Omaere Ethnobotanical Park
Pastaza
Omaere Ethnobotanical Park, located near Puyo in Pastaza, Ecuador, is a pioneering park dedicated to ethnobotany — the study of how indigenous cultures use plants for medicine, food, shelter, and rituals. Founded in 1993 by a Shuar woman and two French collaborators, the park spans 15 hectares where native plants have grown into a near-natural forest. Visitors can explore the park through guided walks led by native guides, biologists, and volunteers, learning about the Shuar and Waorani peoples' traditional knowledge and their harmonious coexistence with the Amazon rainforest. The park features typical indigenous houses, displays of cultural tools, and offers a tranquil natural environment just minutes from the city of Puyo. It serves as an educational center promoting sustainable development and cultural appreciation of Ecuador's Amazonian communities.
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Consejo: The best time to visit Omaere Ethnobotanical Park is during the dry season to enjoy comfortable walks along the trails. Guided tours are recommended and can last from 30 minutes to two hours depending on visitor interest. Booking in advance is advisable, especially for larger groups. Visitors can benefit from guided explanations by native people and biologists, enhancing the educational experience. The park is easily accessible from Puyo by following local directions provided on the official website.
Datos interesantes
- •The name 'Omaere' means 'nature of the forest' in the Waorani language.
- •Omaere was one of the first ethnobotanical parks established in Latin America.
- •The park hosts thousands of visitors annually from Ecuador and around the world.
- •Guided walks are conducted by native indigenous guides, biologists, and volunteers, providing authentic cultural insights.
Historia
Omaere Ethnobotanical Park was established in 1993 by a collaboration between a Shuar woman and two French women who founded the Omaere Foundation.
They purchased a 15-hectare plot near Puyo and began planting useful plants significant to Amazonian indigenous cultures.
Over the decades, the planted species matured into a near-natural forest, making the park one of the first ethnobotanical parks in Latin America.
It has since become a key site for conserving indigenous botanical knowledge and promoting sustainable cultural tourism in the Ecuadorian Amazon.
Guía del lugar
Typical Indigenous Houses
Within the park, visitors can explore traditional Shuar and Waorani houses that showcase indigenous architectural styles and cultural practices related to daily life in the Amazon rainforest.
Guided Ethnobotanical Trails
The park features several walking trails where visitors learn about various useful plants—medicinal, nutritional, and cultural—used by Amazonian indigenous groups. Guided tours provide detailed explanations of plant uses and cultural significance.
Contacto
Teléfono: 098 525 0864