How To Enjoy The Colombian Amazon

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The Colombian Amazon covers over 20% of the country’s territory and extends through 6 departments: Amazonas, Caquetá, Guainia, Guaviare, Putumayo, and Vaupés. Quite big, isn’t it? Don’t worry; we have been traveling through the Amazon for 15 days, searching for the best experiences to share.

Thanks to this guide, you can decide which cities to visit in the Amazon, add unique experiences to your itinerary, and avoid the most common mistakes travelers make before and during their trip to the Amazon.

Read on to find out if this destination is for you.

👉 Pssst, if you are a bit worried about planning a few days in this part of Colombia or if you are afraid you won’t make the right choices, you can also ask Bruce to organize it for you. He is our Colombia travel expert. Ask him to send you a free quote.

Best Things To Do In Colombia’s Amazon

In this section, you’ll find the most authentic experiences you can do in the Colombian Amazon.

👉 Don’t forget to read our article about the best jungle tours from Leticia.

11# Visit a rescued animal foundation

Many wild animals are hunted in the Amazon to be domesticated, sold, or to entertain hundreds of tourists. Not only does this affect the lives of the animals, but it is also a threat to the Amazon’s ecosystem.

Foundations such as Maikuchiga in Mocagua or Musmuki (Vista Alegre) rescue animals that are victims of illegal trafficking, rehabilitate them, and then return them to their habitat.

One way to support them is to visit them. You can make a reservation with the Mocagua community to see rescued monkeys and sloths.

• Where: Community of Mocagua 2 hours from Leticia
• Check their website to contact them

12# Visit Nature Reserves

The nature reserves allow you to easily connect with the Amazon nature, do ecotourism activities, and relax with the vibrant sounds of its animals.

The three reserves you can visit in the Colombian Amazon are:

Tanimboca Reserve is located about 30 minutes from Leticia. You can do kayaking, bird watching, zip lining, or sleeping in tree houses 12 meters high.

Victoria Regia Nature Reserve, 15 minutes by boat from Leticia. Here you can observe the largest aquatic flower in the world: the Victoria Regia and its lotus flower, which opens its petals at sunset. It is undoubtedly a great place to take a memorable picture. Did you know that this plant can support 40 kg?

Wochine, a 2-hour walk from Puerto Nariño, is a large farm preserved by a Tikuna family. Here you can see the famous pirarucu (giant fish) of the Amazon, Victoria Regia plants, turtles, caiman, and a 150-year-old ceiba.

13# Amacayacu Park

Parque Nacional Natural Amacayacu is the first Natural Park in Colombia created to protect the biodiversity of the Amazon region. Its territory is MUCH larger than Bogotá, so imagine all the cultural richness, fauna, and flora that inhabit it.

With a guide from the Park, venture along the trails and be ready to observe birds, the lion tamarin (the smallest primate in America), walking trees, the symbolic ceiba tree that can grow up to 40 meters high, indigenous communities, and much more.

How to get there: Guides from the community of San Martin or Mocagua offer to take you there.

14# Serranía de Chiribiquete

In the heart of the Amazon, between the departments of Caquetá and Guaviare, you will find the majestic Serranía de Chiribiquete Natural Park.

This hidden jungle treasure is one of the best-preserved sites on earth. Today it is a natural and cultural World Heritage Site, a title shared by only 39 places on the planet.

It is as breathtaking as the rest of the Amazon, yet almost no one has been there. It has impressive rock formations (tepuis), cave paintings dating back over 20,000 years, an incredible number of wildlife species, and secluded indigenous communities.

How to get there: Chiribiquete can only be seen from the air, with permission to fly over it from the National Park and the Colombian Air Force. Departures from San José del Guaviare. 

15# Museums and Ecological Parks

The museums of the Amazon seek to transmit and preserve the bonds and traditional knowledge between the jungle and the indigenous communities. The best of them are:

Mundo Amazónico (Leticia) to learn about ancient wisdom, Amazonian plants and their medicinal uses. With various interactive activities such as the botanical garden, the visit to a traditional maloca, the aquarium, and the ecological trails, you will have a great time while learning before exploring the high forest.

