Cuyabeno Transport Guide
*Photos are for reference; the vehicle may vary.
Quito
Lago Agrio
Puente Cuyabeno
Comfortable overnight transportation from Quito and back, with fixed departures, multiple pick-up points, and included meals.
Comfort
Travel time
Reliability
Safety
Budget
per person to El Puente Cuyabeno
Quito
Baños
The public bus from Quito or Baños offers affordable, convenient, and direct routes with various departure options.
Comfort
Travel time
Reliability
Safety
Budget
1 way ticket for 1 person
Ecaudor
Customized roundtrip transport with a private car and driver, picking you up from your hotel at your preferred time.
Comfort
Travel time
Reliability
Safety
Budget
based on number of travelers
Coca City
A flight from Quito to Coca, followed by a private transfer to Tierras Orientales.
Comfort
Travel time
Reliability
Safety
Budget
based on ticket prices
Self-drive
Parking is available at El Puente Cuyabeno and Lago Agrio, with options ranging from free to secure parking.
Comfort
Travel time
Reliability
Safety
Budget
based prefered parking option
Option A: Shuttle Bus
Schedule & Pick-up Points
Departures are on fixed days of the week.
From Quito to Lago Agrio & El Puente:
Departs every night except Tuesdays.
Take the overnight bus the evening before your tour to ensure a timely arrival in the morning.
From El Puente & Lago Agrio to Quito:
Departs every morning except Wednesdays.
Leaves on the morning your tour ends, traveling through the day to arrive in Quito around 21:30 pm.
The shuttle bus pick-up and drop-off points in Quito are as follows:
23:00 PM | Blue House Youth Hostel
Location: Joaquin Pinto E8-24 y Diego de Almagro.
23:30 PM | The Secret Garden Hostel
Location: Calle E4-60, Quito 170136.
23:40 – 23:50 PM | Viajero Hostel
Location: Rocafuerte OE3 – 97.
Choose your preferred pick-up and drop-off point and arrive 15 minutes early for a smooth departure. A transport representative will meet the group in the lobby.
To / From Lago Agrio
Tours from Lago Agrio, Hotel D’Mario:
5-Day Canoe Paddle Paradise tour
5-Day Cuyabeno Birdwatching tour
7-Day Peru Border Explorer tour
Pricing: $20 per person one way. Payment is made in cash directly to the driver.
Return to Quito: Due to our operations, if you wish to return to Quito at the end of your jungle tour, our crew members will assist you to take a public bus.
Alternative Option: You can opt to take a shuttle bus early on your last day. Note that this option requires an early departure from the lodge and incurs an additional fee to cover the shuttle bus connection.
To / From El Puente Cuyabeno
Tours starting at El Puente Cuyabeno:
3-Day Dolphin Delight tour
4-Day Wild Amazonia tour
5-Day Enchanted Cuyabeno tour
6-Day Total Jungle tour
7-14 Days Work & Wander Cuyabeno tour
Pricing: $30 per person one way. You can pay in cash directly to the driver or book online through our system.
Meals: Breakfast is included on the way to El Puente Cuyabeno, and lunch is provided on the return journey to Quito. In case of unexpected delays, meal availability may be affected.
Return to Quito: At the end of the tour, the bus will be ready for departure at 11:00 am from El Puente Cuyabeno, arriving in Quito around 21:30 pm.
Shuttle Bus Interior
Comfort and Amenities: The shuttle bus is equipped with air conditioning. While there is no toilet on board, the bus makes regular bathroom stops along the way.
Luggage Storage: Large luggage will be securely stored in the luggage compartment, while smaller bags can be placed in the overhead storage above your seat.
Language Assistance: The drivers speak only Spanish. If needed, we recommend using basic Spanish phrases or a translation app for communication.
Note: The shuttle bus operator reserves the right to change or modify the vehicle based on operational needs.
