Cuyabeno Wildlife Reserve

Cuyabeno Wildlife Reserve is a protected area in the Amazon rainforest of Sucumbíos Province, covering more than 600,000 hectares at the base of the Andes. The landscape is crossed by three main rivers and contains a chain of interconnected lakes surrounded by dense vegetation.

The area was placed under government protection in 1979 to preserve a section of rainforest where indigenous groups have lived for centuries. Later expansions added more territory to safeguard habitat for wildlife and human settlements.

Indigenous communities in the area draw on inherited knowledge about medicinal plants, sometimes showing visitors how bark and roots are used in traditional healing. Many residents continue to perform ceremonies tied to seasonal changes and forest cycles.

Access usually involves reaching Lago Agrio by flight or overland bus from Quito, followed by a transfer to the reserve entrance. Visitors should plan for a multi-day trip, as exploring the sprawling waterways and trails takes time.

Rivers in this area show different colors: white-water rivers carry muddy sediment from the Andes, while black-water rivers appear dark because of decomposed plant matter. These chemical differences influence which fish species live in each type of waterway.