartedly trying to preserve the natural and cultural environment
in the area and they are trying to make the lodge as self-sustainable as possible.
They have a reforestation program and also a program to breed more capybaras
and use them to help farmers control weeds in their fields. They also encourage
the preservation of the Guarani Indian culture.
They have a resident biologist who is doing research and who gives lectures about the animals in the jungle. There are also park rangers with extensive naturalist training that lead the excursions, along with bilingual guides.
But
it is a refined experience here because the buildings are amazing. It seems
like everything is handmade, yet very elegant. The interior decorating is ingenious
and beautiful. The entrance to the main building is like that from a fantasy
story - maybe a hobbit building. The rooms are spread out in the jungle with
flowering vines on them. The food is local and excellent. The wildlife is like
that at most jungle lodges - they're out there, but most are hidden by the foliage.
There is a wetlands area that is good for birdwatching. There are plenty of
birds and lots of butterflies, and there were agoutis (small animals, about
the size of rabbits) running around near our room each morning. Everybody gets
a kick out of the capybaras - the world's largest rodent (but they don't remind
you of rats - they're much cuter).
Many people that we have sent to the lodge have commented on how friendly the people are there and how they were made to feel part of the family. We have to agree.The owners are very hospitable, as well as the staff, and they do everything they can to let you enjoy your experience in this jungle to the fullest.
Getting to the lodge was interesting, just to see how people are trying to scrape out a living out on the frontier. But they seemed to be happy.
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