Essentials
- City
- Tena, Napo Province, Ecuador
- Population
- Approximately 40,000
- Internet Speed
- Average 40-60 Mbps; Fiber optic is increasingly available via CNT and Puntonet
- Currency & Banking
- US Dollar (USD); local ATMs dispense $20 bills. Bank fee approx. $0.50-$2.00
- Tap Water
- Not drinkable; 20L water jugs (bidones) cost approx. $2.50
- Power
- 110V, 60Hz, 🔌 Type A/B (same as USA)
- SIM Card
- Claro has the best regional coverage; $10 for 5GB data plan at shops on Calle 15 de Noviembre
- Banking for Expats
- Banco Pichincha or Banco del Austro; widely use 'Deuna!' app for small payments
- Accommodation
- Mix of jungle lodges and urban apartments; $350-$600/month for mid-range rentals
- Cashless Friendly
- Moderate; larger supermarkets and hotels accept cards, but street food and taxis are cash only
- Short Term Rentals
- Airbnb and local guest houses like Hostal Pakay ($25/night)
- Budget Accommodation
- Hostal Limoncocha (approx. $12/night) located near the terminal
- Best Area to Stay for Tourists
- El Malecón area or Misahuallí (20 mins away) for river access
- Best Area to Stay for Digital Nomads
- Neighborhoods near the Universidad Regional Amazónica IKIAM for better infrastructure
Working and Networking
- Best Coworking Space
- Selina Amazon (Tena/Misahuallí) - Hot desk approx. $12/day with reliable backup power
- Best Cafe for Work
- Café Tortuga on the Malecón; quiet mornings with decent Wi-Fi and $3 lattes
- Networking Events
- Occasional meetups at IKIAM University or tourism operator workshops at Hotel Arahuana
- Social Events for Expats
- Friday night gatherings at Pizzeria Bella Napoli; 'Expats in Ecuador' Facebook group for Napo
Transportation
- Best Taxi/Ride App
- No Uber; use 'Clipp' or local yellow taxis ($1.50 for most city trips)
- Bike/Scooter Rental
- Bicicletas Tena on Av. 15 de Noviembre; approx. $15 per day
- Best Beach Nearby
- River beaches at Puerto Misahuallí (Laguna de Paikawe area), 25 mins by bus
- Top Regional Airline
- No commercial flights to Tena; fly into Quito (UIO) and take a 4-hour bus
- Top International Airline
- LATAM or Avianca via Quito International Airport
- Highway Access
- E45 (Troncal Amazónica) connects south to Puyo and North to Baeza/Quito
- Main Train/Transit Hub
- Terminal Terrestre de Tena; major hub for buses to Quito and Baños ($8-$10)
- Public Transport Passes
- Cash based; local buses (colectivos) cost $0.35 per ride
- Regional Travel
- Buses and 'Camionetas' (pickup trucks) for jungle communities
Health and Wellness
- Best Hospital
- Hospital General de Tena (José María Velasco Ibarra) on Calle Amazonas
- Yoga & Wellness Centers
- Amupakin (Kichwa Midwives Center) for traditional cleanses and wellness
- Gyms & Fitness Centers
- Amazonas Gym on Calle Juan León Mera; $30 monthly membership
- Laundry Services
- Lavandería Burbujas; approx. $1.00 per kilo for wash and dry
Food and Drink
- Best Food Delivery App
- Local WhatsApp delivery services (each restaurant has their own number)
- Best Local Dish to Try
- Maito de Pescado (river fish wrapped in bijao leaves); approx $6.00
- Vegan/Vegetarian Options
- Restaurante El Shaman; offers planttain-based vegetarian sets for $4.00
- Best Dessert Spots
- Heladería Napo for artisanal Guayusa sorbet and fruit popsicles
- Affordable Shopping Spots
- Mercado Central de Tena for fresh produce and $2.50 lunch sets
- E-commerce/Online Store
- Mercado Libre Ecuador (Delivery via Servientrega)
- Grocery Delivery
- Tia Supermarket (order via website for home delivery)
- Bar/Nightlife Area
- Calle Francisco de Orellana (The Malecón) for bars and river views
- Local Brewery
- Sinchi Warmi (Indigenous brewery efforts) or craft beer from Quito found at Arahuana
- Wine Bars
- Vinos del Río (specializing in tropical fruit wines like Pitahaya)
- Street Food Stalls
