This gateway to the Amazon rainforest has a warm, wet climate and active indigenous markets. Local Kichwa artisans sell handmade crafts and traditional medicines.
Puyo, the capital of Ecuador's Pastaza province, sits at the edge of the Amazon rainforest at 950 meters above sea level. In this gateway to the Amazon, you can walk through the Cavernas del Río Anzu's limestone caves, watch the sunset from the Mirador de Indichuris as macaws fly overhead, or learn to make yuca bread with local Quechua families. The city's markets buzz with vendors selling bright orange cocona fruits, medicinal plants, and traditional handicrafts.
Climate and Weather in Puyo
The temperature in Puyo stays relatively stable throughout the year, ranging between 18°C and 24°C due to its elevation. Rain falls frequently throughout the year, with March being the wettest month receiving about 234mm of rainfall. Plan your visit between June and September when you'll experience more sunny days and slightly less precipitation.
Getting to Puyo from Quito
The journey from Quito to Puyo takes about 4-5 hours by car or 6 hours by bus. You'll pass through Ambato and Baños, seeing Cotopaxi and Tungurahua volcanoes along the way. The final stretch between Baños and Puyo winds along mountain slopes, where you'll notice the vegetation changing from highland páramo to tropical forest.
Natural Attractions Near Puyo
From the Mirador de Indichuris, you'll see where the brown waters of the Pastaza River meet the clearer Puyo River. At Naturaleza Viva reserve, follow marked trails to three waterfalls, including the 15-meter Cascada del Amor. The Cavernas del Río Anzu, 20 minutes from the city, consist of five interconnected limestone caves where you can spot bats and blind cave fish.
Markets and Local Products
Walk through the Central Market to find stalls selling bright yellow pitahaya, red tree tomatoes, and purple açaí berries. Local vendors prepare fresh sugarcane juice and sell traditional medicines made from rainforest plants. In the artisan section, you'll find bags and jewelry made from seeds and fibers collected in the jungle.
Indigenous Communities and Culture
Visit Quechua communities around Puyo to learn their daily practices. Many families will show you how to prepare chicha (a traditional drink made from yuca), use a blowgun, or identify medicinal plants in the forest. Some communities, like Comuna Indichuris, maintain botanical gardens where guides explain the uses of different Amazon plants.
Festivals and Events
During Puyo Carnival, before Lent, locals gather for neighborhood parties and traditional water fights. The chonta palm festival in July celebrates the harvest with dancing and the preparation of chicha de chonta. May's city celebrations include parades with traditional costumes, live music, and food stalls serving local dishes like maito (fish wrapped in banana leaves).
