Must-see attractions in The Oriente

  • MACCO

    Coca

    This excellent archaeological museum of Orellana region's cultural legacy is a must-visit in Coca. Housing exquisitely restored and diverse artifacts from…

  • Parque Nacional Yasuní

    The Oriente

    Yasuní is Ecuador’s biggest mainland park at 9820 sq km, boasting all manner of terrain from marshes to rivers to tropical rainforest. A Unesco Biosphere…

  • Reserva Biológica Jatun Sacha

    The Oriente

    This 25-sq-km biological station and rainforest reserve is located on the south shore of the Río Napo, 23km east of Puerto Napo. It is run by Fundación…

  • San Rafael Falls, Ecuador

    San Rafael Falls

    The Oriente

    Ecuador's largest waterfall and a slash of Río Quijos cut through thick patches of cloud forest. To visit the falls, catch a bus from Baeza to Lago Agrio …

  • AmaZOOnico

    The Oriente

    You’re guaranteed to see all manner of jungle wildlife at AmaZOOnico, a well-known animal rehabilitation center located on the grounds of Selva Viva, a 17…

  • Parque Etnobotánico Omaere

    Puyo

    Less than 1km north of the city center, this ethnobotanical park offers one- to two-hour guided tours (included in admission fee) of rainforest plants,…

  • Cueva de los Tayos

    The Oriente

    Near Limón Indanza, 112km southwest of Macas, a trail leads to the extensive Coangos cave system, where there are multiple caverns spiked with stalactites…

  • Comunidad Shiripuno

    The Oriente

    A couple of kilometers downriver from town is this Shiripuno community, most often visited on tours with Teorumi tour agency. The community tourism…

  • Cascada Las Latas

    The Oriente

    Misahuallí’s most enjoyable sight is some way outside the town, but it’s well worth spending a few hours to do the return riverside walk, which takes you…

  • Cuevas de Jumandí

    The Oriente

    About 4km north of Archidona, you’ll find Cuevas de Jumandí. This cave system, the best known in the area, has three main branches that remain partly…

  • Sinchi Warmi

    The Oriente

    Founded, built and run by a group of Kichwa women, this community center introduces visitors to their culture through activities such as jungle walks,…

  • Our Lady of Macas Cathedral

    The Oriente

    The cathedral announces itself with a Technicolor virgin, looming over a plaza resembling an elaborate skate park. Inside, a tranquil, column-free space…

  • Paseo de los Monos

    Puyo

    At Paseo de los Monos you can see a variety of rescued animals, including six kinds of monkeys, turtles and birds. Some animals are caged, while others…

  • Jardín Botánico las Orquídeas

    Puyo

    Visitors rave about this privately run botanical garden, located 15 minutes south of Puyo, after Pindo Chico neighborhood just off the E45 road to Macas…

  • Volcán Sangay

    The Oriente

    The perfect snow-covered cone of Volcán Sangay (5230m), some 40km to the northwest, can be glimpsed on a clear day. It’s Ecuador’s seventh-highest…

  • Parque Botánico

    The Oriente

    Parque Botánico, 3km southeast of central Sucúa, has a visitor interpretation center, a restaurant, a well-kept orquideario (orchid farm) and paths…

  • Volcán El Altar

    Puyo

    Early risers may see the jagged white teeth of Volcán El Altar (5319m), the fifth-highest mountain in Ecuador, about 50km southwest. On clear days look…

  • Malecón

    Coca

    Coca's pretty riverside walkway seems to extend by several blocks every couple of years. It's a pleasant place to stroll and take in the life on the river…

  • Parque Recreacional

    The Oriente

    We all feel the urge for a peaceful, green picnicking spot sometimes – particularly in Macas, where there's a dearth of them. Parque Recreacional delivers…

  • Museo Etnoarqueológico

    Puyo

    Puyo's tiny Museo Etnoarqueológico has ceramics, artifacts, models of various traditional indigenous homes and an excellent map showing the distribution…

  • El Arca Rescue Center

    The Oriente

    Outside of Cotundo, the El Arca Rescue Center houses a myriad of rehabilitated animals in well-kept cages. Walk with a guide on the winding pathway to see…

  • Parque Tena

    Tena

    Part astro-turfed, part grassed, and with multiple leisure facilities from running tracks to playgrounds, Parque Tena has replaced the old airstrip and…

  • Casa de Cultura

    Lago Agrio

    Regional museum hosting events and exhibitions with an emphasis on local and indigenous culture.

  • Cathedral

    Tena

    Tena's cathedral sits modestly on the main plaza on the west side of the Río Tena.

  • Cathedral

    Puyo

    On the east side of Parque 12 de Mayo.

  • Parque Amazónico La Isla

    Tena

    If you take the snazzy footbridge partway across the river to this 27-hectare island, prepare to be disappointed. What began as a beautifully developed…