Planeta Azul

We stayed at Hostel Planeta Azul for 3 nights en route to Cuyabeno. It is on the edge of Lago Agrio, about 3 km from the centre, on the banks of the Rio Aguarico. It is relatively quiet, with birds and monkeys in the trees at the back of the hostel. Lago Agrio is a chaotic, dusty, hot "frontier" town, which is not ideal for travellers and tourists. Unfortunately the hostel is next to a large bridge and a busy road so it is never completely quiet, but it's by far the best budget place to stay. Betty, the owner, is very kind and helpful, although speaks limited English. She helped set us up for a tour to Cuyabeno. There are no nearby restaurants. Betty provides evening meals - you eat whatever the family are eating (served by her lovely kids). Breakfast is included. But it is easy to take a taxi into town. A large clean swimming pool is a welcome respite from the heat, although can be a bit crowded at weekends (Betty allows the public in, for a price). The rooms are small and basic overlooking the pool to the front and riverine vegetation to the rear. We even had small tamarin monkeys visit (don't leave food around). Our bed was comfortable.