Tena - Napo - Ecuador

It is a canton of the Province of Napo, Ecuador. Its cantonal head is the city of Tena. It is a typical Amazonian city, home to Kichwas native communities, surrounded by lush flora and fauna.

Tena, named by many historians as San Juan of the two rivers of Tena; receives the name for being bathed by the Tena and Pano rivers. The tranquility and kindness of its people is felt in its narrow streets. The Canton has a diversity of natural attractions and cultural manifestations. Each of its parishes have special characteristics that allow visitors to learn about the history and traditions of the Kichwa and Huaorani ethnic groups. Among the activities that can be done are: jungle excursions, risk sports: rafting, kayaking, tubing, canyoning trekking; cultural events such as: kichwa music, dance, shamanism, visit to the petroglyphs, bird watching, typical meals among others.

How to get to the tena from Quito?

In the Terrestrial Terminal of Quitumbe you can take the following companies that travel directly to Tena: Amazonas, Pelileo Fleet, Express Baths, Transport Baths, Latin America Express.
Approximate distance by land 207 km, travel time 4 hours.

How to get to Tena from Guayaquil?

In the Terrestrial Terminal of Guayaquil you can take the following companies that travel directly to Tena: Baños, Pelotao Fleet.
Approximate distance by land 444 Km, travel time 8 h 30 min.

How to get to Tena from Ambato?

In the Terato Terminal de Ambato you can take the following companies that travel directly to Tena: Cooperativa de Transportes Baños, Expreso Baños, Fleet Pelileo.
Approximate distance by land 178 km, travel time 4 hours.

Canton Tena Relief

Near and around the city of Tena there are minor elevations such as Pasourco, Pullurco, Chiuta, Tamburo, Itaurco, etc. The Cordillera de Galeras enters the territory of the Tena Canton, in the sector where the Pusuno River is born, in the dividing line with the Loreto Canton (Province of Orellana).

Puerto Misahuallí Extension in Tena

It has an approximate extension of 514 km2.

Climate Puerto Misahuallí in Tena

Warm humid, with an average temperature of 25 ºC.

Climate Canton Tena

The temperature borders 25 degrees and the “dry” months are November, December and January.

Flora Canton Tena

It has a combination of native flora. So far the existence of 135 different species has been determined, among which are: Mate, guayusa, ceibo, dragon's blood, chunchu, ishpingo, cedar, laurel, tocota and ahuano.

Fauna Canton Tena

At Jatun Sacha Station, 536 species of birds, 880 species of butterflies and 135 species between amphibians and reptiles have been recorded to date. Among the animals we can mention: Danta americana, cuchucho, cusumbo, marquizapas, chichico, guanta, ocelot, pig saíno, capybara, among others.

Hydrography Canton Tena

Two rivers pass through the city of Tena, the Tena River and Pano River which meet in that city. A few kilometers below, the river joins the Misahuallí River, which flows into the Napo in the town of Misahuallí.

Important celebrations Canton Tena

Napo River Festival.- January 5 to 11.
Napo Provincialization and discovery of the Amazon River.- February 12.
Tena Foundation.- November 15, civic, cultural and sports programs are carried out. Among the most outstanding events we have the election of the Queen of the Canton and the election of the GUAYUSA HUARMI, representing the native woman.
Parish of Pto. Napo.- December 15.

Important dates Canton Tena

1538 - September, Gonzalo Díaz de Pineda was the first Spaniard who arrived in Quijos territory in search of Dorado and Canela.
1541 - Gonzalo Pizarro made a new exploration that ended with the discovery of the Amazon River.
1560 - November 15, founding of Tena by Captain Gil Ramírez Dávalos.
1578 - the great uprising of the quijos takes place, who preferred to die or leave their land rather than be enslaved
1580 - arrival of the first priests, who belonged to the Dominicans.

Typical Gastronomy in Tena

Maitos.- It is made from tilapia, chicken or chontacuro. It consists of wrapping these meats, in bijao leaves (similar to the banana leaf) then place it on the stove. It is accompanied with cassava or green, salad and a good glass of guayusa, typical drink of the Amazon.

