Although tourism is the area's main income and there is always a steady stream of visitors, it somehow avoids that artificial feel and the locals go happily about their own lives as travellers enjoy their beautiful homeland. Although neither town could be considered one of Ecuador's most attractive, the magnificent surroundings are what bring in the tourists rather than the architecture.

Tena
Almost encircled by the mighty Rio Tena and with several of it's tributaries snaking through the surrounding area, Tena is one of the country's top destinations for water sports. The land round about is carpeted with jungle, and the mountains and vegetation provides the perfect disguise for the beautiful lagoons, waterfalls and varied wildlife hidden within.

The town itself holds few attractions for the visitor although the Parque Amazonico is a nice place to visit and the Malecon is quite a sociable area to eat and drink. Other than that, there's little to keep you in the town and your time will be better spent exploring the surroundings!

Misahualli
This is a nice place to base yourself in this area, only 20 minutes by taxi (20km) from Tena, you'll find this friendly and slow paced town tranquil and comfortable. Right at the point where the river Napo meets the River Misahualli, locals and tourists alike enjoy the cool water on hot days, swimming and gliding up and downstream in wooden canoes. The central park is something of an attraction too, not for the landscaping or architecture but for the hoards of playful Capuchin Monkeys who make it their home!

Misahualli is certainly one of the best and in fact cheapest places to book jungle tours in Ecuador and there is plenty of information to hand not only about the tours but also about worthwhile day trips that you can make independently.

For a taste of Ecuadorian jungle and a feel for the country's unique Oriente culture, this area really shouldn't be missed.

Internet - Tena has plenty of internet cafes dotted about town, all with speedy broadband connection. The Avenida 15 de Noviembre has most of the main ones. Misahualli now has it's own internet connection too as of January 2009 although it's not a broadband connection.

Banks - Tena has the area's only banks and ATMs. There are a couple on Avenida 15 de Noviembre which accept most cards. Remember if you are heading north to take out enough to last you until Quito as this is the last place to withdraw cash on that route.

Restaurants - Misahualli has a few places to eat, most attached to hotels. Meals are simple but tasty and normally very reasonably priced.

Tena has loads of places to eat, few of which are exceptional but most of which are passable. Along Avenida 15 de Noviembre you'll fine several decent options. La Massilia pizzeria, just off the main street (signposted) is pretty good.