Yasuní National Park

Yasuní Overview

Yasuní National Park, or Parque Nacional Yasuní in Spanish, is one of the most biodiverse places on Earth. Located in eastern Ecuador, it covers approximately 3,793 square miles (9,823 square kilometers) within the Amazon Basin.

Situated at the meeting point of the Andes, the Amazon rainforest, and the Equator, the park’s geography contributes to its astonishing levels of biodiversity. The terrain consists of vast lowland rainforests, winding rivers, and dense jungle, with waterways such as the Napo and Tiputini Rivers coursing through the park.

These rivers serve as lifelines for both wildlife and the indigenous communities that call this protected area home. The park’s lush, humid environment supports an incredible variety of flora, including towering ceiba trees, giant kapoks, and delicate orchids that thrive in the thick understory.

The wildlife of Yasuní National Park is extraordinary, boasting an array of species found nowhere else in the world. The park is home to more than 200 species of mammals, including jaguars, pumas, and ocelots that silently roam the dense jungle. Other prominent mammals include giant otters, howler monkeys, capybaras, and the endangered Amazonian manatee, which navigates the park’s waterways.

Bird enthusiasts can witness over 600 species of birds, such as the strikingly colorful macaws, toucans, harpy eagles, and hoatzins, each playing a crucial role in the rainforest ecosystem. Reptiles and amphibians are also abundant, with poison dart frogs, anacondas, caimans, and countless species of lizards and tree frogs adding to the park’s biological richness. The rivers and oxbow lakes teem with fish, including piranhas and the ancient arapaima, one of the largest freshwater fish in the world.

Among Yasuní’s most remarkable attractions is its unparalleled biodiversity, making it a prime destination for nature lovers and researchers alike. The park is also home to several indigenous communities, including the Waorani people, as well as the Tagaeri and Taromenane, two uncontacted tribes that continue to live in voluntary isolation.

Their presence makes the park not only a biological treasure but also a cultural sanctuary. Visitors can explore the park through guided canoe trips along its rivers, offering close encounters with the lush rainforest and its wildlife. Canopy towers and observation decks provide breathtaking panoramic views of the treetops, where birds and monkeys are often spotted.

Hiking through the dense jungle with experienced guides allows travelers to learn about the park’s rich ecology and indigenous knowledge of medicinal plants. Night safaris offer an entirely different experience, revealing nocturnal creatures such as tree frogs, night monkeys, and elusive predators.

Yasuní National Park faces significant conservation challenges, particularly due to oil exploration, deforestation, and climate change. The park sits atop vast oil reserves, leading to ongoing debates over resource extraction and environmental preservation.

Despite these threats, conservation efforts have made strides in protecting this fragile ecosystem, with the Ecuadorian government and environmental organizations working to balance ecological preservation with economic interests.

Yasuní’s designation as a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve underscores its global importance, and ongoing research and conservation projects aim to safeguard its extraordinary biodiversity for future generations.

Park Map

Yasuní National Park Highlights

Wildlife

Jaguar (Panthera onca)
As the apex predator of Yasuní, the jaguar is a powerful and elusive big cat that roams the dense jungle. It preys on a variety of animals, including capybaras, peccaries, and even caimans. With its beautifully spotted coat and incredible stealth, the jaguar plays a crucial role in maintaining the park’s ecological balance.

Giant Otter (Pteronura brasiliensis)
This social and highly intelligent predator is one of the rarest otter species in the world. Giant otters can be seen in Yasuní’s rivers and oxbow lakes, where they hunt for fish and communicate with a variety of vocalizations. They live in family groups and are known for their playful and curious nature.

Amazonian Manatee (Trichechus inunguis)
A gentle giant of Yasuní’s waterways, the Amazonian manatee is a fully aquatic mammal that feeds on aquatic plants. It is rarely seen due to its shy nature and the murky waters it inhabits. Sadly, the species is under threat from habitat destruction and illegal hunting.

Giant Anteater (Myrmecophaga tridactyla)
With its long snout and powerful claws, the giant anteater is a fascinating insectivore that specializes in feeding on ants and termites. This solitary animal uses its keen sense of smell to locate food and can consume thousands of insects in a single day.

