A disillusioned, unnamed New York City composer who has traded his artistic ambitions for a lucrative but unfulfilling job writing music for advertising commercials. Born in the Antilles to European parents, he struggles with a fractured sense of identity and a deep dissatisfaction with modern, post-war civilization. Driven by a longing for authenticity, he accepts a mission to travel to South America to collect Indigenous musical instruments.

A 34-year-old actor trapped in a repetitive, long-running theatrical contract that drains her creatively and personally. Her demanding schedule and frequent tours create a wedge in her marriage, leaving her and her husband living parallel, disconnected lives. She longs for more substantial theatrical roles but remains confined by financial security.

An intellectually ambitious woman who makes a living writing horoscopes after abandoning her aspirations in poetry. She maintains a casual romantic relationship with the narrator, representing the urban sophistication and bohemian lifestyle he simultaneously exploits and resents. She insists on accompanying him on his trip to South America, viewing the journey through a superficial lens of literature and trends.

A resilient, practical mestiza woman who deeply understands the natural environment and local customs. She carries an air of self-sufficiency and stoicism, often turning to historical and religious texts for entertainment. She becomes a central figure in the narrator's journey as he begins to idolize her connection to the earth.

An experienced and resourceful wilderness guide who possesses extensive knowledge of the jungle's secrets and hidden routes. Formerly a disillusioned youth from a provincial town, he has transformed into a pragmatic explorer searching for spaces free from societal corruption. He acts as the leader for the group pressing deeper into the uncharted interior.

An aged, gaunt Capuchin friar dedicated to spreading Christianity to remote Indigenous populations. He balances deep traditional religious convictions with a practical understanding of survival in the South American wilderness. He joins the expedition with his own spiritual mission, frequently debating matters of faith, morality, and civilization with his companions.

A Greek prospector obsessively searching for a legendary mother lode of gold and diamonds in the South American mountains. He carries only a bilingual edition of Homer's The Odyssey on his travels, drawing parallels between his own search for wealth and ancient myths. His single-minded focus on material fortune drives him to take immense risks in the wilderness.

The director of the Museum of Organography and a former employer of the narrator. He retains a strong belief in the narrator's past academic work on the origins of music. He provides the financial backing and the official mission that sends the narrator to South America.

A researcher and collector of rare plants who specializes in herbal poisons and narcotics. He firmly believes that legends like El Dorado are based on tangible realities waiting to be discovered. He provides crucial medical assistance when members of the traveling party fall ill.

The son of the Adelantado, bearing the title of Keeper of the Garden in his father's remote community. He takes a practical approach to agriculture and survival, often disagreeing with the more symbolic decisions made by the community's religious figures.

A former gold-hunter suffering from Hansen's disease who lingers near the settlement. His isolation from the main group and deteriorating condition make him a volatile and dangerous presence in the wilderness.

A unique dog who faithfully accompanies Pablo The Adelantado on his wilderness expeditions. He is particularly known for his unusual habit of drinking beer from a cup.