Colombia Amazon: The BEST Guide to Leticia Now (2023)
The Colombian Amazon gateway city, Leticia, is an experience all adventure travelers need to plan now
Prepping your trip to the Colombian Amazon?
Are you more specifically heading to the gateway city of the Amazon, Leticia?
You’re in the right spot because this is exactly where you want to be when making your journey throughout Colombia’s Amazon.
Keep on reading to know when the best time to visit one of the worlds most fascinating regions.
Welcome to the Colombian Amazon
Oh the amazon.
The beauty, the heat, and the mosquitos.
It’s hard to articulate what you are heading into as the experience you have is highly dependent on the plethora of choices at your disposal.
Now I won’t dive deep into your tour options on this post but just realize you aren’t going to be eye to eye with Jaguars and Pumas or have your hands ripped off by Piranhas.
Everything you need to know about a trip to Colombia's Amazon City, Leticia
Before arriving to Leticia my assumptions of this place were few and far between.
I thought I would arrive to a city built into the jungle with little to no electricity, or really anything.
Surprisingly, Leticia is WELL STOCKED with just about everything and anything you will need. (Strong WIFI isn’t there yet)
How to get to Leticia
Leticia is isolated from everywhere else in Colombia, intersecting with Peru and Brazil!
Because there are no roads in the jungle that reach Leticia, you have to boat from Peru/Brazil or take a flight from Colombia’s capital, Bogota.
Airport to Downtown Leticia
After witnessing the beauty of the Amazon from the air, you finally have got your boots on the ground.
The first thing you will notice is going to be the heat. Embrace it.
It’s here for good.
Pay your 30,000 COP ($10USD) tourist tax – Unfortunate yes, but somebody’s got to do it. (Tourists).
I’m not 100% on this number but If I remember correctly it was 30,000 COP.
Vasquez Cobo International Airport to downtown Leticia
Find a Tuk-Tuk, Motorbike, or Taxi for your 7 minute ride to the heart of Leticia.
The cost should be no more than 4,000 COP for Tuk-Tuk/Motorbike and roughly 6,000 COP for Taxi.
Feel like walking?
You can take an easy 2.5 KM walk to the city center but I’m sure you don’t want the heat to exhaust you from the jump.
Where is Leticia, Colombia?
Leticia is situated at the intersection of Colombia, Peru, and Brazil.
This area is also called the Tres Fronteras.
Leticia offers the chance to experience three countries in one day.
As cool as that is, the real beauty lies deep in the Selva (Jungle).
Tres Fronteras is the intersecting point of Colombia, Brazil & Peru.
Between these 3 countries are invisible borders which means you can freely move between countries without passport or security measures.
Tres Fronteras translates to, Three Frontiers, and is worthwhile for all curious travelers. The three cities that make the Tres Fronteras are as follows:
- Colombia – Leticia
- Brazil – Tabatinga
- Peru – Santa Rosa
Best Things to do in Leticia, Colombia
Leticia being the gateway to the jungle, is a fantastic home base for your jungle explorations.
While waiting for your jungle explorations or your departing flight, here are some activities to keep yourself busy.
You might be surprised as I was that there are far more things to do than expected!
Leticia Market
Leticia’s market is unique as you get a first hand look at what the river provides for the community.
Take an early morning stroll and be amazed at the diversity of creatures that come from just down the street.
Santander Park
Around 5:30pm everyday, thousands of parrots gather to deliver what might be the real call of the wild.
A cacophony that can’t be missed, or unheard for that matter.
Stroll the park or admire from the church across the street for a small 3,000 COP donation.
Experience the Ciy's Annual International Festival
Every July, the Festival de la Fraternidad Amazonica happens to celebrate the cultures of the three bordering countries.
Visit Peru + Brazil in one Day!
Time to add Peru to countries visited, assuming you haven’t visited before.
Head down to the river mouth and hire a boat to Santa Rosa.
It’s simple, boats are going back and forth like tennis all day.
DON’T PAY MORE THAN 3,000 COP.
Peru has some damn good food and you’re going to learn that after enjoying a delicious lunch in Santa Rosa.
Not only will you get some excellent Ceviche, but the views and wildlife (Parrots) are worth the short journey across the river.
2,000 COP for a 3 minute or so Tuk-Tuk ride to the restaurant
Back to Boat/River (dependent on season)
Head back to the river mouth you came in on and dependent on the season, you will either walk/tuk-tuk or take a boat.
Marvel at the resiliency these people live with as you can imagine the transformation of the landscape with the change of seasons.
