News & Frequently Asked Questions

Cuyabeno can be visited all year round. The Amazon doesn’t have traditional seasons like summer and winter—instead, it alternates between wetter and drier months. From December to March, water levels are lower, which can make it easier to spot wildlife near the riverbanks. From April to November, higher water levels allow for deeper canoe access into the flooded forest. Wildlife is abundant throughout the year.

Yes, it is safe. While the Cuyabeno Reserve is located in northeastern Ecuador near the Colombian border, it is a well-protected area with a strong military presence and consistent monitoring. In over two decades of operating in the region, we have never experienced any safety-related incidents.

All tours are led by certified local and naturalist guides. Our guides and crew members are highly trained in jungle safety, medical response, and emergency procedures. Your safety and comfort are our top priority, and you’ll be in experienced hands throughout your stay.

Yes, many families and older travelers visit Cuyabeno every year. Most of our tours are not physically demanding, but they do involve boat rides, walking on uneven jungle trails, and staying in a remote location without luxury amenities. As long as you’re comfortable with nature and light adventure, the experience is suitable for most ages.

There is no age restriction for our tours or entering the Cuyabeno, but a minimum age of 5 years old is recommended.

We also recommend booking a private tour for comfort for the children. Guides will adjust their tours based on the child’s needs. Children below 12 years old need to be accompanied by a parent or adult.

Make sure to read the itineraries beforehand or ask one of our travel experts.

The Cuyabeno Reserve is one of the most biodiverse areas in the Amazon Basin. Visitors can encounter a wide range of mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, and insects in their natural habitat. Some of the most iconic species include pink river dolphins, monkeys, sloths, toucans, anacondas, and caimans.

We’ve created a detailed guide to the wildlife you may encounter, categorized by mammals, birds, reptiles, and insects:
Explore the wildlife of Cuyabeno

Cuyabeno is also home to an extraordinary variety of plant life, from towering ceibo trees to delicate orchids. You can learn more about the region’s flora here:
Discover Cuyabeno’s flora

We’ve created a detailed guide where we explain all transportation options to the Cuyabeno:
Transportation Guide to Cuyabeno Reserve

To help you prepare for your Amazon adventure, we’ve created a detailed packing list with all the essentials you’ll need, including clothing, gear, and personal items suited for the rainforest environment. You can find the full list here:
What to bring to Cuyabeno

We recommend packing light, quick-drying clothes, a waterproof backpack, insect repellent, and a good flashlight or headlamp, among other essentials.

Yes, we recommend bringing some cash in small bills. While your accommodation, activities and meals are included, you might want cash for a community visit, optional drinks, tips for guides and staff, or purchasing handmade crafts from local communities. There are no ATMs in or near the reserve.

Yes, you can bring your large suitcase. During the canoe transfer to the lodge, we use an additional canoe specifically for luggage to ensure there is enough space and comfort for all travelers. In the event of rain, all bags are covered with plastic to keep them dry.

Once at the lodge, your luggage will be stored in your room.

If you’re traveling from Quito and planning to return there after your jungle tour, we recommend leaving larger items at your hotel or hostel in the city—most offer secure luggage storage. Packing only the essentials for the jungle will make your journey more comfortable and hassle-free.

Vaccinations and malaria medication are not mandatory for visiting Cuyabeno. However, as a precaution—especially if you’re joining longer or more adventurous tours—protection against yellow fever and malaria is recommended. While there have been no reported issues in the last 25 years, we strongly advise visiting your doctor or a travel health clinic before your trip to get the most current medical advice based on your travel plans.

Yes, we recommend bringing insect repellent, preferably one that contains DEET. It’s especially useful during daytime and nighttime walks, as well as during afternoon excursions around the lagoons where mosquitoes may be more active.

At the lodge, all beds are equipped with mosquito nets to ensure a peaceful and comfortable night’s sleep.

Please let us, and your guide, know in advance if you have any allergies or chronic medical issues. Bring your own medication and consider wearing a medical alert bracelet. Our guides are trained in first aid.

We cater to vegetarians, vegan, lactose-intolerant, gluten-free and more. If you have any food allergies, you can let us know during the booking process. 

Yes. We provide filtered drinking water at the lodge. Please bring a reusable water bottle to refill throughout your stay.

We offers single, double, triple an family rooms, each equipped with private bathrooms, hot water showers, towels (for room use only), soap, and shampoo. Beds come with mosquito nets and are elevated off the ground. ​

There is no mobile signal in the Cuyabeno Reserve, so we recommend that all travelers contact friends or family before leaving on their trip to notify them of the lack of connectivity.

Regarding WiFi, we have internet access at the lodge, although it is not an open network. Its use is primarily intended for internal operations, emergency situations, or guests visiting for work purposes.

We encourage complete disconnection during your stay so you can fully enjoy the jungle experience, which is why it is not a guaranteed or included service.

No, there is no air conditioning. Rooms are well-ventilated and built with elevated roofs to keep them cool, even in the tropical heat.

There is no laundry service available at the lodge, so we recommend bringing enough clothing for the full duration of your stay.

Only those participating in a long duration Work & Wander tour will have the opportunity to have laundry done in the nearby city.