Tena Lodge Amazon rainforest Ecuador
Tena Lodge / Getting here

Getting to Tena from Quito

Tena Lodge sits in the Ecuadorian Amazon, about 5 hours to/from Quito by road, plus a short canoe ride from La Punta de Arajuno. There are three ways to make the trip. Here is everything you need to plan it.

From Quito
1 Shared Transfer 2 Public Transport 3 Self-Drive
Our Recommendation
01

Shared transfer, door to door.

The shared transfer picks you up from your Quito hotel or airport and drives you straight to La Punta de Arajuno. This is a connection service where you may travel with other passengers also heading to/from Quito and Tena. When 4 or more travelers book together, the vehicle becomes a private transfer.

Most Convenient
All-in price
$40
per person
one way
Round trip: $80 per person
Duration
About 5 hours with stops
Outbound
Pickup in Quito at 05:00 AM → Arrival at La Punta de Arajuno around 10:00 AM
Return
Departure from La Punta de Arajuno at 10:00 AM → Arrival in Quito around 16:00 (4:00 PM)
Includes
Spanish-speaking driver
Luggage
1 large suitcase + 1 carry-on per person
Schedule & Lodge Disclaimer: Passengers are picked up in Quito at 05:00 AM to arrive at La Punta de Arajuno at approximately 10:00 AM. An early arrival at the lodge is possible; however, scheduled activities will begin after lunch. For the return trip, transfers depart at 10:00 AM to arrive back in Quito around 16:00 (4:00 PM).
How it works: carpooling model
1–3 passengers
Share a ride with other travelers heading the same direction (may include other passengers)
4+ passengers
Private vehicle for your group (minivan or small bus). Same per-person price.

If you prefer a lower-cost option, we recommend taking a public bus to/from Quito to Tena, then continue from Tena to the La Punta de Arajuno by taxi.

Buses leave from Carcelén Terminal in the north of Quito or Quitumbe Terminal in the south. The recommended bus is Pelileo, departing at 6:00 AM from Quitumbe and arriving in Tena around 11:00 AM. Alternative: Baños cooperative departs at 5:30 AM. Tickets are bought at the counter on the day of travel.

Part 1
Quito → Tena · 4–5 hours · $10,50 per person
Part 2
Tena → La Punta de Arajuno · up to 45 min · see below
Total
5–6 hours · from $13 per person
Timing note: If you take the 6:00 AM bus from Quito, you'll arrive at Tena terminal around 11:00 AM. We recommend taking a taxi ($15) directly to the bridge to arrive close to the 12:00 PM meeting time at the lodge.
Two ways from Tena to the bridge
  • Local bus
    Cooperativa Arajuno, Amazonico, or La Coca. These depart from Tena terminal and go to the Arajuno Bridge.
    Up to 45 min
    $4.25–4.50
  • Taxi transfer (recommended)
    A faster, direct ride to the bridge. Easy to find near the Tena bus terminal. This is the best option to arrive on time for 12:00 PM lodge check-in.
    20–25 min
    $15 total

If you have your own car or a rental, the drive to/from Quito to the La Punta de Arajuno takes around 5 hours. Take the E20 east from Quito toward Baeza, then continue on the E45 south all the way to Tena. From Tena, follow signs toward Ahuano and Arajuno until you reach the bridge.

A small parking lot sits right next to the bridge, where the tour will begin. It is safe to leave your vehicle there for the length of your stay at the lodge, but is at your own risk.

Route
Quito → E20 → Baeza → E45 → Tena → Arajuno
Duration
~5 hours · fully paved highway
Cost
Fuel only
Parking
Free, next to the La Punta de Arajuno
04
Route

From Andes to Amazon.

No matter which method you choose, here are the sights worth seeing along the way — landmarks worth noting if you want to break the trip with a coffee, a viewpoint, or an overnight.

  • Quito · Carcelén / Quitumbe Terminal
    Start
  • Papallacta hot springs
    ~1.5h
  • Baeza valleys
    ~2.5h
  • Archidona jungle
    ~4.5h
  • Tena
    ~5–6h
  • La Punta de Arajuno · canoe pickup
    +30–40m
05
Good to Know

Common questions.

All transfer prices are per person, one way.
We recommend an early morning pickup, around 06:00–07:00, so you arrive at the bridge with plenty of daylight. We will confirm the exact time with you the day before, and adjust to your tour schedule.
If starting from Quito, yes we can pick you up from Mariscal Sucre International Airport at the same per-person rate. Send us your flight number when booking.
On the transfer, one large suitcase plus one carry-on per person is comfortable. For the canoe leg to the lodge, we recommend a small daypack.
Yes. We usually make 2–3 short stops depending on your route including restroom breaks, and a coffee or lunch stop along the way (not included).
Just let us know as soon as you can. We monitor international arrivals and will adjust your pickup time at no extra cost when the change is flight-related.
No. The public bus drops you at the Tena bus terminal. From there you still need to reach the La Punta de Arajuno, about 30 minutes by taxi, and from the bridge, the lodge is reached by a 20-minute canoe ride.
Choose Quito if arriving internationally or exploring the capital first. Choose Baños if you're already in the area or want a shorter, more affordable transfer. Both routes lead to the same destination: La Punta de Arajuno for Tena Amazon Lodge.
Travel Tip

Leave early in the morning.

Try to reach the bridge during the day, it makes the journey safer and gives you time to enjoy the area. If you arrive in Tena late in the day, it is better to stay overnight and continue your trip the next morning. Rural transport slows down in the evening.