Biotropica Expeditions

Immersive South American Tours

with Norby Lopez & Susy Muñoz

 

Biotropica Expeditions

Immersive South American Tours

with Norby Lopez & Susy Muñoz

 

We are Norby Lopez and Susy Muñoz, expert tour guides and life partners who love travel as much as you do.

We’re inviting you to join us on our next tour in South America!

Let us be your trusted companions as we delve into lush Amazon jungles, Andean cloud forests, the wild spaces of Patagonia, the flooded grasslands of the Pantanal, the volcanic islands of the Galapagos, and so much more. Alongside our wildlife adventures, we will introduce you to the vibrant cultures and living traditions of peoples living throughout the Americas.

Experience…

A Giant Otter sticks his head up out of a dark green river.

Diverse Biospheres

Encounter the abundant flora & fauna of Andean cloud forests, Amazon jungles, Coastal dry forests, the Galapagos’ volcanic islands and more.

Incredible Vistas

Climb to new heights for spectacular views and memorable photographs throughout South America’s varied wild, rural, and urban landscapes.

From the grassy foreground we look towards the distance passing over short stone walls that border grassy rooms that lead our eye to the sun temple of Ingapirca

Myriad of Cultures

Experience rich traditions and cultures both ancient and modern from big cities and small towns to tiny villages and indigenous communities.

Our Tours Always…

Respect Others

Your trip contributes to the well being of local people through responsible travel.

Conserve Nature

We visit locations with vibrant conservation projects promoting sustainable tourism.

Foster Curiousity

We promise to introduce you to new experiences!

Our Curated Tours

These tours are designed for adventurous naturalists like you. If you would like a customized tour, please contact us directly.

A bizarre looking bird with bright red bobble head, and grayish white markings down its black tail

From Andean Peaks to Amazon Rainforests

9-Days / 8-nights

Quito – Papallacta – Cosanga – Sumaco – Quito

The perfect trip for birdwatchers and other naturalists wanting to experience Ecuador’s Andean East Slope.

A view across ranch land toward Laguna Seca and the mountain valley beyond

Jewels of the Amazon

5-Days / 4-Nights

Yasuni National Park

A personalized excursion to the stunning Napo Wildlife Center, located in the heart of the Ecuadorian Amazon.

A large thorny backed lava lizard perches with his claws spread across the forehead of a much larger land iguana

Galapagos Odyssey

8-Days / 7-Nights

Baltra – Santa Cruz – Rabida – Isabela – Fernandina – Santiago – Bartolome

Biotropica Expeditions invites you to immerse in the amazing flora and fauna of the Galapagos on a cruise cruise designed for small groups and families.

What Our Clients Are Saying…

Don’t just take it from us… check these testimonials from a few of our happy travelers!

Christmas 2022 found us touring Southern Ecuador with Norby and Susy, traversing a 1500 km circle that took us from Guayaquil to the Peruvian border, through Cuenca returning to Guayaquil 16 days later. We stayed in multiple lodges experiencing brilliants, thorntails, emeralds, jacobins, sylphs, violetears, and hermits with each day’s first cup of coffee. A troop of white-fronted capsaicin monkeys visited the four of us during breakfast on Christmas morning.

Laurel and Haven Barnhill

Biotropica Expedition Clients since 2008

Fabulous guided trip with Norby at Napo Wildlife Centre. So knowledgeable! Thank you!

See this testimonial on Facebook.

Andrea Edeleanu

Naturalist & Traveler

Frequently Asked Questions

Why should I choose Biotropica Expeditions?

If you love to see wildlife, experience new cultures, and are open to adventure, our trips are designed for YOU! Our past clients will confirm that we are friendly, flexible, and understanding. We work hard to make sure you enjoy every step of the journey.

Last but not least, we offer a quality service at an affordable price. Your purchase directly effects our local economy as we pay You won’t regret booking with us!

What is your cancelation policy?

Cancellation refunds and penalties are based on the following schedule:

  • If cancellation is made 120 days or more before the tour departure date, a cancellation fee of $500 per person will be charged.
  • If the client chooses to reserve another Biotropica Expeditions tour that will operate within the upcoming 12 months, the cancellation fee will be $100 per person.
  • If cancellation is made fewer than 120 days before departure date, no refund is available.

This policy and fee schedule also apply to all trips or extensions.

We strongly recommend the purchase of trip cancellation insurance for your protection.

What is your privacy policy?

What kind of additional expenses might I expect?

Your trip with Biotropica Expeditions includes most expenses. However, you will want to bring enough cash to cover personal expenses not included in the program. These might include taxi rides, laundry, special gratuities, meals on your own, and gifts to bring home.

It is difficult – if not impossible – to predict fuel costs  at the time departure. Our prices are based upon the prevailing fuel rates upon itinerary publication. However, if the fuel rates increase significantly, it may be necessary to institute a fuel surcharge. We will provide as much guidance and warning as possible.

Should I bring cash or are there plenty of ATMs?

The official currency of Ecuador is the US dollar.

Cash is most commonly used in rural areas and in some family run businesses in cities. We recommend bringing bills in small denominations as anything larger than a $20 can be difficult to spend.

ATM’s are available in major cities. However, in smaller towns and rural areas, it can be difficult to find an ATM that works with all international bank cards. When in doubt, carry cash for extra purchases.

Most credit cards, especially MasterCard and VISA, are accepted in many establishments and businesses, especially in large cities like Quito, Cuenca, and Guayaquil.

Do I need a visa for your trips?

VISAS:

Visas are not required for U.S., Canadian or European citizens for entry into Ecuador for a stay of up to consecutive 90 days – three months.

PASSPORTS:

You will need a current passport with a minimum of 6 months remaining from its expiration date. We will ask you for this expiration date when you make your reservation.

Your passport will also need a minimum of two blank pages to allow for stamps in and out of Ecuador. If you begin your travel in any other country, be sure to allot more pages for the extra legs of your trip. 

Furthermore, if you need a new or renewed passport, please do so with anticipation. Currently, in the United States, even an expedited passport can take weeks to receive.

We recommend arriving to Ecuador with a color photocopy of the first two pages of your passport. Keep the photocopies in a safe place, so if your passport is lost you will have proof of identification.

The best source for current information about requirements for entering US Citizens entering Ecuador can be found on the US State Department website.