Jungle River Lodge Review – My Honest Experience Staying in the Heart of Río Cangrejal

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Set right on the banks of the river Río Cangrejal, this eco-lodge is part rustic retreat, part adventure basecamp, and part social hangout. It’s especially popular with backpackers, solo travelers, and outdoorsy folks who want easy access to rafting, hiking, and swimming in some of the clearest water I’ve ever seen.

When I decided to visit Río Cangrejal and started looking at accommodations I found it so hard to figure out where to stay and didn’t really find that much info about it. So to hopefully help some future travelers I decided to write a separate review on The Jungle River Lodge. I don’t usually do this and no, it’s not a sponsored post or stay, I just genuinely loved the places.

So, here is my honest, no-fluff review of Jungle River Lodge, what I loved, what could be improved, and who I think this place is perfect for.

Book your stay at The Jungle River Lodge here

The Setting: Right on the River

Let’s start with the best part: the location.

Jungle River Lodge is perched right on the Río Cangrejal, with direct access to natural swimming pools, boulders you can sunbathe on or cliff jump from, and river views from the hammocks and restaurant. It’s the kind of place where you fall asleep to the sound of rushing water and wake up to birdsong echoing through the jungle. It’s so peaceful and I lost track of how many times I fell asleep while relaxing in my hammock.

There’s a little trail down to the water where you can swim, relax, or just float in the calm spots between the rapids. It’s not manicured or resorty, which I loved, it feels wild in the best way.

The Vibe and Staff

The staff were one of the highlights of my stay, super friendly, helpful, and always happy to chat or help you book a tour. Whether you’re rafting, hiking, or just trying to figure out how to get to or from some other destination, they’ve got you covered.

The overall atmosphere is laid-back and social. The common area is open and communal, and you’ll definitely meet other travelers over meals or while lounging in hammocks. It’s not a party hostel, but it’s not super quiet either, just a really good middle ground.

The Lodge do sell day passes so more people can enjoy their natural pools and get access to the river there. This means it can get a bit crowded during the weekends with non-guests coming to swim an hang out. Weekdays were quiet and peaceful, but weekends definitely had more of a local crowd vibe. So if you just want to come here to relax and re-energize, I recommend booking on the weekdays for a more relaxed vibe.

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The Food and Dining

The food at Jungle River Lodge was also great. They serve à la carte breakfasts and lunches (everything from eggs and beans to sandwiches and tacos), and in the evenings there’s a family-style dinner where everyone sits down together. It’s a great way to meet people, and the food was very good. For dinner you get to choose between a vegetarian or meat based dish that changes every day. We stayed for almost a week and the food was different, but still great every day.

Heads up: the food can take a while to come out, especially during busy times, so order ahead if you’re in a hurry or just plan to linger with a cold beer and enjoy the view. If you’re planning to join an activity in the morning it is advised to order your breakfast for a specific time the day before to make sure you get it before you go.

And when you come back from hiking or rafting, order lunch right away, don’t wait until you’re hungry. I think we waited over one hour one day even if it wasn’t very busy. But the food is really good and made on demand so at least you know its fresh.

The Rooms and Wi-Fi

The rooms are simple and rustic, which is pretty standard for a jungle lodge. I stayed in a private room with a fan and mosquito net. Don’t expect luxury, but it was clean, comfortable, and fit the vibe perfectly. They also offer shared accommodations for those traveling on a very thight budget.

Wi-Fi is only available in the common area, not in the rooms. It worked fine for checking messages and looking up info, but don’t count on Zoom calls or heavy uploads. Honestly though, it was kind of nice to disconnect a bit, I mean, you’re in the jungle for a reason!

Tours and Activities

Jungle River Lodge runs their own whitewater rafting tours, and they are some of the best in Honduras. The guides were experienced and fun, and the river is epic. There are also options for guided hikes, canyoning, and visits to nearby waterfalls. We did it all and loved it! I would highly recommend spending enough time there to both go rafting and hiking as well as have some time to just relax and swim in the amazing pools!

You can book all the tours right at the lodge, which makes planning your stay super easy.

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The Bottom Line: Should You Stay at Jungle River Lodge?

If you want to fall asleep to the sound of the river, wake up in the jungle, eat good food, go rafting, and hang out with cool people, yes, absolutely stay here.

Jungle River Lodge is a perfect base for exploring Río Cangrejal and Pico Bonito National Parc, especially if you’re a nature-loving traveler who doesn’t mind a little rustic charm. It’s social without being too loud, adventurous without being chaotic, and offers a really solid balance of relaxation and activity.

It’s not for you if you need strong Wi-Fi, hotel-level comforts, or quiet solitude 24/7. But if you’re here for river swims, jungle hikes, and cold beers after a day of adventure you’ll love it.

If you have any questions about staying here or visiting Rio Cangrejal or Honduras in general, don’t hesitate to reach out to me on social media. I would love to connect and help out!

-Ingrid

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