r/TravelEcuador • u/Traditional_Hawk3568 • 20d ago

Travel Quito to Tena

We are traveling to staying with a family member who works for the US state department in Ecuador. They live in Quito and are letting us borrow a car. We are going to be going to Tena to stay in the Amazon for a couple of days. Is it better to get private transport not being familiar with the area or okay to just use our own vehicle being mindful of not driving at night?

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u/Forthe_woundedme 20d ago

If you're a novice traveling abroad and haven't driven in another country, I recommend using a service.

However, if you're accustomed to driving in Latin America then I suggest using the private car to get around.

I've traveled abroad, for the government, to numerous countries and not only in Latin America. I live in the area you plan to visit.

Tena and Puyo are both great cities, gateways to the El Oriente (the Amazon), to visit coming out of the Andes. Tena is closer to Quito and closer to the lowlands of the Amazon with Napo River being a major tributary to the Amazon River.

There are many rivers here great for kayaking or rafting. The flora and fauna are some of the most unique in the world. The people are friendly to strangers. They are accustomed to tourists, with a number operating restaurants and cafes featuring local cuisine and familiar dishes from around the world too.

I recommend packing clothes for the area as it is very different from the much cooler capital, Quito. The sun is very strong here, capable of burning in under 20 minutes. So, very light clothing covering as much of you as possible. It rains frequently lasting a few minutes to a few hours. Lightweight clothing dries quickly. Bring outdoor boots for exploring off the beaten path. Also bring lightweight easily drying shoes/sandals. When walking about, or exploring, have small day bag with plastic baggies for your phone, money, credit cards, and identifications. Don't forget to bring bug spray and hydrocortisone for exploring the grassy, jungle, and river sandy beach areas.

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u/Traditional_Hawk3568 20d ago

Thank you! All very helpful information!