South American Tapir (Tapirus terrestris)
The largest land mammal in the Amazon, the South American tapir is an essential seed disperser, helping to regenerate the rainforest. It has a distinctive, flexible snout used for grabbing leaves and fruits, and it spends much of its time near water.

Pink River Dolphin (Inia geoffrensis)
One of the Amazon’s most enchanting creatures, the pink river dolphin is known for its unusual coloration and intelligence. These dolphins are highly social and can be seen swimming in Yasuní’s rivers, often displaying playful behavior around boats.

Puma (Puma concolor)
Also known as the mountain lion, the puma is a versatile predator that shares its range with the jaguar. It preys on a variety of animals, from small rodents to deer, and is known for its elusive and solitary nature.

Black Caiman (Melanosuchus niger)
This massive reptile is one of the largest predators in the Amazon basin. Growing up to 5 meters long, the black caiman is an apex predator that preys on fish, birds, and even large mammals. Despite past threats from hunting, conservation efforts have helped its populations recover.

Squirrel Monkey (Saimiri sciureus)
One of the most common and energetic primates in Yasuní, the squirrel monkey is known for its agility and social behavior. These small monkeys travel in large troops, moving quickly through the trees while foraging for fruit and insects.

White-lipped Peccary (Tayassu pecari)
Living in large herds, white-lipped peccaries are social, pig-like animals that play an important role in the ecosystem by dispersing seeds and aerating the soil. They are a key prey species for jaguars and pumas.

Birds

Yasuní National Park is home to an extraordinary diversity of bird species, making it a paradise for birdwatchers. With its vast range of habitats, the park supports hundreds of bird species, many of which are rare and endemic to the Amazon.

Harpy Eagle (Harpia harpyja)
One of the most powerful birds of prey in the world, the harpy eagle has massive talons and a striking black-and-white plumage. It hunts monkeys, sloths, and other medium-sized mammals in the rainforest canopy.

Hoatzin (Opisthocomus hoazin)
This prehistoric-looking bird, also called the “stinkbird” due to its fermenting digestive system, is known for its unusual appearance and behavior. Found near wetlands, it feeds primarily on leaves and has a distinctive crest and blue face.

Scarlet Macaw (Ara macao)
A symbol of the Amazon, the scarlet macaw is a brilliantly colored parrot known for its intelligence and strong pair bonds. These birds are often seen in pairs or flocks, feeding on fruits and nuts in the treetops.

Amazonian Motmot (Momotus momota)
With its striking blue-green plumage and distinctive racket-shaped tail feathers, the Amazonian motmot is a beautiful bird found in dense forests. It feeds on insects, small vertebrates, and fruit.

Black-headed Parrot (Pionites melanocephalus)
This small and vibrant parrot is commonly seen in Yasuní, flying in noisy flocks. It has a distinctive black head, white chest, and green wings, and it thrives in forest edges and clearings.

Pavonine Quetzal (Pharomachrus pavoninus)
A relative of the famous resplendent quetzal, this bird has iridescent green and red plumage. It inhabits the dense Amazonian forests and is often found perched quietly in the canopy.

Toucans (Ramphastidae family)
Several species of toucans, including the white-throated toucan and channel-billed toucan, are found in Yasuní. These birds are known for their large, colorful bills and play a key role in seed dispersal.

Rufous Potoo (Nyctibius bracteatus)
A master of camouflage, the rufous potoo blends perfectly with tree bark. This nocturnal bird is rarely seen but is known for its haunting calls at night.

Capped Heron (Pilherodius pileatus)
This elegant heron has a distinctive black cap and bright blue facial skin. It is typically found in slow-moving rivers and wetlands, where it hunts for fish and amphibians.

Blue-and-yellow Macaw (Ara ararauna)
Another iconic macaw species, the blue-and-yellow macaw is often spotted flying in pairs over the Amazon rainforest. Its loud calls and striking colors make it one of the most recognizable birds of Yasuní.