Lake Sandoval, Tambopata National Reserve, Peru · Amazon lake lodge
Sandoval Lake Lodge
A simple lodge on an otter lake inside Tambopata National Reserve
In short
Sandoval Lake Lodge is a simple Amazon lodge on Lake Sandoval, inside Tambopata National Reserve near Puerto Maldonado. It lists 25 rooms, one bungalow and 13 more rooms. Giant otters live on the lake, and the bungalow has a terrace and hammock. Reaching it takes a boat, a forest walk and a canoe; airport time is to be verified.
- Size
- Not yet checked
- Airport
- Puerto Maldonado airport (PEM), drive time not yet checked
- Dining
- Main building dining room
- Plus 1 more on site
- Wellness
- Not yet checked
- Check-in, check-out
- 12:00 PM (listed by a booking site, not the lodge), out by 10:00 AM (listed by a booking site, not the lodge)
Facts checked 5 November 2026 · sources at the foot of the page
About Sandoval Lake Lodge
Sandoval Lake Lodge sits beside Lake Sandoval, an oxbow lake inside Tambopata National Reserve, roughly 10 km east of Puerto Maldonado. The lodge says giant river otters play in front of the property, and its Lake Sandoval boat tour is the outing most guests come for. The lake covers about 125 hectares and also holds black caimans. Otters are wild animals, so sightings depend on luck and timing.
Rooms are sold as Queen, Twin and Triple, plus one stand-alone bungalow with a terrace and a hammock. The Queen and Twin rooms list a private bathroom, and the Queen room adds a fan. The lodge's site counts 25 rooms, one bungalow and 13 additional rooms, while ATR counts 25, so we are confirming the total. ATR calls the rooms simple, with thin walls and fans instead of air-conditioning.
Getting there is part of the stay. Guests travel by boat from Puerto Maldonado, then walk a forest trail and cross the lake by canoe, and the reserve does not allow motors on the water. One operator sets a baggage limit of 10 kg (22 lb) per person for the canoe leg. Tour companies package the lodge as short programs of two or three nights.
Perfect if you are
- Nature and wildlife
- Birding
- First trip to Peru
Good to know
- Access is by boat, a forest walk of about 2 miles and a canoe crossing, so this suits guests happy to carry light luggage.
- Rooms have fans but no air-conditioning, and sound carries between them, so light sleepers should pack earplugs.
- Electricity may run only at set hours from a generator, so bring a spare power bank and a plug adapter.
Rooms
Rooms to ask for
Bungalow
Sleeps 1 queen bed
Stand-alone, with its own terrace and hammock, for more privacy and quiet.
Queen Room
Sleeps 1 queen bed · Forest (lodge describes its rooms as having forest views) view
Couples' room with a fan and private bathroom with hot water.
Triple Room
Sleeps 3 beds
Three beds and floor space for luggage, aimed at families and small groups.
How it compares
How it compares in Tambopata
From Peru's national register of classified hotels and each hotel's own website. "Not yet checked" means we have not looked, never "no". Nothing here is a price.
| Fact | Sandoval Lake Lodge | Tambopata Research Center | Amazon Lodge Tambopata | Corto Maltes Amazonia |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Official stars | Not on the register | Not on the register | Not on the register | Not on the register |
| Rooms | Not yet checked | Not yet checked | Not yet checked | 27 bungalows |
| Pool | Not yet checked | Not yet checked | Not yet checked | Yes |
| Spa | Not yet checked | Not yet checked | Not yet checked | Yes |
| Restaurant | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
On the property
Eat, unwind and settle in
Dining
Main building dining room
Meals are served in the main building, which also holds the lounge.
Dining
Bar and hammock lounge
A thatched central hall also houses a bar and a hammock reading area.
On site
Lake Sandoval boat tour
The lodge's main tour, aimed at the giant otters it says live in front of the lodge.
On site
Jungle hikes
Listed among the lodge's own tours; details to be verified.
On site
Canopy tree platform
Listed among the lodge's own tours; details to be verified.
On site
Brazil nut route and canopy
Listed among the lodge's own tours; details to be verified.
Getting there
In Tambopata
- Airport: Puerto Maldonado airport (PEM), drive time not yet checked
Questions we get
Sandoval Lake Lodge, answered
How do guests reach Sandoval Lake Lodge from Puerto Maldonado?
The route combines a river boat, a forest trail and a canoe crossing of the lake. Sources give different times for the whole journey, so our team confirms it for each itinerary.
Will we see giant otters?
The lodge says giant river otters live in front of the property, and its lake tour targets them. They are wild, so a sighting is a matter of luck.
Are the rooms air-conditioned?
No. ATR reports ceiling fans only, and the lodge's own Queen Room listing mentions a fan and a private bathroom with hot water.
How many nights should we plan?
Tour operators sell the lodge as programs of two or three nights. It is also paired with other lodges for longer Amazon stays.
Also in Tambopata
If Sandoval Lake Lodge is full, we would look at
Your Peru, starting in Tambopata
Tell us your dates and who is travelling. A Peru specialist checks Sandoval Lake Lodge and builds the rest of the trip around it.
Sources: the hotel's own website, read 5 November 2026 · Facts checked 5 November 2026