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Colombia (Amazon)
The Colombian Amazon is a deep, green jungle full of wide rivers and tall trees. You can take a boat ride to spot wild monkeys or listen to the amazing sounds of nature. It is the perfect place to truly escape into the wild.
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Summary
Did you know?
Pink River Dolphins – Local legends warn travelers never to swim alone at night because these shape-shifting pink dolphins can turn into handsome men to lure people away.
Overview
Months
June, July, August, September, October
Vacation type
Couple, Family, Rainforest, Safari
Expenses
<100€, <150€, <200€, Over 200€
Temperature
25-30°C
Rainfall
100-150mm, 150-200mm, >200mm
Safety
Medium, Dangerous
Continent
South America
Currency
Colombian peso
Languages
Spanish
Currency Converter
When to visit
The best time to travel to the Colombian Amazon depends entirely on the river levels rather than temperature. Because the region is near the equator, it is hot and humid year-round. In the deep Amazon around Leticia, the Low Water season (roughly July to November) is the best time for jungle trekking. During these months, the Amazon River recedes significantly, exposing white-sand river beaches and making it easier to walk deep into the primary forest to spot caimans, birds, and frogs.
The High Water season runs from March to June. Heavy rains cause the Amazon River to rise up to 10 meters (33 feet), transforming the jungle into a flooded forest (igapó). While hiking trails disappear under the water, this is the premier time for navigating in small wooden canoes directly through the treetops.
The northern transition zone (San José del Guaviare) has a slightly different pattern: its rainy season from May to November is actually the peak time to visit, as the heavy rains cause the spectacular aquatic plant Macarenia clavigera to bloom bright pink in the rivers.
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Plan the whole vacation, including flights, transportation, hotels and tours with Expedia *
Climate Data
Peak Season: July to November (Low Water Season / Trekking Peak)
Average Sunny Hours per Day: 5 to 7 hours.
Rain Frequency: 12 to 15 days per month.
Rainy Hours per Day: 1 to 2 hours.
Intensity: Short, intense late-afternoon tropical showers.
Duration: Showers pass quickly, leaving hot, bright sunshine. Temperatures regularly hit 32°C (90°F) with intense humidity.
Off-Peak Season: March to June (High Water Season / Flooded Forest)
Average Sunny Hours per Day: 3 to 5 hours.
Rain Frequency: 20 to 24 days per month.
Rainy Hours per Day: 3 to 5 hours.
Intensity: Torrential, prolonged tropical downpours.
Duration: Rain can fall consistently for hours, heavily flooding the rivers and submerging the walking trails. Mosquitoes are more abundant during these months.
Climate Chart
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Data Source: Global Historical Climatology Network
ClimateCharts.net
Weather, Crowds and Costs
Per one person
Tourist Season: July-November & December-January
Budget Vacation ($35-65/day)
Accommodation: $15-25/night (backpacker hostels in Leticia, basic guesthouses in San José del Guaviare).
Food: $8-15/day (local market almuerzo menus, street-side grilled fish, fresh fruit).
Activities: $10-20/day (self-guided walks to the border of Brazil, renting bicycles in Leticia, cheap local transport boats).
Transportation: $5-10/day (mototaxis, public buses in Putumayo, shared boat hops).
Other Costs: $3/day (bottled water, insect repellent).
Mid-Range Vacation ($110-220/day)
Accommodation: $60-120/night (comfortable jungle eco-lodges with private bathrooms, 3-star town hotels with air conditioning).
Food: $25-45/day (casual indoor dining, traditional Amazonian restaurants, grilled Pirarucú fish).
Activities: $40-80/day (shared boat trips to the Tarapoto Lakes, guided jungle day-hikes, rock art tours in Guaviare).
Transportation: $20-40/day (fast public speedboats along the Amazon River, prearranged airport transfers).
Other Costs: $10/day (tips for indigenous guides, extra snacks, rubber boot rentals).
Luxury Vacation ($350-700+/day)
Accommodation: $200-450+/night (premium boutique eco-lodges like Calanoa Jungle Lodge, offering private cabins deep in the rainforest).
Food: Included in lodge packages (gourmet Amazonian-fusion cuisine, fresh tropical juices).
Activities: Included in lodge packages (private motorized canoe safaris, exclusive visits to indigenous communities, private night safaris).
Transportation: $80-150+/day (domestic flights from Bogotá, private motorized river boat transfers).
Other Costs: $30+/day (premium artisan crafts from Ticuna communities, specialized photography guides).
Off-Peak Season: March-June
Budget Vacation ($30-55/day)
Accommodation: $12-20/night (discounted hostel beds in Leticia and Mocoa).
Food: $8-12/day (local markets, street stalls).
