How Eco-Lodges Actually Get Paid
How Eco-Lodges Actually Get Paid
Business Tips
If you run an eco-lodge, jungle retreat, or mountain camp, you already know payments are rarely straightforward. Guests find you through booking sites, Instagram, or word-of-mouth. Some want to pay a deposit to confirm, some want to pay on arrival, and others show up with a currency you can’t accept — sometimes with no internet signal for miles. Running an eco-lodge often means managing bookings from travellers all over the world, while operating in places where technology isn’t always reliable. You might take card payments one minute and cash the next. You might have to handle cancellations when the weather turns or the road washes out. Getting paid shouldn’t be another challenge on top of all that.
The practical fixes
A few changes make it much easier for eco-lodges to get paid consistently — even in remote areas.
1. Support international guests and local payouts
Eco-lodges attract travellers from around the world, often booking months in advance. Those guests expect to pay in their own currency, while you need to receive funds locally.
With Tab, guests can pay in their currency, and you’re settled in yours. Exchange rates are shown upfront, and there’s no need to maintain multiple accounts or convert cash later. It keeps payments fair and predictable on both sides.
2. Take deposits securely before arrival
Most eco-lodges have limited rooms and long lead times. Collecting deposits early reduces cancellations and secures cash flow. You can send a Tab payment link over WhatsApp or email so guests can confirm instantly by card or local method. Deposits appear automatically in your dashboard, ready to reconcile.
3. Let guests book and pay online
If you already have a website, add your room types or packages directly using Tab’s Checkout Flow. Guests can choose their stay dates, add meals or activities, and pay in one place. Everything syncs automatically, and you get notified the moment a booking is confirmed. It feels simple for guests and keeps your staff out of spreadsheets.
4. Keep payments working offline
Many eco-lodges operate far from stable internet — deep in the jungle, on islands, or in remote mountain regions. Tab’s app works offline, so you can still take payments when the connection drops. Once you’re back online, everything syncs automatically. You can check guests in, take payments for extra nights, or charge for add-ons without worrying about the Wi-Fi.
5. Manage extras and last-minute add-ons easily
Guests often decide to add an activity, upgrade a room, or extend their stay. Sending a quick payment link for the difference keeps everything tracked and cash-free. With Tab, it takes seconds to create and send — no card machine, no manual entry, and no need to ask for cash.
When it all works
When payments run smoothly, running an eco-lodge feels lighter. Guests can book in advance, pay online in their own currency, and check in without confusion. Your staff can see which bookings are confirmed, even when offline. You don’t have to chase transfers or handle cash.
A simple setup looks like this:
Checkout Flow on your website for direct online bookings and payments
Payment links for deposits and add-ons
Tab’s app for offline card payments in remote areas
That’s enough to make payments predictable and stress-free — even when your nearest bank is hours away.
Why this matters
Eco-lodges thrive on simplicity and trust. Guests expect transparency, and you need reliability. A solid payment system makes both possible — guests see exactly what they’re paying, and you know you’ll get paid, even without internet.
Payments shouldn’t depend on where you are. They should just work — whether you’re in the city or deep in the forest.
