Río Palenque Scientific Center

Tropical forest of the Palenque River

The Río Palenque tropical rainforest is located at km 56 of the Quevedo - Santo Domingo road, the main road linking Quito and Guayaquil. This forest was developed as a biological research station in 1970 by the University of Miami , declared a protected area by the Ecuadorian Government in 1971 and acquired by the Wong Foundation in 1998.              

Since its establishment as a Scientific Center, Rio Palenque has been the subject of multiple studies and research with the purpose of expanding knowledge of its fauna and flora. In 1978, CH Dodson and AH Gentry published "Flora of  The Palenque River ", where 1,100 species of vascular plants of various species were identified, of which 30 are endemic to this forest.      

The property of the center also includes about 100 hectares of crops with low environmental impact, such as rubber and macadamia trees. In 1971, the Río Palenque Scientific Center was declared a Protective Forest by the National Government, being one of the last tropical forests on the Ecuadorian coast. The forest has many well maintained trails that can facilitate access to the riverbank.  

 Wong Foundation and the Scientific Center

The Wong Foundation is not a philanthropic or charitable institution. It has programs that empower communities and develop the potential of human resources, creating leaders in rural and technical areas for the company. The philosophy of the Wong Foundation is to promote ecological awareness and responsibility , which implies protecting the biodiversity of the humid forest of Ecuador.         

Among the center's projects, a three-year program of domestication of native medicinal plants and bioaccumulation of its active ingredients was executed.  A rich diversity of flora and fauna has been identified in the area and approximately 20% of these are endemic species and are under protection.       

Biodiverse Ecuador

In Ecuador there are about 4,000 species of orchids, despite being a small country has a great biodiversity   

Flora

• The very humid tropical forest has an average rainfall of 3,000 mm. Which places it as the only remnant of primary forest in the upper Guayas River basin . 
• Due to these climatic characteristics, a series of microclimates are generated, which is what gives the great Biodiversity.  Río Palenque has 1,116 species of vascular plants. 

Wildlife

• In the world there are more than 20,000 species of lepidoptera , being Ecuador the seventh place to house a large number of this order, Palenque River consists of 336 species of lepidoptera. 
• With 356 species of birds; 252 perennials and 104 migratory.
• 36 species of snakes, 5 poisonous, 32 genera of bats, 44 species of bees.

River Reserve

The Wong Foundation built a beautiful Ecolodge in 2002 for the comfort of those who watch birds and are interested in this humid forest.      

Location of the Río Palenque Scientific Center

It is located on the main road between Santo Domingo and Quevedo at Km 56 just beyond the city of Patricia Pilar. If you are driving to Quevedo, look on the left side for a Palenque River sign.  

It is important to make reservations in advance, contacting the Wong Foundation otherwise you will not be able to access the reservation.