The Amazon is the world’s largest tropical forest. It's also the largest container of wildlife. This rainforest covers an incredible 40% of South America.
Of this vast forest, Ecuador contains the most wildlife-rich region. And Ecuador's Amazon Rainforest has broken world records for species richness.
You can reach Ecuador's Amazon after a short flight from Quito (Ecuador's capital) to Puerto Francisco de Orellana. This is your rainforest gateway town and is known affectionately as El Coca.
Ecuador's Amazon is cradled by the imposing Andes mountains. This is where the mighty Amazon River begins as a few trickles on a mountainside.
These few trickles eventually combined to become the Napo River. You will travel down this river to get to your Amazon lodge or while aboard your Amazon cruise. The Napo River then merges with others in Peru to form the famous Amazon River on its journey across the continent.
On Ecuador's Amazon tours, enjoy the beautiful scenery, wildlife and remote wilderness of the Amazon Rainforest.
Jump Straight to Ecuador’s top Amazon Rainforest tours
The wildlife you can find in Ecuador’s Amazon Rainforest is incredible. Enjoy spotting many different monkeys, colorful birds and many different reptiles. While walking the forest, you will also enjoy the many beautiful butterflies.
Protected Areas of Ecuador’s Amazon Rainforest
There are a few different protected areas in Ecuador’s Amazon. The most famous, and a protected area regarded as the jewel in the crown of Ecuador’s rainforest, is the Yasuni National Park.
Other protected areas include:
- Cuyabeno Reserve
- Sumaco Napo-Galeras National Park
- Cayambe Coca National Park
- Llanganates National Park
El Coca, Ecuador
There are also a number of private reserves. One of the favorites to visit is the reserve surrounding the Sacha Lodge with its incredible canopy walkway.
The Sacha Lodge
El Coca, EcuadorLocated in a 5000 acre private ecological reserve, Sacha Lodge provides a safe and comfortable base for you and your family to enjoy the Ecuadorian Am...
- Luxury Lodge, Canopy Walkway
From $ 1,690
/ personThe Yasuni National Park
The Yasuni National Park is the main protected area in Ecuador’s Amazon Rainforest. This protects around 1 million hectares of wildlife-rich tropical forest.
The Yasuni is named as one of the world’s most important protected areas for animals and plants. Studies inside the Yasuni National Park have set world records for species diversity.
Within the national park, you can find different habitats. You can find high-ground forest known as terra firme, which doesn’t flood. There is also várzea forest, which floods at certain times of year. And you can also find igapo forest. This is forest that remains at least partially flooded throughout the year. Combined, these habitats provide homes for countless animals and plants.
The Yasuni Park contains around 150 frogs and other amphibians. These include the favorite tree frogs iconic to tropical forests. Impressively, there are over 600 different birds. With this many species, it makes Yasuni and Ecuador’s Amazon Rainforest a birder’s paradise. Enjoy spotting the many different parrots, toucans, tanagers, cotingas and hummingbirds. There are also over 200 different mammals. The mammals include the larger species such as jaguar, tapir and different monkeys.
The Cuyabeno Wildlife Reserve
The Cuyabeno Wildlife Reserve is found the other side of the Napo River to the Yasuni National Park. Although In the shadow of the more famous Yasuni National Park, the Cuyabeno Wildlife Reserve one of the largest protected areas in Ecuador.
The Cuyabeno Wildlife Reserve stretches over 600,000 hectares of Ecuador's Amazon Rainforest. This is an area where you can still feel the gentle slope of the Andes mountains.
The protected area offers similar forest and wildlife as the Yasuni. However, the Cuyabeno Wildlife Reserve contains a little more flooded and semi-flooded forest. This may make sightings of aquatic species, such as caiman, pink dolphins and anaconda more common.
In the reserve, you can find around 550 bird species and over 100 different mammals. The birds you can find include different toucans, macaws, cotingas, and many water species. See a diversity of kingfishers, herons, hoatzins, and cormorants. There are also different rare and endangered animals, such as giant river otters and crested eagles.
Animals to See
Ecuador's Amazon Rainforest is the most species-rich section of Amazonia. This means that the Amazon Rainforest in Ecuador is perhaps the most wildlife-rich area on Earth.
