With so much time spent on modern comforts like social media, streaming platforms, and online shopping malls – what we really need is sunshine, trees, and fresh air.
But trading the concrete jungle for a lush, green one doesn’t have to mean sleeping on a bed made of twigs and eating berries three times a day.
By staying at one of these fabulous, upscale jungle escapes, you can satisfy your adventure-seeking desires and still enjoy a set of Egyptian cotton sheets or your morning latte.
1. Gaia Amazon EcoLodge, Ecuador
Talk about isolating in style!
This rustic lodge overlooks the thick, green canopy of the Amazon rainforest and all the wildlife that lives within.
And there are countless things to do such as participating in a chocolate-making class, guided hikes, and motorized canoe tours down the Napo and Arajuno rivers.
But book your accommodations quickly! This exclusive resort only houses 20 guests at a time.
2. Shinta Mani Wild-Bensley Collection, Cambodia
The concept of “glamping” – camping in “glamour” with luxury tents and chic décor – is sweeping the world by storm.
Southern Cardamom National Park is home to one of the last surviving natural habitats for wild elephants and offers one of the most famous secluded camping sites in the world – the Shinta Mani Wild-Bensley Collection.
One may think of Cambodia as a third-world country with few desirable travel opportunities, but you’d be wrong.
Reserve a Bill Bensley-designed luxury tent along the riverbank and arrive by either chauffeured vehicle or Army jeep.
Spend your afternoons ziplining through the forest, eating the local chef favorites, drinking signature cocktails, and observing the native species in this Wildlife-Alliance anti-poaching national park.
3. Aarunya Nature Resort & Spa, Sri Lanka
Knuckles Mountain Range, a UNESCO site for good reason, is where this eco-lodge – whose name alludes to “first rays of the sun” – resides.
Staying in one of the contemporary villas and witnessing the first rays of the sun filtering through this dense forest floor is said to be more beautiful than anywhere in the world.
You’ll be chucking your phone into the green abyss in no time so you don’t miss a moment of Sri Lanka’s hidden treasure.
Enjoy walks among the cinnamon, coffee, and clove plants or relax with an Ayurvedic spa treatment before ending your evening in the infinity pool with the soothing sounds of jungle life playing off in the distance.
4. Pacuare Lodge, Costa Rica
Ever visit a sustainable nature retreat?
It’s not what you think.
Pacuare Lodge – tucked inside an unadulterated rainforest – features luxury villas accessible only by suspension bridge and offers a one-of-a-kind view of the jungle.
Forget those long check-in lines and an overly-bubbly concierge – you’ll have to raft down the Pacuare River to reach your destination.
Onsite meals and excursions are available, assuming you’ll even want to leave your villa, including ziplining, canopy tours, and canoeing along a narrow jungle gorge.
The days of checking into your run-of-the-mill hotel with a continental breakfast are over.
With exclusive resorts seated deep among the dense greenery of the jungle – and with rates the average joe can afford – there’s no reason not to take your vacation to the next level.
Blow your family away this summer by releasing the adventurer in all of you!
