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Population
34, 800
Language
Spanish
Currency
American
Dollars
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Local Food
Maito
de Tilapia
(Fish wrapped in banana leaf)
Weather
67 - 39 Fº
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About This Location
Tena serves as the primary economic and government center for a vast network of outlying rural indigenous communities, many of which lie deep in the jungle. In recent years, ecotourism has emerged as a more sustainable source of economic growth in the area. Tena's location makes it a popular starting point for rafting, kayaking and other excursions in the Amazon rainforests. Students who attend the MEDLIFE Mobile Clinics in Tena will have the opportunity to experience the unique biodiversity and native culture of the region.
Why You Should Come
Poor sanitation and lack of clean water in the region has led to the spread of diseases like malaria and dengue fever. The environmental problems caused by the large-scale industrial extraction of natural resources in the Amazon rainforest have also resulted in serious health complications for its inhabitants, including higher rates of cancer and skin diseases. Although oil companies were found guilty and required to pay billions of dollars in damages in one of the biggest environmental lawsuits on record in 2011, oil prospecting continues to be a point of contention in the Ecuadorean Amazon.
How You Can Help
MEDLIFE has brought Mobile Clinics to the communities surrounding Tena since 2009.At the moment there are only “Mobile Clinic†available for this destination. The clinic will provide basic health services, and also serve as an opportunity to learn more about community needs and make plans for long-term development projects. See an example of Mobile Clinic itinerary* below:
*Each Mobile Clinic team will be divided into four different groups; groups will rotate stations throughout the week.
Some Extra Activities
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Antisana Ecological Tour
This full-day tour departs daily from Quito and, after a scenic three-hour drive, brings you to Antisana, the fourth highest volcano is Ecuador towering at just under 19,000 feet. During the tour, you will explore the Antisanilla reserve and its wall of cliffs.
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Visit Otavalo
Otavalo is considered one of the most important destinations in Ecuador for its rich culture and natural beauty. This day-long, private excursion is designed to provide you with an overview of the beautiful Andean landscape and a taste of contemporary Andean culture with visits to the Otavalo Artisan Market and a local workshop in a neighboring village.
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Cotopaxi National Park
This route is surrounded by snow-capped volcanoes and their mystical beauty, which, in ancient times, fed legends belonging to the land's first inhabitants and attracted Spanish conquistadors who later made it their new home.
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Quito City Tour
Experience Quito's highlights with a knowledgeable guide and go for a look at both colonial and modern Quito, and visit top Quito attractions such as clifftop Mirador de Guápulo, Independence Plaza, and the Presidential Palace.
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Mindo Cloud Forest
Just two hours northwest of Ecuador's capital is the incredibly bio-diverse Mindo Cloud forest, a protected national forest nestled in the Andean foothills. Located on the outskirts of the Guagua Pichincha Volcano, this vast forest in the clouds is home to an abundance of tropical species as one of Ecuador's most visited attractions.
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Papallacta Thermal Springs
Only two hours away from Quito in a temperate mountain forest nestled high in the Andean Range hides the mystical Termas de Papallacta. About three thousand meters above sea level, the invigorating hot springs await you in the only Spa in Ecuador that offers mineral thermal water hydrotherapy.
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*Prices vary according to numbers of volunteers.
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