Expect the Unexpected When Visiting a Village in the Amazon Rainforest

*As I mentioned in my previous post, I still have a lot of photos and experiences to share from our treehouse adventure while visiting a village in the Amazon Rainforest! If you missed my previous Treehouse Lodge posts, click here.*

Visiting a Village in the Amazon Rainforest 

Staying in an honest-to-goodness treehouse in Peru’s Amazon Rainforest was quite the adventure however, our days spent exploring were equally exciting! On our second day, after we returned from a day of spotting wildlife in the rainforest, our guide from the Treehouse Lodge asked if we would like to visit a local village to see how they lived.

I was hesitant after our crummy “cultural experience” at the Floating Islands in Lake Titicaca, Peru. But holy smokes! I am so glad we took our guide up on this experience! If you’re ever in the Amazon Rainforest (especially near Iquitos, Peru), say yes to visiting the local rainforest village!

The village is only about a 10-minute boat ride from the Treehouse Lodge. However, besides the few lodges and one other village along the river, this area is very remote. Iquitos is the nearest city and is almost a 90-minute boat ride away!

I expected to be bombarded with people trying to sell me crafts (like at the Floating Islands), however, this was a far different experience! We visited several family homes, and it was an incredibly authentic experience – and we were never pressured to buy anything.

Meeting the Sloth Family While Visiting A Village in the Amazon 

Our first stop while visiting a village in the Amazon was at a family’s home, where they had adopted several sloths! The family’s mom had found two sloths as babies abandoned in the rainforest. She raised them and now has them living in her home with her and her family.

They have free-range to roam and come down from the trees or roof when hungry! I was so shocked when we saw a sloth hanging from the ceiling.

They happily came down for a snack of some leafy plant, and then the family asked if we would like to hold one. They were very calm and relaxed and felt like holding a baby with massive claws, haha. (Don’t worry, he wasn’t hurting me at all.)

The Big Anaconda!

After our sloth visit, we went across the river into the village. Our boat driver’s dad took us into his backyard, where he had recently captured an anaconda! He was trying to figure out what to do with it…as he didn’t want to kill it, but also didn’t want to let it go near the village because it was big enough to eat a child. Yikes!

Jewelry Making by the Village Ladies

The animals were unexpected, but the loveliest surprise was how kind the village ladies were. It ended up raining hard after we saw the snake. So, we stopped by our guide’s in-law’s home for shelter. They invited me in to show how they cooked in their home.

Then they showed me how to make a beaded bracelet like they were wearing. I thought that was very nice! I was also terrible at making them, but my husband was fantastic… which we all thought was hilarious.

Enjoy Soccer Games & Discover the Homes

Soccer is life in South America! It was fun to watch a match while we were walking through the village and admired the local jail (that had one cell for unruly, intoxicated folks), the school, and the church.

The Mesmerizing View of the Sunset

After the storm, we enjoyed one of the craziest sunsets I have ever seen on our way back to the lodge. It looked as though the entire world was bathed in orange and pink. I loved it!

This was such an incredible experience! And a big thank you to the folks who kindly invited us into their homes to share their way of life with us. It’s an experience I won’t forget. And if you find yourself in the Peruvian Amazon one day – visit a local village!

What was the most surprising part of this village visit for you? And what was one of your favorite cultural experiences while traveling? Let me know in the comments!

If you don’t want to see my previous Treehouse Lodge posts and Peru posts, click here* to get updated.