Sucusari lies on the Sucusari River, a tributary of the Napo, and is an Indigenous community of the Maijuna people. Visitors who choose the community as a travel destination encounter a blend of river scenery, Maijuna culture, and community-based tourism. A particular focus is on learning about the Maijuna’s history, ancestral traditions, and worldview.

Maijuna Culture at the Interpretation Center

The Maijuna-CIM Interpretation Center is located in Sucusari on the Napo River and is run by the Maijuna Cultural Association. It combines education and ecotourism with the aim of improving economic opportunities and the community’s quality of life. As a result, the community’s prospects are a focus alongside cultural education.

During visits organized by Explorama, tourists can learn about the Maijuna’s history, traditions, and worldview. An Explorama travel program also includes a visit to the Maijuna Cultural Center, where the Maijuna’s history and their sustainable rainforest projects are featured. This makes it possible to combine cultural learning with a look at rainforest projects without conflating the two topics.

Community-Based Tourism and Handicrafts

The Sucusari community is involved in community-based tourism and handicrafts, and welcomes tourists through tour operators from Iquitos. Tours and the sale of handicrafts as souvenirs provide an additional source of income for the community. This connection gives a visit a community dimension: tourism is not only a way to learn about Maijuna history and traditions, but also one of the activities through which the community earns income.

Handicrafts should be understood as part of this community activity; income comes from both tours and souvenir sales. Visits to Sucusari are linked to organized offerings from tour operators in Iquitos.

Traveling by River

An Explorama travel program reaches Sucusari by boat via the Napo and the Sucusari River. This route makes the river location a practical part of trip planning. Check the details of the specific program before planning, as routes can change. This ensures that your travel plans reflect the itinerary actually being offered.

The Napo River is also the reference point for the location of the interpretation center, while the community lies on the Sucusari River.

Primates and Maijuna Knowledge

Knowledge about primates is also part of Sucusari’s cultural and natural context. Traditional Maijuna stories tell of the origins of the primates found in Sucusari. In the wider Sucusari River basin, a total of eleven primate species were mentioned in interviews. The stories and interviews offer different perspectives: one concerns the origins of the animals, while the other names species found in the wider river basin.

This regional distinction is important if you are interested in nature around Sucusari: the figure of eleven species refers to the river basin, not exclusively to the community. The Maijuna stories about primates also offer a cultural perspective on the nature around Sucusari.

The Surrounding Area

Nearby, the Orejones de Sucusari community is located in the area of influence of the regional Maijuna-Kichwa Protected Area. The protected area comprises 391,039.82 hectares of forest across several districts. This relationship specifically concerns Orejones de Sucusari; it does not mean that the Sucusari community is located within the area of influence. This distinction is useful when considering the region: Sucusari’s river setting and Maijuna culture are the local focus, while the protected area provides a broader regional context.

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For the broader travel overview: Loreto.