visit colombia's amazon: the world's lung
Adventure awaits in the remote Amazon Jungle! The Amazon Region is not only one of the most biodiverse ecosystems in the world, but it is also rich in ancient wisdom and traditions maintained by the indigenous communities inhabiting the area. In Colombia, the Amazon Region is formed by the Amazonas Department in the southeast of the country, as well as the Vaupés, Caquetá, Guainía, Guaviare and Putumayo departments.
The vast diversity of plants and animal species found in this area of the country contribute to Colombia being the most biodiverse country in the world per square meter. If you are the kind of traveller that loves to immerse yourself with nature then the Colombia Amazon Rainforest is perfect for you. There you interact with the environment in a unique way and experience virgin territories where you can meet native communities and learn about their unknown rituals.
You can travel in Kayak down the Amazon River or Lake Tarapoto; or feel the connection as you walk into the world's largest jungle while exploring one of the most important places for our planet. Go for birding expeditions, so you can hear the songs of the different beautiful birds, get dazzled with their colours and see unique species. Do not miss the opportunity to live a unique experience in which adventure and nature are protagonists; visit the Colombian Amazon.
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top places to visit in Colombian Amazon
leticia
The small town is the capital city of the Amazonas Department in Colombia and is located right on the border with Brazil and Peru. Daily flights connect Leticia and Bogota. Hotels, restaurants and some tourist attractions are found here. There is not much to do in Leticia, but it's an excellent base for your trip in the Colombia Rainforest.
tanimboca natural reserve
This nature reserve ffers multiple options for adventure tourism. Amongst its entertainment alternatives, we love the "canopy", which consists of climbing trees over 30 meters high. You will be able to slide from one tree to another and live an adventure experience in a route of 80 meters.
puerto nariño
The small town is the capital city of the Amazonas Department in Colombia and is located right on the border with Brazil and Peru. Daily flights connect Leticia and Bogota. Hotels, restaurants and some tourist attractions are found here. There is not much to do in Leticia, but it's an excellent base for your trip in the Colombia Rainforest.
amacayacu national park
This park can be reached by boat from Leticia and spans about 293.500 hectares. It is home to more than 5,000 plant species and nearly 470 bird species. There are also many hiking trails and some observation spots where you can see species that are in danger of extinction.
tabatinga
Tabatinga is a town in Brazil's Amazonas state, located at the triple border with Colombia and Peru. This vibrant hub fosters a rich blend of cultures, languages, and traditions, reflecting its diverse population. Known for its strategic importance in trade and border security, Tabatinga also serves as a key entry point to the Amazon rainforest, attracting adventurers and researchers alike.
lago de tarapoto
Lago de Tarapoto near Puerto Nariño, is a stunning, biodiverse lake teeming with wildlife. It’s famous for its pink river dolphins, diverse bird species, and lush, surrounding rainforests. The area holds cultural significance for indigenous communities and serves as a key site for ecotourism and conservation, highlighting the importance of preserving Amazonian ecosystems.
more things to do in the amazon
The Amazon is one of the places where you can see amazing wildlife in Colombia, but you will also have the chance to connect with tribes and learn about their incredible culture.
You can do all these activities by yourself but booking a tour will give you access to some knowledge and places that you wouldn’t otherwise.
- Visit Indigenous Villages: Several indigenous tribes live in the Colombia Amazon, including the Ticuna, Yaguas and Cocamas. You can visit their villages and learn about their fascinating culture and history.
- Search for Pink Dolphins: Go on a riverboat tour through the Amazon to search for pink dolphins. These creatures can be spotted along with other dolphin species
- Sleep in an Eco-Lodge: Fall asleep to the sound of nature by staying in an eco-lodge in the jungle. These lodges offer various amenities, but most are very basic.
- Visit Parque Santander at Dusk: Watch thousands of small, squawking parrots fly to the trees of Santander Park in Leticia to sleep. Seeing these little birds zooming through the sky is a treat.
- Jungle Hikes: Trek through the remote Amazon Jungle while learning about the indigenous people, flora and fauna specific to this region of Colombia.
- Visit the Flor de Loto Nature Reserve: If you want to know and admire the largest lotus in the world, and the Victoria Regia, plant from which the lotus flower is born, you must go to this natural reserve located 25 minutes from Leticia. Here you can enjoy all the fauna and flora by canoeing in the park or hiking.
- Stroll through El Parque Mundo Amazónico: This park is located at kilometre seven, just outside Leticia, and is a surprising place where you can learn a lot about native medicinal plants and indigenous traditions of the Colombia rainforest. El Parque Mundo Amazónico is a place for the whole family, and you can choose between ecological walks with guides, visit the botanical gardens, ecotherapy tour and much more.