Iconic Species in Ecuador’s Amazon Rainforest
Here, we will go over some of the favorite wildlife sightings to see from the top Amazon tours in Ecuador. With your professional guide, you will head out from comfortable lodges and cruises to experience the rainforest.
Monkeys
The Amazon Rainforest in Ecuador is home to several different monkeys. You can find the intelligent capuchins, curious squirrel monkeys and playful tamarins. There are also larger species. These include the howler monkeys, woolly monkeys, and spider monkeys.
The spider monkeys are the largest monkeys in Ecuador’s Amazon. But they are also some of the most rarely encountered. This is unless you’re in areas of pristine forest, as they like the dense rainforest interior.
The smallest monkeys you can find are the pygmy marmosets. These weigh around 3.5 ounces (100 grams) and are only found this side of the Amazon Basin. Pygmy marmosets often live as a family unit around a favorite tree. They feed on tree sap and small insects.
If you head out on night walks with your rainforest guide, you will also see the owl monkeys. You can see these monkeys in tree holes during the day. They will often poke their heads out to investigate their surroundings.
Birds
On the list of many bird watchers, Ecuador is home to around 1,600 bird species. This number is concentrated in the Cloud Forest and lowland Amazon Rainforest.
To give an example of the birdlife in Ecuador’s Amazon, 587 birds are found around the fantastic Sacha Lodge. This represents 37% of all Ecuador’s birds and 7% of the world’s birdlife.
On the Sacha Lodge bird-watching program, you can take full advantage of expert birding guides, the canopy tower, and the canopy walkway.
The Sacha Lodge
El Coca, EcuadorLocated in a 5000 acre private ecological reserve, Sacha Lodge provides a safe and comfortable base for you and your family to enjoy the Ecuadorian Am...
- Luxury Lodge, Canopy Walkway
From $ 1,690
/ personThere are many favorite species to see in Ecuador’s Amazon Rainforest. These include the colorful and iconic toucans, macaw parrots and parakeets. There are also cotingas, tanagers, kingfishers, hummingbirds, hoatzins and herons. You can then enjoy chance sightings of giant harpy eagles and magnificent king vultures.
On guided tours in Ecuador’s Amazon Rainforest from El Coca, you will visit the Yasuni claylick. This is one of the only known claylicks in the northern Amazon Rainforest. Different macaws and parrots visit the claylick. They feed on the salt-rich and medicinal clay that detoxifies compounds found in forest fruits and seeds.
Giant Otters
Giant Otters are one of the favorite wildlife sightings in the Amazon Rainforest. They measure 5.6 feet (1.7 metres) and have a playful and curious personality. They are a highly social species and communicate to others in their group with a diversity of calls.
The otters can be individually identified with their white throat patch. This is unique to each individual. The otters feed on fish, which they hunt together as a family team. They then retreat to the riverbank or floating log to enjoy their meal.
Caiman
Caiman are crocodilians in the alligator family. But they show less aggressive behavior than their alligator or crocodile cousins. Caiman mainly feed on fish and there are different species to find. The largest is the black caiman, which reach the same size as the larger crocodile species. Others include the spectacled caiman and dwarf caiman. They are often seen in lakes and at river edges. You can easily find these when scouting for nocturnal wildlife with your rainforest guide.
Butterflies
On guided expeditions through Amazonia, you’re sure to see many large and colorful butterflies. There are over 100,000 different insect species in Ecuador’s Amazon. But it’s the butterflies that are often the favorites. The most famous group are the blue morphos with their large size and lightning blue wings. Other notable species include glasswing butterflies, with transparent wings, and the 'puddling' kite swallowtails and sulfurs. These are often seen gathered at puddles or on the heads of turtles attracted by the salt.
Big Cats
Bigs cats are on on the minds of most visitors to the Amazon Rainforest. However, with their keen senses and ability to move silently through the rainforest, cats are very rarely encountered. The largest cats in Ecuador’s Amazon Rainforest are the jaguar and puma. However, sightings are very rare. Other cat species seen more frequently are ocelots and margays. These smaller cats sometimes patrol claylicks where they ambush the visiting parrots.
The Best Time To Visit Ecuador’s Amazon Rainforest
Because the Amazon Rainforest in Ecuador is located on the Equator, the region offers a year-long hot temperature. In fact, Ecuador in Spanish means equator. This means Ecuador’s Amazon Rainforest is a fantastic place to visit at all times of year. But there are some differences.
