The Umbrellabird Lodge is managed by the Jocotoco Foundation and is a very beautiful but small property that can accommodate up to 14 people in 5 cabins.  You can get there by bus to Pinas or Machala, then by taxi-camioneta to the lodge which is 5km from the main road.

Entrance to reception and the restaurant.

Our cabin was a short walk away.  The cabins are quite large, plenty of room and furnished comfortably.  They have an ensuite and fans but no wifi.

The restaurant has a more open section which we preferred to take our meals so we could keep an eye out for birds.  There is always a lot of hummingbird action!   I had previously requested non-spicy food so we had soup and spaghetti for dinner which was really good.

The Umbrellabird’s lek is down this trail but I recommend taking a guide as the birds can be very difficult to see if they are resting in the trees.  They don’t make any noise.

The lodge has a small library with bird guidebooks and various novels, some local information and t-shirts and other souvenirs for sale. 

Of course I got an El Oro Parakeet t-shirt!

I forgot to get photos of breakfast but here is lunch taken on the open deck because who doesn’t want to dine with hummingbirds!

I’ll be covering the birding excursions on other posts.  This beautiful little lodge isn’t cheap but well worth it for at least a night, more if you can afford it.  Book direct with Jocotoco.