Major city · Ecuador
Lago AgrioNueva Loja
Use Lago Agrio as a 1-night gateway to Cuyabeno or Yasuní, not a destination itself: fly from Quito, then lodge transfer.
Lago Agrio (Nueva Loja) is the Amazon gateway of northern Ecuador, founded in the 1960s as a Texaco camp. It has few sights of its own but is the practical base for Cuyabeno Wildlife Reserve and Yasuní National Park. Most travellers fly in from Quito, sleep one night, then head to a jungle lodge.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- USD
- Best months
- Aug–Feb (drier in the Amazon)
- avoid Mar–Jul (heavy rain, muddy trails, more mosquitoes)
- Airport
- LGQ
- Nights
- 1
Not a trip line yet
Rules in force · 6Above 2,500 m (Bogotá, Quito, Cusco, La Paz) keep the fir…
- South America ↗Above 2,500 m (Bogotá, Quito, Cusco, La Paz) keep the first day light; sleep lower where you can (Sacred Valley before Cusco) and descend if headache comes with vomiting or confusion.
- South America ↗A yellow fever certificate is required on arrival in French Guiana, and asked for on some routes into Bolivia, Paraguay, Suriname and Guyana, or when arriving from Amazon areas — vaccinate at least 10 days before travel and carry the card.
- South America ↗Overnight buses are the norm in Argentina, Chile and Peru, but pick top-tier companies and keep valuables on your body; on-board thefts from overhead racks are the common loss.
- Ecuador ↗Check entry rules for your passport with Ecuador's Ministry of Foreign Affairs or an Ecuadorian consulate.
- Ecuador ↗The Galápagos has its own entry controls: a transit control card bought at the airport before departure, a national park entrance fee, and inspections for food and plants. Check official Galápagos rules before booking.
- Ecuador ↗Several coastal provinces (including Guayas, where Guayaquil is) are under official warnings and periodic states of emergency; read your government's advice before routing through them.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Lago Agrio911 ▾
- Police, fire, ambulance911
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Lago Agrio, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the US dollar (USD, $).Ecuador-wide
- SIM or eSIMClaro and Movistar (plus CNT) sell prepaid SIMs in malls and shops with a passport; Claro has the widest coverage.Ecuador-wide
- Tap waterNot safe from the tap in most places (Quito and Cuenca's water is treated but pipes vary); drink bottled or filtered.Ecuador-wide
- TippingRestaurants: 10% service often included; add a little for good service.Ecuador-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets A/B. US/Canada (A/B): fits · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 120 V: UK and AU 230 V-only devices need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.Ecuador-wide
- SafetyThe northern border area has drug trafficking and crime; travel only with organised tours or guides who know safe zones.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsPut paper in the bin, not the bowl; bus terminal toilets charge a few cents.Ecuador-wide
- Emergency numbers911 police, fire, ambulance
- Sundays & holidaysMany museums close Mondays; national strikes can shut roads for days.Ecuador-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportLGQ Lago Agrio Airport (Flights from Quito with Avianca; about 30 min).
- Getting aroundTaxis are the main option; most hotels arrange airport pick-up.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- Coffee$1–2
- Street or quick mealSet lunch (almuerzo)$3–5
- BeerBeer (bottle)$1.50–2.50
- Budget bedHostel or basic hotel bed, a night, per personUS$15
- Mid-range bedMid-range hotel double room, a night, per roomUS$50
- High-end bedMid-range hotel double room, a night, per roomUS$80
A day, not counting the bed: Budget US$40 · Mid US$65 · High US$100
Prices in local money; change the currency in the header to see yours next to them. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- LGQ Lago Agrio Airport (Flights from Quito with Avianca; about 30 min)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Best
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Feb
Best
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Mar
Avoid
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Apr
Avoid
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
May
Avoid
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
Jun
Avoid
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
Jul
Avoid
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
Aug
Best
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
Sep
Best
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Oct
Best
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Nov
Best
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Dec
Best
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Best: Aug–Feb. Avoid: Mar–Jul. Month by month →
Warmest Jan (30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)), coolest Jun (21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C) low), wettest Apr (19 rain days), driest Feb (14). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Lago Agrio: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
15 rd
Feb
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
14 rd
Mar
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
18 rd
Apr
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
19 rd
May
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
19 rd
Jun
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
18 rd
Jul
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
17 rd
Aug
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
15 rd
Sep
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
15 rd
Oct
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
16 rd
Nov
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
16 rd
Dec
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
15 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
Taxis are the main option; most hotels arrange airport pick-up. Walking within the centre is fine in daylight.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Cuyabeno Wildlife Reserve
goDoor to door: About 2.5 h
Organised lodge transfer, about 2 h by road then canoe
Multi-night stay required; book a lodge package.
Yasuní National Park
goDoor to door: About 4 h
Organised lodge transfer, about 3–4 h by road and river
Multi-night stay required; book a lodge package.
Limoncocha Biosphere Reserve
goDoor to door: About 1.5 h
Taxi or organised tour, about 1 h
Half-day trip; lake and birdwatching.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Near the airport
Quick access for early lodge transfers; limited dining.
Town centre (Av. Quito area)
More hotels and eateries; 10 min by taxi from the airport.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- $30–50 excl. bed
- Mid
- $50–80 excl. bed
- High
- $80+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Mid-range hotel double room1 × 1 night × US$50 | US$50 |
| Food, local transport, entries1 × 1 day × US$65 | US$65 |
| Taxi from airport to town centre1 × US$5 | US$5 |
| eSIM for a week of data1 × US$10 | US$10 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | US$13 |
| Trip total≈ US$143 per person per day, bed included | US$143 |
2026 estimate in USD; flights and lodge packages excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Coffee | $1–2 |
| Set lunch (almuerzo) | $3–5 |
| Beer (bottle) | $1.50–2.50 |
| Taxi airport → town centre | $5 |
| Bus Quito → Lago Agrio | $10–15 (check) |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- The northern border region has spillover from Colombia: avoid travel after dark and stick to organised tours.
- Mosquitoes are heavy year-round; bring DEET repellent and a mosquito net if your lodge doesn't provide one.
- Last flights from Quito may leave early; confirm the schedule with Avianca.
Emergency numbers
- Police, fire, ambulance
- 911
Pocket card
Fill in, then print or save as PDF
Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.
Lago AgrioNueva Loja
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
Lléveme a esta dirección, por favorTake me to this address, please
Emergency
- Police, fire, ambulance911
Embassy
The US embassy is in Quito; register travel plans with your embassy if going alone.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Flight Quito → Lago Agrio (Avianca): about $80–120 one way (check)
- Taxi airport → town centre: $5
Say or show
- Hola — Hello (oh-la)
- Gracias — Thank you (grah-see-as)
- ¿Cuánto cuesta? — How much is it? (kwan-toh kwes-tah)
- ¿Dónde está el terminal? — Where is the bus station? (don-deh es-tah el ter-mee-nal)
- Necesito un taxi — I need a taxi (neh-seh-see-toh oon tak-see)
- ¡Ayuda! — Help! (ah-yoo-dah)
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Lago Agrio. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Aug–Feb (drier in the Amazon) · avoid Mar–Jul (heavy rain, muddy trails, more mosquitoes) · month by month →
- 1 airport and 2 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 3 day-trips, door to door
- 3 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Place pages for Cuyabeno and Yasuní lodges with verified transfer times and prices.
- Airport-to-lodge contract with fallback taxi and overnight rung.
- Eat pages with last orders and cash-only warnings.
Sources
Ask about Lago Agrio
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