As we’re on the equator, there are no seasons characteristic of temperate regions. Climate remains similar month-to-month. Instead, there is simply a wet and dry season. Note that as this is a rainforest, the rain can fall at all times of year. However, over the wet season the water is higher which means more canoe exploration.
The dry season is usually from December until February. The driest months being December and January. These are also the hottest months with a temperature of around 95°F (35°C).
The rainy season is then from the end of February until November. The wettest months are often May and June. These are also the coldest months where days can get down to 75°F (24°C).
Even over the wet season, the rain often falls in late afternoon and clears by the following morning. When you choose to go to Ecuador’s Amazon Rainforest really depends on the when you have available to visit. For ideas on exploring Ecuador's Amazon Rainforest, you can see this guide to Amazon tours in Ecuador or you can choose from the Ecuador Amazon cruises.
And here we will list some of our recommendations to help you make the most of Ecuador's rainforest.
The Top Lodges, Tours & Cruises
There are some fantastic Amazon Rainforest lodges and cruises in Ecuador. From these, skilled guides will show you this incredible section of forest. See the many different monkeys, butterflies, and colorful birds mentioned further up plus much more.
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The Manatee Amazon Cruise
Aboard the Manatee Amazon Cruise, enjoy comfortable accommodation options with modern en-suites.
From the vessel, you will be exploring the incredible Amazon Rainforest in Ecuador. Your rainforest guide will escort you on skiff expeditions to find many different animals and plants. Your guide will help you find fantastic amazon wildlife. See pink dolphins, different monkeys, colorful birds, reptiles and the tall emergent trees.
See the iconic macaws and parrots flying over the rainforest canopy. You will also visit the much-loved Yasuni claylick to see these parrots feed from the medicinal and salt-rich clay. This is one of the only known claylicks in northern Amazonia.
View The Manatee Amazon Cruise video
El Coca, Ecuador
Aboard the Manatee Cruise, you can choose from 3-night, 4-night or 7-night Amazon cruise itineraries.
In addition to guided skiff expeditions, you will also enjoy other activities. These include canoe tours, night tours, forest walks and visiting the tall canopy tower for incredible views.
The Manatee Cruise offers 14 comfortable and modern double-twin and single-twin cabins. Each offers air-conditioning and en-suite bathrooms complete with massage showers. Click the tour bubble below to check availability and book your experience direct with the Manatee Amazon Cruise.
4, 5, 8 daysThe Manatee Amazon Cruise
El Coca, EcuadorThe Manatee Amazon River Cruise is a fantastic cruise for adventures into the wonderful Yasuni National Park, one of the world’s richest areas for ani...
- Deluxe Amazon Cruise
From $ 2,865
/ person -
The Sacha Lodge
The Sacha Lodge offers a fantastic experience of the Amazon Rainforest. Head out on guided tours in the Sacha Lodge’s own 5,000 acre private reserve. The reserve sits on private ground for exclusive use for tourism. Because of this, the wildlife has become used to tourists. See monkeys and birds moving above the lodge and boardwalks as the lodge blends with surrounding rainforest in Ecuador.
Enjoy fantastic tours through the rainforest on many rainforest trails. You will also be paddled around the waterways by your rainforest guide to find lake-living animals, such as hoatzin birds and caiman.
One of the unique features of the Sacha Lodge is the giant canopy walkway. The incredible structure stretches 940 feet (275 meters) through the rainforest as you walk 94 feet (30 meters) above the forest floor. Offering fantastic birdwatching opportunities, you can see many colorful species. See the video below for an introduction.
View The Sacha Lodge video
El Coca, Ecuador
You will also see animals from the boardwalks connecting the lodge rooms. This is built above the jungle floor to minimize disturbance to the forest.
The Sacha Lodge offers two dining areas. You have the main dining area and bar as part of the main lodge area. There is also another overlooking the beautiful Pilchicocha Lake. Meals are served buffet style and, on at least one evening, you will enjoy a delicious BBQ overlooking the lake.
