The river meeting
The Tena and Pano at the city centre.
Dallas Krentzel — CC BY 2.0 · David C. S. — CC BY-SA 4.0 · David C. S. — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Jay — CC BY 2.0 · David C. S. — CC BY-SA 3.0 · Jay — CC BY 2.0
The Tena riverfront is the heart of this Amazon city, the capital of Napo province, where the Tena and Pano rivers meet. Here you find a walkway and squares by the water, a footbridge with a slim tower and a small park on an island, with green hills behind where the Amazon forest begins. The city was founded by Gil Ramírez Dávalos, Governor of Quito from 1556 to 1559, who also founded Cuenca and Baeza. It lies at 520 metres, with rain all year. From this confluence the Tena River flows on to join the Misahuallí and then the Napo, a major Amazon tributary. At the centre is the Parque Amazónico La Isla, reached by a footbridge. By day you see fast brown water between green banks, flowering trees and the bridge with its tall tower. In the evening coloured lights fill the walkway and fountains, and people come out to stroll and eat. Stalls offer maito, fish grilled in leaves. Tours leave Tena for Kichwa villages and nearby rivers. Tena is 115.8 km in a straight line south-east of Quito and about 195 km by road. It makes a good base for trips into the nearby Amazon, with river rafting available through approved operators. Bring a rain jacket and repellent, and ask your doctor about yellow fever vaccination. In the evening, stay in well-lit areas.
The Tena and Pano at the city centre.
A footbridge with a slim tower.
Fountains and coloured lights.
Confluence of the Tena and Pano rivers, central Tena, Napo province
Yes, tours leave for nearby rivers and Kichwa villages.
Evening is livelier with the lights, while morning is calmer and better for photographs.