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Trip Report
Ecuador’s Gate to the Amazon: Tena
If you want to get to know Amazonian flora, fauna and cultures Tena is the gateway to the vast Ecuadorian Amazon rainforest.
+ 3
South AmericaEcuador6 days / January 2023
Highs & Lows
the cacao tour on Isla Cacao Sisa Wasi, sleeping one night in a hammock in forest
Nothing was really bad, we loved our experience
Itinerary Overview
We arrived in Tena with a bus from Papallacta, close to Quito and the trip took about 3 hours. With every 100 meters descending the Andean mountain range you feel how the climate gets hotter and more humid. In Tena itself you can visit the river boulevard, the lookout and the island with a natural reserve. For us it was a good start and we had the opportunity to see cute monkeys and feed them with bananas!
There aren’t many tour operators in Tena and we had the contact of a friend of a friend (Cabanas Awana) so we preferred to book our Amazon adventure through him: the best decision we could have made!
Tena To get to the Amazon, for wild river rafting experiences
We stayed in Tena itself for two nights mainly to book a nice and adventurous tour to the Amazon. Tena is a charming town located in the Amazon region of Ecuador, offering a unique blend of natural beauty, adventure, and cultural experiences. The town is small but vibrant, with friendly locals, colorful markets, and a laid-back atmosphere. Tena's surroundings are truly stunning, with lush rainforests, cascading waterfalls, and abundant wildlife, making it an ideal destination for nature lovers and adventure seekers. There are plenty of outdoor activities to enjoy, including rafting, hiking, birdwatching, and jungle tours. The local food is delicious and affordable, featuring traditional dishes made with fresh ingredients. However, some travelers may find the town a bit underdeveloped, with limited infrastructure and services. Overall, Tena is a great place to experience the natural wonders and cultural richness of the Ecuadorian Amazon.
Campococha (Ahuano) To do cacao tours, see wildlife (in the animal shelter), sleep one night in a hammock in the Amazon
Our local Kichwa tour guide Raul took us to his community Campococha where we slept four nights in a little hostel owned by his uncle. Raul showed us so many things: we did numerous walks, a bird watching tour early in the morning, visited an animal shelter amaZOOnico, did a very informative cacao tour, saw caimans, spiders and so on. It’s so interesting how the boat is the main means of transportation in the Amazon. One of the highlights for me was to see the giant ceiba tree and to do a hike to a gold washing river where we sat camp and stayed overnight in hammocks protected with a plastic against the rain and enjoying homemade pasta out of a big leave. A real adventure!
Q & A
What would you have changed?
Nothing actually.Anything go wrong during the trip?
No, we loved it.Restaurant recommendations?
In Tena nothing really special but you can find places close to the river boulevard. Apparently the Mexican places up the hill close to hostel Tena Ñaui is good and owned by nice people.Tips you would give a friend?
Rather than going to a fancy and more expensive jungle lodge most likely owned by foreigners I advise you to support the local communities and staying with local families for a more genuine rainforest experience like Cabanas Awana. Try the “sangre eel drago”, a local plant based remedy against all kind of illnesses like colics and acne.Packing tips?
Bring some light plastic poncho against the rain. Take bananas with you on your day trips in case you see monkeys and want to feed them!Transportation Tips?
Be aware that within the Amazon the boat is the main mean of transportation.Any surprises?
The giant ceibo trees are always a surprise!Booking details?
Book through Cabanas Awana on instagram! A very good price and amazing experience
Lodging
Tena Ñaui: nice hostel with spacious common areas, kitchen and a good view
Cabanas Awana: locally owned small lodge with basic amenities