Ecuadorian Amazon

Overview

The Ecuadorian Amazon (the Oriente) covers about half the country's area. A major advantage is its small size, making access to the jungle—at least in the north—easier and quicker than elsewhere. A single day's bus ride from Quito is enough to reach it, where you can then organize a stay with a guide or even independently at times. Downsides: aside from the fact that parts of the natural environment are sometimes devastated by oil and mining exploration, "jungle tours" have become a booming business, sometimes a bit expensive, as is often the case in the Amazon.

Main towns

The region is very sparsely populated, with around 5% of the national population. Towns are rare, with at most a few tens of thousands of inhabitants, such as Lago Agrio (also called Nueva Loja), El Coca, Puyo, or Tena.

Tourist attractions

Towns and their heritage

Amazon towns and villages are primarily gateways or supply points for those looking to explore this part of the country. So, there’s no particular architectural heritage or many museums, but rather another side of the country, with the added possibility of encountering communities whose culture and traditions remain very much alive.

Nature and activities

This is logically the region’s (very) strong point, with the Amazon rainforest, its wildlife and flora, its rivers, and its various activity and discovery options.

Southern Ecuadorian Amazon

The southern Amazon is the least visited part because it’s the most isolated. Even so, there’s little to do or see from the far south of the country up to the town of Puyo.

Northern Ecuadorian Amazon

The northern part (from Puyo to Colombia) is therefore more recommended. Three towns, accessible by road from Quito, can serve as starting points for the forest. From south to north: Misahualli (the least interesting), El Coca, and Lago Agrio. On the agenda: jungle, wildlife, river trips, indigenous villages, etc. However, be cautious in the border area with Colombia, which isn’t always very safe.

Climate

The Amazon region remains the wettest in the country, with rain falling three days out of four year-round. December to February sees slightly less rain than average, while April is wetter. Even so, while temperatures don’t vary much—around 25°C during the day and 17°C at night on average—the constant high humidity makes the Amazon climate feel quite oppressive. In short, there isn’t really a best time to visit, though the start of the year is generally a bit better.

Best time to visit the Amazon

★★★: very favorable | ★★: favorable | ★: moderately favorable | ⊘: unfavorable.