If you are looking for a unique and unforgettable adventure in the Ecuadorian Amazon, you should consider visiting Cuyabeno Wildlife Reserve. This is one of the most biodiverse areas in the world, where you can find hundreds of species of birds, mammals, reptiles, amphibians, fish and plants. In this blog post, I will share with you some of the main tourist attractions in Cuyabeno that you can enjoy during your stay.
Cuyabeno Reserve
The Cuyabeno Reserve is a protected area of 603,380 hectares that covers five provinces: Sucumbíos, Orellana, Napo, Carchi and Putumayo. It was created in 1979 to conserve the rich flora and fauna of the Amazon rainforest. The reserve is home to 15 indigenous communities that live in harmony with nature and preserve their ancestral traditions and culture. You can visit some of these communities and learn about their way of life, their crafts, their dances and their medicine.
Laguna Grande
One of the most spectacular places in Cuyabeno is Laguna Grande, a large lake that is connected to the Cuyabeno River by a network of smaller lagoons and channels. Here you can enjoy a variety of activities such as kayaking, paddle boarding, swimming, fishing and birdwatching. You can also witness the amazing sunset over the lake and see how the water turns into a mirror that reflects the sky and the trees. At night, you can admire the stars and listen to the sounds of the jungle.
Cuyabeno Dolphin Lodge
If you are looking for a comfortable and eco-friendly accommodation in Cuyabeno, you should check out Cuyabeno Dolphin Lodge. This lodge is located on the banks of Laguna Grande and offers cozy cabins with private bathrooms, hot water and electricity. The lodge also has a restaurant that serves delicious local and international dishes, a bar that offers refreshing drinks and snacks, a lounge area where you can relax and socialize with other guests, and a lookout tower where you can enjoy panoramic views of the lake and the forest. The lodge also organizes daily tours with experienced guides who will show you the best spots for wildlife observation and cultural interaction.
These are just some of the main tourist attractions in Cuyabeno that you can explore during your trip to the Ecuadorian Amazon. There are many more things to see and do in this amazing place, such as hiking through the forest, visiting waterfalls, spotting caimans and anacondas, learning about medicinal plants and much more.