Luckily for Misahualli, its longstanding reputation as a meeting point for arranging jungle trips at the drop of a hat has kept the port in business. With a constant flow of tourists, almost every hotel, restaurant, craft shop and racketeer offers forays into the jungle. This section of the Napo has more tourist lodges and cabanas than any other part of the river. Competition is fierce, keeping prices consistently low - another of the port's attractions for budget travellers. All tours offer similar activities and facilities, such as guided jungle hikes to waterfalls, gold panning and swimming in rivers, with accommodation either at campsites or in simple cabins. English-speaking guides are pretty thin on the ground, so meeting them before you set out is always a good idea. Check that they have a guiding license issued by the Ministerio de Turismo or CETUR. They should also produce written authorisation from the community concerned if they plan to visit the Huaorani. Tours to the remoter Cuyabeno or Yasuni reserves, the Rio Tiputini or more distant rivers should be at least four or five days long so that you can make the most of your trip. Before you leave Misahualli by canoe you should register your passport at the Capitania.

 

Last updated 29th June 2006