Step into vibrant Leticia, Colombia’s main gateway to the lush and teeming Amazon rainforest. As one of the most biodiverse regions on Earth, the “lung of the planet” offers unparalleled outdoor adventures and rare wildlife encounters. Spot pink river dolphins, giant otters, colorful birds, and the impressive footprints of the elusive jaguar.
Leticia’s hot, humid air is alive with the sights, sounds, and scents of the Amazon. Located at the crossroads of Colombia, Brazil, and Peru, the city pulses with a unique multicultural energy, heavily influenced by the traditions of its neighbors. About 2 hours upstream by boat, the quaint, car-free Puerto Nariño has become a small hub for ecotourism and sustainable Amazon tours.
Get ready to immerse yourself in your Amazon adventure! Here are 17 unique things to do in Leticia, Puerto Nariño and the Amazon rainforest.
Leticia is not only the starting point for many tours, but it’s definitely also worth a stay in itself! Take a leisurely stroll along the picturesque Malecón, sip a cold beer or a freshly squeezed juice, and let the beauty of the passing river captivate you.
An unforgettable natural spectacle awaits at dusk in Parque Santander, where thousands of colorful parrots settle into the treetops. Grab some delicious Amazon fruits from the street vendors and enjoy this free performance in the bustling heart of the city.
By the way, from the church tower at Parque Santander, you’ll get a breathtaking panoramic view!
Photo by atosan, boat on the Amazon river near Leticia, Amazon Colombia
Photo by Jaime Gonzalez, Leticia Central Park
Visiting local markets is always a great experience in Colombia and more so in Leticia where you will encounter quirky and delicious Amazon fruits you may never have seen or heard of before (such as Açaí, Cupuaçu and Camu-Camu). On Mondays, vendors from indigenous communities come to town to sell their products.
You can find cheap lunch menus on the upper floor of the market. Look for traditional Amazon dishes, like Pirarucu, Piranha, Tacacho or Casabe, a sort of pizza made of tapioca or yuca. The adventurous may try Mojojoy, grilled or fried jungle worms.
Photo (mod.) by Mario Montenegro, Leticia Market, Amazon Colombia, CC BY-SA 2.0
Leticia is your gateway to exciting Amazon tours in Colombia, offering easy access to the rainforest. Choose from exciting day trips into the jungle or immersive multi-day treks with overnight stays in authentic Amazon jungle lodges. Popular activities in the Amazon region include boat trips to spot pink dolphins wildlife and bird-watching tours, night safaris, and cultural visits to indigenous communities.
I recommend booking multi-day Amazon tours in advance to maximize your experience on site. I once visited Leticia during the low season without much planning ahead, and arranging tours on the spot was a bit tricky as a solo traveler.
At GetYourGuide.com* and especially at Civitatis.com* you’ll find affordable options for solo travelers, while Viator.com* focuses more on private tour groups. Here are some recommended options.
Laid-back and remote river village Puerto Nariño can be reached in 2-3 hours by boat from Leticia and offers an authentic and sustainable Amazon experience. The light after the rain in Puerto Nariño is something out of this world and connects you with the universe in a unique way. Puerto Nariño presents a great location for observing pink dolphins in the Amazon River and wildlife along its shores.
Fully committed to community-based responsible ecotourism, Puerto Nariño is one of the best places to learn about the culture and way of life of the indigenous communities of the area, like the Tikuna, Cocama and Yagua.
The Natütama Interpretation Center in Puerto Nariño is a lovely interactive museum with exhibits depicting Amazonian flora and fauna, along with videos highlighting the challenges faced by pink river dolphins and manatees.
Photo by Rasmus Lawall, Amazon sunset in Puerto Nariño
The Amazon around Leticia and Puerto Nariño is a paradise for birdwatching! Over 500 bird species have been spotted in the region—including toucans, macaws, hoatzins, and many rare hummingbirds.
You’ll have the best chances during boat tours or jungle hikes in the early morning hours between 5 and 8 a.m., when bird activity peaks, or at dusk. Local guides, with their deep knowledge of the area and endemic species, make every excursion a truly special experience. On Viator.com, you can book a 10-hour birdwatching day tour* with an experienced guide.
The dry season (June–November) is ideal for birdwatching in Leticia, as the lower water levels cause some birds to gather along riverbanks and lakes. During these months, macaws, toucans, and kingfishers are especially easy to spot, thanks to the lower humidity as well.
That said, the rainy season (December–May) is also rewarding, as migratory birds like the Amazon kingfisher and rare species like the hoatzin breed in the flooded forests, offering great opportunities for birdwatching tours by boat.
Leticia offers a unique opportunity to learn about – and from – indigenous Amazon communities. There is a small, free ethnographic museum in Leticia (Museo Etnográfico) that showcases the history of the indigenous communities in the Amazon region. But to truly learn about the unique culture, tradition, and lifestyle of the indigenous communities, visit one of the villages around Leticia.
During this Ticuna Community visit*, you can also experiment with natural color painting and learn about traditional medicinal plants.