Local
Gastronomy
The ancestral knowledge of the native communities of the Amazon, plus the mixture of cultures between Colombia , Peru and Brazil have contributed to the development of diverse gastronomy in the Colombian Amazonian region. As Colombian food, most dishes are rich in flavours, with ingredients and native preparations or fusions of international cuisine. Learn which are the typical dishes of the region!
Pirarucú: The Amazon diet is largely made up of fish. The most emblematic fish of the region is the Pirarucú, recognized for its large size and its scales. The Pirarucú can be eaten prepared in multiple ways. It is usually accompanied with lemon, vinaigrette, cassava, banana and vegetables.
Mojojoy: The mojojoy is one of the most iconic typical foods of the Colombian Amazon, since it is composed of a grilled white larva that can be filled with meat or chicken. This larva is part of the diet of many Amazonian tribes because of its high nutritional content. It can also be eaten raw, roasted or fried.
Inchicapi: The inchicapi is a chicken soup with yucca, corn, peanuts, cilantro, salt and other condiments such as cumin. Like most dishes served in the Colombian Amazon, it is accompanied by banana or rice.
Casabe: Casabe is a harp or tortilla made from cassava. It is used to accompany most dishes that carry fish or meat.
Fariña: The farina is a cassava flour made from ripe yucca and striped yucca. This flour is sifted and poured into a container where it is cooked and stirred until the cassava is dehydrated.
Juice of Copoazú: The copoazú is an Amazonian fruit with a flavor similar to that of passion fruit. In the Colombian Amazon it is used to prepare drinks and juices.
Best time to go
When is the best time to visit The Amazon?
It's possible to visit Colombia rainforest at any time of the year as the weather doesn’t really change from one season to another. You can expect heat, humidity and daily rain with an average temperatures ranging from 25 to 30°C (77-86°F).
What you should consider depending on the kind of trip you want are the low water and the high water season:
- Low water season: (Between July and December) the rivers are lower, and you have better trail access. It's also a great time to spot caimans.
- High water season: (Between January and June) the rivers are running higher and you can easily access the different part of the Amazon by boat. It's perfect for swimming into blackwater creeks.
Transport
How to get there?
The quickest way to arrive in this beautiful region of the Colombian Amazon is by air. Local airlines such as Avianca, Latam or Satena have daily flights from Bogota to Leticia. The flight takes approximately an hour and 45 minutes.
Moving around
- By boat: You are facing the bank of the longest and widest river in the world, fluvial navigation is then outlined as the most apparent means to move between indigenous populations, nature reserves, urban settlements, and islands.
- By mototaxis: In Leticia and Tabatinga, the main forms of transportation are moto-taxis, motorcars, chalupas and taxis. You can also choose to rent bicycles or motorcycles but, you will need a driver's license and identity document (the cost is 25,000 Colombian pesos per day).
- By walking: Many of the places within the vicinity of the triple border can be visited walking.
Packing list
What do I pack for a trip in the Amazon Forest?
- A backpack + a small daypack with rain cover. Even if you’re travelling to Colombia with a suitcase, it will be easier for you to carry a backpack for your trip in the Amazon. Don’t forget to take a small backpack to take with you during your excursions.
- A bug spray and insect relief lotion will be your best friend during this trip, regardless of whether you’re going during the high water or low water season.
- Pack your binoculars to spot some monkeys, snakes and birds.
- Remember to apply sunscreen a few times per day, as it goes away quickly when the skin is moist.
- Hiking clothes, it’s better to wear long pants, long sleeves, long socks and hiking boots to protect yourself from aggressive insects and vegetations.
- Waterproof cases to protect all your electronics devices.
- Pack a rain jacket/ poncho. It’s not for nothing that we call the Amazon Rainforest, and you will be glad to have these with you when you’re hiking and it starts pouring without any warning.
- Flip flop/ Sandals to relax when you’re at your lodge.
- Don't forget a swimsuit. It is not recommended to swim everywhere in the Amazon jungle, but black water tributaries and lakes are safe. If you’re lucky, you can even swim with pink dolphins!
- Sunglasses and a hat to protect you from the sun but also all the things/ insects that can fall from the trees.
- Refillable water bottle.
- Torch. Most of the lodges where you will sleep won’t have electricity so it’s better to bring one with you to avoid any accident at night.
Safety
Is it safe to travel to the Amazon Jungle?
People think that travelling in the Amazon is dangerous because of its wildlife. But even if you have the chance to encounter some wild creatures, do no worry, they will rather stick to their natural diet than eating you. They are afraid of humans and will do their best to avoid you if you’re going in their direction.
Also, if you’re going on a tour, your experienced guide will take you to well-maintained paths and will know exactly what to do in case of unexpected meetings.
At least 10 days before going to the Amazon, please make sure that you get the yellow fever vaccine and bring enough malaria tablets with you.
More Travel Tips to Visit The Amazon
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