Travel Choose

Option A: Tourist Shuttle from Quito to Cuyabeno

Pickup locations and times in Quito:

Viajero Hostel is a pickup-only location; drop-off is not available there on the journey to Quito.

Choose your pickup location and your drop-off point for the journey to Quito when making your reservation. Please arrive 15 minutes before the scheduled departure. At hotels and hostels, a representative of the transportation company will meet the group in the lobby.

Pickup at the Pifo roundabout and in Papallacta can also be arranged upon request.

These times apply to the usual route. If an earlier departure or another adjustment is necessary due to road conditions or other external factors, we will let you know.

Public buses offer an economical way to travel from Quito or Baños. From Quito, you can take a direct service to Cuyabeno Bridge or connect in Lago Agrio, also known as Nueva Loja. From Baños, the journey is via Lago Agrio.

To arrive in time for your tour, plan to travel overnight on the night before it begins.

From Quito to Cuyabeno Bridge by Direct Bus

Transportes Putumayo offers a service from Quitumbe Bus Terminal to Cuyabeno Bridge, with no change of bus required.

• Company: Transportes Putumayo.
• Approximate departure: 9:00 p.m.
• Price: USD 24 per person, one way.
• Travel time: approximately 10 hours, including a stop in Lago Agrio.
• Tickets: purchase directly at the terminal. We recommend arriving at least one hour before departure.

Tell the driver that your destination is Cuyabeno Bridge.

From Quito to Cuyabeno via Lago Agrio

You can depart from Quitumbe Bus Terminal in southern Quito or Carcelén Bus Terminal in northern Quito, depending on the company and available schedule.

• Companies: Transportes Baños, Transportes Loja, and Transportes Putumayo.
• Recommended departure: an overnight service arriving in Lago Agrio early in the morning.
• Price: USD 18–25 per person, one way.
• Travel time: approximately 8 hours.
• Tickets: purchase at the terminal. Arrive at least one hour before departure.

Information about transportation companies is available through:

• Cooperativas hacia el Oriente desde Quitumbe.
• Cooperativas hacia el Oriente desde Carcelén.

Let the driver know where you need to get off.

Shuttle Alternative from Lago Agrio

If you arrive in Lago Agrio before 8:00 a.m., we can help reserve a seat on the shuttle to Cuyabeno Bridge.

• Price: USD 12 per person, one way.
• Reservation: arrange in advance through Green Forest Ecolodge.
• Pickup: we will confirm the location and time when arranging the service.
• Availability: subject to available seats and operating days.

From Cuyabeno Bridge to Quito by Public Bus

On the final day of your tour, arrival at Cuyabeno Bridge is scheduled for 11:00 a.m. From there, you can travel to Lago Agrio and connect to Quito.

First leg: Cuyabeno Bridge–Lago Agrio

• Approximate departures: from 11:50 a.m., with subsequent services approximately every 30 minutes.
• Price: USD 6 per person.
• Travel time: approximately 2 hours.
• Tickets: pay when boarding.

Second leg: Lago Agrio–Quito

• Companies: Transportes Baños, Transportes Putumayo, or Transportes Esmeraldas.
• Indicative departures: between 3:00 p.m. and 3:30 p.m.
• Approximate price: USD 19 per person.
• Estimated arrival in Quito: around 11:30 p.m.
• Tickets: purchase directly at Lago Agrio Bus Terminal and pay in cash.

Confirm with the company which terminal in Quito the service arrives at.

From Baños to Cuyabeno Bridge

This journey has two legs: Baños–Lago Agrio and Lago Agrio–Cuyabeno Bridge.

First leg: Baños–Lago Agrio

If you miss this departure, other afternoon and evening options have indicative departure times of 5:00 p.m., 6:00 p.m., 7:00 p.m., and 10:00 p.m. Check at the terminal for available companies and services.

Allow enough time on the first leg to reach the terminal and purchase your onward ticket.

Public bus information: fares, schedules, and service frequencies are approximate and may change. Confirm details with the transportation company and let our team know your expected arrival time.

Tourist Shuttle and Public Bus Comparison

Option C: Private Transportation to Cuyabeno or Other Destinations

We can arrange a private transfer with a driver, with pickup from your hotel during the day or at night. The departure time is coordinated according to your starting location and tour schedule. You can travel to Cuyabeno Bridge or a hotel of your choice in Lago Agrio.

After your rainforest experience, we can also arrange a transfer from Cuyabeno Bridge to Quito, Baños, or other destinations. Your driver will meet you at the agreed location and time.

This service is available for solo travelers, couples, families, and groups. You can book one or both journeys, and the cost can be shared among passengers.

Private Transportation Prices

The price depends on the route, number of passengers, and type of vehicle.

For a personalized quote, send us your travel date, pickup location, destination, number of travelers, and luggage requirements. 

Option D: Flight to Coca + Private Transportation to Cuyabeno

You can combine a flight from Quito to Coca with ground transportation to Cuyabeno Bridge, where you will continue by canoe to Green Forest Ecolodge.

The drive from Coca to Cuyabeno Bridge takes approximately 3 hours. Since the group tour begins at 11:00 a.m., please coordinate your connection with our team before booking your flights.

From Coca to Cuyabeno Bridge

You can arrive in Coca the day before your tour, explore the city, and rest. The following morning, we can arrange a private transfer at 7:00 a.m. from your accommodation to Cuyabeno Bridge.

If you prefer public transportation, we can provide information about the available options.

We can arrange a private transfer from Coca Airport. The arrangements will depend on your flight’s arrival time.

If the group has already departed for the lodge, a private canoe and guide will be required for your late arrival. These services carry an additional charge, which we will provide before confirming the arrangements.

From Cuyabeno to Coca and Quito

At the end of your stay, you can travel from Cuyabeno Bridge to Coca by private or public transportation, spend the night in the city, and fly to Quito the following day.

Fly on the Day Your Tour Ends

To connect with a morning flight, you may need to leave the lodge early, at around 4:00 a.m., by private canoe and continue by ground transfer to Coca Airport.

The feasibility and timing of this connection must be confirmed with our team before you book your flight. We will provide a quote for the services required.

Prices and Arrangements

Send us your travel dates, flight times, and number of travelers so we can prepare a proposal.

Flight delays or cancellations may affect the itinerary. Any additional costs resulting from these changes are the traveler’s responsibility.

Option E: Traveling to Cuyabeno in Your Own Vehicle

If you are driving, you can park in Lago Agrio or at Cuyabeno Bridge during your visit to the reserve.

Parking in Lago Agrio

A parking option is available for USD 20 per vehicle for the duration of your tour.

If you choose this option, let us know so we can provide the location and coordinate your arrival. From Lago Agrio, you will need to continue to Cuyabeno Bridge by public bus or shuttle at an additional cost.

Vehicles and belongings are left at the owner’s responsibility.

Parking at Cuyabeno Bridge

You can drive to Cuyabeno Bridge and park near the meeting point for the canoe transfer.

There are two options:

• Right-hand side: parking beside a small shop, costing USD 1 per vehicle per day.
• Left-hand side: the park ranger’s parking area, free of charge.

Our team can help you locate these parking areas when coordinating your arrival.

Parking and any belongings left in the vehicle remain the owner’s responsibility.