Boat tours on the Amazon are pure magic. You’ll glide through winding tributaries, past lush rainforest and traditional stilt villages. With a bit of luck, you might spot one of the legendary pink river dolphins (Boto)! You can also encounter other fascinating animals in the water or along the banks, such as capybaras, sloths, caimans, and, of course, a variety of birds. The best times for wildlife sightings are early in the morning or late in the afternoon.
You can take boat tours from both Leticia and Puerto Nariño. From Leticia, for example, there’s this canoe tour (Viator.com)*. Just a short boat ride from Leticia lies the Isla de los Micos (Monkey Island), where you can observe various monkey species.
Photo by Alfnqn, Boat Tour Flooded Forest near Leticia
Among the most exciting things to do in Leticia is a guided night safari. This is a great way to observe nocturnal animals in the Amazon rainforest and experience the magic of the jungle at night, listening to a unique symphony of sounds and smells composed by nature.
From Puerto Nariño, for example, you can book this fantastic and affordable night tour (Civitatis.com)*.
Located just 30 minutes outside of Leticia by car, the Tanimboca Nature Reserve offers an easily accessible opportunity to experience the unique flora and fauna of the Amazon rainforest and engage in outdoor activities, such as jungle treks, wildlife spotting, and birdwatching.
Tanimboca also offers a range of thrilling experiences for adventure lovers, such as canopy walks, ziplining through the treetops, kayaking, canoeing, and tree climbing. You may spend the night in a treehouse and fall asleep to the sounds of the jungle.
Photo by Manakin, Wildlife Amazon Colombia: Howler Monkey
If you don’t have the time to venture deep into the jungle, the short guided tours at Mundo Amazónico (website) are a great way to get a taste of the Amazon and should be on your list of things to do in Leticia. Take a taxi or tuk-tuk to reach this family-run ecological park and botanical garden, located approximately 9 km north of the center of Leticia.
Discover the biodiversity of the Amazon with its abundant flora and incredible medical plants. Wander along jungle trails looking for wildlife, observe otherworldly river creatures in the aquarium, and visit the Amazon Tea House to savor herbal teas while learning about traditional remedies.
Just a 30-minute drive north of Leticia, in the Omagua Rainforest Reserve, you can experience the thrill of the region’s highest canopy adventure, boasting exhilarating zip-lines, suspended bridges, climbing nets, and rappelling activities. Nestled within the heart of the jungle, this reserve provides a fantastic opportunity to connect with nature and features amazing tree houses where you can spend the night. Another one of the unique things to do in Leticia.
Photo by jkraft5, Wildlife Encounters, Colombian Amazon
A few kilometers up the Amazon River from Leticia you will find the Yahuarcaca Lakes, 21 interconnected bodies of water that were originally part of the Amazon River channel. In high water season, from November to May, you may catch glimpses of the iconic and magical pink Amazon dolphins. Bird watching is a highlight on the lakes, with a myriad of species, including eagles, toucans, macaws, kingfishers, and herons.
You can take kayak, canoe or boat tours from Leticia to explore the Yahuarcaca Lakes. Some tours include the Reserva Flor de Loto (Lotus Flower Reserve) where you can admire the Victoria Regia, the largest lotus in the world. In a day tour, you typically also visit a local indigenous community to learn about their culture and fascinating traditions. The ecotourism and community tourism activities at Yahuarcaca benefit the indigenous communities living near the lakes.
Check out this 4-hour kayak tour to the Yahuarcaca Lakes on Civitatis*!
Leticia is situated directly at the triple border (Tres Fronteras) with Brazil and Peru. A round trip by land and/or water, crossing over Brazil and Peru is one of the truly unique things to do in Leticia.
You can get to Tabatinga in Brazil in about 10 minutes by taxi or in a little more time by riverboat. It’s even faster to get to the river island Santa Rosa in Peru, the ferry just takes 2 minutes from Leticia (see details on Rome2Rio). While in Santa Rosa savor some authentic Peruvian ceviche, in Tabatinga try Brazilian delicacies.
Photo by Eli Duke, Boat Trip from Leticia to Santa Rosa Peru, CC BY-SA 2.0
The Tarapoto Lakes near Puerto Nariño offer ultimate relaxation in a peaceful and tranquil setting. During the high-water season, these lakes transform into captivating natural aquariums, home to several endangered species, including pink dolphins, manatees, and Amazon black caimans.
Take a look at this wonderful Tarapoto tour from Puerto Nariño (Civitatis.com)*.
Learn about life in the Amazon from the Mocagua indigenous community, located near the Amacayacu National Park on the river between Leticia and Puerto Nariño. In this community more than 800 people from the Ticuna, Cocama, Yagua, and Uitoto ethnic groups coexist, leading a life in harmony with nature. Experience local day to day activities and admire the impressive street murals.
The Mocagua community also runs the Maikuchiga Foundation dedicated to protecting and rehabilitating monkeys rescued from illegal animal trafficking.
From Puerto Nariño, there’s a highly rated tour to the Mocagua Community and the monkey sanctuary*.
Immerse yourself in the unspoiled beauty of the Amazon rainforest within this protected sanctuary featuring various ecosystems. Hike along beautiful jungle trails, go wildlife spotting and birdwatching, envoy canoeing adventures, and venture into the enchanting realm of the rainforest.
