Yasuni National Park Voyage Tips and guide

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Yasuni National Park (Parque Nacional Yasuni) is a protected natural area in the Amazon region of eastern Ecuador. The park is the most biodiverse place on Earth where thousands of species concentrate in an area along the equator where the Andes mountains give way to the tropical rainforests of the Amazon basin. At least 43 endemic animal species and 270 endemic plant species in the park are found nowhere else on Earth. The park is also home to some of Ecuador's indigenous groups, particularly the Kichwa and the Huaorani people, plus two sub-cultures that avoid outside contact. Naturalists find abundant wildlife in the park, including 121 reptile species, 382 to over 500 fish species (the number varies by count and criteria), 596 bird species, 117 bat species, and more than 100,000 insect species (so you might want to pack the industrial grade DEET).

Yasuni National Park covers an area of 982,300 hectares. It is well known for its controversial battles between environmentalists and the oil industry.

The park was established as part of the Ecuador national parks system in July 1979. It was designated as a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve in 1989.

The park holds over 40 percent of Ecuador's proven oil reserves, making it a hotspot in the constant battle between conservationists and the oil industry. High profile international celebrity nature advocates including actor Leonardo DiCaprio and former U.S. Vice President, Al Gore, have pushed for laws banning oil exploration in the park. In 2007, President Rafael Correa put forth a proposal to world environmentalists: if they could secure financial guarantees for half the value of the oil reserves, Ecuador would permanently ban drilling in the park. By 2013, it became apparent that the world wasn't willing to pony up money to buy the park's pristine state, and the oil industry began moving in. In 2023, a nationwide referendum was held to determine the fate of the park. The nation rejected oil industry initiatives to exploit the park's reserves, the government was banned from issuing new oil contracts, and the state oil company was forced to dismantle their equipment in the park. For now, the park's integrity as a biosphere reserve has triumphed over petro dollars.

The park is mostly dense tropical rainforest. Numerous rivers and streams cross through the park and are the primary way for indigenous people to get around and transport goods in the region.

Factual statements about the biodiversity of Yasuni come off sounding like hyperbole even when it's often understating the number of different kinds of plants and animals you can find in this park. The park holds the world's record for most species in a number of categories, including some you didn't think anyone would care about, like woody vine plants or vascular plants. Most of us are content just knowing that there's "thousands" of plants and over 100,000 kinds of bugs. Suffice it to say that anyone who goes to this park is sure to see something they've never seen before.

The park is a smorgasbord of life forms when it comes to insects, with more than 100,000 known species. It's said that you can find more species of insects in 1 hectare of Yasuni National Park than in the entire continent of North America. Civilized people in North America are generally happy to let the Ecuadorians keep all those bugs. It's likely that while you're there you'll see some of the stranger species. There are hundreds of species of butterfly alone, some with spectacularly unusual colors and patterns. The Sunset daggerwing is one of the more beautiful butterflies with a pattern of red, blue, and black on its wings.

The park has more known amphibian species than any other local area on Earth with more than 150 amphibians and 121 documented reptile species. Unusual species that naturalists might spot include a treefrog called Osteocephalus Yasuní that is named for the park. The dark, murky waters of the rivers are home to six species of caiman (including the black caiman, which grow up to 4 meters in length and can weigh half a ton). There is also a plethora of lizards, turtles and snakes (both venomous and non-venomous).

Yasuni has some very cool mammals, on land, river and in the air. The rivers are home to a giant otter that is endemic to the area as well as a pink porpoise gliding through the brown waters of the park. There's more than 100 species of bat alone including the Lophostoma yasuní, a kind of round-eared bat that's endemic to the park (hence the species name). They also have about a dozen kinds of monkey swinging through the jungle canopy. Some, like the howler monkeys, are common throughout the continent, but the napo saki might be a new one for you.

The park is close to the equator and has a humid, warm climate year round with an average daily temperature of 26 °C (79 °F). Rain is likely at any time of year, though the wettest months are April through August. The driest months are December through February, though even then, daily showers are common, so pack the rain gear.

The closest city to the park with an airport is Coca (OCC  ^IATA). From Quito, LATAM flies once per day to Coca. The 30-minute flight costs about US$100. Once you're in Coca, you will take a motorized river canoe to the park entrance. The boat will take about 4 hours.

A permit to enter the park is required. When you make arrangements through a tour company they will take care of the permit for you.

Treks into the park will be led by a certified guide (guides are required for all visitors). Some treks will involve hiking several miles per day on cleared trails. Other treks will involve wildlife spotting from the comfort of a motorized dugout canoe. There are also river treks by kayak.

• Clay licks - there are places with exposed clay deposits (usually at a river bend where part of the bank is washed away) where thousands of birds (especially macaws and other parrots) congregate to eat the clay. Scientists believe the birds eat the clay as a source of mineral nutrients while some suggest that it is because the clay has a higher pH and can balance out the acids from a diet high in tropical fruits. (The banner image for this page shows a clay lick in Yasuni National Park).

• Birdwatching - there are several high towers that reach above the rainforest canopy with wide platforms for "birds eye view" observing. Tour guides from the lodges take groups of visitors to these towers and help visitors spot and identify some of the quick moving avians.

• Night walks - most park lodges offer guided night walks in the jungle. These walks offer a chance to spot nocturnal wildlife that are hidden and inactive during daylight hours. You will likely hear the flitting of bat wings overhead as millions of the creepy critters chow down on those 100,000 insect species the park is famous for.

• Visit an indigenous village - day trips are offered to jungle villages where the Kichwa or the Huaorani people live. You can see the daily activities of village life and maybe get a chance to try your skills at jungle living. A typical native lunch is usually served.

• Kayak - paddle the murky brown waters to see monkeys swinging from treetops, animals coming to the river to drink, and caimans and crocodiles floating along quietly looking for unsuspecting prey.

Carry plenty of water with you when you trek into the rainforests and don't drink from natural water sources. Use only potable water provided at your lodge or by tour guides. Alcoholic drinks are served at lodging centers in the park.

• -0.524289-76.4399311 Napo Wildlife Center (NWC), Yasuni, ☏ +593 2 600 5819. Luxury accommodations on the shores of a lake deep in the rainforest jungles. Owned and operated by the local Añangu community. Daily tours into the park to view wildlife. US$1500+. (updated Jun 2025)

• -0.495116-76.4202752 Napo Cultural Center Lodge (NCC), Yasuni, ☏ +593 9 9357 5272. Owned by the Añangu community and operated by women of the community. Accommodations are more moderate and they offer more cultural activities in addition to the wildlife treks. (updated Jun 2025)

• -0.622142-76.6204013 Mandari Panga Camp, Yasuni, ☏ +593 9 8058 5113. Guest quarters are in tents with platform floors. Common buildings are simple, open-air structures with thatched roofs. Comfortable but more rustic accommodations than other lodges in the park, but the most economical option for budget-minded travelers. (updated Jun 2025)

Although Yasuni National Park is deep in the jungle far from any major population center, it can be a safe and memorable trip for anyone who prepares themselves and takes reasonable precautions. A few tips to make your trip safe:

• Get vaccines for yellow fever and typhoid
• Travel with a knowledgable local guide
• Stay hydrated and carry water with you
• Protect yourself from the sun: long-sleeve shirts and a brimmed hat are good as is sunscreen
• Use insect repellant containing DEET
• avoid picking up or touching potentially Dangerous animals

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