Cuyabeno Wildlife Reserve

Prepare for Your Trip to the Amazon

Climate, health, clothing and what to bring to Cuyabeno

Cuyabeno is an easy destination to pack for — once you know what to expect. This guide covers the climate, the health precautions, the clothing and what to bring to Cuyabeno, so you arrive ready for the flooded forest.

Field conditions

Climate

The climate is tropical and humid due to our location at the equator in the Amazon Lowland. The annual temperature averages 25°C (77°F) with a daily minimum temperature of 20°C (68°F) and a maximum temperature of 30°C (86°F). Night temperatures are pleasant and fresh at around 18°C (64.4°F). Humidity ranges from 80 to 100% with an average of 3000 mm of rainfall a year.

25°C
Average temperature
18°C
Fresh nights
80–100%
Humidity
3,000 mm
Rainfall a year
Drier season · December to March Wetter season · April to July
Before you fly

Health precautions

We recommend the basic vaccinations such as tetanus and hepatitis A. Cholera, typhoid and yellow fever are unknown in the region.

Malaria prevention is a matter of choice. In this specific area, there is a moderate incidence of malaria. While the more serious form of “malaria tropicana” is very uncommon, all other strains of malaria do exist and are treatable with chloroquine or equivalents.

Canoe ride through the flooded forest of Cuyabeno
Dress for the jungle

Clothing

We suggest that you wear light cotton, linen or silk clothes. Normally, you just need shorts and a shirt during the day and long trousers and a long sleeved shirt (which also provide very good mosquito protection) for the late evenings. Nights can be cool, especially when it rains, so you should bring a warm sweater.

For sun protection, you will need a hat, sunglasses and a high protection sunscreen. Sandals for the canoe and tennis shoes are perfect for the lodge area and at night. You will not need trekking boots. Do not forget to bring your swimwear.

Paddling a traditional canoe in the Cuyabeno Wildlife Reserve
Packing checklist

What to bring to Cuyabeno

Several T-shirts
Long-sleeved shirts for mosquito protection
Shorts and long trousers for jungle hikes
1 warm sweater or jacket for colder rainy days
1 pair of tennis shoes, 1 pair of sandals
Swimwear
Insect repellent
1 flashlight per person and some spare batteries
Sun protection (hat, glasses, sunscreen)
1 day backpack
Small amounts of money for handicraft purchases
Passport (photo or copy — not the original)
Camera; binoculars (optional)
Towel

Good to know: there is no mobile signal inside the reserve — a real chance to disconnect. If you need to stay online, ask us about our special Starlink internet plans for your stay.

Getting there

Tourist or public transport?

Either way you travel the night before the tour starts — this is the honest difference between the two.

Tourist transport — recommended

  • More comfort and better coordination with the tour
  • Pickup at fixed meeting points in Quito
  • Organized specifically for Cuyabeno passengers
  • Includes breakfast on the way there or lunch on the return
  • Avoids connections in Lago Agrio

Public transport

  • A cheaper alternative
  • You buy tickets directly at the terminals
  • Depending on the route, you may need a connection in Lago Agrio
  • Schedules can be less convenient
  • No meals included

Our recommendation: if you value comfort and want to avoid complications with connections, take the tourist transport. If saving is your priority and you do not mind public buses and connections, that option works too.

See all transport options & prices
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