Activities: $5-15/day (exploring town markets, local ethnographic museums).
Transportation: $5-8/day (local public transit, short boat rides).
Other Costs: $5/day (extra strength DEET, heavy-duty rain poncho).
Mid-Range Vacation ($90-180/day)
Accommodation: $50-100/night (jungle lodges offering rainy-season or high-water discounts).
Food: $20-35/day (indoor dining, local cafes).
Activities: $25-50/day (discounted flooded forest canoe tours, indoor cultural visits).
Transportation: $15-30/day (domestic bus or fast boat shuttles).
Other Costs: $8/day (waterproof dry bags, laundry).
Luxury Vacation ($250-500+/day)
Accommodation: $150-350+/night (luxury lodges offering low-season promotions).
Food: Included in lodge packages.
Activities: Included (private canoe expeditions targeting the flooded forest canopies).
Transportation: $60-120/day (domestic flights, private boat transfers).
Other Costs: $20/day (tips, artisan goods).
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You can find accomendations that fit your trip and budget on Booking.com, Vrbo and Hotels.com
Best Regions to visit
Cities
1. Leticia
- The capital of the Amazonas department and the southernmost city in Colombia. It forms a unique "Triple Frontier" border with Tabatinga (Brazil) and Santa Rosa (Peru), separated only by an invisible street line and the river.
2. Puerto Nariño
- Located 80 kilometers upriver from Leticia, this is Colombia's first certified sustainable tourism destination. It is a completely car-free indigenous village where residents walk on paved paths.
3. San José del Guaviare
- A transition town where the eastern plains (Llanos) meet the dense Amazon rainforest, famous for ancient rock art and unique geological formations.
4. Mocoa
- The capital of the Putumayo department, sitting in the foothills where the Andes drop abruptly into the Amazon basin, surrounded by dramatic waterfalls.
5. Florencia
- The capital of Caquetá, acting as the commercial gateway to the western edge of the Colombian Amazon.
Did you know?
Treehouse Living – Remote indigenous tribes build elevated wooden platforms high up in jungle canopy trees to stay safe from seasonal floods and wandering jaguars.
Islands
1. Isla de los Micos (Monkey Island)
- A large river island located on the Amazon River near Leticia, home to thousands of semi-habituated yellow footed squirrel monkeys that frequently climb on visiting tourists.
2. Isla Fantasía
- A small island directly across from the port of Leticia, featuring small stilt-house communities and hiking paths that flood entirely during the high water season.
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Find the perfect place to stay in any of these top cities and islands with Booking.com, Hotels.com and Vrbo – offering entire homes and apartments for a comfortable and private experience.
Things to see
Natural Attractions
1. Amacayacu National Park
- A massive protected area of primary rainforest along the Amazon River, inhabited by the Ticuna indigenous people and home to jaguars, tapirs, and hundreds of bird species.
2. Tarapoto Lakes
- A Ramsar-protected wetland complex near Puerto Nariño, world-renowned as the primary feeding and breeding ground for the Amazonian pink river dolphin (Inia geoffrensis).
3. Chiribiquete National Park
- The largest tropical rainforest national park in the world. It is completely closed to ground tourism to protect uncontacted tribes and pristine biodiversity, but can be viewed via expensive scenic overflights.
4. Fin del Mundo Waterfall (Mocoa)
- A stunning 75-meter (245-foot) waterfall hidden deep in the jungle of Putumayo, accessible via a steep hike through dense forest.
5. Caño Sabana / Tranquilandia (Guaviare)
- A crystal-clear river where the endemic Macarenia clavigera aquatic plant blooms bright pink and red between June and November, creating a "liquid rainbow" effect similar to the famous Caño Cristales.
Historical and Cultural Sites
1. Cerro Azul Rock Paintings (Guaviare)
- Massive, sheer rock tepuis deep in the jungle covered in thousands of bright red pictographs drawn by indigenous people up to 12,000 years ago, depicting ice-age animals and human figures.
2. Ticuna, Yagua, and Cocama Indigenous Communities
- Traditional villages situated along the Amazon River where visitors can learn about natural medicine, wood carving, and the preparation of cassava bread.
3. Puerta de Orión (Guaviare)
- A massive, naturally eroded sandstone rock formation standing 15 meters high, historically used by indigenous groups to observe the stars.
Unique Experiences
1. Spotting Pink River Dolphins
- Navigating the quiet waters of the Tarapoto Lakes in a wooden canoe to watch pink river dolphins surface and blow air around the boat.
2. Walking Across an International Border
- Walking down a single street in Leticia and crossing freely into Tabatinga, Brazil, without going through border control, grabbing a Brazilian caipirinha, and taking a quick boat across the river to eat Peruvian ceviche.
