After
walking around
the Parque
Central
with its bandstand,
trees, Cathedral
and views,
take a stroll
northwards
up Avenida
9 de Octubre
for about
a half hour
until you
get to a rope
bridge over
Rio Puyo.
Cross the
bridge into
the grandly
named Parque
Pedagogico
Etno-Botanico
Omaere
[open
8am to 6pm
daily].
A botanical
garden with
medicinal
plants and
some traditional
Quechua
homes make
up the attractive
complex. You
can also swim
in the river
by the park.
Closer to
town, the
Museo
Etno-Arqueologico
inside the
Casa
de la Juventud
at 9 de Octubre
and Atahualpa,
showcases
the traditional
indigenous
community
quotidian
life and utensils,
as well as
a small collection
of pre-Hispanic
tools and
ceramics.
The museum
is open Monday
to Friday
from noon
to 6 pm only.
Not to be
missed in
a suburb southeast
of Puyo is
the privately-owned
and run Jardin
Botanico Las
Orquideas
[03-884855;
884854].
Its creator,
Omar Tello,
takes guests
around his
wonderful
collection
of over 200
species of
stunning orchids,
imparting
his knowledge
with great
enthusiasm
as he leads
you along
forested paths.
To do the
gardens justice,
allow two
hours for
the tour.
Reservations
are essential,
and doors
open 8 am
to 6 pm daily,
with a $5*
entrance fee.
Another attraction
close to Puyo
is the Centro
El Fatima,
a small zoo
under 10km
[six
miles]
on the road
to Tena.
The wildlife
is limited
to the Oriente,
including
small and
large mammals
as well as
various species
of birds,
so you can
see the animals
that you'll
be extremely
fortunate
to spot in
the wild when
you visit
the jungle.
The zoo is
open 8am to
6pm daily
and can reached
by taxi or
on the bus
to Tena.
'Misterio
de los Dioses'
Falls
16km outside
Puyo along
the Puyo-Macas
road, you’ll
find the Misterio
de los Dios
Falls, where
legend has
it that rituals
in honour
of mythical
Gods were
performed.
El Porvenir
Waterfall
is also nearby,
located a
short distance
from the village
of the same
name.
Curaray
River
Several indigenous
communities
live along
this river.
While visiting
these communities,
you’ll have
the chance
to see crocodiles,
parrots, toucans,
caiman, boas,
and piranhas
near Pavachi.
*The
prices are
approximate
Last
updated 29th
June 2006
| |Article contributed by Dominic Hamilton||| |
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