Travel Tip 118
How to pick the right hotel
Utcubamba River Lodge is perfect for people who want a pool and to be close to Kuélap.
Don’t just look at how many stars or ratings a hotel has, look for one that’s right for you.
I’ve stayed in a lot of hotels, hostels, lodges and B&Bs since I started traveling and they were all the right place for somebody. They weren’t all the right place for me, but each one had its niche.
Look for reviews by travelers like you.
Families with small children, 20-somethings who like bars, LGBTQ+ travelers, retired couples, and lots of other kinds of people may need something different from me in a hotel.
I just got back home to Cusco last night after almost three weeks traveling around northern Peru, so I don’t have a new blog or article for you this week. (Lots of both are currently in the works!) Instead, here’s my recommendations for the places I stayed in northern Peru – by traveler type.
All rooms at Sachakuna have a porch with hammock and seating area.
Wellness travelers
Stay at Sachakuna, an hour outside of Tarapoto. Sachakuna does all kinds of wellness retreats, including ayahuasca and yoga. I had a fantastic massage, yoga session and baño de florecimiento, one of the steps in preparing for ayahuasca. Preparing for ayahuasca can take over a week, depending on the shaman you’re working with and Sachakuna specializes in both the preparation and bringing renowned shamans to the resort.
Follow Sachakuna on Instagram and check out their website.
My room had a writing desk with view of the waterfall. (Sorry I didn’t make my bed for the photo).
Artsy creatives & LGBTQ+ travelers
Stay at Gocta Lab in Cocachimba, with a view of Gocta Waterfall. This is a beautiful and inspiring place for ceramic workshops, yoga retreats, mycologists, birders, writers, farm-to-table chefs and artists of all kinds. It’s also an inspiring place for any kind of person who wants to be surrounded by creativity and nature. The international volunteer staff and welcoming atmosphere make it an ideal place for LGBTQ+ travelers.
Follow Gocta Lab on Instagram and check out their website.
Achamaqui has lots of beautiful outdoor spaces for rest & relaxation.
Families & travelers who like peace & quiet
Stay at Fundo Achamaqui, an old hacienda on the Utcubamba River, close to where the road from Chachapoyas comes down to the Utcubamba River Valley. Achamaqui has fields of flowers for kids to run around in, next to the river, plus a historic sugar cane press and old hacienda house with only twelve rooms.
Follow Fundo Achamaqui on Instagram and check out their website.
Utcubamba River Lodge is perfectly located for tours of Kuélap, Yalape, Revash & Leymebamba.
Families with small children, hikers & travelers interested in archeology
Stay at Utcubamba River Lodge, a small hotel with a beautiful pool walking distance from the Kuélap cable car. (I walked from the hotel to the cable car in about half an hour). Restaurants in the small town of Tingo are also in walking distance. Tours from Chachapoyas to the archeological sites in Revash or Leymebamba have to go past the lodge and staying here cuts an hour off the drive from Chachapoyas.
Follow Utcubamba River Lodge on Instagram and check out their website.
Each chalet at La Cartuja has its own kitchen and two bedrooms with king or queen beds.
Independent couples & small groups who like to cook
Stay at La Cartuja, three chalet-style houses on a hillside opposite Kuélap. You need your own transportation to get here and should bring food with you from Chachapoyas because it’s a secluded location. However, the peace and quiet here is second to none. It’s on a steep hillside, so I wouldn’t recommend it for families with small children. There are no restaurants within walking distance and the nearest villages are quite a hike.
Follow La Cartuja on Instagram and message the owner Alberto on WhatsApp +51 987 109 626. (He’s fluent in Spanish, English, Italian and French).
I’m adding these to the list of my favorite hotels in Peru soon!
