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¿When to Visit?

The Amazon region is enormous. Given its micro climates and the dispersal of the native communities, it is impossible to recommend a particular period as the best time for visiting; neither for a particular place nor for the region in general. Fauna and flora observation can be undertaken throughout the year. Similarly, local celebrations and events among the different communities are not limited to particular months. In short, a visit to any part of the Ecuadorian Amazon region at any time of the year is guaranteed to be an enriching experience.

¿How to get there?

The Ecuadorian Amazon Region is accessible by two routes. The north and north-east, as well as those parts of greatest interest in the provinces of Orellana and Sucumbíos, can be reached by road following the Quito-Lago Agrio highway. However, this route is not recommended since the journey is long and tiring and the roads are often in poor condition. A more comfortable and safe means of entering the region is by airplane to the Lago Agrio or Francisco de Orellana (El Coca) airports. Daily half-hour flights leave in both directions. The central Amazon region can be reached in a few hours either by the Quito-Baeza-Tena route or via Baños-Puyo. Your next ports of call will be decided by your chosen program or destination and may involve land or river transport. The central-south part of the region is best accessed by airplane to Macas, a 35-minute flight from Quito to the heart of the province of Morona Santiago. If you wish to visit the south of the Amazon region, the town of Loja is your best bet. Located in the Ecuadorian Andean highlands and close to the border with Peru, Loja provides a connecting highway to Zamora.

 
¿What to take?

Given the climatic characteristics of the Amazon region, light and conformable clothing – preferably of cotton – is recommended. Synthetic materials tend to generate heat and are less comfortable. Jeans, too, are best left behind in your hostel or jungle lodge before embarking on a forest excursion. A selection of T-shirts would be most advisable for trips into the tropical forest, with perhaps a couple of polo shirts for the evenings. Shorts are not recommended. Rather, long pants are to be preferred to avoid possible insect bites and the consequences of skin coming into contact with the vegetation. Don’t forget your swimwear, together with a light jumper and/or a windcheater. You´ll need a cap or hat as protection against the sun and a small backpack for the day in which to carry insect repellent, sun block, photographic equipment and all those other indispensables for day excursions.

Comfortable shoes are a must for the jungle walks and for your stay in the hostels or lodges. Nearly all tour operators and lodgings provide their guests with rubber boots for muddy terrain, though large or children’s sizes may not always be available.

A good insect repellent is essential, best purchased in one of the major cities before embarking on your journey since local supplies are invariably scarce.

Other useful accessories include sunglasses, spare glasses, sun block or protector, hand torch with spare batteries, binoculars for observing the bird life monkeys, the assorted fauna or admiring the panoramic views, as well as photographic and/or video equipment with plastic protection against the rains.

Take any regular or preventive medicines you may need. You should also have your passport, travel documents and credit cards, etc. with you, wrapped in plastic as protection against the elements. A change of clothing is also advisable. Heavy rains may catch you unaware at any moment. Most tour operators and lodgings provide ponchos as rain protection, but take your own if you have one.