National park · Ecuador
Cuyabeno Wildlife ReserveReserva de Producción Faunística Cuyabeno
Visit Cuyabeno for a 2‑day lodge stay: take a guided canoe to Laguna Grande early (entry fee $30 USD), then hike the Palma Roja trail (1.6 km (1 mi)) on day two; avoid the rainy season (Apr–Jul).Visit Cuyabeno for a 2‑day lodge stay: take a guided canoe to Laguna Grande early (entry fee $30 USD), then hike the Palma Roja trail (1 mi (1.6 km)) on day two; avoid the rainy season (Apr–Jul).
- Source checked
- A source and a date are on record: we read it from an official or published page. Not yet confirmed on the ground.
- Field checked
- Someone checked it on the ground, with the date shown.
- Plan calculated
- Worked out by Voykit from its own data (times, distances, budgets). A calculation, not a measurement.
Unknown times stay unknown. How we verify
Map to the park
Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.
Area
590 km² (228 sq mi)228 sq mi (590 km²)
approximate
Established
1979
Best months
Dec–Mar
UNESCO
None
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.
At a glance
- Country
- Ecuador
- Area
- 590 km² (228 sq mi)228 sq mi (590 km²)
- Area reported as 590 km²; some sources split land (≈400 km²) and water (≈190 km²) (check).
- Established
- 1979
- Best months
- Dec–Mar
- Permits
- For some areas
Cuyabeno Wildlife Reserve protects a vast Amazon floodplain with three rivers, 13 lakes and dense rainforest, offering guided canoe trips to Laguna Grande and medium‑difficulty forest trails that showcase high bird diversity, monkeys, tapirs and pink river dolphins; access requires an accredited guide and a $30 USD entry fee.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- No UNESCO listing; national park since 1979.
Size and age
590 km² (228 sq mi)228 sq mi (590 km²) · national park since 1979
Area reported as 590 km²; some sources split land (≈400 km²) and water (≈190 km²) (check).
Why go
- Explore flooded forest, lakes and rivers of the Amazon.
- Spot diverse wildlife: monkeys, tapir, pink dolphins, over 500 bird species.
When to go
- JanBest
- FebBest
- MarBest
- AprCaution
- MayCaution
- JunAvoid
- JulAvoid
- AugAvoid
- SepCaution
- OctGo
- NovGo
- DecBest
- JanDry, clear rivers.
- FebDry, good wildlife viewing.
- MarEnd of dry season, still accessible.
- AprRainy season starts, rivers rise.
- MayFrequent rain, trails muddy.
- JunHeavy rains, some roads closed.
- JulPeak rain, high water.
- AugContinued heavy rain.
- SepRain lessens, mixed conditions.
- OctTransition to dry, good for canoe.
- NovDry season resumes.
- DecDry, low humidity.
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Monkeys, tapir, capybara, pink dolphinsAll year | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Birdwatching – macaws, toucans, hoatzinOct–Mar | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes |
| Butterflies (≈1 000 species)Feb–May, Oct–Nov | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | no |
Arrive & move
Getting in, how the park is divided, and where things are
Show 3 sectionsHideHow to get there, Zones and sectors, Sketch map
How to get there
From Quito
Bus 7 h to Lago Agrio, then lodge‑arranged canoe 1.5–2 h to El Puente.
9–10 h
Open the page →
From Baños
Bus to Coca (≈4 h) then to Lago Agrio (≈4 h), lodge transport onward.
≈8 h
Open the page →
From Lago Agrio (Nueva Loja)
Private shuttle or taxi to El Puente, then motor‑canoe.
≈2 h
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| El Puente entrance | Gate, visitor office, ticket sales, start of canoe routes. | Open with entry ticket. |
| Laguna Grande area | Largest lake, base for canoe trips and short forest trails. | Guided canoe access only. |
| Palma Roja trail | 1.6 km (1 mi) forest trail, medium difficulty.1 mi (1.6 km) forest trail, medium difficulty. | Guided walk from lagoon shore. |
Sketch map
Take the points offline
3 points as a GPX waypoint file, plus a plain-text list of coordinates. Save it while you have signal: maps apps show the points without a connection.
Coordinates are approximate centre of the reserve; exact lodge locations vary.
See & do
Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking
Show Top experiencesHide
Top experiences
Practical
Fees, permits, rules, where to sleep and what can go wrong
Show 8 sectionsHideEntry fees and permits, Park rules, Where to stay, Safety, Accessibility, Visiting lightly, Questions people ask, Related
Entry fees and permits
| Item | Range | Per | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Reserve entry (per person) | US$30 | person | Ticket bought at El Puente gate. |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Reserve entry permit or guide
Guided canoe tour permit or guide
Park rules
- Guides
- All canoe trips and hikes require an accredited guide.
- Camping
- Not allowed outside designated lodge areas; stay in ecolodges.
- Fire
- Open fires prohibited; use stove provided by lodge.
- Wildlife interaction
- Do not feed or approach animals; keep distance.
Where to stay
In the park
Cuyabeno Caiman Eco‑Lodge
River‑front lodge with guided tours, meals included.
In the park
Geolodge Sanctuary Retreat
Eco‑lodge on Cuyabeno River, offers canoe and trek packages.
In the park
Green Forest Ecolodge
All‑inclusive 3‑5 day packages, includes meals and guides.
Safety
Mosquitoes low
River flooding medium
Lost in forest high
How much daylight do you have?
Time out
Finding the local time zone…
Times are local to the spot (zone loading). The half-hour margin is our rule of thumb, not an official figure; light fades earlier in forest or under cloud. Carry a headlamp on any route that could run late.
Accessibility
- Gate area reachable by vehicle; short walks on flat ground.
- Trails are uneven, not wheelchair‑accessible.
Visiting lightly
- Choose lodges that support community tourism and conservation fees.
- Do not purchase 'langur' or exotic animal tours; respect indigenous guidelines.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Cuyabeno Wildlife Reserve?
Entry is $30 USD per person, bought at the El Puente gate; guides and canoe transport are extra.
What are the best hikes in Cuyabeno Wildlife Reserve?
Palma Roja (1.6 km, medium), El Saladero (1.7 km, medium) and Copal (2.5 km, medium) – all accessed via guided canoe.
When is the best time to visit Cuyabeno Wildlife Reserve?
The dry season December–March offers low water and clear wildlife viewing; October–November are also good. Avoid April–July rainy months.
Do I need a guide to enter the reserve?
Yes. All visitors must travel with an accredited guide; lodges arrange this.
Can I camp inside the reserve?
Camping is only allowed in designated lodge areas; wild camping is prohibited.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go