Monte Amazonico Lodge

Monte Amazonica Lodge is surrounded by staggering natural beauty, and the potential for a transformative experience is undeniable. The rainforest is mesmerizing. The infrastructure is solid. And the supporting staff—especially Ronal, Rodrigo, and the bartender—are hardworking, grounded, and deeply committed to the guest experience. Ronal in particular made the trip worthwhile with his knowledge, kindness, and professionalism. But none of that can outweigh the deeply disturbing presence of the lodge manager, Justin, whose behavior was not only inappropriate—it was predatory, manipulative, and psychologically unsettling. Let me be absolutely clear: Justin is not simply “awkward” or “bad at hospitality.” He is a man who uses his position of power to insert himself into emotionally vulnerable guests’ personal dynamics, manipulate social environments, and perform dominance under the guise of charm. Here’s what happened: • After I expressed clear discomfort with the dynamic forming between Justin and the guest I arrived with—one that I believe involved inappropriate physical intimacy and psychological grooming—I formally requested a new room. That request was ignored. • That same evening, Justin intentionally placed me and that guest alone at a dinner table, in the middle of the lodge, in full view of everyone. It was a power move—deliberate, uncomfortable, and humiliating. • He later spent over 30 minutes aggressively hacking bushes with a machete behind my cabin, in what felt like an intimidation ritual more than maintenance. Several other guests noticed and commented on how unnatural his energy was throughout the trip. • When I tried to speak to him about my concerns, he pretended not to speak English—despite having had fluent conversations with other guests earlier in the day. • I almost slept in the public lodge area that night because I no longer felt safe in my room and had no access to any staff but him. This isn’t speculation. It’s a pattern. Multiple female guests told me they felt “off,” uncomfortable, or watched by him. I saw the signs myself: charm when it benefited him, passive-aggressive control when it didn’t. He wielded his machete like a stage prop and his authority like a weapon. It was disturbing, disorienting, and entirely preventable. Even worse? Lodge management said nothing for days—even after I submitted my concerns directly after leaving. Their first message came only hours before my deadline to post this review, and included no accountability, no apology, and no refund for the experiences and activities missed due to this situation. They claim Justin resigned. Whether or not that’s true, it only happened after I pushed relentlessly and threatened exposure. No action was taken on its own merit. So let me be the one to say it, since the lodge won’t: Justin should never be in a position of power over guests again. Ever. Until Monte Amazonica publicly acknowledges what happened and institutes actual

Really cool experience. Three days is perfect amount to experience everything you want too. Fernando was a great guide and made it really enjoyable for us. He went out of his way to make sure we were having a good time. Good food, nice staff, clean rooms. I recommend