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Voykit pocket guide · Ecuador
Nuevo Rocafuerte
Spend 2 days in Nuevo Rocafuerte to explore Yasuni National Park with a guide; longer only if you want multiple park tours.
Nuevo Rocafuerte is a remote Amazon frontier town on the Napo River, serving as the gateway to Yasuni National Park. Access is by daily speedboat from Coca (≈8 h) or private hire. The town has basic accommodation, a few eateries, and limited services, making a short stay focused on guided rainforest visits the most practical.
- Country
- Ecuador
- Best months
- Jun–Sep (drier season, easier river travel)
- Avoid
- Mar–May (higher rain, longer boat trips)
- Stay
- 2 nights
Checked 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change; anything marked (check) is not confirmed.
Essentials
- Currency
- USD
- Money
- Currency is the US dollar (USD, $). Bring small notes: $50 and $100 bills are often refused.
- Daily spend
- Budget $30–45 excl. bed · Mid $45–70 excl. bed (estimate; check)
- SIM and data
- Claro and Movistar (plus CNT) sell prepaid SIMs in malls and shops with a passport; Claro has the widest coverage.
- Emergency
- Police / Fire / Ambulance 911
- Plugs
- Types A, B · 120 V · 60 Hz · US plugs work without adapters.
- Tipping
- Restaurants: 10% service often included; add a little for good service.; Galápagos naturalists and crew: US$10–20 per person per day in total, split per the boat's guidance.; Drivers and day guides: US$5–10 a day.
- Water
- Not safe from the tap in most places (Quito and Cuenca's water is treated but pipes vary); drink bottled or filtered.
- Toilets
- Put paper in the bin, not the bowl; bus terminal toilets charge a few cents.
What things cost
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Boat ticket Coca → Nuevo Rocafuerte (one way) | $18.75 USD |
| Yasuni guide fee (per person, per day) | $60–100 USD |
| Meal (rice & chicken or fish) | $3–5 USD |
| Bottle of water (1 L) | $0.5 USD |
Desk estimates, checked 2026-09; check locally.
Get in
By air
- OCC · Francisco de Orellana Airport (Coca)
- No road or scheduled air link to Nuevo Rocafuerte; travellers reach Coca by air or road, then take the daily covered speedboat down the Rio Napo, about 8 h (check current schedules and fares).
- UIO · Mariscal Sucre International Airport (Quito)
- Main international gateway; fly or bus Quito to Coca first, then boat. Allow a full day for the Quito–Coca–Nuevo Rocafuerte leg (check).
Typical fares
- Coca → Nuevo Rocafuerte speedboat
- about $18.75 USD, 8 h (check)
- Hostal Yurag Wasi room
- $12 USD per night
Show 7 more sections and the pocket cardHideGet around, See and do, Sleep, Phrase card, Etiquette, safety and scams, One and two days, Sources, Pocket card
Get around
All attractions are within walking distance from the boat pier; no local transport needed.
See and do
Known for
- Gateway to Yasuni National Park
- River boat access from Coca
- Hostal Yurag Wasi
Day trips
| Where | How | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Yasuni National Park | Hire a licensed guide with boat from Nuevo Rocafuerte (river travel only) | ≈4–6 h round trip |
Sleep
- Hostal Yurag Wasi
- Air‑conditioned single/double room, $12 USD per night
- Hostal Chimborazo
- $24 USD per night, fan‑only room
Phrase card
| English | Say or show |
|---|---|
| Hello | Holaoh-lah |
| How much? | ¿Cuánto cuesta?kwahn-toh kwes-tah |
| I need a guide | Necesito un guíaneh-seh-see-toh oon gee-ah |
Etiquette, safety and scams
Etiquette
- Greeting: Handshake; women often one cheek kiss; avoid: Skipping the greeting before a question
- Time: Allow for 'hora ecuatoriana' socially; avoid: Assuming tours leave late — they do not
- Photos: Ask people first; avoid: Photographing children without permission
- Dress: Layers in the Andes; avoid: Beachwear in city centres
Scams and watch-outs
- Guides are required for Yasuni NP; none speak English (check availability).
- Border office for Peru stamps may be closed; allow extra time or go via Coca.
The town is low‑risk but basic services, limited English, and river travel hazards require a guide and careful planning.
One and two days
No timed day plan for Nuevo Rocafuerte yet. Suggested stay: 2 nights. Build a day from the list below, mornings for the big sight.
- Gateway to Yasuni National Park
- River boat access from Coca
- Hostal Yurag Wasi
Sources
Written by Voykit; facts cross-checked against these sources, last desk check 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change: check on the day.
- Wikivoyage: Nuevo Rocafuerte, revision 5329548 (CC BY-SA 4.0): en.wikivoyage.org/w/index.php?oldid=5329548
Pocket card
Cut along the border and keep it in your wallet. Show the local-script lines to a driver.
Nuevo Rocafuerte
A esta dirección, por favor
To this address, please
My hotel (write the name and address in the local script)
- Police / Fire / Ambulance911
US consulate in Quito; nearest Ecuadorian embassy in Quito.
Voykit · checked 2026-09
Printed from Voykit (/nuevo-rocafuerte). Written by Voykit; checked 2026-09. Estimates only: confirm prices, hours and entry rules on the day.