The Limoncocha Biological Reserve mainly protects Limoncocha Lagoon and the smaller Yanacocha Lagoon, as well as the surrounding wetlands, marshes and tropical wet forests. A Ramsar site of international importance, it is a distinctive natural area in Sucumbíos. The province’s attractions range from wildlife watching at lagoons and trails through diverse landscapes to waterfalls and places of historical significance.
Lagoons and Wildlife Watching
At Limoncocha Lagoon, visitors can go birdwatching and take photographs, as well as observe caimans and fireflies. At Laguna Grande in the Cuyabeno Reserve, possible experiences include hiking the trails and taking night excursions to observe caimans. The wildlife-watching opportunities at the two lagoons therefore differ: at Limoncocha, birdwatching, photography and fireflies are also part of the experience, while caiman watching at Laguna Grande explicitly takes place at night as well.
The route to Laguna Grande goes from Lago Agrio through Tarapoa and Puerto El Carmen de Putumayo to the bridge over the Cuyabeno River; from there, continue by river to Laguna Grande. Road and river conditions can vary. Check them before traveling. Possible visitor experiences also include community visits to learn how to prepare kasabe and shamanic activities.
Trails, Waterfalls and Landscapes
The Caimán Trail in the Limoncocha Biological Reserve is a hiking trail. Another route near El Reventador Volcano crosses the Azuela River and follows a six-kilometer interpretive trail. Along the trail, you can see diverse flora, bromeliads and various bird species. Laguna Azul is also one of the natural attractions of Gonzalo Pizarro Canton. When choosing, consider whether you would prefer a named hiking trail, an interpretive trail or a lagoon as the focus of your visit.
The Ruta de las Cascadas in Sucumbíos Canton is approximately 80 kilometers long. It begins in Playón de San Francisco and passes through several climate zones, from cold high-altitude moorland to cloud forest in the tropical rainforest. Conditions can change on the Ruta de las Cascadas and the trail near El Reventador; check them before your visit.
The waterfalls also offer different trails and natural features. Cascada Cayagama can be reached from Recinto Atenas via a trail that takes about 25 minutes. It is approximately 15 meters high; at its base is a natural pool no more than two meters deep. To reach Cascada Cabeza de Lagarto, go through Recinto Amazonas and cross the San Jorge suspension bridge. From there, a 100-meter footpath is followed by another 50-meter trail to the waterfall. Visitors can observe flora and fauna there.
Visitors can go rafting at La Playa Escondida. The site is on the Lumbaquí–La Bonita road, 300 meters from the bridge over the Aguarico River and five minutes from the Interoceánica main road. For other landscape experiences, the agritourism route follows the access road into Sucumbíos Province, from the Cocha Seca sector to the town of La Barquilla. It is recommended for sightseeing and sampling local fruits by car or bicycle.
Historical Traces in Sucumbíos
The Ruta de las Cascadas also reflects the history of Sucumbíos Canton, shaped by the rubber boom that began in the 1920s. Another historic site is Cañón de Coca in the parish of El Reventador: it is a historic crossing with a six-meter-long bridge connecting the provinces of Sucumbíos and Napo. Alongside lagoons, trails and waterfalls, the province therefore has specific places where landscape and history meet.
Discover more destinations: Nueva Loja, Tereré, Puerto Montúfar, Providencia, Marian, Tarapoa, Imbabura, Santa Elena.
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