The Amazon is a land of myth and mystery, with its lush green hues, impenetrable forests and communities that live in harmony with nature.
Travelers who are lucky enough to explore here will uncover new delights on a daily basis, discovering a universe of natural beauty that is carefully protected by indigenous groups that have existed here in perfect balance for centuries.
These indigenous groups are welcoming and willing to share the secrets of their culture, beliefs and work to sustain the life-giving properties of the Colombia rainforest.
Visitors can also immerse themselves in nature and witness rare and unusual flora and fauna in their natural habitat, including river dolphins, parrots, monkeys and sloths.
Here we offer our essential guide to the Colombia Amazon to ensure you make the most of your holiday in Colombia in one of its most beautiful and remote regions.
How to get to the Colombia Amazon?
Leticia is the main port of arrival in the Amazon, known in Colombia as the Amazonas. You fly directly to Leticia from Bogota’s El Dorado International Airport, with a flight time of approximately 2 hours.
Airlines offering this route include Avianca, LATAM Colombia, and Satena.
Once you arrive at Leticia’s Alfredo Vasquez Cobo International Airport, pay a small tourist tax, then take a taxi to the city.
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Where to stay in the Colombia Amazon
The Colombia Amazon has plenty of accommodation options. Consider small guest houses and boutique hotels, as well as eco-friendly lodges where families and individuals can relax and enjoy a peaceful time..
Many offer activities directly to their guests, including sailing the Amazon River, sampling local food, joining in fun and informative workshops.
Places to visit in the Colombia Amazon
The Colombia Amazon is one of the Seven Wonders of the Modern World, another incredible reason to visit and marvel at its beauty.
Visit the ethnographic museum, travel the river, hike in natural reserves, and enjoy the indigenous handicraft workshops in Leticia. You can also explore villages such as Tabatinga, in Brazil, and Santa Rosa, in Peru.
In Puerto Nariño, a small municipality, you can visit Lagos de Tarapoto and Loretoyacu, lakes and a wetland resort where you will find pink river dolphins and many other species. You can also visit indigenous villages, such as Ticuna, Yagua, and Cocama.
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An indigenous from the Amazon inside a cave.
Don’t miss the Calanoa natural reserve. Here you can meet indigenous communities, including the Ticuna, Cocama, Huitoto, and Bora, who are keen to share aspects of their culture, beliefs and work to protect the rainforest.
Take a boat down the river and visit San Martin de Amacayu and Palmeras, two villages in the middle of the jungle with fascinating cultures.
Tanimboca is a local reserve where you can learn about Amazon conservation projects and sample the region’s cuisine. Spend a day in its ecolodge and try the night hikes that seek to spy on the region’s nocturnal wildlife.
Another much-loved nature reserve is Victoria Regia, where you can have a closer look at the lotus flower and the Victoria amazonica (a type of water-lily).
Finally, pay a visit to Tucuchira Natural Reserve, where you can meet the Ticuna indigenous people and understand something of their lives in their villages: Yagua, Progreso, Loma Linda, Nuevo Jardin, and Santa Sofia.
You will find a variety of cultural and environmental projects there, including handicraft workshops, fauna and flora sighting, and agro-tourism activities.
Victoria Amazonica, a flower from the Amazon.
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Things to do in the Colombia Amazon
There are so many things to do in the Colombia Amazon that visitors often prefer a tour to ensure they see, do and experience as much as possible.
Various destinations are included by local operators in their Amazon tour packages, so you can choose the one that sounds the most interesting and attractive.
Many of these tours visit the places we have mentioned above. You can also enjoy activities at indigenous villages, go on a night safari, kayak, go canopying, and more.
A mother with her baby squirrel monkey in Isla de los Micos.
Recommendations for visiting the Colombian Amazon
Colombia is a fantastic place to travel, but remember that the Amazon is remote and there are various safety aspects to consider. We recommend:
- Looking into the yellow fever vaccination
- Bringing a hat, sunscreen, and insect repellent
- Flying to Leticia
- Updating and packing your travel medicine bag
- Making sure to stay well hydrated
Colombia is the friendliest and most welcoming place on earth. If you are lucky enough to explore the natural treasures of the Colombia Amazon, you will leave in awe.
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