Top 15 Must-Do Activities in Leticia, Colombia

Leticia is the principal city in Colombia’s small section of the Amazon, bordered by Peru and Brazil. This town serves as a cultural melting pot of Colombians, residents from neighboring nations, and various indigenous Amazon communities.

While activities in Leticia may be limited, the town exudes a relaxed and peaceful ambience, featuring friendly locals and secure streets. Consequently, Leticia is often utilized as a starting point for Amazon explorations. From this location, visitors can embark on adventures to observe pink dolphins, caimans, monkeys, and exotic birds or engage with native tribes to understand their cultural practices, cuisine, and lifestyles. Engage in piranha fishing, embark on hiking expeditions, participate in night safaris, or hire a guide and boat to navigate the numerous tributaries, communities, and wildlife that the Amazon has to offer.

Let’s explore the most notable attractions in Leticia:

1. Isla de los Micos

Explore this island nature reserve filled with monkeys, offering the opportunity to feed them bananas and peanuts directly from your hand. Be prepared for encounters with numerous small squirrel monkeys and their offspring, who may playfully jump around you. It is advisable to wear clothing that can get dirty and to remove any earrings or accessories that the monkeys may grasp.

This island can be accessed by boat, taking approximately 45 minutes from Leticia, or as part of a tour to Puerto Nariño.

A few indigenous artisans are present, selling handicrafts at reasonable prices, along with local children who may greet you.

2. Visit the Tourist Boardwalk

During daylight hours, head to the tourist boardwalk, or malecón turístico in Leticia, and capture images of this border town’s vibrant canoes laden with produce.

You’ll observe tourist vessels, fishing boats, and a small plaza along the boardwalk bustling with numerous shops and eateries.

In the evenings, consider sitting down with a beverage to admire the stunning sunsets or enjoy an inexpensive meal from a street vendor.

Secure a plastic chair at a local establishment amidst the lively atmosphere, and witness the shipping boats travel upriver from the port.

3. Parque Santander

A favored gathering spot for locals, visit Parque Santander in the late afternoon to experience the daily bird show.

Every evening, thousands of parrots and parakeets return from the surrounding jungles to feed and rest within the park’s confines, creating an astonishing din! Families, tourists, and vendors traditionally gather here around sunset for this lively spectacle.

To achieve an exceptional view of the birds, the park, and the city, consider climbing the adjacent church tower.

This experience is not to be missed in Leticia, though one should remain cautious of potential bird droppings!

4. Take a Tour of the Amazon

This is the primary impetus for your visit to Leticia; thus, seek out a tour operator, board a boat, or partake in a trekking excursion to navigate this unique ecosystem.

Leticia serves as an excellent base for Amazon exploration, whether you opt for a multi-day adventure or a day tour.

Guides can facilitate visits to indigenous communities, assist in locating pink dolphins, lead nature walks through the jungle, and even provide opportunities for piranha fishing.

Some operators may combine activities or customize your experience to ensure you engage in all your desired pursuits.

A guide is essential for most activities in this area; self-guiding is typically not feasible. Their presence greatly enhances the experience by aiding in wildlife spotting, ensuring safety, coordinating transportation, and managing daily provisions. Recommended guides include Sergio Rojas, Amazon Experience, or Amazonas Jungle Tours.

5. Reserva Natural Tanimboca

This serene and picturesque nature reserve located on the outskirts of Leticia is ideal for wildlife observation.

While it is not particularly remote due to encroaching development, it offers various enjoyable activities such as ziplining, hiking, and kayaking. Treehouses are available if you wish to spend the night. Furthermore, it is possible to arrange night safaris, boat excursions, meetings with indigenous shamans, and guided jungle walks to observe snakes, caimans, sloths, hummingbirds, iguanas, and armadillos.

6. Try the Local Foods

Given the unique rainforest setting and its proximity to three countries—Colombia, Brazil, and Peru—there is an exciting array of new culinary experiences to savor. One notable specialty of Leticia is casabe, a pizza-like dish featuring dough created from yuca rather than wheat flour, topped with a variety of ingredients ranging from cheese and chicken to seafood.

If you are feeling adventurous, consider trying the abundant jungle worms known as mojojoy, which can be enjoyed stuffed or grilled. Additionally, fish forms a crucial component of the Amazonian diet, with the giant pirarucú standing out for its delectable taste.

Consider dining at El Santo Angel, Tierras Amazónicas, or El Cielo.

If you desire fresh ceviche, a visit to Santa Rosa, Peru, across the river, is recommended.

7. Parque Ecológico Mundo Amazonico

Travel via tuk-tuk or motorbike to this engaging and informative park near Leticia, where you will gain insights into ecology, nature, indigenous tribes, and culture in the Amazon.

Participate in tours and activities of your choice upon arrival, or embark on a self-guided jungle exploration using the designated markers.

Explore the aquarium on-site or learn archery or blowgun techniques. Simply arrive and pay for the activities that interest you.