Boat To Tabatinga (Brazil) from Peru
Boat back across the river to explore your 3rd country of the day, Brazil.
Upon arrival to Tabatinga, take a stroll through the markets and kill some time before sunset.
You’ll notice how everything has changed to Portuguese although only separated by a mile or so.
3,000 COP for your boat ride. Enjoy sunset with a Caipirinha in hand. (Brazils national cocktail)
Tabatinga back to Leticia via Kombi (VW Van)
Hop in a Kombi and make your way back to Leticia.
Roughly 10 minutes and 2,000 COP. Notice the changes as you cross the border.
Canopying at Reserva Natural Tanimboca
Zip Lines, swing bridges, and rope swings make this nature experience a very memorable one just outside of the city.
Definitely consider this if you have extra time and want a unique memory
ATM's and Money in the Amazonas
Withdraw cash before your flight or boat ride.
Leticia has Cajeros (ATMS) but I would come ready with cash in hand
Where to Stay in Leticia
There are plenty of accommodation options in Leticia proper.
Everything from backpacker hostels, to boutique hotels, and luxury bungalows resorts!
There are also places not in the jungle itself but have a jungle vibe that might be more appealing for some of you!
Various types of lodging here that will keep even the most frugal shoestring backpacker with deep pockets.
My hostel cost 20,000 COP/night and most fluctuate between 20,000 COP – 30,000 COP.
Will I have cellular connection in Leticia?
Cell Service: Not the best, but you will most likely have a signal. As far as needing connection? You’re in the Amazon; disconnect for a little bit.
WIFI: Pretty brutal upload and download speeds, BUT it works. Don’t count on basing yourself here for a job where you need to be connected. Emails and posting a picture here or there will suffice.
Clothing, Chargers, etc – They have it all here. Don’t sweat any more than you have to because whatever you forgot is likely down at one of the many storefront shops
Tours: Like I said I will dive deeper in another post but make sure to check out more than just Leticia. Need yourself a starting point? Puerto Narino will suffice
Expected daily costs of Leticia excluding tours: $15.
This number can easily be higher or lower but this is a rough estimate.
The Colombia Amazon is cheap and surprisingly has everything you can find in most major cities.
How Safe is the Colombian Amazon?
The Colombian Amazon is safe.
According to most locals, Leticia is actually one of the safer places of Colombia.
Now I’m not advocating you to go walk around with all your valuables in plain sight and leave your cash stash out but exercise same caution as anywhere and keep your head on a swivel.
How Big is Leticia?
Leticia is quite small so it’s to easy acquaint yourself with the surroundings.
Everything is walkable but if you do need a ride anywhere, Tuk-Tuks and motorbikes are almost more present than people.
Although Leticia is small, there’s a ton going on for such a remote city.
Leticia Restaurants
Looking for the best place to eat in Leticia?
Head to Tierra Amazonicas.
It’s the Amazon, you’re having Piranha.
Yes, the same fish that is portrayed by Hollywood as the human, flesh eating monster.
Most meals will consist of some type of Fish, Rice and Yucca.
You also have your typical Colombian specialties of:
- Empanadas
- Tamales
- Hamburgers
Also, a typical Amazonas food, Casabe.
Crispy flat bread made from Yucca.
Often served with some type of meat and vegetables.
Head to an oddity in the Amazon, artisan ice cream.
Head to NAI CHAI an incredible ice cream joint attached to a gas station.
With more than 15 artisanal offerings, the hardest part is deciding.
They are all unique to the region and delicious.
It’s a bit isolated from the heart of Leticia but only a 10-minute walk or so. Well worth it.
Further Amazonian Travel - Peru and Brazil Amazon Regions
Colombia’s amazon is wildy behind in terms of tourist numbers but the infrastructure is here to make the most of your while.
Brazil is by far the most developed Amazon territory but don’t sleep on Colombia because it’s amazing.
For those looking to venture to Peru, take the slow boat to Iquitos which departs around 5 am on certain days.
You will have to hire a boat from Leticia side to Peru side which can be done by your hostel or negotiated by yourself dependent on your communication skills.
Craving a trip into the Brazil amazon?
Get a boat to Manaus, a trip that will take a bit longer.
Explore More Amazing Colombia Travel Destinations
Heading back to Bogota from Leticia?
Don’t miss your flight as prices can vary significantly day today.
Here are some of Best Things to do in Bogota
Have you experienced the Colombia amazon or any amazon for that matter?
Drop me a line to share your experience or give some more ideas for my return trip to this region.