Best Rainforest and Jungle Lodge Hotels Around the World

With endless views over the mountaintops and emerald green rainforests of Munduk, Elevate Bali offers a truly transcendent experience. Settle into your villa above the clouds, swim in a private infinity pool whose edge meets the horizon, dine on modern Indonesian cuisine, explore the nearby waterfalls and volcanic peaks and visit an ancient Hindu floating temple.

The beauty of Bali is far from a secret, but this secluded lodge feels worlds away from the bustling energy of more popular destinations. That said, it’s only an hour and a half’s drive away from the stylish cultural hub of Ubud.

The archipelago of Langkawi boasts an especially enchanting combination: verdant rainforests and tropical beaches that look more like a screensaver than real life. The Datai Langkawi takes full advantage of both of these natural assets, fully enveloped in the lush foliage and just steps away from a pristine private beach.

The hotel’s sense of serene luxury is complemented by a firm focus on conservation, making it one of our top positive impact properties. All of its operations are aligned with the Datai Pledge, which consists of various sustainability initiatives and is led by one of Malaysia’s most highly acclaimed naturalists.

Borneo is the world’s third-largest island, with a vast rainforest that’s approximately 140 million years old. Set in the middle of the Danum Valley on the banks of the Danum River, Borneo Rainforest Lodge puts all the wonders of this outstanding ecosystem right at your doorstep. This award-winning lodge offers jungle treks, nighttime safaris and unique treetop canopy tours.

A stay at Borneo Rainforest Lodge will likely include sightings of wild orangutans and Asian elephants. The surrounding conservation area has never been logged and is otherwise uninhabited, and the lodge works hard to protect the untouched environment around it.

Gal Oya Lodge is a haven of luxury in the isolated wilderness of Gal Oya National Park. This off-the-beaten-path travel paradise in southeastern Sri Lanka gives guests the chance to see leopards, langurs, crocodiles and elephants swimming between the islands in the Senanayake Samudra reservoir – plus roomy bungalows with unbeatable views of the jungle. 

Gal Oya Lodge places special emphasis on community involvement, working directly with the Indigenous Vedda people to promote the preservation of their culture. You can even take a walk with the local village chief to learn about the group’s history and traditions. 

Australia is well known for the stark seclusion of the Outback, but the Daintree Rainforest offers an entirely different kind of allure: think dense foliage and glimmering waterways. Silky Oaks Lodge welcomes you into the wild heart of this 180-million-year-old rainforest, featuring tranquil treetop suites that put it on par with the world’s best tree house hotels.

When you’re not lounging in a hammock or relaxing at the Healing Waters Spa, you can go on a walkabout to learn about Aboriginal culture, head out on safari to spot crocs and colourful birds or even go diving in the nearby Great Barrier Reef.

If you’ve ever dreamed of exploring the Amazon, Inkaterra Reserva Amazonica is a great place to start. It’s wonderfully remote, easily accessible and exquisitely comfortable, providing all the amenities you’d expect from a first-class hotel in the far-flung forests of the southern Peruvian Amazon. 

Inkaterra Reserva Amazonica is located in a private nature reserve near Peru’s Tambopata National Reserve, which is known for black caimans, giant river otters, macaws and several hundred other species. You can enjoy nature walks, river safaris and lofty views from the lodge’s canopy bridge, or take a dip in the plunge pool on your cabana’s covered terrace.

When you’re ready to really delve into the depths of the Peruvian Amazon, head to the delightfully rustic and remote Posada Amazonas. After a 45-minute boat ride on the Tambopata River, you’ll arrive in an enormous reserve that’s managed by the Indigenous Ese Ejja community (which receives 75% of the lodge’s profits and reinvests much of it in conservation). 

This rainforest lodge isn’t quite as opulent as some others on our list, but it’s perfectly comfortable – and well worth the journey for its privileged location, authentic atmosphere and admirable social impact projects… not to mention its remarkably tall observation tower.

The Amazon is the largest tropical rainforest on earth, and around 60% of it is within Brazil’s borders. You’ll find Cristalino Lodge in the southeastern section of the Brazilian Amazon, accessible only by boat and set in a massive forest reserve.

This luxury Amazon lodge strikes the perfect balance between authentic immersion in nature and modern amenities, with rooms that are suitable for couples, families and solo travellers alike. Highlights include exceptional nature expeditions that are led by highly experienced guides, as well as two observation decks offering bird’s-eye views of the canopy.

Tortuga Lodge is a riverside rainforest retreat with its own private nature reserve, located alongside Tortuguero National Park on Costa Rica’s Caribbean coast. Its remote setting, colourful buildings, plant-based dining options and exceptional sustainability efforts – including solar energy and water purification – make it one of our favourite jungle lodges in Costa Rica. 

The name ‘Tortuguero’ means ‘place of turtles’: a tribute to the spectacular sea turtle nesting season that runs from July to late October. Summer and autumn are fantastic times to explore this vivid coastal ecosystem – you might even get the chance to see baby sea turtles hatching.

The cataratas (waterfalls) in this lodge’s name are none other than the incomparable Iguaçu Falls, the largest waterfall system in the world. Hotel das Cataratas is set within Iguaçu National Park on the Brazilian side of the falls, which means you’ll have exclusive access to the park outside the regular visiting hours – plus absolutely epic views from certain rooms. 

The hotel itself evokes the elegance of a 1950s hacienda (or fazenda in Portuguese) with manicured grounds and timeless style. It’s also family-friendly, offering special amenities, activities and even whole itineraries for kids.

Located on the Argentinian side of Iguazú Falls, Awasi Iguazú is a jungle lodge and boutique hotel with just 14 private villas hidden among the trees. Here you can expect highly personalised service and experiential luxury, with private excursions to the falls and beyond. You can even embark on daily adventures with your own personal guide and 4×4 vehicle.

Awasi Iguazú’s on-site restaurant (open only to guests) is another highlight, serving farm-to-table cuisine made from seasonal ingredients and inspired by the rich flavours of its tropical surroundings. There’s also a bar stocked with the very best Argentinian wines.

Deep in the ancient wilderness of Nyungwe National Park you’ll find the cosy oasis of One&Only Nyungwe House. This modern hotel offers sumptuous suites with fireplaces and private decks, giving you front-row views of the dramatically diverse rainforest around it. The national park also boasts the only forest canopy walkway in Rwanda (and all of East Africa).

In addition to spotting chimpanzees, rare birds, majestic monkeys and many other species on thrilling jungle treks, you can unwind at the hotel’s peaceful spa or tour its lush tea plantation and taste of the famous Nyungwe tea it cultivates.

Tanzania is packed with world-class safari camps, but Greystoke Mahale promises an experience unlike any other. Comprising just six thatched bandas made from reclaimed wood, the lodge is right on the shore of Lake Tanganyika with the mystical Mahale Mountains rising up behind it. Here there’s not only rainforests but also woodlands, grasslands and bamboo forests.

In terms of wildlife, Mahale’s main attraction is definitely the chimps; head out on daily hikes to see them in their natural habitat. But there’s plenty more to do as well, whether you’re in the mood for a relaxing beach day, a kayaking trip or a bracing swim in the cold mountain pools.