3. Night Safari in the Flooded Forest
- Taking a silent canoe out into the blackwater lagoons after dark, using a flashlight to sweep the riverbanks and spot the glowing red eyes of caimans.
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The best way to explore major cities and must-see attractions is by booking guided tours.* They offer convenience, local insights, and often save time when visiting popular sights.
Amazon Rainforest
Unique Accomondations/Foodspots
Accommodations
Calanoa Amazonas
Location: Amacayacu National Park region, Colombia Amazon
An extraordinary design-forward eco-lodge built into the rainforest canopy along the Amazon River, featuring open-air architectural pavilions, community-led conservation programs, and deep jungle immersion.
Restaurants / Bars
Irupé
Location: Leticia, Amazonas, Colombia
A charming regional dining spot in Colombia's southernmost hub, celebrated for its fresh catches from the Amazon River, tropical fruit juices, and traditional Amazonian-Colombian fusion dishes.
Tours to do
1. Leticia & Puerto Nariño Amazon River Safari
- A classic multi-day expedition into the deep Amazon. After landing in Leticia, travelers take a fast public speedboat (lancha rápida) two hours up the Amazon River to Puerto Nariño. The itinerary includes guided boat trips to the Tarapoto Lakes to spot pink dolphins, a visit to a local Ticuna indigenous community to learn about traditional hunting, a night walk in the jungle to find tarantulas, and a stop at Monkey Island.
Duration: 3 to 4 Days.
Best Time: Year-round (the experience changes based on water levels).
Average Cost: $250 – $400 per person (includes boat transfers, eco-lodge accommodation, all meals, and local indigenous guides).
2. Cerro Azul Rock Art & Guaviare Day Tour
- A rugged, full-day archaeological adventure departing from San José del Guaviare. Visitors travel by 4x4 vehicle deep into the jungle, then hike up a steep, forested trail to reach the massive Cerro Azul rock tepui. A local guide interprets the towering walls of 12,000-year-old red pictographs, followed by a walk through a natural cave system and a viewpoint overlooking the uninterrupted Amazon canopy.
Duration: Full day (approx. 6 to 8 hours).
Best Time: Year-round.
Average Cost: $150 – $250 per person (includes 4x4 transport, specialized heritage guide, and farm lunch).
3. Fin del Mundo Waterfall Hike
- A demanding day trek departing from Mocoa in Putumayo. The trail climbs steeply through thick primary rainforest, passing smaller waterfalls and natural rock pools suitable for swimming. The hike culminates at the "End of the World," where the river drops suddenly off a sheer 75-meter cliff, offering panoramic views over the vast Amazon basin stretching eastward.
Duration: Full day (approx. 6 to 7 hours).
Best Time: July to November (dryer trails).
Average Cost: $30 – $50 per person (includes local guide and indigenous land entry fee).
Leticia
How to get around
1. Domestic Flights (Satena, Avianca, LATAM)
- Because the deep Amazon has no road connection to the rest of Colombia, flying is strictly required to reach Leticia (LET). Avianca and LATAM operate daily 2-hour jet flights from Bogotá. Satena and Clic Air operate smaller regional flights into San José del Guaviare (SJE), Florencia (FLA), and Mocoa/Villagarzón (VGZ).
2. Speedboats (Lanchas Rápidas)
- In the Amazonas department, the river is the only highway. Fast public passenger boats leave Leticia daily, heading upriver to indigenous communities and Puerto Nariño. You must buy tickets at the municipal dock a day in advance.
3. Roads & Buses
- The northern transition zones (Guaviare, Caquetá, Putumayo) are connected to the Andean interior by road. Buses from Bogotá to San José del Guaviare take about 8 to 9 hours, while the winding mountain road from Pasto down to Mocoa is notorious for landslides and takes 4 to 6 hours.
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You can find great car rental deals for your vacation on Expedia *
Did you know?
Glowing Mushrooms – Deep inside the dark jungle floor, certain wild mushroom species glow with a bright greenish-neon light at night to attract insects.
What to eat
1. Pirarucú / Paiche
- The largest freshwater scaled fish in the world, native to the Amazon River basin. The meat is firm, white, and boneless. It is typically served grilled, fried in garlic, or rolled into crispy fish spheres (bolitas de pirarucú), accompanied by fried plantains.
2. Casabe (Yuca Bread)
- The dietary foundation for indigenous communities across the Amazon. Bitter yuca (cassava) root is grated, washed of its toxic cyanide compounds, and pressed flat onto a massive hot clay griddle over an open fire, creating a large, dry, cracker-like bread that lasts for months.
