9 Reasons a Tambopata Homestay is better than a Peru Backpacker Hostel

The price is right.  Most Tambopata homestays are far less expensive than staying in a backpacker hostel in Tambopata.  They can cost slightly more than staying in a backpacker hostel, but that brings us to our next point...

It’s all inclusive.  You will be provided with all meals and snacks, lodging and activities.  Your stay comes complete with a local guide, and for those who are unsure of their Spanish, English guides are available.  

Meet locals families, not just other backpackers. As enlightening as it is to meet people from different countries around the world, is that really why you came to Peru?  Or did you come to learn about Peruvian culture, meet Peruvian people, and see how they live?  If you’re tired of staing in a hostel and having the same old conversations with other backpackers who are following similar routes as you, try staying with a local family instead.

Truly connect with the people and the culture. What better way to learn local traditions than by participating in them.  Take a tour of the Durand’s family farm and gain a true appreciation of the hard work that is required to farm by hand.  See how Jose Mishaja uses traditional plants from the Amazon to cure common illnesses.  Experience the closeness of the family structure as you spend time interacting with your hosts in their natural environment.

Home cooking. Are you sick of eating every meal in restaurants or cooking them in the kitchen of a backpacker hostel?  The food you eat in the Tambopata homestays is prepared in the home using local ingredients.  The food can be tailored to your dietary preference while allowing you to sample traditional ingredients and authentic dishes from the Tambopata area.  If you are interested in the culinary side of things you can help cook dinner or request cooking lessons.

Experience the rainforest, not just the city.  Many of the homestays are centred right within the communities that call the rainforest their home.  Some are only accessible by taking a boat up the Tambopata river.  With a Tambopata homestay you can really escape, and go to sleep listening to the sounds of insects, birds, and a light breeze moving through the top of the canopy.  

Leave the party behind.  As much fun as the parties are, the scene can get old.  Thin walls, with large groups on the other side, drinking until the sun comes up.  A Tambopata homestay is a nice way to escape the party for a few days and relax in a home environment.

Practice your Spanish.  While it is possible to have English speaking guides at most of the Tambopata homestays, why not try your luck at Spanish?  Your host family will be patient and help teach you simple words and expressions.  There is no better or more fun way to learn a language than to immerse yourself in it.  If all else fails, remember that only 7 percent of language is verbal, the rest is comprised of tone, facial expressions and gestures, use this opportunity to improve your charades game!

Support the local communities.  Profits from Tambopata home stays go directly to the family with which you are staying.  Most families build their properties with a bottom-up approach.  They start small and add to their properties each time they earn profit.  Your stay in a Tambopata home directly supports local Peruvians who work hard to make life better for themselves and their families.  

About Ayahuasca - Answers to 7 commonly asked questions

What is Ayahuasca?

Ayahuasca is a psychotropic medicine originally used by indigenous communities in the Amazon rainforests of South America.  It is taken as a drink prepared by a traditional healer, called a Shaman.  Preparation involves boiling leaves from the Ayahuasca vine together with leaves from the Chacruna plant as well as the bark of various native trees.  Ayahuasca should only be taken under the guidance of an experienced Shaman who can help an individual better understand their visions.
While Ayahuasca has been used by natives to the Amazon for more than 5,000 years, only in recent years has it gained the attention of modern doctors, psychologists, scientists, philosophers, and religious and spiritual leaders.  It is said to have the ability to cure many ailments, including Parkinson’s disease, HIV, addictions, cancer, anxiety, depression.  Whether looking for an alternative to modern medicine, seeking answers to life’s questions, or wanting nothing more than the cultural adventure, many travelers journey to Tambopata to participate in a traditional Ayahuasca ceremony.

What is an Ayahuasca ceremony?

An Ayahuasca ceremony is led by a Shaman and often takes place in a Maloka, which is a hut or a special place dedicated to the ritual.  It takes place at night and can last anywhere from six to eight hours. Participants in the ceremony form a circle by sitting or laying on the floor on cushions or mats.  Each person is given a container to use in the event that the medicine’s effects on the body induce vomiting.  The atmosphere will be calm and the room will be dark or very faintly lit with candles.
 The ceremony is sometimes opened by clearing the room of bad energy and evil spirits, this is done through carrying out a short ritual using leaves from the Tobacco plant, another master plant of the Amazon.  Following this, each individual, one by one, is given the opportunity to drink Ayahuasca.  The Shaman also takes the drink, this helps him understand and interpret each persons’ visions.  Participants are encouraged to remain silent and relaxed while the Shaman chants.  As the infusion begins to take effect, the Shaman may approach individuals to discuss their visions and offer comfort or encouragement.  At the end of the evening, as the effects wear off, the ceremony is closed by lighting more candles and allowing participants to discuss their experiences with each other.

How do I prepare for an Ayahuasca ceremony?

For three days prior and three days after, those who wish to take part in an Ayahuasca ceremony should abstain from alcohol, acidic foods (such as citrus), spicy foods, red meat (especially pork), papaya fruit (very common in the Amazon), and sexual activity. It is also important to prepare mentally for the ceremony, an Ayahuasca ceremony should be entered into with an open mind and positive attitude.

What does it taste like?

In general, Ayahuasca is not palatable, it is thick, gritty and bitter, with a mud-like consistency.  The infusion is not drunk for it’s flavor as the taste alone can elicit a gag-reflex.  Following the medicine with a glass of water will help take away the unpleasantness of the drink.

Will I vomit?

Ayahuasca is a purgative medicine, and while everyone reacts differently, vomiting is common.  The Shamans believe this to be a means of expelling bad things inside of us, and is not something to be afraid of.  In most Ayahuasca ceremonies, participants are provided with a vessel into which they can purge if necessary.

What will I see and experience when I take Ayahuasca?

Each person who takes Ayahuasca responds differently.  For some, it can be a strictly visual experience, allowing them to see colors and shapes more brilliantly or see things that do not exist in the physical world.  Others have described the experience as emotional sometimes causing them to cry.  Shamans view crying as a form of positive emotional release.  Many say that Ayahuasca helps them to better understand themselves or see certain situations in their life more clearly.  They enter the ceremony with questions which the plant helps them answer.  It has been said that Ayahuasca allows you to see into your past, present and future.  While this may be true, it is important to remember that the visions you see may not be true representations of the future, but instead might represent your hopes or fears.
For some individuals, an Ayahuasca ceremony can be a very dark experience, giving them the perception of passing into the underworld from which only the Shaman can bring them back.  Some have even described it as an exorcism of the demons inside themselves.
 It is important to keep in mind that Ayahuasca is a curative plant, therefore, visions or feelings that you experience while on it are meant to help you to heal.  Remember that is it important to take Ayahuasca in a safe place with an experienced Shaman who can support you and help you better understand your experience.

What will I feel like the day after?

The day after drinking Ayahusaca, you will feel tired from having stayed up late the night before.  Many people describe feeling peaceful and reflective following an Ayahuasca ceremony.