Getting There
By Plane -- There is currently no regularly scheduled commuter traffic to Tena's Aeropuerto Galo de Torre (tel. 06/2886-895; airport code: TNA).
By Bus -- Several bus lines leave from Quito's main bus terminal (Terminal Terrestre) for Tena. The main bus lines serving this route include Transportes Baños (tel. 02/2570-884 in Quito, or 06/2886-285 in Tena); Express Baños (tel. 02/2953-479 in Quito, or 06/2886-256 in Tena); Cooperativa Amazonas (tel. 02/2571-747 in Quito, or 06/2887-213 in Tena); and Flota Pelileo (tel. 02/2282-660 in Quito, or 06/2886-502 in Tena). Buses leave at least once per hour -- often more frequently between 5am and 11pm -- and the trip takes about 5 hours; return buses follow roughly the same schedule. Fares run from $6 to $9 (£4-£6). There is also frequent bus service between Tena and Ambato, Coca, and Puyo, as well as less frequent direct service between Tena and Baños, Misahualli, Lago Agrio, and Guayaquil.
By Car -- To get here by car, take the highway (E20) east out of Quito to the remote town of Baeza. Here the road forks, with the well-marked southern fork (E45) heading to Tena. It's 88km (55 miles) from Quito to Baeza, and another 98km (61 miles) from Baeza to Tena. Tena can also be reached from Baños, via Puyo. To take this route, follow the directions to Puyo below, and then head north 79km (49 miles) on E45 to Tena.
Getting Around
Taxis are plentiful around Tena. No ride around town should cost more than $1 or $2 (65p-£1.35). Most of the taxis are white pick-up trucks, which are well-suited for rides on the rough dirt roads that abound off the main thoroughfares all around the area. If you can't easily flag one down or have your hotel call one for you, try Taxi Central (tel. 06/2886-426).
Orientation
Tena is spread out on both sides of the Río Tena, with one pedestrian and one vehicular bridge connecting the two halves of the city. The Río Tena makes a severe "S" right in the heart of downtown, so you're never very far from the river. Tena's main plaza is just over the western end of the pedestrian bridge. The bus station is a little over 1km (2/3 mile) south of the pedestrian bridge on Avenida 15 de Noviembre, between Avenida Montero and Calle del Chofer.
Fast Facts -- The police station (tel. 911 in an emergency, or 06/2886-101) is on the main plaza. The post office (tel. 06/2886-418) is at Calle Olmeda and García Moreno, northwest of the vehicular bridge. For emergencies, there's Hospital José María Velasco Ibarra (tel. 06/2886-305), south of town on Avenida 15 de Noviembre.
Banco Pichincha (tel. 03/2887-600) has a branch at the corner of Avenida Amazonas and Calle Juan León Mera, with a 24-hour cash machine. There are several Internet cafes located in the downtown area, especially around the central plaza.
Note: This information was accurate when it was published, but can change without notice. Please be sure to confirm all rates and details directly with the companies in question before planning your trip.
