THE AMAZONIAN WORLD
THE LUNGS
OF THE PLANET
Ecuador’s vast, lush Amazon opens the doors to a paradise of forests, winding rivers and ancient cultures.
One of the most biodiverse places on the planet and home to ancestral peoples such as the Kichwa, Waorani and Shuar, it is a land where life multiplies in every corner and the rainforest remains sacred.
One of the most biodiverse places on Earth
Experience
Record-breaking biodiversity among rivers, lagoons and primary rainforest, home to peoples in voluntary isolation.
Activities
River navigation, wildlife and birdwatching, jungle lodges, parrot clay licks.
Cuisine
Maíto fish, tilapia, yucca, chontacuro.
Tip
Only with authorized operators and lodges; book well in advance.
Lagoons and flooded forest
Experience
A maze of lagoons and black-water rivers, ideal for total jungle immersion.
Activities
Kayaking, canoeing, night hikes, pink-dolphin spotting and community tourism.
Cuisine
Ancestral Amazonian cuisine, casabe, river fish.
Tip
Bring binoculars and a flashlight; the night hikes are the most memorable part.
The capital of Amazon adventure
Experience
Rivers for adventure and Kichwa communities along the Napo.
Activities
Rafting and kayaking, tubing, caves, Kichwa communities and the monkeys of Misahuallí.
Cuisine
Maíto, yucca chicha, guayusa, tilapia.
Tip
A great entry point for beginners: it blends adventure and culture.
Gateway to the Amazon
Experience
A gateway city to the jungle, with gardens, waterfalls and nearby communities.
Activities
Omáere Park, the monkey trail, the Hola Vida waterfall, indigenous communities.
Cuisine
Catfish soup, maíto, Amazonian chili.
Tip
Easy to reach by road; ideal for a first taste of the Amazon.
Black lagoon and caimans
Experience
A black-water lagoon ringed by forest, a refuge for birds and caimans.
Activities
Boat trips, caiman spotting at dusk, birdwatching, the local community.
Cuisine
River fish, yucca, Amazonian fruits.
Tip
Sunset outings offer the best wildlife sightings.
Kichwa, Waorani and Shuar
Experience
Living alongside ancient peoples who safeguard the knowledge of the rainforest.
Activities
Guayusa rituals, blowgun practice, ancestral medicine, dances and crafts.
Cuisine
Yucca chicha, maíto, chontacuro, fine cacao.
Tip
Always go with operators who work hand in hand with the communities.
FOR THE TRAVELER
BEFORE YOU GO
Health first
Ask about the yellow-fever vaccine and bring insect repellent; the jungle demands caution and respect.
When to go
Year-round. The drier season (December–March) makes river navigation and hikes easier.
What to pack
Light quick-dry clothing, rubber boots, a flashlight and respect for the host communities.
EXPERIENCE THE AMAZON
Download the Ecuador Travel Guide and discover how to join the rainforest with the other three worlds in a single trip.