Cuyabeno Wildlife Reserve
Discover Cuyabeno Wildlife Reserve
Cuyabeno Wildlife Reserve (Reserva de Producción Faunística Cuyabeno) is well-known to be one of the areas with the most biodiversity on earth. The reserve is located in the Sucumbíos province, in the Ecuadorian part of the Amazon rainforest. Indigenous groups (Siona, Secoya, Cofan) live in the reserve. These communities mainly lived through farming, hunting and fishing until the 1980s, but with the increase of ecotourism their lives changed in the 1990s. Different agreements have been signed in order to protect the ecosystem of the reserve and its indigenous communities.
Taste of Cuyabeno Wildlife Reserve...
The food is provided by the local operators (the ecolodges in the reserve). It is possible to buy food at the entrance of the reserve (El Puente). It is necessary to bring drinking water into the reserve, this will be organised by the tour operator. The tap water is not drinkable. There are some options for lodging in Cuyabeno Wildlife Reserve for different budgets and with different quality of service. No incidents have been identified inside the Cuyabeno Wildlife reserve in more than 20 years of tourist activity in the zone. There are not so many mosquitos and no malaria into the reserve, but insect repellent is advised. Your guide and the staff of your accommodation have to be informed of any allergy or illness that you may suffer from. Transportation is organized by the local tourism bodies as far as Lago Agrio (Nueva Loja).
A Rich Past
Explore the historical roots that shaped Cuyabeno Wildlife Reserve into what it is today.
Indigenous groups (Siona, Secoya, Cofan) live in the reserve. These communities mainly lived through farming, hunting and fishing until the 1980s, but with the increase of ecotourism their lives changed in the 1990s. Different agreements have been signed in order to protect the ecosystem of the reserve and its indigenous communities. The Cuyabeno Wildlife Reserve is a great example of the ecosystem of the Amazon Rainforest. Three rivers — the Cuyabeno, Aguarico and San Miguel — flow through the reserve, and there are 13 lakes. The Laguna Grande (Big Lake) is the largest and the only one open to tourism. There are unique flooded forests and a rich variety of plants and animals that make the reserve a paradise for nature lovers. Many plant and animal species have been identified in the reserve, making it one of the areas with the highest biodiversity on earth with the Yasuna National Park (further south). 550 bird species, 12000 plant species, 350 fish species and many insects, mammals and reptiles have been identified. The Cuyabeno Wildlife Reserve has the record of the most tree species per hectare (307). The climate corresponds to a wet tropical rainforest, with high humidity ranges (85% to 95%). There are two seasons: dry and rainy. The rainy season is from April to July, followed by a season of mixed rain and drought from August to November and a dry season from December to March. The reserve is guarded by national park rangers....
Climate
The climate corresponds to a wet tropical rainforest, with high humidity ranges (85% to 95%). There are two seasons: dry and rainy. The rainy season is from April to July, followed by a season of mixed rain and drought from August to November and a dry season from December to March. The reserve is guarded by national park rangers. It is compulsory to take pluvial transportation through a tour with an accredited guide to get in. Transportation with motorized canoe is provided by the local communities. From Quito, it is necessary to go to Lago Agrio, either by public bus (7 hours), shuttle van or by plane (30 minutes). From Lago Agrio to El Puente en Cuyabeno (1½-2 hours), private transportation is organized by the lodges in Cuyabeno From Banos it is necessary to take a bus to Coca and then to Lago Agrio, approximately it takes 8h. The entrance to the reserve for nationals and foreigners is free There is no permission needed for personal photographies and films.
Essential Information
Getting There
Multiple OptionsThe reserve is guarded by national park rangers. It is compulsory to take pluvial transportation through a tour with an accredited guide to get in. Transportation with motorized canoe is provided by the local communities. From Quito, it is necessary to go to Lago Agrio, either by public bus (7 hours), shuttle van or by plane (30 minutes). From Lago Agrio to El Puente en Cuyabeno (1½-2 hours), private transportation is organized by the lodges in Cuyabeno From Banos it is necessary to take a bus to Coca and then to Lago Agrio, approximately it takes 8h. The entrance to the reserve for nationals and foreigners is free There is no permission needed for personal photographies and films. The millennial traditions can be seen in the local community settlements (e.g. Puerto Bolivar). 3 indigenous communities can be seen in the reserve: the Cofans, the Secoyas and the Sionas....
Getting Around & Staying
Getting Around
The millennial traditions can be seen in the local community settlements (e.g. Puerto Bolivar). 3 indigenous communities can be seen in the reserve: the Cofans, the Secoyas and the Sionas. In the surroundings of the indigenous communities of Siona de Puerto Bolivar, on the Aguarico riverside, and the Cofan de Sabalo community, you can travel through the tropical rain forest, go canoeing, and buy artisan crafts made with seeds and other products of the forest. Indigenous handcrafts can be purchased from the local community members. The food is provided by the local operators (the ecolodges in the reserve). It is possible to buy food at the entrance of the reserve (El Puente). It is necessary to bring drinking water into the reserve, this will be organised by the tour operator. The tap water is not drinkable. There are some options for lodging in Cuyabeno Wildlife Reserve for different budgets and with different quality of service.
Where to Stay
There are some options for lodging in Cuyabeno Wildlife Reserve for different budgets and with different quality of service. No incidents have been identified inside the Cuyabeno Wildlife reserve in more than 20 years of tourist activity in the zone. There are not so many mosquitos and no malaria into the reserve, but insect repellent is advised. Your guide and the staff of your accommodation have to be informed of any allergy or illness that you may suffer from. Transportation is organized by the local tourism bodies as far as Lago Agrio (Nueva Loja).
Money & Budget
Indigenous handcrafts can be purchased from the local community members. The food is provided by the local operators (the ecolodges in the reserve). It is possible to buy food at the entrance of the reserve (El Puente). It is necessary to bring drinking water into the reserve, this will be organised by the tour operator. The tap water is not drinkable. There are some options for lodging in Cuyabeno Wildlife Reserve for different budgets and with different quality of service. No incidents have been identified inside the Cuyabeno Wildlife reserve in more than 20 years of tourist activity in the zone. There are not so many mosquitos and no malaria into the reserve, but insect repellent is advised.
Safety Information
Safety Overview
No incidents have been identified inside the Cuyabeno Wildlife reserve in more than 20 years of tourist activity in the zone. There are not so many mosquitos and no malaria into the reserve, but insect repellent is advised. Your guide and the staff of your accommodation have to be informed of any allergy or illness that you may suffer from. Transportation is organized by the local tourism bodies as far as Lago Agrio (Nueva Loja).