Visit the Colombian Amazon from Leticia
Base yourself in the quirky river port Leticia to explore the indian communities and discover the jungle and wildlife of Colombia’s Amazon.
The Colombian Amazon, for decades shunned by visitors concerned about security, is now peaceful and slowly opening up to tourism. Colombian families are now joined by overseas visitors keen to experience a genuine, time-ignorant Amazonian ambience before the commercial big hitters move in.
Wander the mango tree-shaded streets of an unmodernised Leticia. The modestly sized but principal port hosts a thriving market with rainbow-coloured mountains of exotic fruits and freshly landed fish, and a crowded dock where fishing boats and dugout canoes jostle with traditional wooden Amazon river vessels and zippy motor launches.
The river dominates the town: rickety houses on stilts crowd the waterline, and works art – sculptures and murals featuring dolphins and indigenous icons decorate public buildings and squares. If you stay at one of the modest but well-equipped hotels here you can also experience the invasion of parrots in Parque Santander at sunset – a glorious feast of colour and sound.
Outside town, visit the well-run Tanimboca Nature Reserve (11km away) offering jungle walks, zip lines and kayaking, Puerto Nariño, a delightful and tranquil eco-village 75km upstream, Tabatinga on the Brazilian side of the border and Isla Rosa or San Antonio settlements on the Peruvian side. You can visit all three countries in one day. It’s only a short boat ride to visit any of a number of welcoming, unspoilt riverside indigenous settlements such as Mocagua, or Marashá in Peru.
Tropical wildlife can be spotted along the river with grey and pink dolphins breaching the water’s surface on the Amazon and lagoons: a glorious sight at any time but especially at sunset.
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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.
Why choose Journey Latin America for your holiday
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.
Rosie embarked on a year-long backpacking trip across Latin America. She is excited to share her knowledge and experiences with others.
Finn discovered his passion for travel on an extensive 18-month trip to Latin America, experiencing the vibrant Carnaval in Rio, the end-of-the-world city of Ushuaia, trekking the Andes and volunteering on the Galápagos Islands.
Maggie visited Latin America on her first backpacking trip when she was 19. Since then, she has taken every opportunity to travel, and has managed to explore a lot of the region in subsequent trips.
Gary discovered what he had been missing with his first foray into the wilds of Latin America. In his role as Product Manager, he combines this personal obsession with years of industry experience to help ensure that travellers will fall for the region every bit as much as he has.
