How to Get to the Amazon: Quito to Coca Route
Planning Your Journey to Wild Mandari Lodge
If you're heading deep into the heart of Yasuni National Park to stay at Wild Mandari, your adventure typcally begins in Quito, Ecuador’s high-altitude capital. From there, your goal is to reach Coca (Francisco de Orellana) — the gateway town to the Amazon and the starting point for all Wild Mandari tours. This guide explains the three main ways to reach Coca, along with what to expect on your journey into the jungle.
Airlines: LATAM Ecuador www.latam.com and AEROREGIONAL www.aeroregional.net
Flight Time: ~30 minutes
Departure: Typically early morning (around 9–10 AM)
Cost: ~$80–$120 one-way
Pro tip: Flights fill quickly, especially during high season (July–August, Dec–Jan). Book early to guarantee a seat.
Luggage: Domestic flights have carry-on limits. We recommend packing light, ideally in a soft duffel bag or small backpack.
A lesser-known but a great option. Shared taxi will pick you up from your place of stay in Quito at 3 am, and you will be arriving in Coca by 9 am at our meeting point. Payment is directly to the driver.
Time: ~6 hours
Pickup: Your hotel in Quito
Cost: $40 per person
Book via WhatsApp or us
This is a shared 4-passenger car ride that runs directly to Coca. It’s more flexible and comfortable than a bus, especially for travelers with luggage or limited Spanish.
Time: 8 hours (overnight)
Departure Point: Quitumbe Terminal (Quito South)
Cost: ~$15
Companies: Cooperativa Baños, TransEsmeraldas
There are both daytime and night buses, but we suggest taking a night bus (~11 PM) so you arrive around 7 AM — just in time for the start of your lodge tour. We will pick you up at 7 am from the bus terminal in Coca.
If you prefer slow travel and want to enjoy the journey as much as the destination, driving from Quito to Coca can be turned into a full-day adventure through some of the most scenic landscapes in Ecuador.
The road winds from the Andes into the Amazon basin, passing cloud forests, waterfalls, and rich cultural and birding areas.
Suggested Stops Along the Way:
Cabañas San Isidro (Cosanga)
A world-class birding lodge in the cloud forest. Ideal for early morning birdwatching and a hearty breakfast in nature.
WildSumaco Lodge
Another top birding hotspot with trails, feeders, and panoramic views over the Amazon foothills. Great for spotting tanagers, hummingbirds, and raptors.
Witoca Coffee Experience (near Comuna Veinticuatro de Mayo)
Stop for a local coffee tasting and short plantation and production tour. A great cultural and sustainable tourism moment.
Waterfalls & Short Hikes
The road passes numerous waterfalls where you can stop, stretch, and take a short hike into the lush forest.
Private Guided Transfers Available. And only driver transfers are available as well, our drivers know the best spots to stop and enjoy the trip.
If you’re interested in doing this, we can help organize a private vehicle with bilingual guide and driver, or only driver, and custom itinerary.
We can recommend good places to stay overnight in Coca.
🔗 Contact Us to Plan a Scenic Transfer
The Wild Mandari Transfer from Coca
Once you arrive in Coca (by flight, bus, or taxi), Wild Mandari handles everything:
Pickup at the airport, bus terminal, meeting point or hotel
1 hr 45 min overland drive to the Tiputini River
1.5 hr motorized canoe journey deep into Yasuní
Arrival at Wild Mandari Lodge — with a welcome drink and lunch waiting
Our bilingual guides greet you with a smile and manage all logistics from Coca onward.
When to Arrive in Coca
Tour Start Time: ~10:00 AM
What’s NOT Included
Please note: your transportation from Quito to Coca is not included in the tour price. However, we’re happy to help coordinate flights, buses, or taxis — just ask when you book.
Ready to Begin Your Amazon Adventure?
Start planning your unforgettable journey to the jungle.
🔘 See Our Amazon Tours
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