Visit eco-village Puerto Narino in Colombia’s Amazon
Visit Puerto Nariño in the Colombian Amazon, a peaceful river village which is a shining light of sustainable living.
This most attractive little port, founded in 1961 and populated by local indigenous Ticuna, Yagua and Cocana people is 75km upstream of Leticia in the Colombian Amazon.
You can only reach it by boat on the Amazon: public launches dock there three times a day. The 90-minute jungle-fringed ride from Leticia passes over a ‘meeting of the (differently coloured) waters’ – or you can hire a private boat so you can stop off at other communities or to get a close up of wildlife. Puerto Nariño offers an alternative base to Leticia for jungle visits, with one good hotel and a few guest houses. You can also easily visit Puerto Nariño on a day trip from Leticia or Calanoa Lodge.
This lovely village has made a conscious effort to be eco-friendly and sustainable, and ingenious use of rubbish, such as hanging baskets made from plastic bottles, are a beacon of responsible enterprise. Close to the village is the Natutama Foundation, a non-profit community project (guided tours except Tuesdays) devoted to conservation, recycling and sustainability.
Puerto Nariño is very dreamy and relaxing with no vehicular traffic, just a grid of footpaths lined with flowering plants and thatched, wooden houses. There are three restaurants, and a couple of gift shops by the pier. There’s also an observation tower where you can climb 68 steps (12m) for a delightful view over the village and surrounding jungle. Also popular is a boat trip to nearby Lago Tarapoto, sheltering Victoria Regia water lilies and a plethora of birdlife. There is a 5km walking trail to explore or you can visit nearby indian communities.
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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.
