The Colombian Amazon holidays
The Colombian Amazon holidays at a glance
The Colombian Amazon gives you access to one of the world’s most important and biodiverse ecosystems. Dense rainforest stretches across vast distances here, cut through by rivers that provide the principal routes through the region.
Expect immersive wildlife experiences, encounters with indigenous cultures and the chance to explore one of the least-developed regions of Colombia. The rainforest supports an extraordinary variety of plants, birds, mammals, reptiles and aquatic species.
A visit to the Colombian Amazon is all about nature, conservation and discovery, offering a complete contrast to Colombia’s colonial cities, coffee regions and Caribbean coastline.
Why choose Journey Latin America for your holiday to The Colombian Amazon
We’ve been planning trips to Central and South America for over 45 years, longer than any other UK specialist. Every holiday is built around you by a Travel Expert who has been to the places they recommend, with support from your first enquiry to the day you fly home.
In the Colombian Amazon, the rainforest isn’t a backdrop to your holiday. It’s the whole experience, from the sound of it at dawn to the wildlife.
When to visit The Colombian Amazon
Best time to visit? The Colombian Amazon works year-round, with the experience shifting according to river levels rather than temperature.
This is the rainy season with regular heavy downpours. Water levels in the river increase and many areas of the jungle flood- while this means many hiking trails are inaccessible, you can explore the flooded rainforest by kayak. Temperatures are hot, over 30°C, and humidity is very high.
This is the rainy season, with high volumes of water in the river flooding large areas of the jungle. Many walking trails are inaccessible but you can explore by kayak. Temperatures soar above 30°C and humidity is very high.
This is the beginning of the dry season, with less rainfall and soaring temperatures which can reach 40°C. With less water volume in the rivers, more of the hiking trails become accessible and you can explore deeper into the jungle. Wildlife is easiest to spot during the dry season as many animals are drawn from the depths of the jungle in search of water. There are fewer mosquitos than in the wet season.
Water levels in the river are particularly low during this half of the dry season, meaning you can explore on foot deep into the jungle. Wildlife is more visible as animals come in search of water, and there are fewer mosquitos. Rainfall is less frequent, and sweltering temperatures reach 40°C in the strong sun.
Top Things to do in The Colombian Amazon
The Colombian Amazon is all about immersion in nature, wildlife and indigenous culture – among the best things to do in the Colombian Amazon is simply slowing down and letting the rainforest come to you.
Discover the lifestyle and culture of the indians of the Colombian Amazon.
Visit Colombia, Brazil and Peru in one day at the point where their borders converge in the Amazon.
Parrots, toucans, monkeys, sloths and even pink and grey dolphins can be spotted in the Amazon of Colombia by the patient observer.
Visit Puerto Nariño in the Colombian Amazon, a peaceful river village which is a shining light of sustainable living.
Base yourself in the quirky river port Leticia to explore the indian communities and discover the jungle and wildlife of Colombia’s Amazon.
Accommodation in The Colombian Amazon
Accommodation typically consists of rainforest lodges and eco-friendly properties designed to immerse you in the natural environment. Many lodges give direct access to wildlife-rich habitats, river excursions and guided rainforest experiences.
Calanoa is a beautiful jungle lodge, just an hour’s boat ride from Leticia in Colombia’s Amazon region.
A former Journey Latin America tour leader, Sally spent 7 years working, travelling and living throughout Latin America before returning to the UK to help people arrange their own adventures to this wonderful destination.
Tailor-Made The Colombian Amazon Tours
Prefer to travel on your own terms? We’ll build a trip around your dates, your pace and the things you most want to see – whether that’s a first run at Machu Picchu, a family adventure mixing history and wildlife, or a food-focused journey through Lima and the Sacred Valley. Our Travel Experts can help shape it with you.
Off the beaten track Colombia: San Agustin and the Amazon
Places visited: Bogota · San Agustin, Popayan and Cali · The Colombian Amazon
12 days from £3,800
FAQs about visiting The Colombian Amazon
The Colombian Amazon is one of the most popular destinations, and there’s plenty to think about before you go. Here, our specialists share their best advice.
- When is the best time to visit the Colombian Amazon?
The high water season runs from December through June. It is hot in the Amazon any time of year. During the high water season the average temperature is over 30°C. During the drier season when water levels are lower, especially September to November, it can be very hot – over 40°C – and the sun very strong.
The high level of the rivers means that every river, creek and lake is navigable. You will get to explore more of the waterways of Amazonia, and will have access to plant life and wildlife area that you might miss during the low water season You are likely to see many more mammals, both monkeys and others, during the high water season.
The low water season runs from July to November. Trails and jungle paths that are flooded from December to May are now easily accessible, allowing you to explore deep in the jungle (accompanied by fewer mosquitoes than during the high water season).
For more detailed information visit our When To Go section.
- What language is spoken in the Colombian Amazon?
The main language spoken in the Colombian Amazon is Spanish.
- What currency do I need in the Colombian Amazon?
The Colombian Peso is the main currency used in the Colombian Amazon. There are banks and ATMs in Leticia where notes in local currency can be withdrawn using a UK credit or debit card. However we recommend that you bring pesos with you from your previous destination, and US dollars cash which can be exchanged locally.
- What is the time difference between the Colombian Amazon and the UK?
The time difference between the Colombian Amazon and the UK is GMT -5 hours.
- What places combine well with the Colombian Amazon?
Bogotá (2 hours by air to Leticia) with connections to many cities in the country, so you can fly in one day from the Amazon to Cartagena on the Caribbean coast, Medellin, the up and come entertainment and gastronomical city, Cali, the salsa capital of the world or Pereira and Armenia in the coffee region.
- How do I get to the Colombian Amazon?
From Bogotá to Leticia a flight takes 2 hours.
Ready to start planning?
Tell us where you want to go, and we’ll take it from there. No obligation, no sales pitch – just a conversation with someone who knows the region inside out.