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Sucumbíos, which borders Colombia to the north, is characterized by its humid, tropical climate. In addition to being home to some of the Amazon’s most impressive and expansive ecological reserves, such as Cuyabeno, with their incredible flora and fauna, Sucumbíos was the first Ecuadorian province to be exploited for oil. Sucumbíos’ capital, Lago Agrio, is a popular gateway to the Amazon region and has accommodations to suit all tastes and budgets.
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Also referred to as Lago Agrio, this town is a popular gateway to the jungle for those looking to unlock its secrets. With an ample selection of hotels, the town bustles with tourists as locals engage in trade. As Ecuador’s first oil well was dug here, Nueva Loja was originally an oil boom town. However, with the rise of ecotourism in the Ecuadorian Amazon, Nueva Loja has become a popular departure point for several travel agencies running tours to the various natural reserves of the Amazon.
Located in northeastern Sucumbios, Cuyabeno Wildlife Reserve covers an area of 655,781 hectares and is situated between the San Miguel and Aguarico River basins. Its main attractions are its tropical forests, its lakes, such as Zancudococha, and the large number of bird species, many of which are in danger of extinction, which thrive within its boundaries. A great variety of mammals, reptiles, and fish are also present in the Reserve. Cuyabeno also has a significant caiman reserve, which can be reached from the Aguarico and Cuyabeno rivers.
This protected area is comprised of Lake Limoncocha and its surrounding areas and its main attractions are its lush primary and secondary forests. However, with over 350 species of birds and an uncountable number of reptile and mammal species thriving within its boundaries, Limoncocha’s principal attraction is its wildlife. Thousands come here each year just to get a glimpse of the black caimans that thrive in abundance. The reserve can be reached from Nueva Loja.
This lake, situated a few kilometers from Nueva Loja, is a good spot for fishing and for spotting crocodiles.
Santa Cecilia, located 13 km from Nueva Loja, is a large area of primary forest with an abundance of dragon blood trees. The sap of these trees is famous for its healing properties.
Imuya
On the Lagartococha river, in northeastern Sucumbíos, you can find many small floating islands constantly adrift in the heart of the Amazon.
Dureno, on the banks of the Aguarico River, is most famous for being the home of the Cofan tribe. These indigenous peoples live in houses made from native materials and are sought-after jungles guides today. Using responsible tourism to generate revenue which allows the tribe to maintain its community and rainforest from encroachment, Cofan guides take tourists into seldom visited areas of the Amazon which are especially rich in wildlife and natural beauty. Many of the Cofan’s river and rain forest tours start in Tarapoa.
Puerto Bolívar
Natives of the Siona community here are famous for their handicrafts. They weave baskets, head dresses, shigras (bags), and hammocks, as well as necklaces made from seeds and ceramics decorated with natural vegetable dyes.
Capibara meat,saíno, turtle, guanta, crocodile meat, and boa meat are common ingredients in Amazonian dishes. Fish such as peiche, catfish, bocachico, and piranha are also popular. To cleanse their pallet, most natives of the area wash down their meal with chicha, a drink made from fermented yucca, banana, and the fruit of the chonta tree.
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