Tours start at the Cuyabeno River Bridge, and the adventure begins at 11:30 AM with the canoe trip to the lodge. Departure days depend on the tour:

• Explore (3-day): Tuesdays and Fridays
• Experience (4-day): Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays
• Enjoy (5-day): Mondays, Thursdays, and Fridays

Pick your dates around those days, and we’ll confirm availability with you.

Most guests reach us on the shared tourist bus from Quito, and we’re glad to help you arrange it.

• Departs the night before your tour between 9 and 11 pm, with pickup at our two meeting points, Secret Garden Hostel and Embassy Quito Hotel
• The journey is about 9 hours. On the way it stops in Lago Agrio at the Meeting Point restaurant for breakfast, then continues to the Cuyabeno Bridge
• Lunch on the return trip is included

You can also take the public Putumayo bus from Quitumbe terminal (departs around 9:30 pm), drive in yourself (we send exact GPS coordinates for the $5 parking at the bridge), or fly via El Coca. Full options are on our Getting Here page.

We recommend the shared tourist shuttle: it includes breakfast on the way in and lunch on the way back, and it works out close to the public bus once you count the taxi you would need just to reach the terminal. One note: it is run by an external company, so we can’t promise their exact timing, but unlike the public bus we stay in direct contact with them, so if there is ever a breakdown or a road closure we coordinate and sort out your plan with you. Transport costs are paid separately to us and confirmed clearly before your trip.

After you check availability, we’ll confirm dates, room options, and final pricing with you. Once everything feels right, we’ll reserve your stay and guide you through the payment process to secure your Amazon experience.

A 50% deposit secures your booking, with the remaining balance due before the tour begins. You can pay by bank transfer within Ecuador or by credit card (a 4% card fee applies).

To avoid the 4% fee, you can pay the 50% deposit through the payment link to reserve, and pay the remaining 50% in cash on departure day, when you board the bus in Quito.

The tour prices are already special rates, so there are no additional discounts. Group discounts apply for 10 people or more. Children aged 3–12 receive a 50% discount when sharing with adults.

Yes, families are very welcome, and many guests come with children. Kids aged 3–12 receive a 50% discount when sharing with adults. The Nest Room suits families well, and activities are adapted to the group’s pace, so younger and older travelers can take part comfortably.

Any time of year. The Amazon stays warm and humid year-round with no real seasons, so it can be sunny or rainy on any given day. There’s no bad month to come, and we run departures all year.

If for any reason you cannot take the tour on the reserved date, you can change the travel date without any charge.

Shared for clarity. These don’t affect most trips.

• Transport: Quito – Cuyabeno – Quito, arranged through us ($37 per route, $74 both ways)
• Community contribution ($10) and shaman visit ($10): $20 per person total, on the 4-day and 5-day tours (the 3-day has no community day, so neither applies)
• Single room supplement: 25% for single use of a private room
• VAT: not included for Ecuadorian companies or national passengers

Cuyabeno is one of the most biodiverse corners of the Amazon. Guests regularly see several species of monkeys, caimans, and many birds, and often pink river dolphins and river otters. Sloths, anacondas, and more turn up too. These are wild animals, so sightings come down to a bit of luck, and part of the joy is never quite knowing what each day will bring.

There’s no Wi-Fi or phone signal at the lodge, and that’s part of the point. You’ll be fully off-grid until the end of the tour, so let family and friends know you’ll be out of contact. Most guests tell us the disconnection ends up being one of their favorite parts.

Yes. Bring only what you need for the jungle. If your luggage is heavy or you’d rather travel light, you can leave the rest for free at Secret Garden Hostel in Quito. Just tell them you’re heading to Tucán Lodge, and they’ll store it until you’re back.

There have been no reported cases of malaria or yellow fever in the area. For personal health advice and any recommended vaccinations, we suggest checking with your doctor or a travel clinic before you travel. Bring insect repellent and any personal medications with you.

Yes. We can adapt the menu to dietary restrictions or preferences (vegetarian, vegan, allergies, intolerances, and more), as long as we’re informed in advance.

We keep groups small, with a maximum of 10 guests per guide, so days stay flexible and connected. You’ll be guided by bilingual local guides who know the region deeply and adapt each day to the group and the jungle.

Yes. Many guests arrive on their own. Shared meals, small groups, and social spaces make it easy to connect, while private spaces are always available if you want quiet time. Solo travelers often choose the Spider Room, but all stays are open to everyone.