Best of Archidona

Southeast of Quito on the edge of the Amazon basin, Archidona is a sleepy settlement with pastel-hued houses and a lively market on Sundays. While there isn’t much to the town itself, you can head off on a wide range of adventures in the area. Jungle trails, waterfalls, caves and thundering rivers make Archidona a fine base for experiencing the unique Oriente region while overnighting in a rainforest lodge.   

Some of the best whitewater rafting in Ecuador is just a short hop from Archidona. Along the Río Napo and Río Misahuallí, you’ll find rapids ranging from class II to class IV, offering easy-going paddles and more thrilling descents, with everything in between. Rainforest hikes offer ample opportunities to encounter monkeys, parrots, sloths and other wildlife. There are also trails leading to waterfalls and forested natural pools where you can cool off after the day’s walk. Just north of Archidona, you can explore the Cuevas de Jumandy, a labyrinth of natural caves and tunnels that extend several miles underground.