Travel Tips

5 Reasons to Travel with Us

Our Staff

The Secoya community members will be your tour guides, cooks, storytellers and hosts – they are very warm and hospitable. They take pride in welcoming guests to see their pristine and culturally diverse Amazonian paradise. They will make your stay most comfortable and enjoyable, and as an added bonus, you will be amazed to learn about the healing plants of the forest, hear about Secoya’s legends and cultural traditions as well as bush survival skills.

Our Tours

Whether your passion is finding that rare bird to add to your life list, trekking through primary rainforest, having a Secoya community elder use you as a ‘human canvas’ to paint your face, or simply relaxing as you kayak down the river with monkeys playing in the tress above…an experience at Secoya Lodge will most certainly be one to remember for years to come!

Our Lodging

Secoya Lodge offers the newest & finest cabanas in the entire region, all of which are located in the natural settings, making the experience so unique. Our lodging features “rustic luxuries” such as bathroom facilities with showers and flushable toilets, comfortable beds with mosquito netting, hand-woven palm-thatched roofs, and the delicious local cuisine.

Our Philosophy

Secoya Lodge is 100% community owned, and because our tours directly involve this indigenous community, you will find no other tour company that better offers a more authentic exchange with the indigenous cultures of Secoya culture in the Amazon. You can feel good about supporting the protection of the Amazon’s fragile Cuyabeno Wildlife Reserve and enhancing the lives of the Secoya people, while enjoying a fantastic vacations experience.

Our Quality

Attention to detail and ensuring customer satisfaction are the cornerstones of our business philosophy. We value these concepts because “word-of-mouth” promotion is the best way to attract new clientele, and if you have a marvelous time in Secoya Lodge, we think you will share that excitement with friends & family.

There are many lodges in the area of Cuyabeno for you to choose from, yet none offer the memorable and culturally diverse experiences of the Secoya Lodge. 

This is a community-owned and managed operation that prides itself on sharing our culture and knowledge of the rainforest. 

We are the only lodge that offers a tour of a botanical garden created to demonstrate the use of hundreds of different plants. We are also the only community-owned lodge in the region in mid-price range. You will be delighted by the high value experience!  

What your visit will do

Your visit will help us maintain our 30,000 hectares and give us an incentive not to sell our trees or land to oil companies and palm plantations. As a people of the forest, we would rather keep our land in prime condition and earn money in other industries, but at times there are few alternatives to generate income. Our lodge creates 15 solid jobs for community members that could otherwise be participating in extractive activities to earn money.

In addition to the environmental and social benefits of visiting us Secoya Lodge, we are the only lodge in the region that offers the unique experience of kayaking in the Amazon. Paddling your own kayak or sharing one with a partner, experience the most intimate way to explore the river and its surrounding plant and animal life.

Know Before You Go

Packing Check List

• Passport
• Small backpack for day hikes
• Dry bag to keep your belongings dry on the boat
• Wind breaker
• Rain poncho
• Wide-brimmed hat
• Light-weight comfortable clothes
• Long sleeves and pants
• Sports sandals with straps and good grips (such as ‘Teva’ brand)
• Hiking shoes
• Bug repellent
• Toiletries including prescription medications that you may need
• Sunblock
• Bathing suit
• Towel
• Sunglasses
• Water bottle
• Flashlight
• Camera & waterproof bag

And don’t forget your sense of adventure!

Optional

Fieldguide & binoculars for birding and wildlife* (in a plastic ziplock bag)

*Suggested Reading

• Ecuador & Galapagos Islands Lonely Planet by Regis St Louis et. al. (2009)
• The Birds of Ecuador, Vol. 2: Field Guide by Robert S. Ridgely, Paul J. Greenfield, & Frank B. Gill (2001)
  
• Travellers' Wildlife Guides Ecuador and the Galapagos Islands by David L. Pearson, Les Beletsky, & Priscilla Barrett (2004)
• Ecuador and the Galapagos Islands: the Ecotravellers' Wildlife Guide By David L. Pearson  (1999)

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ’s)

What currency is used in Ecuador and how should I travel with money?

The official currency in Ecuador is the US Dollar. ATMs are available in all major city centers although they can often be out of service, so it’s recommended that you travel with a back up source of cash as well as an additional credit card for use in Quito. It’s best to have cash available in small notes available when traveling outside cities in order to make purchases from vendors.

How are gratuities / tips handled?

Tips during your community tourism experiences are never expected, but always appreciated!  In general, we feel that an appropriate tip may range from $3 to $8 per day for each community member who may have led you on a fantastic tour, cooked a superb meal, or somehow exceeded your expectations. Gracias!

