Tena Lodge Amazon rainforest Ecuador
Napo Amazon Lodge / Getting here

Getting to Tena from Quito

Napo Amazon Lodge sits in the Ecuadorian Amazon, about 5 hours to/from Quito 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 Quito
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 Quito hotel or the airport and drives you straight to the Arajuno Bridge.

Most Convenient
All-in price
$40
per person
one way
Round trip: $80 per person
Add it during booking (one way or round trip), and we'll contact you to confirm your pickup and drop-off locations.
Duration
About 5 hours with stops
Pickup
Your Quito hotel or Airport
Drop-off
Arajuno Bridge
Includes
Spanish-speaking driver
Luggage
1 large suitcase + 1 carry-on per person
Two vehicle types, same price per person
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, we recommend taking a public bus to/from Quito to Tena, then continue from Tena to the Arajuno Bridge 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 · $8.50–9 per person
Part 2
Tena → Arajuno Bridge · 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 Arajuno Bridge 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 Arajuno Bridge
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
  • 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, 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.
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. 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 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 Napo 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.