Garabato yuyo (fern species) .- is a product of plant origin, rich in nutritional properties. It is cooked and served as salads, meat stews or egg-based tortillas.

Skewer of chontacuro.- It is a worm taken from the chonta tree, it is medicinal, it serves to counteract sinusitis, asthma and influenza.

Chicha de chonta.- drink used by the natives in rituals and festivities, consists of cooking the chonta, peeling it, taking out the seed and grinding it in the batanes (special wooden bat) then crushing it with the help of heavy stones.

Guayusa.- is a natural energy drink that contains the same amount of caffeine as a cup of coffee and twice as many antioxidants as green tea.

Cazave.- It is an omelet prepared with cassava flour to which it is roasted until it acquires a hard consistency. This product can be stored for some time and is considered as the food of the hunters.

Patas muyo or skewer of white cocoa.- It is a species of cocoa endemic to the Ecuadorian Amazon, its seeds are dried and consumed fried or roasted, salted or sweet.

Tourist Places in Tena

La Isla Amazon Park in Tena

The Amazon Island Park (PALI), an environmental interpretation center where the value of our forest and the conservation of natural resources through environmental education are disseminated.

The park is a sample of the Amazon ecosystem, where native flora is observed in all its splendor.

On November 15, 1995, the Amazon Park opened its doors to the public.

Location Parque Amazónico La Isla in Tena

It is located at the confluence of the Pano and Tena rivers. It is accessed through a boat located at the southern end of Francisco de Orellana Avenue, in the Bellavista neighborhood.

Amazon Island Park Extension in Tena

It has 24 hectares.

Climate Parque Amazónico La Isla in Tena

The climate is the same in the region with an average temperature of 25º C, due to the presence of the two rivers the relative humidity is higher, this in terms of soils.

Flora Parque Amazónico La Isla in Tena

The park has a combination of native flora. So far the existence of 135 different species has been determined, among which are: Mate, guayusa, ceibo, dragon's blood, chunchu, ishpingo, cedar, laurel, tocota and ahuano.

• Medicinal species such as cat's claw, dragon's blood and ayahuasca.

• Ornamental plants such as heliconias, bromeliads, ferns and orchids.

Fauna Parque Amazónico La Isla in Tena

Different varieties of birds that see the park as a place of natural refuge and transition for food and rest in their migration path, among them we have: caciques, tangaras, parakeets, kingfishers, hummingbird, blackbirds and others.

The park is not a zoo, it maintains several significant species of our forest that are in danger of extinction and have been donated initially to La Isla.

Among those we find we have species such as: maquizapa monkey, chorongo monkey, barizo monkey, capybara, saino pig, cuchucu, charapa turtle, water turtle, spectacled caiman, tigrillo, boa, toucan, lora real, tapir, among others.

Attractions Parque Amazónico La Isla in Tena

• Trails: It has 8 hectares where there are 3.4 km of trails that connect to 11 cabins, 2 spas, 5 lagoons.

• Mirador: It has 2 hectares of gardens with 1 viewpoint of 18 meters and a small collection of fauna.

• Chacras: 1 hectare of self-supply farms for the zoo.

• Arboreum: It has an arboreun of 4 hectares.

• Forest: It has a forest remnant of 3 hectares in which there are palms and a variety of orchids and 4 hectares in which productive projects will be developed in conjunction with the other projects administered by FUNAMA.

• Services: When opening its doors, it had a covered grandstand, multipurpose room, three loaders, 3 km of trails, two viewpoints, spas on the rivers that border the peninsula, botanical gardens, nursery and a modest collection of wildlife in captivity.

Puerto Misahuallí in Tena

It has a river spa with soft white sand. The beach is decorated by dozens of trees that are the habitat of Capuchin monkeys and their descendants. Monkeys frequently interact with visitors; they are used to tourists and feel no fear to take what they need from houses and shops; They are one of the attractions of the town.

