La Isla de Los Tucanes

After 4 days staying with Madidi Jungle Lodge in Madidi National Park, this was bound to be disappointing. The biggest frustration was that the cabins had sealed windows with no natural ventilation. Screens would have been far preferable to a blasting air conditioner (which did work very well). My students and I enjoyed the large pool and the return to an efficient wifi signal. You can go to the top of the cabins via external stairs and hang out in the hammocks up there, but it just brings the sights and sounds of the motocross course behind the hotel grounds. Breakfast was nice, and the dining area was comfortable and picturesque. The hotel itself is quite a walk from downtown, but unfortunately not in a rustic, quiet area.

We booked a few days ahead with ***********, and the best thing I can say is that our reservation had been received by them, and our room was ready. Walking in, we were surprised to find a large, open space, mostly devoid of trees, covered in crabgrass. The cabins, standing under the baking sun lacked charm and the ability to open windows, but our air conditioning was fully functional - i just wish it wasn't pointing at my face. I would have preferred a shaded cabin with mesh windows for a breeze, but we slept soundly. The linens were clean-ish, though the towels had a musty smell, as though they had put away damp. The breakfast was alright, with fresh fruit, scrambled eggs, and ham, though real coffee would have been nice - only instant was available. The pool was cloudy and over-chlorinated, fully exposed to the sun with no shade in sight. It was surrounded by the aforementioned ant-filled crabgrass, making it uncomfortable to step out of the pool onto the chaises longues. At check-in, we filled out a form asking how we would pay - cash, Mastercard, or visa. We circled Mastercard, wrote down our card number, and budgeted our cash accordingly. Upon check-out, on our way to the airport: surprise! Cash only. We figured it out in the end, and we made due here. It was unpleasant only in contrast to the other places we stayed in town and elsewhere in Bolivia. If nowhere else is available, I would recommend it heartily over a night in the street, but that's about it.