Option B: Public Bus
To / From Quito - Lago Agrio
Starting Point: Hotel D’Mario
5-Day Canoe Paddle Paradise tour
5-Day Cuyabeno Birdwatching tour
7-Day Peru Border Explorer tour
Take a bus from either Quitumbe Terminal (South, more frequent departures) or Carcelén Terminal (North). Arrive at the terminal at least an hour early to buy a one-way ticket. Take a bus departing just before midnight to arrive in Lago Agrio in the morning.
Recommended companies:
- Transportes Esmeraldas (www.transesmeraldas.com)
- Cooperativa de Transportes Baños (www.cooperativabanos.com).
Pricing: $12 per person, one way. The bus trip lasts around 8 hours.
Once at Lago Agrio Bus Terminal, take a taxi ($1-$2) to Hotel D’Mario, where your guide will meet you at the time of the tour.
Return to Quito:
A public bus departs from Lago Agrio at 15:30 PM, arriving in Quito (Quitumbe Terminal) around 23:30 PM ($12 per person, paid in cash). We assist travelers in getting the earliest available bus.
To / From Quito - El Puente Cuyabeno
Starting Point: Puente Cuyabeno at 11:00 am
3-Day Dolphin Delight tour
4-Day Wild Amazonia tour
5-Day Enchanted Cuyabeno tour
6-Day Total Jungle tour
7-14 Days Work & Wander Cuyabeno tour
Multiple options:
Most popular: Take an overnight bus from Quitumbe Terminal in Quito at 21:00 p.m. with Transportes Putumayo for a direct trip to Puente Cuyabeno. The fare is $16 per person, and the journey takes around 12 hours, including a stop in Lago Agrio. Arrive at least one hour early to buy your ticket.
Alternative option: Take a Quito-Lago Agrio bus for $12 per person, then connect to a Lago Agrio-Puente Cuyabeno bus with Transportes Putumayo or Transportes Petrolera. These depart almost hourly but ensure you take one before 08:30 a.m. to arrive on time.
Return to Quito: After the tour, we arrive at Puente Cuyabeno at 11:00 a.m. You can take a bus to Lago Agrio at 11:30 a.m. ($4 per person), then catch a return bus to Quito for $12 per person. We recommend Transportes Baños or Transportes Esmeraldas, with tickets available at the terminal counter.
To / From Baños
From Baños to Lago Agrio (Nueva Loja) & El Puente Cuyabeno
Recommended company: Cooperativa de Transportes Baños (www.cooperativabanos.com).
Baños to Lago Agrio: Take the Cooperativa de Transportes Baños night bus at 10:30 p.m. (confirm at the terminal). Book a day in advance or early on the day of travel. Upon arrival, take a $1–$2 taxi to Hotel D’Mario, where your guide will meet you.
IF YOUR TOUR begins at El Puente Cuyabeno, please continue your journey from Lago Agrio:
Lago Agrio to Puente Cuyabeno: Buses with Transportes Putumayo and Transportes Petrolera depart almost hourly. Take one before 8:30 a.m. to reach Puente Cuyabeno in 2 hours. Your guide will meet you there at 11:00 a.m. Double-check schedules at the terminal for a smooth trip.
Option C: Private Transport
Private Transfer in Ecuador
A private transfer with a driver can be arranged for roundtrip transport to Cuyabeno, with pick-up from your hotel at any time, day or night. Your drop-off point will be either Hotel D’Mario or El Puente Cuyabeno.
After your jungle tour, your private transfer will be ready for the return trip. This option is most cost-effective for groups of 3+ people, but solo travelers or smaller groups seeking a faster, more comfortable option are welcome to inquire. Contact us for a custom quote based on your group size and departure location.
