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Overview
Named for the lake within its compounds, the Limoncocha Ecological Reserve, located on the shore of the Napo between the Coca and Aguarico Rivers, just downriver from the city of Coca, was declared a National Reserve in 1985. Unfortunately, this distinction came after oil workers had already ravaged much of the land in and around the reserve. Oil exploration and the consequent pollution is still a problem in the areas surrounding the park, which has been deemed one of the most biodiverse areas in the world. Trees like the ceibo, the cedar, the laurel, the balsa and the Pambil all grow within the reserve. The gigantic ceibos are especially impressive and many of the ceibos in Limoncocha are hundreds of years old.
Wildlife and Nature
The landscape here is covered in jungle, but extends through a variety of life zones and ecological systems including flooded wetlands, dry forests and swamplands. Because much of the protected areas are fairly consistently under water, the aquatic systems of Limoncocha are particularly biodiverse. The largest lake in the area, Laguna Limoncocha covers an area of approximately 2.5 square kilometers and is home to the elusive black alligator (white alligators have also been found in nearby swamplands) and the famous piranha. The lake is furthermore a world-renowned location for bird watching, as an estimated 450 different bird species can be found within the reserve, including hummingbirds, papagayos, toucans, giant timanus, harpy eagles and turkey buzzards. Experienced guides know just where the creatures like to hang out, so if you really want to see the wildlife, make sure to go with one of the local experts. Birders, in particular, should ask about ornithologist guides when booking their tours.
The gigantic ceibos are especially impressive and many of the ceibos in Limoncocha are hundreds of years old...
Culture
Near the edge of the lake are a few small Quichua communities who rely on cash crops and eco-tourism. The Quichua, like the Shuar, who also live within the reserve, have, for years now, had their livelihoods threatened by oil drillers. For this reason, these peoples in many ways rely on an influx of money from tourists who pay to visit their communities and learn about the local cultures. Community tourism, then, presents an excellent way for visitors to experience the jungle and to support both local communities and the overall conservation effort at the same time. When booking a tour or lodge, always make sure that your provider or guide puts in an effort to be eco-conscious and sustainable.
Interestingly, pottery shards and various archeological finds in the Limoncocha area suggest the existence of a pre-Columbian civilization. The people of the Napo culture are believed to have inhabited the area from the early 1100s on through to the 15th century. Today the area is inhabited by Quichua and Shuar peoples.
What to Do
Tours into the Limoncocha Ecological Reserve can be booked in Quito, Lago Agrio, or Quito. Longer excursions should be booked in advance. If you’re just looking to take a short day trip, you should have no problem finding a group or guide in Coca or Lago Agrio. For multi-day trips, look for packaged deals that include accommodation, local transportation, tours, guides, meals and equipment. Prices will vary according to level of luxury, though most offerings will fall on the more basic side. There are a handful of nicer, more comfortable lodges, but simple cabins and camping sites are more common. You can also stay at a hotel or hostel in Coca or Lago Agrio and commute from there, but you won’t be able to fit as much in one day. Typical tours will consist of or include canoe trips across the Limoncocha Lagoon, informational hikes, medicinal plant tours, fishing trips, wildlife observation, bird watching, river exploration, swimming, traditional and shamanistic demonstrations, local food samplings and camping.
How to get there
To get to the Limoncocha Ecological Reserve from Quito, your best bet is to fly into Coca or Lago Agrio and go from there. You can also bus to Coca, Lago Agrio or even the actual town of Limoncocha, but you will find better tourism infrastructures in the two larger cities. Once in Coca or Lago Agrio, you can take a bus or plane into the reserve. There are also boats that journey up the Napo River, out of Coca, towards Pompeya and into the Limoncocha area. The boat trip lasts about three hours. Other tours start as far south as Tena and journey up on the Napo from there, with hiking camping and fishing along the way.
