Colombia Travel Guide
PUERTO NARIÑO
Colombia
Located 2 hours by boat from Leticia, in a more serene and untamed area, is Puerto Nariño. This lovely little town doesn’t allow motor vehicles. Puerto Nariño is an ideal spot for an overnight jungle stay, a trip on Lake Tarapoto, interactions with indigenous communities, and even trying your hand at piranha fishing.
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KEY INFORMATION ABOUT PUERTO NARIÑO, COLOMBIA
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general overview
Puerto Nariño, a charming car-free town on the banks of the Amazon River.
Puerto Nariño lies along the Rio Loretoyacu, an Amazon River tributary 80 km upstream from Leticia in the Colombian Amazon.
It is the second largest municipality in the Amazonas department.
Once a small Peruvian port in the Amazon Triangle, Puerto Nariño came under Colombian sovereignty in 1961.
Due to its rapid population growth, it was elevated to municipality status in 1984. Puerto Nariño has 4,000 residents (11,000 including nearby villages).
Surrounded by stunning vegetation, