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“You’re taking your kids to the Amazon?”
When we told people we were taking our teenagers into the Amazon rainforest, we got a lot of surprised looks.“Won’t it be too hard with kids?” “What about the bugs?” “Isn’t it dangerous?”
I had many of the same questions myself. Ironically, after ten days of exploring Peru, our three days at Posada Amazonas ended up being the easiest and most relaxing part of the trip.
Easiest Part of the Trip
We booked our Amazon stay through Rainforest Expeditions, spending three nights at Posada Amazonas, a family-friendly eco-lodge tucked in the Ese Eja native community of Infierno, preserved exclusively for ecotourism.
Getting to Posada Amazonas
After landing in Puerto Maldonado, the Rainforest Expeditions team handled everything from there. We traveled about an hour by bus to the river before boarding a motorized canoe for the scenic journey to the lodge. Lunch was served along the way, and by the time we arrived, we already felt immersed in the rainforest.
Why Posada Amazonas Is Perfect for Families
It’s all Planned for Us
Our Room at Posada Amazonas
“But… What About the Bugs?”
Sure, a few insects and the occasional frog wandered through, especially after dark, but it was surprisingly manageable. By the second night, I wasn’t thinking about the missing wall anymore. I was falling asleep to the sounds of the rainforest and waking to howler monkeys overhead.
By the end of our stay, I couldn’t imagine experiencing the Amazon any other way.
What Makes Posada Amazonas So Unique?
What truly sets Posada Amazonas apart is its partnership between Rainforest Expeditions and the Ese Eja Native Community of Infierno, whose ancestral lands border the Tambopata National Reserve. Together, they’ve created a model of sustainable tourism that helps protect the rainforest while providing meaningful opportunities for the local community.
That partnership is woven throughout the entire experience. Many of the guides and staff are members of the local community, bringing a level of knowledge and personal connection that’s impossible to learn from a guidebook.
Our guide, Jorge, grew up in the area, and his passion for the Amazon was contagious. He was incredibly knowledgeable, wonderful with our teenagers, and somehow managed to spot wildlife we would have walked right past. Jorge’s passion for the rainforest made every excursion more meaningful. He shared how local plants have been used for generations and helped us spot wildlife we never would have noticed ourselves.
Knowing that our stay supported both conservation and the local community made the experience even more meaningful. We left with unforgettable memories and a deeper appreciation for the Amazon and the people who call it home.
Become a Citizen Scientist with Wired Amazon
Another thing that makes Posada Amazonas so unique is its partnership with Wired Amazon and its conservation program that allows guests to participate in real scientific research alongside researchers working in the Tambopata National Reserve.
During our stay, we took part in the Discovering New Species project, and it ended up being one of our teenagers’ favorite experiences.
After dark, we worked alongside a researcher helping collect selected specimens that will be sent to the Natural History Museum in Lima for identification as part of ongoing biodiversity research. There’s even the possibility that one of the insects we collected could represent a species never before documented. And if that happens? We get to name it! How cool is that?
Some of our Favorite Excursions
- Parrots and Macaws: Watching dozens of colorful parrots and macaws gather at the clay lick just after sunrise was one of the most unforgettable wildlife experiences of our trip. We also attended a presentation about Wired Amazon’s Tambopata Macaw Project, where we learned how decades of research and artificial nesting boxes are helping protect these remarkable birds. Seeing the macaws in the wild was incredible, but understanding the conservation work behind the experience made it even more meaningful.
- Guided Hikes: Our day and night hikes with Jorge were unforgettable. Every walk felt like a treasure hunt as we spotted colorful frogs, medicinal plants, giant tarantulas, tailless whip scorpions, and countless insects we never would have noticed on our own. It’s no surprise that the Discovering New Species citizen science project became one of our teenagers’ favorite experiences.
- Oxbow Lake: Quietly paddling across the calm waters felt like stepping into a nature documentary as we spotted giant river otters, caimans, monkeys, and countless birds.
- Canopy Tower: Climbing above the treetops gave us a breathtaking bird’s-eye view of the Amazon and a whole new appreciation for just how vast the rainforest really is.
- Local Farm Visit: Sampling tropical fruits and learning how food is grown in the Amazon offered a fascinating glimpse into everyday life beyond the rainforest and a chance to connect with the local community.
Our Experience as a Family
Before our trip, one of my biggest questions was whether Posada Amazonas would feel safe for our family. After spending three nights there, I can honestly say we felt well cared for from beginning to end.
Yes, you’re in the Amazon, and wildlife is part of the adventure. Every excursion was led by experienced naturalist guides who prepared us for each activity and made us feel confident as we explored the rainforest.
The trip wasn’t all adrenaline, though. One of my daughter’s favorite memories was getting a temporary spider tattoo that was modeled after a photo she took. The tattoo is made with natural plant dyes, following a tradition similar to henna.
Rainforest Expeditions recommends Posada Amazonas for children ages 6 and up, and after our experience, I think that’s an excellent guideline. Our teenagers absolutely loved every minute, and we’d recommend it to any family looking for an unforgettable Amazon adventure.
An Adventure to Remember
We came to the Amazon expecting unforgettable wildlife. We left with a deeper appreciation for the rainforest, the people who protect it, and the importance of preserving it.
Posada Amazonas was one of the highlights of our Peru adventure, and I’d recommend it to anyone looking for an authentic Amazon experience.
If you’re planning your own trip, Rainforest Expeditions has generously offered Staying Blonde readers 20% off stays at Posada Amazonas through December 2027 with code STAYINGBLONDE20.
Mom of two and seeking sanity in the everyday. Let’s chat about family, school struggles, travel, and living our best life. Located in the San Francisco Bay area.