In Puerto Nariño, the Natutama Interpretive Center is a site that allows you to learn more about the richness of the Amazon’s flora and fauna and its different landscapes according to the seasons: low-level water and high-level water. The center also features life-size wooden sculptures of animals and various cultural elements of the Tikuna indigenous community.

16# Night walks

One of the best adventures you can have in the Amazon is to walk in the dense jungle at night.

It’s the best time to listen to the scary jungle noises and observe tarantulas, insects, and bioluminescent fungi growing on the ground. It feels like taking a trip to Avatar.

Ensure you don’t forget your flashlight, rubber boots, insect repellent, and long clothing. And, of course, your local guide!

The experience will be better from a remote ecolodge.

17# Animal watching

The Amazon, in South America, is home to the most significant animal biodiversity in the world, yet you could see it all or nothing. Remember that the animals are roaming free— it’s not a zoo. Most of them sleep during the day and hide from humans.

I understand your eagerness to see animals. Still, you should not support tours or places like Monkey Island (isla de los micos) that keep the animals in poor conditions to entertain tourists.

The best thing to observe wildlife is to go early into the jungle with a local guide.

Among the animals you might see are the lion tamarin, crocodiles, pink dolphins, gray dolphins, freshwater turtles, jaguar, howler monkeys, harpy eagle, sloths, hummingbirds, caimans, macaws, toucans, typical fish like the piranha and the Pirarucu— the emblematic fish of the Amazon that can reach more than 2 meters.

18# Exotic fruits and Amazonian plants

More than 130,000 species of plants are found in the Colombian Amazon. You will encounter many trees, exotic fruits, and plants capable of curing any disease.

The most emblematic flora include:

• The Victoria Amazonica is the largest aquatic plant in the world.
• The copal is a tree that the indigenous people use for its resin to light fires, heal wounds, or as incense for rituals.
• The ceiba is not only the largest (can reach more than 60 meters) tree in the Amazon. It is also the protagonist of many indigenous myths about the universe’s conception.

Visiting the Amazon is also an opportunity to taste exotic fruits. I recommend you head to the main market in Leticia and look for the following:

• Camu Camu is a small, reddish, round fruit with 40 times more vitamin C than an orange. It is often consumed in juices and ice cream.
• Aguajé is a fruit with snake-like red skin and yellow flesh. It has 20 times more vitamin A than a carrot.
• Açaí is a small purple fruit the size of a grape. It has antioxidant properties and has gained fame for reducing the signs of skin aging.
• Copoazú, also known as white cocoa because of its cocoa-like flavor, has antioxidant properties and is often consumed in desserts.

19# Collect sunsets

Sunsets in the Amazon are magical. So, in the late afternoon, go up to the Puerto Nariño lookout point to watch the sun sets behind the Amazon River and the immense jungle surrounding the town. You’ll have a 360-degree view.

In Leticia, hundreds of birds fly over Parque Santander while the sky shows you a unique colorful picture. Climb the church’s top for a better view, or go to Mossh Bar for a drink while enjoying the show.

Or you can go to the banks of the Amazon River to embrace the last rays of the sun.

20# Fish Piranhas

Credit: Rafael Estrella
Horror movies made famous piranhas and their speed to devour humans.

In the Amazon, locals often catch them for food. You can go with your local guide to try it. Just be careful when removing the hook from their sharp teeth.

This activity is easier during the low water level season.

21# Visit Tres fronteras

The triple Amazonian border is composed of Tabatinga (Brazil), Santa Rosa (Peru), and Leticia (Colombia). Although they are 3 different countries, they feel like one because they share the same Amazonian culture, and there is no border control.

Of the 3 cities, Leticia is the most touristically developed.

You can pass from one city to another on your own. You don’t need to stamp your passport if you only go for the day. You can have breakfast in Tabatinga, lunch in Santa Rosa at the Brisas del Amazonas restaurant, and dinner in Leticia.

If, on the other hand, you would like to go further into the Amazon of Brazil or Peru, you can opt for a tour. You will visit Benjamin Constant (famous for its exotic fruits) and Islandia (the “Venice of the Amazon”).

22# Swimming in Lake Tarapoto

Lake Tarapoto, known as the home of incredible biodiversity, was declared a Ramsar site in 2018.

Pink and gray dolphins are the main reasons to convince tourists to sail on Tarapoto lake.