This park aims to educate visitors about the environment and its efforts to restore deforested lands previously used for cattle farming.

8. Hop Over to Brazil

There is no formal border separating Leticia from its Brazilian counterpart, Tabatinga, allowing visitors to easily walk or bike into Brazil.

While it appears to be an extension of Leticia, you will notice the street signs transitioning to Portuguese, along with vibrant decorations in yellow and green.

Enjoy beers from all three neighboring countries in the garden of Tres Fronteiras, one of the most picturesque dining establishments in the area.

If you are visiting on a Sunday, consider attending the weekly dance show at La Comara, where feathered and sequined performers showcase traditional Brazilian samba, a popular event among locals and visitors alike.

9. Museo Etnografico

Enhance your understanding of the indigenous peoples and tribes residing in the Colombian Amazon at this complimentary museum located downtown.

Though modest in size, the museum is well-organized and informative, showcasing tribal costumes, tools, masks, instruments, and additional artifacts.

Gain insights into Amazonian celebrations and rituals, and consider taking a guided tour for a more in-depth experience.

The museum features a film presentation, a library, and several outdoor exhibits, alongside air conditioning to provide respite from the humid daytime temperatures.

10. Plaza de Mercado

Located near the tourist boardwalk, this local market operates daily from early morning until mid-afternoon.

Monday proves to be the most favorable day for a visit as that is when the indigenous communities showcase their products.

Sample their casabe bread crafted from yuca flour or purchase some tucupi, a spicy black sauce also derived from yuca.

Similar to markets throughout Colombia, this one features a considerable amount of fresh fish alongside a wider selection of fruits than vegetables.

Try exotic fruits that you may have never encountered, such as the superfruit açaí, the bittersweet copoazú, or any other fresh juices that pique your interest.

11. Travel to Puerto Nariño and Tarapoto Lake

Located approximately 85 kilometers upstream from Leticia, Puerto Nariño is a peaceful town within the Amazon, characterized by a predominantly indigenous population.

Motorized vehicles are prohibited, and the town is dedicated to harmoniously coexisting with nature, making it an ideal spot to experience authentic ecotourism activities at reasonable rates.

Take a boat from the docks in Leticia to Puerto Nariño and organize your adventures upon arrival.

Lake Tarapoto, situated nearby, is renowned for opportunities to spot pink dolphins, and visitors can choose from bushwalking tours or boat excursions into the Amazon to observe caimans, monkeys, parrots, and toucans.

Local guesthouses, including Casa Gregorio and Hostal Alto de Aguila, can assist in arranging these experiences.

12. Visit an Indigenous Village

Leticia serves as a gateway for cultural experiences in the rainforest, enabling visits to local tribes such as the Tikuna, Yagua, and Huitoto.

Engagements with indigenous communities generally include demonstrations of traditional rituals and dances.

Such cultural exchanges can take place in villages where handicrafts are showcased, traditional foods are sampled, and community members serve as guides.

Visitors often have the opportunity to observe the preparation of coca leaves and yuca while enjoying stories and songs shared by the community.

13. Reserva Natural Omagua

Be sure to pack mosquito repellent and set aside any fears of heights for this adventure. If you seek a rush of adrenaline or a more exhilarating experience, consider visiting Omagua, a nature reserve offering the highest canopy tour in the region.

You can climb to a height of 35 meters (115 feet) among the treetops, traverse suspension bridges, rappel down, ascend rope nets, and zipline through the lush greenery.

During summer, you may even opt to spend a night in one of the platform treehouses nestled within the jungle.

Additionally, jungle treks and nighttime excursions are available to observe tree frogs and gigantic tarantulas.

14. Kayak the Yahuarcaca Lakes

This area, completely inundated by jungle, allows for kayaking among the vast and diverse ecosystem present in some of the most breathtaking lakes.

Witness an array of flora, including rubber and mahogany trees, in addition to the magnificent renaco tree and the world’s largest lotus, the Victoria Regia.

As you paddle, keep lookout for birds like kingfishers, eagles, herons, and ducks throughout the rich tapestry of reptiles, fish, and insects.

You may even catch sight of dolphins or sloths as you navigate these verdant landscapes.

This kayaking experience can also be conducted by boat or combined with a trip to the Victoria Regia Reserve or a fishing expedition where you prepare your own catch.

15. Journey Down the Yavari River

From Leticia, this Amazon River tributary flows westward, delineating part of the border with Peru.

At the city docks, you have the chance to embark with a guide to explore for wildlife; alternatively, consider an evening tour for a stunning sunset over the water, complemented by caiman spotting in the dark. During daylight, you can witness pink dolphins, monkeys, and sloths along the Yavari River.

Guides may also include stops at the picturesque Brazilian village of Benjamin Constant to experience its lively market and several recommended restaurants.

If you wish to delve deeper into the Amazon, proceed downstream to the more secluded region of Zacambu.