For solo travelers looking for some company, there is an excellent and affordable Amacayacu hiking tour* from Puerto Nariño. Not only will you enjoy a guided tour, but you’ll also take a boat ride and savor a delicious, traditional lunch with the Ticuna Community.
Photo by Rasmus Lawall, Birdwatching Amazon Colombia
The unspoiled Rio Yavari forms a natural border between Brazil and Peru. Departing from Leticia at dawn, you can enjoy the tranquil beauty of the Amazon sunrise from your boat, away from the crowds. Day tours typically include visits to Sacambu Lake, jungle walks, fishing, and stops at the Brazilian town of Benjamin Constant, where you may be able to spot pink dolphins.
You can find a great 3-day / 2-night tour on the Yavari* from a recommended local provider on GetYourGuide.
Yagé is the word used in Colombia for Ayahuasca; locals often simply refer to it as “the medicine” or “the remedy”. It has been used for centuries by indigenous peoples in the Amazon for spiritual, medicinal, and ceremonial purposes.
Quite a lot of non-indigenous Colombians participate in an Ayahuasca ceremony at least once in their lifetime for self-discovery purposes, strongly respecting the traditional ritual (involving 8 days of strict diet and abstinence) and making sure they are guided by an experienced and authentic Taita (“abuelo”).
In recent years, attending Ayahuasca ceremonies in the Colombian Amazon has become increasingly popular among travelers seeking spiritual growth, healing, and personal transformation – or simply a mundane psychedelic experience.
Be aware that there are major risks involved in taking Yagé, especially if you don’t respect the ritual and end up in the hands of a charlatan rather than a real indigenous Taita. In case you consider this experience, make sure to inform yourself thoroughly and talk to locals in Colombia.
To fully cherish the Amazon rainforest, spend some nights in the jungle or by the river to disconnect from the hustle and bustle of day to day life and reconnect with nature and yourself.
Here is a selection of recommended lodges, bed and breakfasts and guesthouses in or near Leticia to stay close to nature.
Amazona Lodge (Booking.com*), Leticia: Spacious, light-flooded cabañas in the middle of the jungle yet very close to Leticia (easily reachable by bus or taxi). Featuring hammocks, beautiful views and a tasteful minimalistic decor.
La Ceiba Amazonas (Booking.com*), Mocagua: Sustainable, community-run guesthouse in the Mocagua village at the shores of the Amazon river and adjacent to the Amacayacu National Park. Tours and day trips are available.
Cabañas ecológicas Mu’ü (Booking.com*), Mocagua: Friendly, remote family-run bed & breakfast for a deep jungle experience.
Maloka Napü – Ecodestinos (Booking.com*), Puerto Nariño: Beautiful lodge in Puerto Nariño with upstairs rooms available, featuring balconies and hammocks.
You can get even closer to the jungle by spending the night in a treehouse or a hammock. Here are some options:
Some activities, like visiting Parque Ecológico Mundo Amazonico, can easily be done alone and spontaneously. However, If you plan to do jungle tours or boat tours in Leticia or Puerto Nariño we recommend to organize them a little bit ahead of time, especially if you travel in low season.
Often, tours in Colombia require a group. If you’re a woman traveling solo, you may look for activity buddies in Colombia Facebook groups. You can also find some good guided hikes that are easily affordable for solo travelers on Civitatis.com*.
When visiting Leticia as a solo traveler, take your usual travel precautions, like not walking around alone in the dark or in isolated areas. Check out my safety tips for Colombia and tips for traveling alone in Colombia.
Due to its proximity to the equator and location in the Amazon rainforest, Leticia experiences high temperatures and humidity throughout the year. Expect average temperatures around 30°C (85°F) and humidity levels of approximately 88%.
During the “dry” (meaning low-water) season from June to October/November, the decreased water levels facilitate jungle hikes, while the “wet” (high-water) season between November/December and May offers more boat trip and wildlife spotting opportunities.
As you can see, dry season and rainy season each offer unique experiences – neither is inherently better. I personally visited Leticia and Puerto Nariño during dry season, but I’m eager to return during rainy season to witness the Amazon River in its full majestic glory and experience the surreal beauty of the flooded forests.
Here are my recommendations:
Packing list: Bring mosquito repellent, sunglasses, a hat, lightweight long-sleeved shirts and long pants, swimwear, sunscreen, a flashlight, a waterproof bag, washable sneakers, and a refillable bottle.
Rain boots are usually provided by tour operators.
Get information about recommended vaccinations from a doctor of tropical medicine before your trip. A yellow fever vaccine certificate may be required by other countries, if you come from Colombia. Since 2025, the yellow fever vaccination has been mandatory in Colombia due to an increase in infections.
To get to other destinations within Colombia, it’s best to take a flight, whereas you can reach Brazil (Tabatinga) and Peru (Santa Rosa Island) in less than 15 minutes by taxi, boat or ferry.
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Last Update: July 25, 2025
*Affiliate links: Some links on this page are affiliate links. If you choose to book through these links, you support my work on Travelhapp – at no extra cost to you. I only recommend products and services I trust and believe will provide value to you.
