FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What to bring?
Essential items:
- Fast drying pants (not jeans) and long white (less attractive to mosquitos) shirts for hiking in the rainforest
- Light jacket (it can be a bit chilly at night and during the journeys by canoe)
- Shorts, T-Shirts and sun hat. Careful wearing them during the day to avoid sunburn
- Sneakers and sandals. We provide you with rubber boots and rain ponchos
- Insect repellent
- Sunscreen, sunglasses and swimming suit
- Your own medicine, personal toiletries (we provide you with biodegradable shampoo and soap)
- Flash light
- Your personal documents and money in small denominations for the visit to the Siona Community ($ 10) and for consumption in the bar
- Small to medium sized backpack (the space in the canoe is limited) and a little backpack for walks
- Plastic bags to put your clothes in. In the canoe your luggage is protected against the rain, but however it is better to prevent
- Camera and binoculars. We provide some rental service of binoculars in the Lodge ($ 10 per binocular for the whole tour)
How to get to Cuyabeno?
- By Air: There are two Quito-Coca-Quito flights, both departing at 9:30 AM and taking 30 minutes:
1. Aereoregional (no flights on Sundays) which costs $110;
2.LATAM (daily flights) which cost up to $200;
Transfers from Coca – Cuyabeno cost $140 for up to 4 passengers and take about 3.5 hours.
2. By Public Bus: 8 Cost: bus ± US$20 (round-trip) per person. Night buses with the Putumayo bus line depart around 11:00 PM from from Quito’s South Terminal, Quitumbe, which can be reached by Metro. You arrive in the early morning at the entrance of Cuyabeno, where you guide with meet you between 10:30 and 11:00
3. Private Bus:There is a private bus service that transport just tourists direct to Cuyabeno at $37 per person each way. This bus has the following operating schedule:
Malaria / Yellow fever
All bedrooms are equipped with mosquito nets, but we recommend you bring an effective insect repellent with DEET.
No Malaria has been reported in the area. If you should decide to take Malaria pills, this is a personal choice. Also no yellow fever has been reported, getting the vaccination is also a personal choice.
Important notes:
If you have any doubts about these medical issues please consult with a doctor.
How can I pay?
- Payments can be made in USD and should be made within 4 weeks form getting the booking confirmation. Payment options are through bank transfer or by credit card.
- We use the platfom wetravel, which which has a 2.9% service fee.
- A down payment of 30% is required in order to secure your booking
Which days do you operate?
- Our tours can start any day of the week, depending on our availability. It depends on the number of tourists.
Do you offer special meals?
- We can offer you vegetarian and gluten-free meals. For all other food restrictions we try our best to accommodate you. If you have a special requirement, please let us know, ideally before you travel. Also inform your guide once you’re in the lodge.
What is the best time of the year to visit?
- Cuyabeno is a year-round destination. In recent years, the rainy season and the dry season have been less predictable. Generally speaking, September, October, January and February tend to be the drier months.
Do you offer accommodation for families?
- Upon request, we can offer triple accommodation, with one bunk bed and one regular bed. Our standard cabins have two independent rooms each, we accommodate larger families in double/triple rooms in the same cabin (separate entrances, the rooms do not connect).
Is there electricity?
- Our electric energy is solar-powered. Each room has electric light, but no power outlets. In the common areas you can charge your small appliances only.
Are there security problems?
- We don’t recall any incident in the area for many years. There is a constant presence of security forces in Sucumbius Province, where the Cuyabeno National Park is located. You might have heard of some recent incidents on the Colombian border, but these were in the coastal region, not at all close to Cuyabeno, where the situation is normal.
What about cancellations?
If for some reason you cannot travel, including due to COVID-19, you may transfer your program to another person. You may also postpone your program at no additional cost.
Regarding cancellations the following policies apply:
30 Days Notice: 100% Refund
29 to 15 Days Notice: 50% Refund
Less Than 15 Days Notice: 0% Refund