The Yahua people live a simple lifestyle supported by small-scale agriculture, fishing, and light hunting.

The Yahua are skilled craftworkers. The men make nice wood carvings of animal figures, decorative blowguns and bows and arrows.  The women make a variety of necklaces, bracelets, and other jewelry fashioned from natural materials such as seeds, fibers, and animal parts salvaged from their food.

Girls often have their first child at fourteen or fifteen years of age.

The Yahua culture functions as a large extended family, with each member accepting a role of responsibility to the welfare of the tribal group.