Nestled in the southernmost corner of Colombia between Peru and Brazil, Leticia is a small village home to about 32,000 inhabitants and is a major access point to the famed Amazon River. If you’re looking for adventure, Leticia should be at the top of your list, as you can cruise down the world’s longest river (and home to the world’s most dangerous fish), swing through the trees of the Amazon forest, and visit three countries in one day without taking a plane. If you’re ready for the adventure of a lifetime, keep reading for your perfect three-day itinerary in Leticia, Colombia.

Three-Day Itinerary For Leticia

Day #1 in Leticia: Zip Lining Through the Rainforest

After settling in, a tuk-tuk driver took us twenty minutes out of the city to Dosel Tanimboca for our canopy tour. The further we went from the village center, the more and more rural it became which was apparent by all of the children running around without shoes on at the hut-like schools and houses. Our tour began with a twenty-minute walk into the Amazon Rainforest. We came to a clearing with a platform and ropes ready for us to climb. Our guides hooked us up with the appropriate gear and we began our climb 38 meters into the canopy of the rainforest. We zip-lined from tree to tree with the jungle underneath us, and tiny monkeys curiously watching on. After about an hour and a half, we descended back to the jungle floor and hiked back to camp.

After a lovely shower and an overdue nap, we headed into town to check out the local scene and find some dinner typical to the region. We landed at El Cielo Fusion Amazonian recommended to us by a local and started with Limonada Coco and Papaya juices. The coconut lemonade has to be on the most delicious drinks I’ve ever had. For dinner the waiter recommended two fish dinners, both fish are found in the Amazon River and the Piraruca Red Fish can be caught up to 15ft long! After a lovely yogurt dessert with fresh fruit and topped with a local liquor, we took a stroll back to the B&B and retired for the night.

Day #2 in Leticia: Cruising Down the Amazon River

We started our day nice and early, walking through the Leticia Farmer’s Market down to the river’s edge to catch a boat for our day excursion out on the Amazon River. Our first stop was Isla de Los Micos, (Monkey Island) where Alex and I assumed we would see monkeys, but didn’t expect wild monkeys to crawl all over us! This wasn’t a zoo or pet monkeys, these were wild monkeys that have taken over the island and love to snuggle up to tourists. A few of them even fell asleep on us!

Our next stop was Macedonia, where we shopped the local handmade souvenirs and danced with the tribeswomen. From here our guide took us a little way down to Lake Tarappoto, which is the lake of jumping fish. Fish were just popping out of the water everywhere we looked. My favorite part was scanning the water for Pink Dolphins.

After a few hours, we stopped at Puerto Narino where we tried fish soup, Piranha, local juice, beans and rice, and fried plantains all sourced from the region at Restaurante Dona Luz. The teeth of the Piranha were razor sharp and was a good reminder to keep my limbs inside of the boat at all times…

Our next stop was back across to Colombia where we observed the largest water lilies in the entire world. They can only be found growing wild in the Amazon rainforest, can grow up to six feet in diameter, and can withstand the weight of a small child. At this time in the day, the sun was starting to go down and we were the only ones there. It was a pretty spectacular viewing.

After 11 hours, 90 miles, two countries and six villages later, we returned to the B&B to relax. What an incredible day.

Day #3 in Leticia: Country Hopping Between Colombia, Peru & Brazil

 Since Leticia is right on the border of Brazil, we hired a Tuk-tuk driver to take us on a little over the border tour. After showing us around town for a while, we stopped off at a local hotspot for a signature Brazilian drink called a Caiprinha e Michelada.

We then stopped for a beer at a little bar that overlooked the Amazon River. It was more of a garage that sold beer out of a cooler, but it was an authentic experience with an unbeatable view. After a few drinks we were feeling a bit hungry, so our driver led us to a boat that took across across the river to Peru, where we indulged in what I am claiming as the best ceviche that has ever graced these lips. With heaping piles of fish, prawns, calamari, and shrimp, covered in cilantro, onions and limey goodness on a bed of sweet and regular potatoes all sourced locally, it really was the most perfect ceviche. Once we polished this off and washed it down with a few Peruvian beers, we headed back across the river to Colombia to get ready for our flight back to Bogota.

From the incredible food, friendly people, amazing landscape, and beautiful culture, visiting the Amazon truly was a surreal experience. I was in awe the entire trip observing the native people on their floating houses while washing their clothes in the river, little children swimming and playing soccer near the water’s edge, and watching the fishermen in their small handcrafted wooden boats return from a day of fishing with their daily catch.

If you even have the smallest desire to visit the Amazon after reading this, I cannot urge you enough to follow through with that desire! It is a magical place that is unlike anywhere else on earth, and you will not be disappointed.

Where Should I Stay in Leticia?

Alex and I stayed at Bed & Breakfast Amazons and it couldn’t have been a better experience. We were greeted at the airport by the hotel manager, who then drove us to the B&B. She brought us fresh squeezed juice and checked us into our bungalow. The grounds were beautiful, with colorful hammocks, tropical plants and an open and airy layout. The bungalow itself was so lovely, with high ceilings, newly renovated bathrooms and a porch complete with our own hammock. The stay comes with a yummy breakfast, which is your choice of omelet, fresh Amazonian fruit, breads, fresh juice, and coffee. It is located right near the village center and is also just a short walk to the port where boats can take you across the way to Peru, or up the Amazon River for a tour.

How Do I Get to Leticia?

The best way to get to Leticia is by flight and will take only about an hour to get to from Bogota. There’s one runway in Leticia, with only two flights coming and going per day from Bogota. We took the early morning flight on LAN Airline which costs about $230 roundtrip per person. Upon arrival, they collect a small visitor’s fee and then you are free to leave the tiny airport and start your adventure!

How Do I Get Around Leticia?

We mostly walked around town, but it’s pretty cheap to hire a tuk-tuk driver. We hired a driver to take us out to our canopy tour, which was about a 30 min drive and also for a tour of Brazil! Then, of course, you can travel by boat across the river to Peru. For those concerned about safety, even when walking at night, I never felt unsafe, but like anywhere, I wouldn’t recommend walking alone at night.

Wander On,
Wanderluluu xx