What health concerns should I to consider before departing to Ecuador?

It‘s recommend that you travel with all your required medications, as some excursions in Ecuador may take you into the wilderness far from medical assistance. While our first aid kits are available, they may not be equipped with supplies to meet all medical emergencies. It is advisable to use Insect repellent to avoid bites. Prior to departure, consult your local doctor or the Centers for Disease Control in the USA for the most up-to-date recommendations regarding vaccinations and health related precautions. Plan ahead for immunizations since they may need to be administered several weeks prior to departure. The USA’s Centers for Disease Control website wwwn.cdc.gov/travel provides up to date recommendations about medical requirements for travelers. Ensure that you have adequate health insurance for the unlikely event of an emergency.

Can I drink the tap water in Ecuador?

Tap water is generally not ‘agreeable’ with most travelers so it’s advisable to opt for bottled water for drinking and brushing teeth. Ensure ice is made with filtered water before drinking beverages served with ice.

What timezones are there in Ecuador?

Ecuador Standard Time is GMT (UTC) - 5. The country does not recognize Daylight Savings Time from April through October.
In the Galapagos Islands, Standard Time is GMT (UTC) – 6

Is there a departure tax in Ecuador?

Note that you should be prepared for a nominal departure tax payable on domestic and international flights at some airports in Ecuador. This varies for each airport and changes often so please check with individual airports.

Are electrical outlets at Secoya Lodge to recharge my camera battery? What type of outlets are there in Ecuador?

Our main dining hall has electricity and allows guests to recharge electronics such as digital cameras.

Ecuador uses 110 volt, 60 cycle electricity and plugs are typically the 2-pronged flat type so travelers from the USA and Canada will not likely need an adapter.

Are children welcome at Secoya Lodge?  

Families with children 12 years of age and over are welcome at Secoya Lodge. Younger children may find the remote access to the lodge, the limited facilities and some of the activities to be challenging for them or outside of their comfort zone. We request that noise be kept to a minimum as a courtesy to other travelers.

We are booking the package; does this mean that our transportation from the airport to Secoya Lodge is included in the price?

Yes, your transportation from Coca Airport to Secoya Lodge and return is included in the package price.

Is internet and international telephone access available at the resort?

Secoya Lodge is a nature-based experience within the Amazon forest, and as such there is not direct email and phone access at the lodge. 

Are the rooms/cabañas air-conditioned?

The natural material and open structures of the cabañas are designed to eliminate the need for the use of artificial ventilation, allowing you to enjoy the natural, “sweet” breeze of the forest.

Do you cater to special dietary needs?

Menus are designed to accommodate a variety of dietary needs, including vegetarian. Visitors with special dietary needs should inform the Lodge at least 30 days prior to their arrival.  Every effort will be made to cater to your needs, subject to availability of products in the region.

Responsible Travel & Code of Conduct

Visitors have a responsibility to Secoya Lodge, its staff and other visitors to understand the conditions communicated in the program itinerary, this document and any information communicated by staff throughout your tour. You are also responsible for following normal patterns of social behavior and observing all safety requirements without exception.

•  Be open to different appreciations of what is “normal”. For example, punctuality is not a rainforest concept, so please be flexible and patient.
•  Only take photos with permission and don’t be offended if they refuse.
• Do not be ostentatious with wealth and material possessions.
• Do not smoke within the Lodge installations, at the communities or on the trails. Visitors may smoke only between cabins and are asked to dispose of the butts appropriately. 
• Do not share alcohol or give away cigarettes at the community.
• Do buy locally made handicrafts as this is an important source of income for the community, especially for women, but don’t buy those made from feathers or animal parts. There’s no need to haggle, everything tends to be inexpensive by Western standards.
• Be polite and respectful with the Secoya community.
• Use the garbage system properly and please hang on to any trash you generate like plastics, dead batteries, etc. until you get back to Quito.
• Ration the use of resources, e.g., keep your showers short.
• During your walks, never extract or disturb the vegetation, and for your own safety never stray off the trails.
• Please follow your guides’ instructions; they know the surrounding area and are there to look out for your safety.
  
  
• Photo Credit:  SPAJO Producciones

Phrase Guide

Spanish is the official language of Ecuador.

Although English is spoken in most shops, at hotels, and at the airport, you may choose to learn a few common words and phrases before you depart for Ecuador. Attempting to speak a few words in Spanish will go a long way in helping you connect to the local people of Ecuador, which will ultimately make your experience more enjoyable!