Fernweh: Home
    ExploreTravel GuidesPlan a tripMy tripLast visited
    de|en
    All Places & RegionsAll highlightsAbout FernwehFAQPrivacy PolicyImprint
    ExploreTravel GuidesPlan a tripMy tripLast visited
    Back to Colombia

    Amazonas: Leticia and Puerto Nariño

    by Felix Gillen

    Eine kurze Reise in den kolumbianischen Amazonas: von der Grenzstadt Leticia per Boot nach Puerto Nariño, einem autofreien Dorf an den Lagos de Tarapoto. Die Anreise erfolgt per Flug ab Bogotá, eine Straße gibt es nicht.

    6 Days / 5 Nights
    Year-round. June to September sees the least rain; during high water, roughly November to May, you reach the flooded forest by boat.
    2 stops

    Why This Route?

    The Amazon is reachable from Bogotá with a direct flight, and just a few days are enough for river trips, rainforest, and encounters with communities. Puerto Nariño is quieter than Leticia and is located right by the lakes with river dolphins.

    Hidden Gems

    • Mirador Naipata in Puerto Nariño
    • Río Loretoyacu
    • Museo Etnográfico del Hombre Amazónico in Leticia

    Getting there and back

    Round trip, returning to where you started

    Arrival
    Flight · LeticiaFlight from Bogotá: approx. 2 hours. Alfredo Vásquez Cobo Airport is 3 km from the center. A tourism fee is payable on arrival. The Foreign Ministry notes a high malaria risk in the Amazon rainforest; seek pre-travel medical advice, also for yellow fever vaccination.
    Departure
    Flight · LeticiaReturn flight from Leticia to Bogotá. Arrange the boat from Puerto Nariño at least one day before the flight; the port sometimes requires being there one hour before departure.

    Itinerary

    Leticia
    Stop 1 • 3 Nights

    Leticia

    City

    Route highlight

    Leticia is the capital of the Amazonas Department and Colombia's gateway to the Amazon, approximately 2 flight hours southeast of Bogotá. From here, boat tours embark for Isla de los Micos, Puerto Nariño, and Amacayacu National Park. This small town, with around 48,000 inhabitants (2018 Census), sits directly on the border with Brazilian Tabatinga, while Peru begins on the opposite riverbank. In the evenings, the town congregates at Parque Santander, as thousands of parakeets fly in to roost.
    Flight from Bogotá about 2 hours. Tourism fee collected on arrival. Boat trip to Isla de los Micos, in the evening the parrots in Parque Santander.
    3 Sights
    3 Restaurants

    Riverside Border Town

    Leticia was founded in 1867 as a river port under Peruvian administration and came under Colombian rule through a treaty signed in 1922 and ratified in 1928. The 1932 occupation triggered the Colombian-Peruvian War.Three Countries: Walk or take a mototaxi to Tabatinga.Cuisine: Gamitana, Paiche, and Tucunaré from the river, served with Casabe.Evening Ritual: At sunset, thousands of parakeets settle in the trees of Parque Santander.
    All Info
    Puerto Nariño
    Stop 2 • 2 Nights

    Puerto Nariño

    City
    Puerto Nariño is a car-free village on the Amazon, 2 boat hours upstream from Leticia. You come for Lagos de Tarapoto, where pink and grey river dolphins live, and the rainforest's peace. The town, with around 8,000 inhabitants, has no cars, motorbikes or large buildings; you walk everywhere.
    Speedboats from Leticia port take about 2 hours upstream, with stops in communities. Boat trip to the river dolphins of Lagos de Tarapoto and view from Mirador Naipata.
    2 Sights
    1 Restaurant

    Loretoyacu Communities

    Ticuna, Cocama, and Yagua live around Puerto Nariño. The town was founded in 1961 and has been its own municipality since 1984.Life Without Cars: There are no paved roads; people walk on footpaths.Cash: There is no bank and hardly any card payment. Bring enough cash from Leticia.Internet: The connection is slow; do important things beforehand.
    All Info
    2 stops

    Route Summary

    Duration6 Days
    Stops2 Places
    TypeAdventure
    Best Time to GoYear-round. June to September sees the least rain; during high water, roughly November to May, you reach the flooded forest by boat.