If you are brave enough, don’t hesitate to swim in its calm waters. The experience will be better if you go to sunrise or sunset with a local guide.

How to get there: 20 min. by boat from Puerto Nariño.

Tip: you will have a better chance of seeing dolphins during low water season.

23# Kayaking in the flooded jungle

It is one of the activities that can be done when the river level rises. You navigate through the calm waters of the rainforest while witnessing its incredible magic and passing between majestic trees. Here there are no sounds but the wind, the birds, and the river.

The experience makes you feel lost in the jungle and away from the modern world. This is my favorite activity in the Amazon (and it is much easier than hiking ^^).

I did it twice. At Axel’s ecolodge and from Victoria Regia Nature Reserve.

24# Sleeping in the middle of the jungle

If walking through the jungle at night is already an adventure, imagine sleeping in the wilderness. Yes, amigo, it’s on another level.

It is clearly not an experience for everyone.

You’ll walk for many hours (sometimes in the rain), see scary animals like tarantulas, and fight thirsty mosquitoes.

Afterward, you will prepare dinner on a wood fire with your guide. You will sleep in a hammock under the canopy and wake up to the first sounds of the jungle, with birds singing and monkeys screaming. Here everyone wakes up early, even you!

All in all, this is an unforgettable adventure that only you can experience in the Amazon. Yes, it is worth it. But you have to be mentally and physically prepared.

Also, ensure you do it with a good agency/guide who will take you deep into the jungle, not the city’s outskirts.

25# Stay in an ecolodge

After spending 15 days in the Amazon and trying every possible way to enjoy it, I discovered that the best option was to stay in remote eco-lodges.

They are far from the cities, in the middle of the jungle, yet you have a roof over your head and a bed to sleep in after a day of adventure.

My favorite ecolodge is Axel’s eco-lodge. It is located in a nature reserve in Brazil, 3 hours from Leticia.

Here everything is included. From the first day, I had a personal guide who took me to live my best experiences in the Amazon, from going into the jungle at dusk, staying overnight, and kayaking in the flooded jungle.

There are other good ecolodges in the Amazon. Still, my favorite was Axel’s because it is far enough away to have an authentic experience, and you can choose your activities whenever you want.

26# Taste delicious Amazonian specialties

And we come to the most crucial part, the food! After all, what would Indiana Jones do without a good meal?

Fortunately, Amazon is full of new and delicious flavors. The cuisine is based on products sourced from the river and the jungle and is often linked to indigenous cultures.

Among the most typical dishes is the pirarucu. It is one of the largest freshwater fish in the world. It can only be found in the Amazon basin, so be sure to try it. It can be enjoyed in different ways: grilled, ceviche, and chicharrón.

The mojojoy is perhaps the most exotic thing you can eat in the Amazon. This fat larva, the size of a finger, is a delicacy among the region’s native people. It’s very high in protein. It can be eaten roasted or alive as it moves between your fingers.

Piranha is another fish that attracts the attention of tourists, mainly because of its fame in movies. It is usually eaten cooked or fried, accompanied by yucca, plantains, and traditional salads.

Patarasca is one of the most delicious dishes of the Amazon. It is a fish marinated with Amazonian vegetables wrapped in banana or bijao leaves. These give the fish a juicier flavor.

27# Stunning Waterfalls

Among the most majestic canyons of the Amazon is the Araracuara Canyon, located between the department of Caquetá and the Amazon: 6 kilometers long, 80 meters high, and 30 meters wide!

The Jirijirimo River is formed by a series of massive waterfalls in the Apoporis River, between the limits of the department of Vaupés and the Colombian Amazon.

Things to know before traveling to the Colombian Amazon

I share my best tips for your trip to the Colombian Amazon.

28# Traveler type:

• I do not recommend traveling to the Amazon with children under 10 years old. There are a lot of humidity and insects, and it is scorching. Adults can handle it, but children can be easily affected. Also, you will have to go deep into the jungle to try to see animals. If you decide to venture out with your little one, don’t forget to protect yourself against malaria and yellow fever. Also, carry medication in case of emergency. For example, children are more likely to drink water while bathing, which could cause diarrhea.
• Seniors: Some ecolodges allow you to enjoy the Amazon without too much effort. Still, it is better to be in good shape because even getting in and out of the boats requires effort. Boat rides may be painful for your back and articulations.
• Mentally strong and laid-back travelers: Remember that you will be in the rainforest. The accommodations are rustic; there are insects, humidity, little electricity, and poor cell phone signal. Like it or not, the Amazon is an adventure; you must be prepared for it.
• For obvious reasons, traveling to the Amazon is not recommended for pregnant women.

