Colombian Amazon: How to get there, What to do, and a little more.
What are some of the major cities in the region?
Leticia is the main city, where travelers arriving by plane disembark to visit this part of the Amazon. The second largest city is Puerto Narino, which is about an hour and a half from there by speedboat.
Which cities are recommended to get to know the Colombian Amazon, and why?
You should start and end in Leticia. On the Leticia side, you can visit a region called Los Kilometers, which is the main road approximately 18 km.
Along with this route, there are different villages to meet and trails to do. You can also stay in a Maloca, as if it were a traditional hut, and spend time with the older members of the Huitoto tribe, learn about their rituals, which include Mambe, Ambil, and Snuff.
In addition, Leticia itself has a central square, where hundreds of parakeets descend at sunset! Letícia is also on the border of Brazil! The neighboring Brazilian city is Tabatinga, which is 5 minutes by bike. So if you are longing for caipirinha on your trip, you can cross and take one at the river’s edge.
Puerto Narino is a small town where cars are not passed. So if you are looking for a place to rest, this is where you will find peace. Here you will find people from the Ticuna and Yagua tribes. There are some trails that you can do from Puerto Narino to smaller communities like San Martin. But the main attraction there are the Tarapoto lakes, where the pink dolphins meet.
Now let’s get down to business – where is your favorite place to eat in these cities?
In Leticia, I recommend Tierra Amazicas and in Puerto Narino, a place called Las Margaritas. Both offer delicious local dishes, including Mojojoy (earthworm!), And Piracuru (an Amazonian fish).
What is your favorite activity in the region?
Definitely catch a boat, walking very slowly along the river on a clear day, just watching the nature, the birds, and enjoying it all. The best time to visit the region is from November to March, when the river is the highest. This allows you to get to know the region well in flooded areas that are not reachable in the dry season. Because of this, it is possible to find more fauna.
What else can you add in your Colombian Amazon to do list?
Try to visit the local markets in Leticia and Tabatinga, which sell tropical fruits such as cupuaçu and açaí, as well as cassava products such as flour or bread called casabe, and tucupi (a spicy sauce).