- Pinchos de Chontacuro (grilled palm grubs) near the main bridge ($1.50)
- Popular International Cuisine
- Bella Napoli for authentic Italian wood-fired pizza ($10-$14)
Culture and Attractions
- Must-See Landmarks
- The Tena Bridge (Puente Peatonal) and the Jumandy Statue
- Museums & Art Venues
- Museo Amazónico on the Malecón (Kichwa artifacts)
- Historical Sites
- Cavernas de Jumandy; 10 mins north, ancient cave system used by resistance fighters
- Religious Sites
- Catedral de Tena (Parroquia San José) on the central plaza
- Annual Events
- Fiestas de Tena (November) featuring the 'Chonta' festival
- Cultural Districts
- Misahuallí (famous for wild capuchin monkeys in the plaza)
- Theater Venues
- Auditorio de la Prefectura for local cultural performances
- Local Markets
- Feria Campesina (Sundays) for indigenous medicine and exotic fruits
- Music Scene
- Live Marimba and Kichwa music at community centers in Muyuna
- Street Art
- Nature murals along the Malecón riverside walkway
- Cooking Classes
- Chocolate making tours at Kallari (Av. 15 de Noviembre)
- Art Galleries
- Local craft cooperatives near the park selling 'Tiwa' pottery
- Historic Buildings
- Palacio Municipal; typical regional architecture from the mid-20th century
- Local Heritage
- Chakra (ancestral farming) systems recognized by FAO as heritage
Nature and Outdoor Activities
- Nearby Nature Escapes
- Cascada de Latas; jungle hike and waterfall 15 mins from town
- National Parks Nearby
- Parque Nacional Llanganates and Colonso Chalupas Ecological Reserve
- Cycling/Walking Paths
- Tena-Muyuna road is popular for morning cycling
- Scenic Viewpoints
- Mirador de Tena (short steep climb for city and volcano views)
- Birdwatching Locations
- The road to Loreto for tanagers and toucans
- Bonfire-Friendly Spots
- River beaches at the intersection of the Tena and Pano rivers
Other Services and Amenities
- Parcel Delivery Service
- Servientrega on Calle 12 de Febrero; $5.00 for nationwide shipping
- Tech Repair Services
- Compumaya on Av. Amazonas for laptop and phone repairs
- Table Tennis Spots
- Coliseo Mayor de Deportes Tena
- Language Classes
- Private Kichwa and Spanish tutors available at Hostal Pakay
- Libraries & Study Spots
- Biblioteca Municipal on Calle Cuenca
- Community Centers
- Casa de la Cultura Ecuatoriana Núcleo Napo
- Gaming Lounges
- Cyber Cafes on Calle 15 de Noviembre ($1.00/hour)
- Casino & Gaming Halls
- Banned in Ecuador (since 2011)
Business
- Studio Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. $900 per m² (e.g., 40 m² = $36,000)
- Studio Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. $600 per m² (e.g., 40 m² = $24,000)
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. $850 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = $51,000)
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. $550 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = $33,000)
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. $800 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = $64,000)
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. $500 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = $40,000)
- Corporate Tax
- 25% (Standard rate in Ecuador)
- Dividend Withholding Tax
- Up to 10% depending on residency and treaty
- Tax System
- Residents taxed on worldwide income; non-residents on Ecuador-source income
- Highest Income Tax Bracket
- 37%
- VAT
- 15% (Standard rate as of 2024/2025)
- Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules
- Yes, applicable for tax haven jurisdictions
- Property Tax
- Annual municipal tax based on appraisal; very low (often <$100/year)
- Property Transaction Tax
- Approx. 1% Alcabala tax plus registration fees
- Attractive Tax System for Digital Nomads
- Ecuador offers a 2-year Digital Nomad Visa (Rentista for Remote Work) with simplified requirements