Getting To and Around Tena

, Transportation

By Christopher Sacco

Tena is small enough so that you should not have too much trouble getting around. It is divided in two by the rivers Tena and Pano. Two bridges, one for pedestrians and one for automobiles, connect the two halves. There are several sand and pebble beaches on both sides of the river, as well as a number of plazas and parks, the most conspicuous of which is the Parque Amazonica, a botanical garden and zoo located on a small peninsula that is visible from the pedestrian bridge. There is also a nice riverside walkway on the western bank of the river Tena.

The bus terminal is located on Avenida 15 de Noviembre between Calle Montero and Avenida del Chofer. The terminal is unattractive but don't be too quick to judge the rest of the city based on its appearance, the northern part of town is much nicer and boasts and increasing number of interesting shops and decent restaurants.

Most roads that lead to the Amazon are only partially paved and subject to landslides and other delays, especially during the rainy season. The road from Quito to Tena is no exception, though it continues to be improved. There is regular bus service to Tena via Baeza, but you should book in advance as the buses fill up fast, particularly on Fridays and Sundays. There is a small airport outside of Tena but there are no commercial flights, only short flights over the jungle.

Small white truck-taxis are abundant in the city. It is a good idea to negotiate your price before getting in because the taxi drivers in Tena often overcharge.