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    Leticia

    Colombia

    Leticia

    City

    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.

    by Felix Gillen

    1. Home
    3. Destinations
    5. Colombia
    7. Amazônia
    9. Leticia
    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.

    Sights in Leticia

    Discover the most important sights and attractions

    Santander Park
    Park

    1Santander Park

    Leticia's central square in front of the white church. At dusk, thousands of parakeets arrive to spend the night in the trees. The spectacle is loud and can be well observed from the bell tower.
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    Isla de los Micos
    National Park

    2Isla de los Micos

    River island in the Amazon upstream from Leticia, home to hundreds of squirrel monkeys. It is the destination for most day tours, often combined with Puerto Nariño and a boat trip along the Triple Frontier of Colombia, Brazil, and Peru.
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    Tanimboca Nature Reserve
    Park

    3Tanimboca Nature Reserve

    Nature Reserve approximately 11 kilometers outside of Leticia. Famous for canopy activities in the rainforest treetops.
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    Videos & Travel Reports

    13 of the best places to visit in Colombia

    13 of the best places to visit in Colombia

    Lonely Planet article by Steph Dyson, last updated in March 2026, covering Cartagena, the Amazon, the coffee region, Tayrona, the Sierra Nevada, La Guajira, San Gil, Providencia, Caño Cristales and…

    Restaurants in Leticia

    1

    Bar Restaurant Tierras Amazónicas

    One of the city's most renowned restaurants, featuring regional cuisine. The Pirarucú dishes are especially praised. The decor is intentionally folkloric.
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    2

    El Santo Ángel

    Relaxed eatery with casabe-based pizzas, wraps, and burgers.
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    3

    Restaurant Waira

    Restaurant in the Hotel Waira Suites, featuring regional fish cuisine. Guests highlight the view in reviews.
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    Food & Drink in Leticia

    In Leticia, river fish dominate the menus, complemented by yuca products and juices from rainforest fruits. Instead of wheat bread, there's fariña and casabe made from yuca.

    Chicharrón of pirarucú

    Small fried pieces of Pirarucú, one of the largest freshwater fish on Earth. It is also served grilled in Leticia.

    Caldo de gamitana

    The Gamitana, a river fish, is commonly prepared as a hearty broth. It is primarily eaten for breakfast.

    Cream of Copoazu

    The city's most popular dessert, made from the pulp of Copoazú, also known as white cacao, with cream, condensed milk, and cinnamon.

    Camu camu juice

    Thick, tart juice from the Camu-Camu fruit. Additionally, there are juices from Copoazú and Arazá.

    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.

    Getting there and around

    By Flight Only: There is no road to the rest of Colombia. Flights from Bogotá take about 2 hours, including with Avianca.Airport: You will land at Aeropuerto Alfredo Vásquez Cobo.Tourism Fee: An entrance fee for visitors is collected upon arrival at the airport; sources mention 35,000 COP. Verify the amount before your trip.Yellow Fever: The vaccination should be administered at least 10 days before your trip.Boats: Boats depart upstream from the port, taking about 2 hours to Puerto Nariño.

    Accommodations in Leticia

    Find perfect stay in Leticia

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    Plan your trip to Leticia

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      Trip to Leticia

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      • 1Santander Park3 days
      • 2Isla de los Micos4 days
      • 3Tanimboca Nature Reserve5 days
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    Nearby

    Puerto Nariño

    Puerto Nariño

    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.
    Amazônia

    Amazônia

    The Amazonas Department is located in the southernmost part of Colombia, where the country borders Brazil and Peru. You come here for the Amazon rainforest, river dolphins, and indigenous communities. The starting point is the capital Leticia, which you reach by flight from Bogotá.

    Caño Cristales is a river in the Sierra de La Macarena National Park in the Meta Department, accessible by flight to La Macarena. Between June and November, the aquatic plant Macarenia clavigera dyes its bed red, complemented by green, yellow, and black hues. The river is a succession of rapids, cascades, and pools that flow into the Río Guayabero.
    Sierra de La Macarena

    Sierra de La Macarena

    The Sierra de La Macarena is a mountain range in the Meta Department, south of Villavicencio, where the Andes, Orinoco savannas, and Amazon meet. It is known for Caño Cristales, a river that a water plant colors red during the rainy season. The starting point is the small town of La Macarena, which you reach by flight.
    Amazon Region (Tambopata)

    Amazon Region (Tambopata)

    The Amazon lowlands begin in the Departamento Madre de Dios in southeastern Peru. The city of Puerto Maldonado is accessible by short flights from Lima and Cusco and serves as a starting point for stays in lodges within and around the Tambopata National Reserve. There, you can observe parrots and macaws at clay licks, monkeys, caimans, and numerous bird species. Before your trip, inform yourself at your foreign ministry about health risks in the lowlands and recommended vaccinations.

    Sources & method

    • Photos: Wikimedia Commons, Google Maps. Each photo carries its credit.
    • Place data such as addresses and ratings comes from Google Maps.
    • Video reportages: 13 of the best places to visit in Colombia
    • The content is based on web research from public, traceable sources. How the content is made · The role of AI