29# Tips for observing animals

My best recommendation to observe animals in the Amazon is to get far away from the city.

The animals are in their natural habitat, and like hiding, so you must be lucky to see them.

• It will be better if you get up early.
• It is easier to observe the animals in the dry season. The jungle is not flooded, and animals gather on the banks of the Amazon.
• Most travelers forget that much of the Amazon’s magic happens high up in the treetops.
• Stay at an ecolodge that has a lookout point. You can easily see the animals, especially the birds, early morning. Axel’s ecolodge has a great lookout point.
• Opt for a private expedition (fewer people).
• If you opt for a group excursion, ensure there are no more than 8 people.
• Avoid cheap excursions with a large number of travelers. They will make a lot of noise, and the agency usually takes you only to the outskirts of the cities.

30# Health

There are many insects and mosquitoes in the Amazon, especially in the high water season, so the government recommends getting vaccinated against yellow fever at least 10 days before traveling.

There are also red zones for malaria; although tours do not go there, you should protect yourself from mosquitoes. When we were in the Amazon, we decided not to take the malaria pills, as they cause harmful side effects such as diarrhea.

It is up to you to take the medication.

31# How to get around in the Amazon

Inside the cities, you can move around by tuk-tuk, mototaxi, cabs, or walking —except in Puerto Nariño, where they do not use motorized transport. However, to go from one destination to another, such as going to the jungle, visiting indigenous communities and nature reserves, and even from one city to another, you will almost always do it by boat.

32# When to travel to the Amazon

The seasons in the Amazon are divided into two: high water season and low water season.

The high water season runs from January to mid-June. Heavy rains flood some areas of the jungle so that most activities will be done by boat and kayak. Mosquitoes and humidity are also more common.

The dry season is between the end of June and December, it still rains, but the sun comes out more. The river level decreases, and it is the opportunity to see more animals and do more hiking.

Generally, it is less rainy and humid in June, July, August, and sometimes September.

So when to travel to the Amazon depends on what you want to experience. At any time, it will be amazing.

33# What to pack for the Colombian Amazon

Okay, you’ve decided you’re going on an exciting adventure. It-s time to decide what to put in your bag. The less stuff you pack, the easier it will be to get around the rainforest.

I share with you the list of things that were indispensable on my trip to the Amazon:

• A backpack (much better than a wheeled suitcase).
• A day bag.
• Repellent to protect you from mosquitoes. We used Nopikex.
• Long sleeves and long hiking pants to protect you from the sun and mosquitoes.
• Short sleeve shirts for when you rest. In the Amazon, it rains a lot, but the average temperature is always high.
• Binoculars so you don’t miss anything.
• Sunscreen, sunglasses, hat.
• Comfortable walking shoes – ideally waterproof.
• Rubber boots. Ask first if your lodge provides them.
• Flashlight for night tours in the jungle.
• Rain cover.
• A small waterproof bag to protect your valuables.
• Sandals for after the effort.

34# How long to stay in the Amazon

Considering that there are not many daily flights to and from the Amazon and that you’ll have to take boats, I recommend at least 5 days.

Bottom line: Amazonas, Colombia

The Amazon is the ideal playground for adventurers. Every year it attracts more and more travelers.

Some prefer to wait until they are in Leticia to choose their activities thinking they will get the best deals. I don’t recommend you do this because some local agencies are illegal and the quality of the tours offered varies greatly from operator to operator.

However, you don’t need to book 4 days with an agency if you don’t have the budget. There are some activities you can do on your own. Go to a nature reserve and spend a few days in an indigenous community.

Another excellent option is to book in advance a remote ecolodge on the banks of the Amazon River. In fact, my stay at Axel’s Ecolodge is one of my best memories of the Colombian Amazon.

So, are you ready for adventure?