Museo kamak maki Zoológico — Attraction in Puerto Misahuallí

I liked visiting here, from Muyuna La Union community (see my review) down the Rio Napo from Puerto Misahualli. We first took a barge from Muyuna, and then returned to the Puerto dock. My family had some non-Spanish speakers, but the place isn't really set up for those lacking the language. Pay more if you are an "extranjero" rather than an Ecuadorian on arriving, by the way.

This endeavor was started by a family who run it with assistance. The tour proved informative about the powers of the various plants. Our guide originally was an older man who seemed uneasy with us, as we were translating his Spanish to our family, and he suddenly walked off. Fortunately his replacement was the "yachak" (healer) for the community, and he explained well the lore behind the flora and the sights of the fauna enclosed or, if monkeys, open. He also showed us artifacts in the museum including stones in human body parts as shapes which must have taken some time to collect, which he uses in his rituals.

He had to run off to welcome another group, but we witnessed a short chocolate demonstration and sampling, before buying a bag of cacao for $8. Also, at the gift shop, potions were sold and one can try a nasal-cleansing powder which reminded me of snorting up a meat-rub spice. That's about it for highlights.

It was only when I looked up the place later did I discover that they also have a guest-house and restaurant. I wish we were told this at the time, as it seemed odd to not mention this (unless they were now closed). A friend of ours told us he stayed the night a few years ago for an ayahuasca ceremony led by the "yachak." He in turn mentioned that while this conducted at our hotel would run $200 each, on the premises, it...

Es una pena que haya gente que aproveche de esta manera el turismo para enriquecerse y perder las tradiciones reales de la zona. Incumplen muchas de las normativas con los animales ya que está prohibido por ejemplo, utilizar serpientes para hacerse fotos ya que les perjudica y genera enfermedades dañinas en la piel. Tienen loros con el fin turístico de que repitan a los visitantes perjudicando así su adaptación en el medio natural. Son conscientes de que tienen que ocultar estas acciones al ministerio y el que se hace llamar SHAMAN no cumpliendo con los requisitos para serlo, le dijo delante mía a su hijo que llevara cuidado con los vigilantes del ministerio para evitar multas por utilizar a los animales que tienen para ganar dinero. Los rituales que hace este hombre son una estafa. Si sabes mínimamente del tema te das cuenta de que es un mentiroso...

A very nice place by the river. The museum guide was very nice. He share allot of details about plants, fruits, animals, medicinal plants, insects, etc. The museum artifacts was also nice. They also have a little zoo with some jungle animals. We had fun and...