Sucumbíos

CULTURE

In Lago Agrio, discover two unmissable stops to connect with Amazonian culture. La Maloca del Parque Turístico Perla is an urban icon where knowledge, dances and rituals of indigenous peoples converge, with living spaces for cultural presentations. Nearby, the Cultural Interpretation Center of Nueva Loja offers exhibits of fossils, archaeological pieces, sculptures and paintings of native peoples. Both spaces are located in the center of the city, with free entrance and perfect to start your cultural tour of Sucumbíos.

NATURE

The Cuyabeno Wildlife Production Reserve

Get to know the Cuyabeno Wildlife Production Reserve in Sucumbíos, declared a RAMSAR wetland in 2017, is a must-see destination for wildlife lovers. nature. With more than 600 thousand hectares of jungle, rivers and lagoons, it offers bird watching, pink dolphins, anacondas and a great variety of wildlife. Tour its lagoons by canoe, walk through the jungle and meet indigenous communities. Cuyabeno awaits you with unique landscapes and authentic experiences in the heart of the Ecuadorian Amazon.

Parks near the city

In Lago Agrio, La Perla Ecological and Recreational Park offers trails, lagoon, camping area and bird, capybara and agouti watching. It is perfect for hiking, picnics and environmental education. A few minutes away, the Nueva Loja Tourist Park invites you to relax with gardens, sports areas, playgrounds and spaces for events. Both parks are ideal to rest and enjoy with the family in the heart of the Amazon, combining nature and recreation in an accessible and peaceful environment.

Limoncocha Biological Reserve

Let yourself be captivated by the Limoncocha Biological Reserve, located in a unique natural environment with more than 4,000 hectares of rainforest and Ramsar wetlands, where the Limoncocha and Yanacocha lagoons stand out. Here you can explore by canoe, enjoy interpretive trails and observe an incredible biodiversity, more than 450 species of birds, alligators, turtles and fish in a spectacle of nature at its best. Visit it and connect with the Amazon in its most authentic form.

Waterfalls route

The Waterfalls Route, in Sucumbios, is an 80 km route that descends from the paramo to the rainforest, offering various climatic levels and spectacular scenery. On this route you will discover impressive waterfalls such as El Chingual, Las Ollas, El Corazón, Siete Veces, among many others, as well as frailejones forests and living biodiversity with emblematic birds, mammals and endemic flora. Ideal for trekking, photography, canyoning and immersing yourself in the most authentic Amazon. Come and live this unforgettable natural adventure.

Canton Gonzalo Pizarro:

The Gonzalo Pizarro canton, in the province of Sucumbíos, is an essential part of the Water Route, a tourist route that combines natural beauty and ancestral legacy. In the Los Manantiales Spa, surrounded by jungle and tranquility, you can enjoy crystal clear waters and trails ideal for relaxation and connection with nature. The Petroglyphs of Lumbaquí keep millenary engravings carved in stone, considered vestiges of ancestral cultures. The beaches of the Dué River offer ample spaces to share with the family, surrounded by exuberant vegetation. And on the shales of the Aguarico River, you can rest and watch the slow flow of water over these unique rock formations.

ANCESTRAL COMMUNITIES AND RURALITY

Knows the communities indigenous people that inhabit Sucumbíos. The Cofán, in Sinangoe and Dureno, are characterized by their ancestral wisdom about medicinal plants and forest conservation. The Siona, on the banks of the Aguarico, maintain their shamanic rituals and culinary traditions based on yucca. The Secoya, in San Pablo de Katitsiaya, preserve songs, myths and a deep connection with the forest. The Amazonian Kichwa celebrate their ritual feasts and cultural legacy with hospitality and pride, and at places like the Jury-Jury Cultural Center of Gastronomy and Art you can learn more about this culture. Live an authentic and safe experience by coordinating your visit with official tour guides.

Holidays:

Sucumbíos celebrates unique traditions that invite travelers to experience its Amazonian culture. In February, Lago Agrio fills with color with its Carnival, enjoying parades, concerts, songs and traditional games that turn the city into an epicenter of joy. It is the festival that attracts the most national and international tourists, thanks to its vibrant atmosphere, its cultural richness and the hospitality of its people. In April, the Chonta Festival honors the sacred fruit with dances, ancestral gastronomy and Cofán rituals. And in August, the Káko Wiñae festival, or festival of rejuvenation, in Shushufindi highlights art, music, identity and Kichwa pride with vibrant cultural days. Don't miss this opportunity to immerse yourself in the culture of Sucumbíos.

GASTRONOMY

Traditional cuisine

The cuisine of Sucumbíos fuses Amazonian flavors with fresh ingredients and ancestral preparations. The maito is made with river fish such as bocachico or tilapia, wrapped in bijao leaves and slowly roasted, highlighting its natural flavor. The palm heart ceviche mixes tender palm heart, onion, lemon and cilantro in a refreshing vegetable version. Chontacuro, an Amazonian beetle larva, is served charcoal-grilled, crispy on the outside and soft on the inside. Accompanied with fermented yucca chicha and guayusa, a traditional energy infusion.

CRAFTS

The indigenous communities make handicrafts with natural materials such as seeds, mud, fibers and balsa wood. The chaquira necklaces are made from seeds with unique and colorful designs. The weavings of chambira, a type of palm tree widely used in the Amazon, which is used to make a variety of objects. Ceramics with designs ancestral. A variety of objects are also made with tusks, shells or waxes. These pieces, loaded with symbolism, are sold in local markets and community centers, supporting the sustainable economy.