The Cuyabeno Wildlife Reserve is another massive protected area in the heart of the Ecuadorian Amazon, renowned for its interconnected lagoons, flooded channels, and pristine primary forests.
Reached primarily through the town of Lago Agrio, Cuyabeno is best explored by canoe or traditional dugout boat. This quiet mode of travel lets you slip through dark waters, dynamic swamplands, and wide lakes to spot iconic wildlife up close—including pink river dolphins, caimans, monkeys, sloths, anacondas, and over 500 bird species.
To maximize your chances of these natural encounters, excursions are timed around sunrise and sunset, complemented by night walks to discover the creatures that come alive after dark.