Cononaco Bameno Airstrip

Common Complaints

• Lack of conventional airport facilities: As a small, private airstrip in a highly remote area, Cononaco Bameno Airstrip does not feature standard terminal buildings, amenities, or services found at typical commercial airports. Travelers should not expect a traditional airport experience.
• Basic accommodations and intermittent services: While not directly an airstrip complaint, the nearby Bameno Community offers basic cabin or tent accommodations, and services like Wi-Fi and electricity can be unreliable due to weather and its remote location.
• No public transportation or parking: Access to the airstrip is exclusively via charter flights from Shell Mera (Shell) or long motor canoe journeys, with no indication of public transport connections or parking facilities at the airstrip itself.
• Limited security/customs information: Standard airport security and customs procedures as known at international airports are not applicable here, as travelers likely clear these at larger Ecuadorian entry points. Requirements for visiting the Intangible Zone include proof of COVID and Yellow Fever vaccination.

In summary, Cononaco Bameno Airstrip (EC-0033) serves as a crucial, albeit rudimentary, access point for specialized tours to the Waorani community. Travelers who choose this destination are generally seeking an adventurous, immersive experience and should anticipate minimal infrastructure at the airstrip, with their satisfaction deriving from the unique cultural and natural experiences offered by the surrounding rainforest and indigenous community.