"Camping in Cuyabeno" Top 5 Page for this destination Cuyabeno by dtimoske

Cuyabeno Travel Guide: 75 reviews and 84 photos

Camping in Cuyabeno

Camping in Cuyabeno was an absolutely incredible experience. I would recommend it over staying in the lodges because it allows you the freedom to move along the river and stay where you want. During the 9 days in Cuyabeno, we floated along the river in our life vests, we swam with pink river dolphins, met with a shaman, fished for piranhas, spotted a Harpy Eagle, awoke a sleeping anaconda (not recommended), hiked in the jungle both day and night, and spotted tons of wildlife. I have hiked the Andes, marveled in the falls of Iguazu, taken in the nightlife of Buenos Aires, but so far this experience in the jungle tops everything I've done.

Anaconda

We found an anaconda sleeping on the banks of the river. One of the guys in our group wanted to get a picture with the anaconda, but got a little to close. The anaconda sprung to life and came towards the group. Our cook turned and leaped back on the boat while a couple of the others were frozen in shock. The anaconda slithered into the water under the boat leaving a trench in the mud at least 6 inches deep.

Tips for mosquitos

While I recommend taking the anti malaria pills and using plenty of repellant, I was given some extremely helpful advice from a doctor. Take vitamin-b pills. Apparently vitamin B gives your body an odor that the mosquitos don't like and they stay away. How effective was this? In the nine days I was in the jungle, I was not bitten a single time by a mosquito! In fact all I received were two sand fly bites on the back of my hand. Everyone else on the tour were bitten several times despite their using tons of repellant. Vitamin B Comlete.

Pros and Cons

Pros:A surreal environment, lots of wildlife, great adventure
Cons:Sand flies on the beach
In a nutshell:A life changing experience

Last visit to Cuyabeno: Oct 2007
Intro Updated Dec 30, 2007
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Reviews (21)

Chill out Things to Do (10)

Remember your guides are working and they need breaks sometimes. Sometimes we want to pack so much in that we are not... more travel advice

A game of chess in the jungle - Cuyabeno

Bring some drinks, music, and a good... Nightlife (1)

Once the sun goes down, and you've taken your jungle night walk, there's not much to do to pass the time. If you can... more travel advice

Cayman Hunting Things to Do (10)

Ask your guide if he can take you out at night to hunt for caymans - with a flashlight that is. When you see the... more travel advice

Don't visit the "zoos" Local Customs (1)

Please don't visit the so-called zoos and animal refuges that have popped up in the jungle. Our cook from the area... more travel advice

Transportation (3)
See All Booking Your Tour
Warnings and Dangers (2)
See All Don't touch the snakes

What to Pack (2)
See All How much money to bring
Hotels (2)
See All Camping in Cuyabeno

Comments (3)

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MalenaN Apr 21, 2012 at 4:21 AM

Sounds like a great experience to camp in the jungle! When I fished for piranha in Venezuela I didn't get any fish, but I got a cayman on the hook.
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Ayaparatodos Apr 8, 2011 at 7:55 AM

I've heard that the shaman in Cuyabeno gives you ayahuasca to drink and leaves you without guidance. If you visit http://www.ayahuasca-Ecuador.com there is plenty about ayahuasca to read...
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filipdebont Dec 30, 2007 at 7:32 AM

a marvellous destination - good tips