Towns of Historical and Cultural Importance

Archidona, one of the region’s first Spanish settlements, dating back to the 16th century, is located ten km. to the north of Tena, in the province of Napo. In addition to offering a variety of artisan handicrafts, Archidona is home to many spots of astonishing natural beauty, such as the Hollín Waterfall. Other important towns in the area are Zamora (founded in 1541), Baeza (1558), and Tena (1560), all three of which are Spanish settlements that share the distinction of surviving the local indigenous attempts to expel the Spaniards who had come to the “Land of Cinnamon” in search of riches.

 
Handicrafts and Artisan Goods

In Puerto Bolivar, Sucumbios, the indigenous Siona community produces handicrafts such as baskets, crowns, shigras (natural-fiber bags), and hammocks. Other popular handicrafts of the area are necklaces made of seeds and fired ceramics finished with vegetable paints. In the province of Napo, there are various artisan markets that offer crafts produced by different communities. Fiber bags, hammocks, ceramics, arrows, bows, spears, and knives are just some of the products offered to visiting tourists. Puyo, the capital of the province of Pastaza, also has many artisan shops. One of the region’s most important monuments is the Macahua, a symbol of the region’s artisans. In Macas, in the province of Morona-Santiago, there are many handicraft stores, as well. And in Zamora, in the province of Chinchipe, the locals work to produce spears, fiber bags, hammocks, and seed necklaces, as well as objects made from chonta wood.

Shamanism

In Pastaza, near the city of Puyo, lies the Hola Vida Reserve, from which it is possible to reach the Quichuas’ sacred waterfall. In the Indichuris community, it is possible to participate in rituals with a rainforest shaman. In Napo, just a few minutes from Tena, shamans who practice their ancestral traditions dwell in the community of Oriente Quichuas (Venecia Derecha). To reach these spiritual guides, it is necessary to visit nearby Indian communities and contact an experienced native guide.

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Community Tourism

In the Amazon, there are close to 40 community projects dedicated to ecotourism. In the province of Napo, the Ricancie Project brings together 10 traditional settlements that host tourists. Travelers can participate in different activities such as the preparation of traditional foods alongside native guides and the Quichua inhabitants of the region. Another location is Aacllac, also just a few minutes from Tena. This community is home to a complex network of traditional cabins. Cotococha also offers similar lodging to tourists. Tours organized by local operators include long walks through the jungle boat journeys on the Napo and Curaray Rivers. Further on, in the province of Pastaza, is the Atacapi-Papangu Project. Puyo also possesses similar sites such as the Fatima Reserve, a zoo that is home to various animal species of the Amazon rain forest. Nearby are the Omaere Ethno-Botanicical Park and the Hola Vida Reserve. The two areas offer opportunities to see the flora and fauna of the region, as well as to experience the customs of the indigenous the area’s communities. The majority of such destinations house tourists in cabins or as guests in the homes of the indigenous inhabitants. The best way to arrive to such areas is to pre-arrange a tour with one of the travel agencies of Tena or Quito.

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Indigenous Ethnic Groups

The largest nationalities of the Amazon are the Quichas of the Oriente, who can be found in the provinces of Napo and Pastaza. There are approximately 60,000 such inhabitants in all. They speak the same language as the Quichua of the Sierra, but have different customs and ways of life. The Shuar and Achuar are also present in the provinces of Morona-Santiago and Pastaza. These groups account for some 40,000 natives. The Siona-Secoya are located in Sucumbios. The Huaorani, who live between Orellana and Pastaza, prefer not to interact with tourists. To visit them, it is necessary to first contact the Huaorani Indigenous Organization, ONHAE. Other groups are the Cofán, in Sucumbios, and the Zaparo, in Napo.

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| Important Towns | Artisan Crafts | Shamanism |
| Community Tourism | Indigenous Groups |