Ecuador - The Rough Guide to South America on a Budget - page 607

TEN OF THE BEST JUNGLE LODGES
Prices include all accommodation, food, guides and tours. Transfers are extra. Contact details
given are for the Quito of ces of each operator. Most lodges do last minute deals when you
can save up to thirty percent.
Bataburo Lodge Ramirez Davalos, at Amazonas
Edificio Turismundial T 02 250 5600, W kempery.com.
Thatched cabins on the Tinguino River, eight hours by
bus and canoe from Coca, deep in Huarorani territory
in primary jungle. Proceeds of tours stay with the
local tribe. Four days from $340.
Cotococha Lodge Amazonas, at Wilson T 02 223
4336, W cotococha.com. Located on the Napo River
between Tena and Puyo, with 21 comfortable bunga-
lows and a lounge area. Five days from $435.
Cuyabeno Lodge Pinto, at Amazonas T 02 252 121,
W neotropicturis.com. The first lodge in Cuyabeno
Reserve, these simple eco-cabins are still one of the
cheapest ways to experience primary jungle. Four days
from $250.
Jamu Lodge Calama, at Reina Victoria T 02 222
0614, W cabanasjamu.com. One of the best-value
budget lodges in the jungle, with nine thatched cabins
in the Cuyabeno Reserve. Five days from $260.
Kapawi Lodge Mariscal Foch, at Reina Victoria T 02
600 9333, W kapawi.com. High-end ecolodge owned
by the Achuar people and situated on the Pastaza River
near the Peruvian border. Five days from $999.
Misahualli Jungle Lodge Ramirez Davalos, at Paez
T 02 252 0043, W hosteriamisahualli.com. Comfortable

lodge near Tena with swimming pool and restaurant.
Four days from $243.
Napo Wildlife Center Av de la Prensa, at Av de
America T 02 600 5893, W napowildlifecenter.com.
Ten deluxe cabins and a 15m viewing tower two hours
from Coca by boat. Part-owned by the Quichua Añargu
community. Four days from $839.
Sani Lodge Roca, at Amazonas T 02 255 8881,
W sanilodge.com. Cabins owned by the Quechua
community, set on a secluded lagoon on the Napo
River, three hours from Coca. Four days from $670
(camping from $440).
La Selva Jungle Lodge San Salvador E7-85, at
Carrion T 02 255 0995, W laselvajunglelodge.com.
One of the cheaper options deep in primary jungle
next to Yasuní National Park. Its location on a lake is
spectacular and the food is particularly good. Four
days from $720.
Yachana Lodge Vicente Solano, at Oriental T 02
256 6035, W yachana.com. Award-winning higher-
end lodge with comfortable accommodation on the
Napo River near Coca. Four nights from $660.
Yarina Lodge Av Amazonas, at Av Colon T 02 250
4037, W yarinalodge.com. Ecolodge in Yasuní National
Park with 24 huts. Five days from $450.

6

seen, while the famous anaconda and
jaguar will likely prove elusive.
The borders of the reserve were
expanded in the early 1990s, partly in
response to damaging oil exploration.
Sadly, areas of Cuyabeno have been badly
polluted but vocal indigenous protest has
improved the situation and there remain
areas of unspoilt jungle to explore. The
remoteness of the region means that you
need a guided tour (see p.614).

over the border to Peru via Nuevo
Rocafuerte . Local operators are thin
on the ground so it's best to organize
a tour from Quito.
ARRIVAL AND DEPARTURE
By plane Ta m e ( T 06 288 1078) and Icaro ( T 06 288
0997) both operate daily flights from Quito to Coca (from
$65 one-way), which is tempting to avoid the gruelling
bus ride. The airport is 2km north of town (taxi $1).
By boat Coop de Transportes Fluviales Orellana ( T 06 288
0087) has an o ce on the riverside and operates boat
services to Nuevo Rocafuerte on the Peruvian border (Sun,
Tues, Thurs & Fri at 7am; 10hr). Advance booking advised.
The o ce doubles as a tourist information point.
By bus Coca's bus terminal is 500m north of town but
most bus companies have of ces in the centre of town.
Trans Baňos (Napo & Bolívar) offers several services daily
to Quito (9hr), Tena (5hr) and Baños (7hr). Transportes Loja
and Transportes Esmeraldas also go to Quito.
By taxi Taxis will take you from the terminal and around
town from $1.

COCA
The capital of Orellana province has
grown rapidly since the 1970s into
a sprawling oil town. It's more pleasant
than Lago Agrio, but there's little to
tempt you to stay long. COCA is the
last major town on the Río Napo, the
gateway to the enormous Parque Nacional
Yasuní , and is also emerging as a route