Tena Lodge Amazon rainforest Ecuador
Napo Amazon Lodge / Getting here

Getting to Tena from Baños

Napo Amazon Lodge sits in the Ecuadorian Amazon, about 2 hours to/from Baños by road, plus a short canoe ride from the Arajuno Bridge. There are three ways to make the trip. Here is everything you need to plan it.

From Baños
1 Private Transport 2 Public Transport 3 Self-Drive
Our Recommendation
01

Private transfer, door to door.

A private transfer picks you up to/from your Baños hotel and drives you straight to the Arajuno Bridge. Contact us for a custom quote based on your group size.

Most Convenient
Pricing
On Request
We'll provide a quote based on your group size and dates.
Contact Us →
Duration
About 2 hours with stops
Pickup
Your Baños hotel
Drop-off
Arajuno Bridge
Includes
Spanish-speaking driver
Luggage
1 large suitcase + 1 carry-on per person
Two vehicle types available
1–4 travelers
Taxi-style private car with your driver
5+ travelers
Spacious mini-van or small private bus

If you prefer a lower-cost option, take a public bus to/from Baños to Tena, then continue from Tena to the Arajuno Bridge by taxi.

Buses leave from Baños bus terminal. Companies like Cooperativa Baños run this route regularly. Tickets are bought at the counter on the day of travel.

Part 1
Baños → Tena · 2–3 hours · $3–5 per person
Part 2
Tena → Arajuno Bridge · up to 45 min · see below
Total
3–4 hours · from $8 per person
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 Baños to the Arajuno Bridge takes around 2 hours. Take the E30 east from Baños toward Puyo, then continue on the E45 north 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
Baños → E30 → Puyo → E45 → Tena → Arajuno
Duration
~2 hours · fully paved highway
Cost
Fuel only
Parking
Free, next to the Arajuno Bridge
04
Route

Through the cloud forest.

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.

  • Baños · Town center
    Start
  • Puyo gateway
    ~1h
  • Tena
    ~2h
  • Arajuno Bridge · canoe pickup
    +30–40m
05
Good to Know

Common questions.

All private transfer prices are per person, one way.
We recommend an early morning pickup, 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.
All our drivers are fully licensed and insured, drive registered tourism vehicles, and know the routes well. Vehicles are maintained and inspected regularly.
On the private transfer, one large suitcase plus one carry-on per person is comfortable.
Depends. We usually make 1 short stop depending on your route for a restroom break. Feel free to ask the driver.
No. The public bus drops you at the Tena bus terminal. From there you still need to reach the Arajuno Bridge, 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: Arajuno Bridge for our lodge in Tena.
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.