Cost of Living in Tena - Updated Prices & Insights

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $452 (excluding rent), and $774 including rent.

Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $1,018 (excluding rent), and $1,568 including rent.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$3.09 $3.09

$9.26 $9.26

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$18.03 $18.03

$63.1 $63.1

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$5.37 $5.37

$7.8 $7.8

Cappuccino

$2.19 $2.19

$1.46 $1.46

$4.67 $4.67

Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.11 $1.11

$0.51 $0.51

$2.05 $2.05

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.67 $0.67

$0.49 $0.49

$1.46 $1.46

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$1.48 $1.48

$5.92 $5.92

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.43 $2.43

$6.79 $6.79

Milk (1 liter)

$1.1 $1.1

$0.91 $0.91

$2.28 $2.28

White Bread (500g)

$0.99 $0.99

$2.47 $2.47

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.23 $1.23

$1.18 $1.18

$2.75 $2.75

Eggs

$1.75 $1.75

$1.36 $1.36

$3.49 $3.49

Local Cheese (1kg)

$2.53 $2.53

$20.23 $20.23

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$3.04 $3.04

$14.18 $14.18

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$3.44 $3.44

$2.94 $2.94

$11.78 $11.78

Apples (1kg)

$2.09 $2.09

$1.02 $1.02

$3.57 $3.57

Banana (1kg)

$1.22 $1.22

$1.03 $1.03

$3.08 $3.08

Oranges (1kg)

$1.04 $1.04

$0.99 $0.99

$4.94 $4.94

Tomato (1kg)

$1.28 $1.28

$0.98 $0.98

$2.16 $2.16

Potato (1kg)

$1.28 $1.28

$0.56 $0.56

$1.97 $1.97

Onion (1kg)

$1.03 $1.03

$0.83 $0.83

$1.46 $1.46

Lettuce (1 head)

$0.52 $0.52

$1.03 $1.03

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.98 $0.98

$0.49 $0.49

$1.47 $1.47

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$3.52 $3.52

$8.04 $8.04

Wine (Bottle)

$5.09 $5.09

$3.06 $3.06

$15.28 $15.28

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.58 $1.58

$1.01 $1.01

$2.53 $2.53

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.46 $1.46

$3.88 $3.88

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.41 $0.41

$0.31 $0.31

$0.52 $0.52

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$15.09 $15.09

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$1.23 $1.23

$1.97 $1.97

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$0.99 $0.99

$0.76 $0.76

$1.95 $1.95

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$4.98 $4.98

$19.94 $19.94

Gasoline (1 liter)

$0.71 $0.71

$0.65 $0.65

$1.02 $1.02

Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)

$19.8K $19.8K

$17.8K $17.8K

$27.7K $27.7K

Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)

$25.4K $25.4K

$19.9K $19.9K

$31.9K $31.9K

Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)

$24.71 $24.71

$22.91 $22.91

$79.1 $79.1

SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)

$14.54 $14.54

$10.18 $10.18

$23.42 $23.42

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$14.72 $14.72

$39.26 $39.26

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$30.96 $30.96

$25.8 $25.8

$36.12 $36.12

Cinema Ticket

$6.83 $6.83

$5.85 $5.85

$7.8 $7.8

Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)

$279 $279

$201 $201

$352 $352

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$8,745 $8,745

$5,064 $5,064

$10.1K $10.1K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$58.3 $58.3

$20.34 $20.34

$112 $112

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$42.64 $42.64

$19.7 $19.7

$59.1 $59.1

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$102 $102

$70.5 $70.5

$121 $121

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$85.8 $85.8

$30.07 $30.07

$201 $201

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$347 $347

$254 $254

$610 $610

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$318 $318

$175 $175

$431 $431

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$632 $632

$455 $455

$808 $808

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$501 $501

$382 $382

$603 $603

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$1,135 $1,135

$429 $429

$1,135 $1,135

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$967 $967

$459 $459

$967 $967

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

11.19

Citycost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.

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Cost of Living in Tena - Frequently Asked Questions

For many, the Cost of Living in Tena feels approachable for longer stays, with modest housing options, affordable local meals, and simple daily conveniences. You’ll find modest apartments or guesthouses near the Napo River and center city that suit different budgets, plus markets where fresh produce helps keep food costs predictable. Transportation is practical rather than flashy, with buses, taxis, and occasional bike rides enabling inexpensive get-arounds. Seasonal demand is present but generally stabilizes outside peak tourism weeks. Plan for flexible weeks to balance work and exploration while you test neighborhoods. Tip: Start with a short, furnished stay to tune your budget before committing long term.

Daily life in Tena moves at a relaxed pace with practical options for work and errands. Housing choices range from simple hillside apartments to cheerful riverfront rooms, often with negotiable rents for longer leases. Local markets and small eateries keep meals affordable, while you’ll still find a few international groceries if needed. Transport is flexible: short taxi hops, river taxis during the dry season, and walkable streets in the core. Co-working spaces and cafes with reliable WiFi help you stay productive, though you’ll be rewarded by quieter mornings outside peak hours. Tena living cost varies by neighborhood, so test several areas before settling. Tip: map a weekly budget that fits your work rhythm.

Quality of life in Tena comes from balance between nature access and everyday practicality. Start with a simple budgeting framework: cover housing and utilities first, then meals and transport, and leave a flexible fund for occasional adventures. Seasonality matters: the rainy season can affect travel on muddy roads and river access, while dry months bring more outdoor activities and crowds in nearby reserves. Neighborhood fit depends on your rhythm – downtown you’ll find easy groceries and coworking, while hillside or riverside pockets offer quieter mornings and better views. Tip: use a temporary stay to test routines across neighborhoods and adjust as needed.