Leticia is Colombia’s major gateway to the Amazon rainforest, the “lung” of the planet and one of the most biodiverse regions of the world. The Amazon rainforest provides opportunities for unique outdoor experiences and rare wildlife encounters. Visitors can spot pink river dolphins, giant otters, different types monkeys, colorful birds, and with a little luck even jaguars (or at least their impressive foot prints).
Leticia is located right at the border with Brazil and Peru. The city exudes a vibrant multicultural atmosphere influenced by its neighbors and a unique hot and humid Amazon vibe.
Below you will find some suggestions for 15 unique things to do in Leticia and its surroundings in the Colombian Amazon.
Take a scenic walk along Leticia’s river promenade, the Malecón, at noon. Sit down, have a cold beer or fresh juice, and marvel at the beauty of the sunset while watching canoes and boats pass.
Photo by atosan, boat on the Amazon river near Leticia, Amazon Colombia
Soak in the unique border town atmosphere of Leticia at bustling Parque Santander, located in the heart of the city. For panoramic views, climb up the church tower.
As dusk approaches, thousands of small colorful parrots flock to the park, creating a mesmerizing spectacle. Buy tasty Amazon fruits from street vendors (such as Açaí, Cupuaçu and Camu-Camu), and enjoy this unique, free show.
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’ve never seen or heard of before. 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
Learning about indigenous amazon communities is one of the top things to do in Leticia.
There is a small, free ethnographic museum in Leticia (Museo Etnográfico) that showcases the history of the indigenous communities in the Amazon region.
You may also visit one of the indigenous communities that live around Leticia today to learn about their unique culture and traditions.
Just a short boat ride away from Leticia, you’ll find Isla de los Micos (Monkey Island), where you can observe different monkey species. Take a longer riverboat tour to fully appreciate the beauty of the river and rainforest while searching for wildlife at the shores and in the river.
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.
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.
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
There are more amazing things to see and do within a 3-hour reach from Leticia by boat. Here are some recommendations.
Laid-back and remote river village Puerto Nariño can be reached in 2-3 hours by boat from Leticia and offers a 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.
The nearby Tarapoto lakesoffers utmost relaxation in serene and tranquil surroundings. In high-water season these lakes transform into fascinating natural aquariums, home to an array of endangered species including pink dolphins, manatees, and Amazon black caimans.
Photo by Rasmus Lawall, Amazon sunset in Puerto Nariño
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.
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.
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.
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 Ayahuasca, 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 (Google Maps), 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.
Reserva Natural Tucuchira (Google Maps), Santa Sofia, Leticia: A friendly family-run reserve deep in the jungle and relatively close to the Yahuarcaca Lakes and the Lotus Flower Reserve.
La Ceiba Amazonas (Google Maps), 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 (Google Maps), Mocagua: Friendly, remote family-run bed & breakfast for a deep jungle experience.
Maloka Napü – Ecodestinos (Google Maps), Puerto Nariño: Beautiful lodge in Puerto Nariño with upstairs rooms available, featuring balconies and hammocks.
Spending the night in a treehouse ranks among the most unique things to do in Leticia. Check out the Tanimboca Nature Reserve (Google Maps), the Omagua Nature Reserve (Google Maps) or the Yai tree cabin of 3-star jungle hotel Calanoa (Google Maps) located by the river near the Amacayacu National Park in Mocagua.
A popular upscale accommodation option in Leticia is the Decameron Decalodge Ticuna (Google Maps), a 4-start hotel featuring air-conditioned rooms and a swimming pool.
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 of people to take place. So, you may want to get organized with other solo travelers to join you. Join our Colombia Solo Travelers Facebook Group to find people that share your interests.
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 our safety tips for Colombia and our 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, the decreased water levels facilitate jungle hikes, while the “wet” (high-water) season between November and May offers more boat trip and wildlife spotting opportunities.
Here are our recommendations:
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.
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.
Last Update: November 23, 2024
