Archidona
The first capital of the Amazon region was Archidona, founded by the Spanish in the XVI century. From there one can visit places like Chaupishungo or Rucullacta and discover ancient rock carvings, caves, canyons or waterfalls, like that of Hollín. You can also find local handicrafts. The village lies 10km. north of Tena.

Nueva Loja
Originally called Lago Agrio, Nueva Loja, the capital of Sucumbíos province, is another of the gateways into the rainforest. It is a lively trading post with plenty of hotels to choose from. Several travel agencies offer tourist packages so that the visitor can discover the varied surrounding vegetation and the animal species living in the natural reserves of this part of the Amazon.

Tena
From Central Park of Tena, the capital of Napo province, it is easy to spot Sumaco volcano (3,900m.); Reventador (3,485m.); and Sangay (5,230m.), Ecuador's most active chain of volcanoes. The town lies between the Tena and Pano rivers, which provide peaceful swimming spots, like Rancho Alegre, Cocha del Cementerio and Dos Ríos among others. It has a botanical garden called "Parque Amazónico", ideal for ecologists and anyone looking for peace and quiet. The town is another departure point for unique and fascinating destinations in the Ecuadorian jungle.

Puyo
Puyo, capital of Pastaza province, offers delicious food and comfortable lodgings. The Cathedral and main square are the meeting places for its dynamic, hardworking people. One important monument is the Macahua, a symbol of the region's handicrafts. Puyo also has a zoo and geo-botanical gardens which conserve the Amazon Region's several species of flora and fauna.

Macas
Surrounded by exhuberant hill spurs, Macas, the capital of Morona Santiago province, is a progressive, dynamic town rising up in the south of the country. It lies in the Upano valley, to the right of the river of the same name. The Virgen Purísima Church is the main attraction of this town dating from the beginning of the XVII century, which was built on the ruins of the old "Sevilla de Oro".

Another must is the viewpoint on Quillano hill. 27km. away is Sucúa, seat of the Federation of the Shuar and Achuar ethnic groups; and Gualaquiza, 130km. away, of great importance for those in search of gold. Macas is bordered by majestic rivers like the Zamora and Bombonaza .