So far, 587 bird species have been recorded on Sacha Lodge grounds. With 37% of all Ecuador's bird species, the Sacha Lodge is an excellent place for birdwatching. If you have a passion for birds, you can be assigned a specific birdwatching guide.
Click the tour bubble below for more information.
4, 5 days+The Sacha Lodge
El Coca, EcuadorLocated in a 5000 acre private ecological reserve, Sacha Lodge provides a safe and comfortable base for you and your family to enjoy the Ecuadorian Am...
- Luxury Lodge, Canopy Walkway
From $ 1,690
/ person -
The Anakonda Amazon Cruise
The Anakonda is the larger sister vessel to the Manatee Amazon Cruise above. Enjoy an expedition cruise in Ecuador’s Amazon Rainforest for a fantastic rainforest tour. Led by expert guides, explore different areas of Amazonia along the Napo River and into the Yasuni rainforest.
See pink river dolphins, caiman crocodilians and different monkeys. Monkeys to find include howler monkeys, squirrel monkeys, capuchins and titi monkeys. The favorite birds to see include the iconic toucans, macaw parrots and parakeets.
The Anakonda vessel provides comfortable suites with air-conditioning and modern en-suite bathrooms. There are 18 suites in total with 4 Deluxe Suites for your own private balcony.
The Anakonda Cruise also offers a spa room, jacuzzi, a bar-salon, a solarium and al fresco lounge. The dining room offers some fantastic views of Amazonia while you enjoy delicious cuisine. Floor-to-ceiling windows placed throughout the vessel keep you connected to this incredible environment.
There are different itinerary lengths on offer for a cruise aboard the Anakonda. You can choose from 4, 5 and 7 nights depending on your time available.
4, 5, 8 daysThe Anakonda Amazon Cruise
El Coca, EcuadorThe Anakonda Amazon Cruise provides an immersive and unique experience of the Amazon Rainforest. Enjoy large and comfortable beds, a spa room, outdoo...
- Deluxe Amazon Cruise
From $ 2,845
/ person -
La Selva Lodge & Spa
Discover the epitome of luxury in the heart of the Amazon at La Selva Lodge, Ecuador's premier luxury rainforest retreat. Nestled amidst the lush wilderness, this lodge is your gateway to an unforgettable Amazonian adventure. Embark on expertly guided tours through dense rainforests, home to towering trees, diverse monkeys, and colorful birds. Uncover the secrets of the jungle, from its giant kapoks and strangler figs to its serene rainforest lakes.
Experience the thrill of canoeing through wildlife-rich rainforest, and ascend a high canopy tower for a bird's-eye view of Amazonia. Spot toucans and parrots soaring above the forest. Don't miss the unique spectacle at the Yasuni clay lick, where parrots and parakeets gather for their daily feast of minerals.
Back at La Selva Lodge, indulge in exquisite cuisine while soaking in panoramic views of the surrounding rainforest and lake. Retreat to your luxurious suite, complete with king-size beds, fine linen, private bathrooms, and balconies that open to refreshing rainforest showers.
For ultimate relaxation, visit the spa for a selection of rejuvenating massages and treatments, all in the tranquil embrace of the rainforest. Committed to sustainable tourism, La Selva Lodge proudly bears the Rainforest Alliance verification, ensuring your stay contributes to the preservation of this magnificent ecosystem.Note: La Selva Lodge & Spa also own and operate 4 of the best luxurious cruises for the Galapagos Islands and can create an experience for your luxurious Amazon & Galapagos combination tour to make the experience a little smoother for you. One of these is the opulent Elite Galapagos cruise.
Check availability for your travel dates to receive your itinerary and a little more information by sending your request direct to La Selva Lodge with the tour bubble below.
4, 5 days+La Selva Lodge
El Coca, EcuadorLa Selva Lodge is an award-winning Amazon Rainforest lodge in the Ecuadorian jungle and is regarded as the premier eco-lodge in the Ecuadorian Amazon....
- Luxury Lodge, Canopy Tower
From $ 1,570
/ person
4, 5, 8 daysThe Elite Galapagos Cruise
Baltra Island, EcuadorThe Elite Cruise invites you on an extraordinary exploration of the Galapagos Islands. With modern luxury, the Elite had its maiden voyage in 2019 and...