Option D: Coca Flight + Private Transport
To / From Quito - Coca + Private Transfer to Tierras Orientales
Available for:
5-Day Canoe Paddle Paradise tour
5-Day Cuyabeno Birdwatching tour
7-Day Peru Border Explorer tour
Fly from Quito to Coca, ensuring arrival by 10:30 am on your tour start date. A lodge representative will transfer you from Coca Airport to Tierras Orientales, arriving around 12:30 pm to join the tour group.
On the final day, a return transfer to Coca Airport is arranged in the afternoon (around 16:00 pm).
If flying back to Quito, we recommend staying overnight in Coca and taking a morning flight the next day.
Note:
Flight delays or cancellations may affect the tour schedule. Any additional expenses due to changes are the traveler’s responsibility.
Cuyabeno Wildlife Center arranges airport-lodge transfers, but flights are not included. Please provide your flight details to ensure a smooth transfer.
To / From Quito - Coca + Private Transfer to El Puente Cuyabeno
Available for:
3-Day Dolphin Delight tour
4-Day Wild Amazonia tour
5-Day Enchanted Cuyabeno tour
6-Day Total Jungle tour
7-14 Days Work & Wander Cuyabeno tour
Coca is about three hours from Puente Cuyabeno, and the group tour starts at 11:00 AM.
Getting to Puente Cuyabeno
Stay One Night in Coca: You can spend the night in Coca, explore the city, and rest. The next morning, we can arrange a private transfer at 7:00 AM or help you with information on public transportation to Puente Cuyabeno.
Private Transfer & Late Arrival: If you’d like to go straight to Puente Cuyabeno upon arrival, we can arrange a private transfer from the airport. Since the group will have already left, a private canoe and guide will be needed for a late entrance. We’ll be happy to discuss the details and costs with you.
Returning from the Tour:
Stay One Night in Coca: After the tour, you can take a private transfer or public transportation to Coca, where you can relax for the night before flying back to Quito the next morning.
Same-Day Flight: If you prefer to fly back to Quito the same day the tour ends, we’ll arrange an early departure from the lodge (around 4:00 AM), including a private canoe and transfer to Coca in time for your morning flight.
Note:
Flight delays or cancellations may affect the tour schedule. Any additional expenses due to changes are the traveler’s responsibility.
Cuyabeno Wildlife Center arranges airport-lodge transfers, but flights are not included. Please provide your flight details to ensure a smooth transfer.
Option E: Own Vehicle Parking
Parking in Lago Agrio
Starting point Lago Agrio:
5-Day Canoe Paddle Paradise tour
5-Day Cuyabeno Birdwatching tour
7-Day Peru Border Explorer tour
For added security, parking in Lago Agrio is available for $20 per vehicle per tour. This option is ideal for travelers needing a dedicated parking spot during their stay in the reserve.
Please note that vehicles are parked at the owner’s risk.
Parking in El Puente Cuyabeno
Starting point El Puente Cuyabeno:
3-Day Dolphin Delight tour
4-Day Wild Amazonia tour
5-Day Enchanted Cuyabeno tour
6-Day Total Jungle tour
7-14 Days Work & Wander Cuyabeno tour
You have two secure parking options for your vehicle:
- Right Side: A parking area next to a small store, available for a fee of $1 USD per day.
- Left Side: The ranger’s parking lot, which is free of charge.
Both options are safe and reliable, and we have never encountered any issues. Please note that vehicles are parked at the owner’s risk.
Getting to Ecuador’s Cuyabeno Reserve
Arriving at the Cuyabeno Reserve is an exciting beginning to your Amazon journey. With reliable transportation options available by both bus and air, reaching this unique ecosystem has never been more accessible. Our team is here to help you navigate the best routes and timings to ensure your journey is as smooth as possible. We can even help you book the shuttle bus transport to Cuyabeno. Once you arrive, you’ll be set to immerse yourself in the wonders of Cuyabeno—from its incredible biodiversity to the serene beauty of its rivers and forests. We invite you to plan your transport with confidence and look forward to welcoming you to an experience of a lifetime in the Amazon.