Yana Cocha
Yana Cocha
4.5
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Monday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Tuesday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Thursday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Saturday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Sunday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
About
Duration: 1-2 hours
Meets animal welfare guidelines
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
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4.5
59 reviews
Excellent
36
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17
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CumbrianAbroad
Shanghai, China269 contributions
Dec 2022
I worked as a volunteer for a week at Yana Cocha and saw in raw detil what is involved in animal conservation in the Amazon. I fed, cleaned out and handled the animals (where safe) and experienced the sadness of losing animals to sickness and the effect of human barbarity towards them. I also experienced the elation of releasing a three toed sloth back into the jungle. You can visit for a few hours and see the animals which is in itself a wonderous thing but actually working with them is priceless.
Written January 1, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
NayiU
Banska Bystrica, Slovakia509 contributions
Dec 2016 • Couples
It is close to River Puyo River Walk (malecon). You can take a taxi for couple bucks there and you are right in the middle of Amazon nature. We spent 2 hours there and returned in couple days again.
Written December 25, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Lotte_de_V
Rotterdam, The Netherlands36 contributions
May 2019 • Couples
The foundation itself is doing great work, rescueing animals from all kinds of bad situations. So that's great and we totally support that. However, when you visit them, it's basically a zoo. We didn't get any information on the background of the foundation or the animals at all from the girl who showed us around. It was literally a walk by all the cages and that was it.
Written May 28, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Gordonbw
Toronto, Canada21 contributions
Mar 2019 • Couples
If you want an easy introduction to Amazon flora and fauna without the rigors of a jungle boat trip, Yana Cocha is a great choice. The park is a beautifully planted 8 hectares with natural streams and pools, groomed paths and rescue animals in spacious screened cages with lots of natural vegetation. The ocelots and margays surprised us with their vocalizations — they seemed to relish the human contact and “purred” at us like house cats. Many species of birds and monkeys on display, along with caimans, nutria, sloths and other Amazon animals. Spectacular flowers at every step.
Written March 4, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
camillar123
Oslo, Norway7 contributions
Oct 2017 • Solo
I spent 3 weeks here volunteering with the incredibly skilled workers that run this rescue center. They have so much knowledge, know how to treat the animals, decrease contact with humans, keep their stress level down and make sure they are treated medically if needed. Every animal has different diets suited for them and the goal is always to make them ready and able to get back into the wild. The diets depends on the state that the animals are in and are customized when getting closer to releasing, which happens when they are fully ready and have a good chance of survival. In addition to the animals, the nature and plants are a big part of it all. Paths are made, so that the plant wont get stepped on and its a high priority aswell as the animals. Next time i get to go back to latin america this is the first place i want to go. Meet all the great workers and help out in this well organized center.
Thank you for having me and giving me the best experience of my life, aswell as being the beginning and highlight of my 6 month long trip!
Thank you for having me and giving me the best experience of my life, aswell as being the beginning and highlight of my 6 month long trip!
Written April 11, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
heyjudithz
Knoxville, TN1,461 contributions
May 2017 • Business
Yana Cocha is a non-profit which exists solely on donations and the tiny price they charge people to stay there and volunteer. I took a group of engineering students there for an Alternative Break service project and we stayed in nearby Puyo. Yana Cocha is a sanctuary for animals that were either confiscated from traffickers or people possessing them illegally, or found wandering around after stupid people purchase or steal them and then let them loose when it finally sinks in that people are not meant to own exotic animals, which is unlawful in Ecuador anyway. Thank goodness for the good people of Yana Cocha who rehabilitate these lovely animals and give them a little paradise in which to live. The enclosures are sizeable and kept clean, and each animal has its own veterinary-prescribed diet. The police in nearby Puyo have an excellent relationship with the center, and bring animals there. For example, a baby jungle wolf was found running loose in town and they brought it in while we were there. In quarantine at the time was a baby ocelot, two hawks, the wolf, and some turtles. The saddest realization I had while there was when the veterinarian said, "As long as there are people wanting to own exotic animals, there will be trafficking." That's terrible, but you can help by visiting or even by making a donation. We asked ahead of time for a wish list of veterinary supplies, and were able to make the wish come true with a suitcase full of supplies. Know that you are supporting a worthwhile and hard-working organization when you visit. I cannot say enough good things about this beautiful place.
Written June 2, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
jonathan w
23 contributions
Mar 2016 • Solo
I booked to volunteer at Yana Cocha for 2 weeks through Gap360 and i'm glad I did. The centre is run by a small team of committed individuals who rely on the help of volunteers to keep up the maintenance and care for the animals.
This program allowed me a tick off another thing from my bucket list - working closely with animals.
I'd recommend Yana Cocha to anyone passionate about animals or even if you just have some time to spare whilst travelling through Ecuador, it is a truly rewarding experience. I would suggest you book your stay directly through the Yana Cocha centre however as they deserve all the proceeds!
Beautiful place. Kind, passionate people. Stunning wildlife. 5*
This program allowed me a tick off another thing from my bucket list - working closely with animals.
I'd recommend Yana Cocha to anyone passionate about animals or even if you just have some time to spare whilst travelling through Ecuador, it is a truly rewarding experience. I would suggest you book your stay directly through the Yana Cocha centre however as they deserve all the proceeds!
Beautiful place. Kind, passionate people. Stunning wildlife. 5*
Written April 3, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Maureen K
Camden, SC30 contributions
Jun 2015 • Friends
Since it is almost impossible to spot wildlife in the jungle, this is a good chance to see firsthand what naturally is living in the Amazon. It is a well-run facility.
Written June 30, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
AW1008
49 contributions
Jun 2015
This is a wonderful monkey refuge and a great walk in a dense amazonian forest. The monkeys are adorable, some moms and babies, and so many kinds of endangered monkeys so well cared for. There were also great blue and red headed parrots, snakes, and a wild small cougar. The grounds are along on a rushing stream with dense forest on all sides. Wonderful!!
Written June 15, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Mona T
14 contributions
Jan 2019 • Family
Amazing and rare animals and a place doing great work to rehab and return wildlife to the jungle. If you can go to the release site Tamandua for an incredible jungle lodge experience.
Written January 15, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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