Maeve Travels to Peru!

A Place I Never Want to Leave

Over the past two days, I have had the opportunity to experience one of the most incredible places I have ever visited: the Amazon rainforest. Between our hike to Lake Sandoval, the night walk through the jungle, the canopy walk, and ziplining above the rainforest, I can confidently say that the Amazon has become one of my favorite places I have ever been.

I am genuinely obsessed with this place and already hope to return someday.

One of my favorite parts of staying in the Amazon was how immersed we were in nature. At Monte Amazonico Lodge, our rooms did not have glass windows. Instead, they were protected by nets, allowing us to hear the sounds of the rainforest throughout the night. We even slept under mosquito nets, which made the entire experience feel authentic and unlike anything I have experienced before. While some people may find that intimidating, I loved it. The Amazon is one of the few places where I felt completely surrounded by nature every second of the day.

Another highlight was watching the weather change so dramatically. One afternoon, a powerful storm rolled through the rainforest with heavy rain and thunder. Just a few hours later, the sky was bright blue, the sun was shining, and the rainforest looked completely transformed. Seeing how quickly the ecosystem responded reminded me how dynamic and resilient nature can be.

Biodiversity Everywhere You Look

The biodiversity of the Amazon is unlike anything I could have imagined. Everywhere we looked, there was evidence of life. We observed countless insects, colorful birds, monkeys, caimans, Capybaras, and even tarantulas during our night walks and boat rides.

Surprisingly, I even enjoyed seeing and petting the tarantulas (insane, right?)

What stood out most was how interconnected everything seemed. Every plant, insect, bird, and animal plays a role in maintaining the health of the ecosystem. The rainforest is often called one of the most biodiverse places on Earth, and after seeing it firsthand, I completely understand why. The sheer variety of life is incredible, and it made me appreciate how important it is to protect ecosystems like this one.

Overall, the rainforest appeared healthy and thriving. The abundance of wildlife, dense vegetation, and active ecosystem processes demonstrated just how productive this environment is.

Environmental Challenges Beneath the Beauty

Although the Amazon is breathtaking, I also noticed signs of environmental stress. One thing that made me sad was seeing trash floating in parts of the Amazon River. While it was not everywhere, seeing litter in such a beautiful and ecologically important place was disappointing.

Experiences like this serve as a reminder that even remote environments are not immune to human impacts. Pollution, deforestation, illegal mining, and climate change continue to threaten the Amazon. As visitors, it can sometimes be easy to focus only on the beauty around us, but these visible stressors highlight the importance of continued conservation efforts.

Can Ecotourism and Conservation Work Together?

During our stay, I saw firsthand how ecotourism can support environmental conservation when done responsibly.

Monte Amazonico Lodge appeared committed to reducing its environmental impact. The lodge used solar panels, encouraged guests to conserve electricity, and only used lights when necessary. Fans were used instead of more energy-intensive cooling systems, and our guides consistently educated us about the rainforest, its wildlife, and the importance of protecting it.

Rather than exploiting the environment, the lodge’s business model depends on preserving it. Tourists travel to the Amazon because they want to experience healthy ecosystems and thriving wildlife. In this way, conservation and tourism can work together. Ecotourism creates economic opportunities while also providing incentives to protect natural resources.

Of course, tourism must be managed carefully. Too many visitors or poorly regulated operations could negatively impact wildlife and ecosystems. However, based on what I observed, responsible ecotourism can be a powerful tool for conservation.

International Law and Protecting Biodiversity

One international agreement that helps protect ecosystems like the Amazon is the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), which was adopted in 1992. The treaty encourages countries to conserve biodiversity, use natural resources sustainably, and ensure that the benefits of biodiversity are shared fairly. Countries that participate are expected to develop strategies and policies that protect ecosystems and species.

Before visiting the Amazon, the Convention on Biological Diversity felt like an abstract international agreement. After experiencing the rainforest firsthand, it feels much more real. Walking through the jungle, observing wildlife, and seeing the incredible diversity of species helped me understand what is actually at stake when biodiversity is lost.

At the same time, visiting the Amazon complicated my understanding of environmental protection. Protecting biodiversity is not simply about creating laws. It also involves balancing conservation with tourism, local economic development, and the needs of communities that depend on the rainforest. Seeing the Amazon in person helped me realize that environmental law is important, but successful conservation requires cooperation from governments, businesses, local communities, and visitors alike.

Corporate Responsibility in Sensitive Ecosystems

Companies operating in or near sensitive ecosystems have significant responsibilities. Businesses must minimize pollution, reduce habitat destruction, comply with environmental regulations, and consider the long-term impacts of their operations. They should also support local communities and contribute to conservation efforts whenever possible.

The Amazon is a global resource that provides biodiversity, carbon storage, and climate regulation benefits that extend far beyond Peru. Because of this, corporations operating in the region have a responsibility not only to shareholders, but also to the environment and future generations.

One Last Look at the Zip Line

If I had to choose a favorite moment from my time in the Amazon, it would be the canopy walk and ziplining. Being able to see the rainforest from above was absolutely incredible. Flying through the trees while surrounded by endless greenery gave me a completely different perspective on the scale and beauty of the ecosystem.

It was exhilarating, unforgettable, and easily one of my favorite experiences during our entire time in Peru.

As we leave the Amazon and continue our journey, I am taking with me a much deeper appreciation for biodiversity, conservation, and the importance of protecting places like this. The Amazon is not only one of the most beautiful places I have ever visited, it is also one of the most important.