Getting There
To get Sucua city where is located the Spanish Learnng Program AMAZON, if departing from Quito, Ecuador's capital, It is by road taking the Quito – Ambato – Banos – Puyo – Macas - Sucua. If coming from Quito it is a 368 Km long, and it can take up to 8 hours. However, if coming from the south of Ecuador like Cuenca, It is also by road taking the Cuenca to Sucua. If coming from Cuenca it is a 220 Km long, and it can take up to 6 hours.
Map of Morona Santiago Province
Quito - Sucua
* By bus
Transportes Baños or Transporte San Francisco
Quito to Macas (350 km) ( 8 hours)
Cooperativa Sucua or
Cooperativa Valle del Upano
Macas to Sucua (18 km) (45 minutes)
* By airplane
Tame
Quito Macas ( 45 minutes) every day (exception Saturday)
Cuenca - Sucua
* By bus
Turismo Oriental
Cuenca - Sucua (202 km) (6 hours )
* By airplane
Austro Aereo
Quito-Macas ( 30 minutes)
If you need further specific information about transportation or other things, please dont hesitate to contact us info@spanish.ec
Recommended Packing List
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day backpack
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rain/wind clothes, rain Poncho
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long pants, shorts (no jeans)
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Bottle for water
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T-shirts, shirts (cotton preferible)
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underwear, socks
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comfortable trekkingboots, rubberboots (it is possible to buy here in Sucua til Nr. 44 ), tennisshoes.
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sunglasses, sunscreen (protectionsfactor 30 or more), hat to protect from the sun
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personal medicine, personal first aid kit
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Swimsuit
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passport (original)
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mosquito repellent
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film and foto equipment (400 ASA, )
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binoculars
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a good head lamp or torch, knife, batteries
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enough plastic bags where you should pack all your clothes to protect them from the humidity and rain
Tips for your trip
Health
It is always advisable to consult your physician about health measures and vaccinations before traveling to a foreign country. Although tropical diseases are rare around Sucua, during your stay in Ecuador you may pass through areas of slightly higher risk.
Please take any medication you may need with you, as the selection of medicines in our first-aid kit is very limited.
Emergency Communication
In case of a medical emergency, there is a medical center and particular doctors in the town of Sucua where students may be treated.
Weather
In the tropical rainforest it is best to be prepared for all kinds of weather. A common question we receive is about the “dry and rainy seasons” of the Amazon, but it is best not to trust such generalizations to plan a trip. At times it can be hot and sunny, but a cool rainstorm may appear at a moment’s notice during any time of the year.
Clothing
Lightweight pants and long sleeved cotton shirts are ideal for walks in the forest. However, if you are more comfortable wearing short sleeves, remember that exposed skin may need a light dousing with insect repellant.
During the rain, full waterproof clothing can be uncomfortable as it often gets you wet with sweat instead of water, but rain ponchos are recommendable for tropical cloudbursts. We supply rubber boots up to men’s size 14 for walks in the forest interior.
Comfortable shoes (or sandals), shorts and t-shirts are fine for around the Camp during meals and free time. And don’t forget your bathing suit!
Laundry
The Camp provides laundry service (washing and natural drying) for our students.
Water
All of the water at the Camp comes from the city, and is perfectly safe for bathing, washing; to brushing your teeth and drink we provide cooked water, bottled water for drinking is available is available in many shops in Sucua.
Meal Requirements
We will be more than happy to prepare vegetarian meals for you upon request. Please make sure to advise us of any dietary restrictions or allergies you may have, and also let us know as soon as you arrive.
Photography
High-speed film and a flash for cameras are recommendable for shady walks under the forest canopy. However, slower film is fine for photos on rivers and around the hotel.
Sucua
The Sucua city, is the head cantonal of the Cantón Sucua, in the Provinve of Morona Santiago.
Sucua is located approximately 910 meters above sea level and has an extension of 1.279.22 km2, with 16.000 inhabitants between shuar and mestiza.
Sucua limited to North and East with the Cantón Morona, to South to the Logroño and Santiago, in the West with the Sangay National Park.
Sucua's climate is tropical-humid, with an average temperature of 22 degrees.
There is an numberless of touristic places, taking the base of the Shuar people, lots of waterfalls, its abundant flora and fauna known and a lot more to discover. And always it is taken into account as a major attraction to the Sangay National Park that 70% of the it is located in the province of Morona Santiago.
Typical food in Sucua
Smells, colors, flavors, textures, beliefs, are part of the gastronomic offer of the Amazon.
Among the delicious dishes of the region we have:
- Caldo de Caracha (carachama); The carachama is a fish that inhabits in the rivers, is considered the link between the prehistoric fish and the fish today. This dish is a traditional part of the Amazon culture, the preparation began in the indigenous communities with a very simple preparation, the settlers have put more specias to this dish.
- Ceviche of Snaill; The snail is being grown in several sectors of the region due to the high demand.
- Ayampaco chicken; The ayampaco is a traditional preparation that has been choosen like the main dish of the province of Morona Santiago. This dish has become a product of cultural integration.
- Papachina to huancaina; papachina it is a tuberculo similar to the normal potatoe, it belongs to the same family, this dish is typical of Sucua.
- Muchin of Yuca; the yuca is one of the major food here in the Amazon, the snacks can be served with strong dishes, a good coffee, or eat alone.
- Pincho of Chontacuro; chontacuro is the larva of a beetle that grows on the palms that have been cut, they are very desired by its aroma and taste, it also has medicinal properties.
There are a variety of beverages, such as:
- Chicha of Yuca; this beverage is prepared by the Amazonian communities many, many years ago and we don't have any register of it.
In ancient times, the yuca was chewed by women to obtain this preparation. Nowadays, the preparation is in a different way, although in some communities the tradition is keept.
- Agua of Guayusa; in the Amazon grow more than 10 species of guayusa, is attributed medicinal and healing properties.
- Sinchicara; is a stronger drink, is also a medicinal drink to be used for curing rheumatism, arthritis, rhinitis, and is considered an aphrodisiac drink.
