Laguna de Pañacocha
A blackwater lake on the lower Napo whose Kichwa name means 'piranha lake.' Fish for piranhas and look for Amazon river dolphins.
Laguna de Pañacocha lies on the north bank of the Napo, about 100 km downstream from Coca, within the Pañacocha Forest Reserve. The water is tea-colored, typical of a blackwater lake, and its name means 'piranha lake' in Kichwa. From a dugout canoe you can fish for piranhas, and if you're lucky you may spot pink Amazon river dolphins. Waterbirds and monkeys are plentiful too. A fast boat from Coca takes about 3–4 hours. The lake is usually visited as part of a deeper rainforest trip or an excursion from downstream lodges.
Opening hours
Depends on the boat schedule
Nearby sights
- Sani Isla Community & Sani Lagoon
- Añangu Kichwa Community
- Añangu Parrot Clay Licks
- Napo Wildlife Center Canopy Tower
- Sacha Lodge Canopy Walkway
- Yasuní National Park
- Limoncocha Biological Reserve
- Napo River