3. Mojojoy (Palm Weevil Grubs)
- A traditional, highly nutritious protein source for indigenous tribes. These plump, white grubs are harvested from rotting palm trunks. They can be eaten alive, but are most commonly skewered and grilled over charcoal, offering a crispy exterior with a flavor resembling smoky bacon or butter.
4. Copoazú & Arazá Fruits
- Endemic Amazonian fruits prized for their intense, tart flavors. Copoazú is a relative of cacao with a creamy, sour-sweet pulp often turned into juices and ice cream. Arazá is a highly acidic, yellow jungle fruit used heavily in local marmalades and fresh drinks.
Pirarucú
Flights
Flight prices are approximate and vary by departure city, airline, and booking time. Check airlines or travel platforms for the latest details.
* Please note: All prices are rough estimates for orientation purposes only and may vary by region.
Main Airport: Alfredo Vásquez Cobo International Airport (LET) in Leticia
Note: Leticia [LET] handles solely domestic traffic. All international travelers must fly into Bogotá [BOG] first, clear customs, and take a domestic flight over the jungle).
Flight Prices and Seasons
From North America:
- Average Round-Trip Cost: $400 to $850 (Direct flights to Bogotá from Miami, New York-JFK, Atlanta, Houston, and Los Angeles via Avianca, American, Delta, and United).
- Cheapest Months: September, October, and February.
- Peak Prices: December, January, and July.
From Europe:
- Average Round-Trip Cost: $750 to $1,300 (Direct flights to Bogotá from Madrid, London, Paris, and Frankfurt via Avianca, Iberia, Air France, and Lufthansa).
- Cheapest Months: November, February, and March.
- Peak Prices: July, August, and Christmas.
From Asia:
- Average Round-Trip Cost: $1,300 to $2,200 (Requires connecting flights through major US or European hubs).
- Cheapest Months: October and November.
- Peak Prices: Lunar New Year, July, and August.
From Australia (Domestic/Oceania):
- Average Round-Trip Cost: $1,600 to $2,500 (Connecting through Santiago de Chile via LATAM, or via US west-coast gateways).
- Cheapest Months: May and November.
- Peak Prices: December and January.
From Africa:
- Average Round-Trip Cost: $1,200 to $1,900 (Connecting through European transit hubs like Madrid, Paris, or Frankfurt).
- Cheapest Months: March and November.
- Peak Prices: July, August, and December.
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You can find the best flight deals with Skyscanner or plan the whole vacation, including flights, transportation, hotels and tours with Expedia *
Airport Location
Visa
1. Visa Requirement
- Most travelers do not need a visa to enter Colombia for short stays, including citizens of the U.S., Canada, the U.K., Australia, and many EU countries.
2. Visa-Free Entry
- Citizens of several countries can stay without a visa for up to 90 days, with the possibility of a 90-day extension.
3. Visa Application
- Travelers from countries that require a visa must apply at a Colombian embassy or consulate before traveling.
4. Types of Visa
- Commonly issued as tourist visas or business visas, with varying durations based on purpose.
5. Processing Time
- Visa processing can take from a few days to a few weeks, so it’s advisable to apply well in advance.
6. Duration of Stay
- Tourist visas typically allow stays of up to 90 days, with the option to extend.
7. Health Requirements
- No specific vaccinations are required for entry, but travel insurance is recommended.
Important things to know
1. Payments
- The local currency is the Colombian Peso (COP). Credit cards are widely accepted in urban areas, but cash is useful in smaller towns.
2. Tap Water
- Tap water is generally safe to drink in major cities, but bottled water is often preferred.
3. Electricity
- The voltage is 110V, and plug types A and B (two flat pins) are used. No adapter is needed for devices from North America.
4. Tipping in Restaurants
- Tipping is customary, with 10-15% being standard for good service in restaurants.
5. SIM Cards
- Local SIM cards are available from providers like Claro, Movistar, and Tigo. They can be purchased at stores, offering various prepaid data plans.
6. Driving Side
- In Colombia, people drive on the right side of the road.
Souveniers
1. Wayuu Mochila Bags
- These colorful, handwoven bags are made by the Indigenous Wayuu people of northern Colombia. Each bag is unique, with intricate geometric patterns and vibrant colors, reflecting the rich cultural heritage of the Wayuu artisans.
2. Colombian Coffee
- Colombia is famous for its high-quality Arabica coffee. Bringing back a bag of locally roasted beans, especially from regions like Huila or the Coffee Triangle, guarantees a rich and smooth flavor with chocolatey and nutty notes.
3. Yanchama Bark Paintings
- Traditional canvases made by the Ticuna people from the inner bark of the yanchama tree. The bark is pounded flat and painted with natural plant dyes to depict jungle spirits, jaguars, and shamans.
Wayuu Mochila Bags
Location
Reviews
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