Puerto Misahuallí offers a variety of activities for tourists, including: river navigation, visit to zoos, native communities that will show customs, traditions, crafts and culture.
For the more adventurous are the walks through primary forest, visit waterfalls and practice extreme sports such as kayaking and tubing.

 Misahuallí is the port for boats on the Napo River.

Location Puerto Misahuallí in Tena

It is located 20 minutes from the Tena via the Amazonian trunk road.

Puerto Misahuallí Extension in Tena

It has an approximate extension of 514 km2.

Climate Puerto Misahuallí in Tena

Warm humid, with an average temperature of 25 ºC.

Attractions Puerto Misahuallí in Tena

• Beach Carnival: for more than 17 years the Beach Carnival is held on its beautiful freshwater beach, with the participation of local, national and international artists. Other activities to highlight would be the election of the Carnival queen and miss wet shirt.

• Las Boas: men can be seen walking with gigantic snakes on their shoulders. You only pay 1 to 2 dollars for the opportunity to take a picture with one of these monsters.

• Capuchin monkeys: They are the real stars of Misahualli, they are in the park and on the beach. They like to hang in the trees around the main square. These monkeys are not shy, be careful with the cameras and any food or drink you may have, since the Misahuallí Cappuccino snatches it. Some of them can even get on your head and cause some damage.

Monkey Island Protected Area in Tena

It is called "Monkey Island" because it is the habitat of the Machin monkey species, which have been lived and reproduced for more than 20 years; for this reason the monkeys are the most sociable in the region, becoming an attraction for tourists who approach very easily and share the tranquility and peace that the place generates.

Its extensive beach is very popular with tourists, ideal for swimming, water sports and river tourist transport.

Location
Monkey Island is a protected area that is located in Pto. Misahuallí, 20 minutes from Tena.

Extension
This place is located at the junction of the Napo and Misahuallí rivers, has 7 hectares of forest, a small arm of the Misahuallí river divides it, forming an island.

Weather
With an average temperature of 25 ° C, constant humidity and rains almost all year round, the maximum amount of rainfall occurs in the foothills of the mountain range where the large masses of steam that the wind brings from the Amazon are condensed.

Flora
In the Monkey Island we can find species such as: yutzos, higuerón, batea, silquillo, tocota, guabillas, white cocoa, among others.

Wildlife
In addition to machin monkeys, swallows, tangaras, violacius, orioles, hummingbirds, and insects are observed.

Waterfall of cans in Tena

The large stones in the riverbed make its waters form waterfalls, waterfalls and fords of great beauty. In its trajectory the river is encased forming a slide. Its waters are crystal clear when it does not rain; environment with an excellent scenic landscape.

High of the Waterfall of Cans in Tena

The first waterfall has a height of 3 m high, upon reaching the large waterfall we can see that it has a water fall of 10 meters high.

Location Waterfall of Cans in Tena

It is located 12 km from Tena on the road to Pto. Misahuallí, left bank of the road.

Climate Can Waterfall in Tena

With an average temperature of 25 ° C.

Flora Waterfall Cans in Tena

In the tour, which takes 45 minutes, the rich Amazonian flora and its ornamental and medicinal plants are observed. One that most attracts attention is the Matapalo.

The following species can be observed: ceibo, chontaduro, myrtle, guarango, vanilla orchid, chiriguayusa, laurel, yagual, olive, yellow cinnamon, cocoa, bananas, toquilla straw, guadua, among others.

Fauna Waterfall Cans in Tena

There are some species of lepidoptera, bat, catornica, guanta, monkey machin, tangara, guajalito, carachama, black turkey, among others.

We can also admire the natural beauty of the sector, the wide variety of butterflies and insects.

Attractive Waterfall Cans in Tena

• Caverns of Cans: The cavern is approximately 50 m long, the width varies from 1 to 5 m, the height of the vault is 2.5 m; Inside you can see a small stream of water that flows into the Umbuni River. In addition, geological formations of stalactites and stalagmites can be observed. Inside there are several species of bats.