- High Luxury Cruise, Guided Galapagos Tours
From $ 4,690
/ person -
The Amazon and Galapagos Combination Tour
To make the most of Ecuador’s top attractions, you can combine the Sacha Lodge (above) with two expedition lodges on the Galapagos Islands, including a day of yacht exploration.
Over 11 days, the Darwin & Orellana Discovery Tour combines Scalesia Lodge on Isabela Island, Finch Bay Hotel on Santa Cruz and a tour from the Sacha Lodge in Ecuador's rainforest.
To create a seamless journey, the tour includes your transfers and flights from Quito.
Visit a giant tortoise reserve and explore the largest islands of the Galapagos. You will also enjoy a day trip about the Finch Bay yacht to explore another nearby island. You will then travel to the Sacha Lodge for your Amazon Rainforest experience. Enjoy the impressive canopy walkway. And you will head out each day with your professional rainforest guide scouting for many animals and plants. In the surrounding rainforest, you can find several different monkeys, colorful birds and fascinating reptiles.
11 daysThe Darwin & Orellana Discovery
Quito, EcuadorEnjoy a seamless journey to combine two of Ecuador’s most iconic and wildlife-rich regions. And over 11 days, you will explore Ecuador’s incredibl...
- Amazon Rainforest & Galapagos Islands
From $ 6,915
/ person
You can also add 2-nights in the Andes at the beautiful Hacienda Piman for an in-depth Ecuador experience on the Ecuador Diverse tour.
13 daysEcuador Diverse
Quito, EcuadorOn the Ecuador Diverse Tour, explore all three of Ecuador’s most remarkable regions. Over 13 fantastic days, you will enjoy the snow-capped volcan...
- Ecuador's Amazon, Andes & Galapagos Islands
From $ 8,035
/ person
The Top Amazon Tours in Ecuador - Summary
-
4, 5, 8 days
The Manatee Amazon Cruise
El Coca, EcuadorThe Manatee Amazon River Cruise is a fantastic cruise for adventures into the wonderful Yasuni National Park, one of the world’s richest areas for ani...
- Deluxe Amazon Cruise
From $ 2,865
/ person -
4, 5 days+
The Sacha Lodge
El Coca, EcuadorLocated in a 5000 acre private ecological reserve, Sacha Lodge provides a safe and comfortable base for you and your family to enjoy the Ecuadorian Am...
- Luxury Lodge, Canopy Walkway
From $ 1,690
/ person -
4, 5, 8 days
The Anakonda Amazon Cruise
El Coca, EcuadorThe Anakonda Amazon Cruise provides an immersive and unique experience of the Amazon Rainforest. Enjoy large and comfortable beds, a spa room, outdoo...
- Deluxe Amazon Cruise
From $ 2,845
/ person -
11 days
The Darwin & Orellana Discovery
Quito, EcuadorEnjoy a seamless journey to combine two of Ecuador’s most iconic and wildlife-rich regions. And over 11 days, you will explore Ecuador’s incredibl...
- Amazon Rainforest & Galapagos Islands
From $ 6,915
/ person -
13 days
Ecuador Diverse
Quito, EcuadorOn the Ecuador Diverse Tour, explore all three of Ecuador’s most remarkable regions. Over 13 fantastic days, you will enjoy the snow-capped volcan...
- Ecuador's Amazon, Andes & Galapagos Islands
From $ 8,035
/ person -
4, 5 days+
La Selva Lodge
El Coca, EcuadorLa Selva Lodge is an award-winning Amazon Rainforest lodge in the Ecuadorian jungle and is regarded as the premier eco-lodge in the Ecuadorian Amazon....
- Luxury Lodge, Canopy Tower
From $ 1,570
/ person
Ash
Tour Advisor at TourTheTropics.comAsh Card is a frequent visitor to the Tropics and has a passion for helping visitors get the best experiences from tropical locations. Ash is a contributor and tour advisor at TourTheTropics.com. Feel free to contact Ash for tour help in the tropics. When not helping tourists with tours and info, Ash can be found traveling, on wildlife tours or salsa dancing. Ash has completed a BSc in Biology, a Master’s degree in Zoology, and has undertaken a research scholarship at a world-class university on animal behavior. He has published scientific research in the Australian Journal of Zoology and the Journal of Behavioral Ecology. His goal is to help a global society live in balance with the natural world.