Leticia

Colombia's main gateway to the Amazon, located at the tri-border junction with Brazil and Peru on the Amazon River. Essential base for jungle lodges, river tours, and experiencing indigenous cultures and wildlife in the world's largest rainforest.

Things to do

• Amazon River Boat Tours — Guided speedboat or canoe excursions upriver to spot pink river dolphins, caimans, anacondas, and macaws in their natural habitat.
• Lago Yahuarcaca — A scenic oxbow lake surrounded by flooded forest where you can kayak, fish, and observe water birds and pink dolphins at dawn.
• Indigenous Community Visits — Authorized tours to nearby Ticuna and Huitoto villages where you can learn traditional crafts, blowgun hunting techniques, and ancestral knowledge.
• Monkey Island (Isla de los Micos) — A small island sanctuary where rehabilitated primates including sloths, howler monkeys, and squirrel monkeys roam freely.
• Parque Santander — The central plaza in Leticia offering views of the three-border monument and access to local shops, restaurants, and riverfront promenades.
• Night Jungle Hikes — Nocturnal expeditions to observe caimans, frogs, insects, and nocturnal wildlife that emerge after dark in the rainforest canopy.
• Trapecio Territory Tour — Border crossing boat ride past the tri-border junction to briefly visit the Brazilian town of Tabatinga and Peruvian riverside communities.

Food to try

• Tacacho — Mashed plantains mixed with pork, salt, and spices, formed into patties and fried until golden, a staple Amazonian comfort food.
• Ceviche de Piranhas — Fresh piranha fish cured in lime juice with local herbs, onions, and cilantro, reflecting the river's abundant catch.
• Sopa de Yuca — A hearty cassava root soup with fish, vegetables, and local spices that provides sustenance and uses ingredients grown in jungle gardens.
• Patarashca — Fish wrapped in bijao leaves and grilled over open fire, a traditional Amazonian cooking method that infuses natural flavors.
• Açai with Granola — The superfood açai berry blended into a thick purple bowl and topped with granola and fresh tropical fruits, popular for breakfast.
• Juices from Amazonian Fruits — Fresh-squeezed juices made from guarana, cupuaçu, açai, and other regional fruits found nowhere else, served at street vendors and cafes.

Local customs & good to know

• Respectful Indigenous Contact — Always ask permission before photographing indigenous people or entering villages, and hire authorized local guides rather than going alone to ensure cultural sensitivity.
• Weather and Timing — Pack rain gear year-round as the Amazon is wet and humid; the dry season (July-September) offers easier river navigation and wildlife spotting.
• Wildlife Safety — Never swim in the Amazon River due to piranha, caiman, and anaconda risks; always stay with experienced guides and wear appropriate footwear in the jungle.
• Spanish and Indigenous Languages — While Spanish is spoken in town, learning basic Spanish phrases and showing respect for indigenous languages like Ticuna or Huitoto enhances interactions with local communities.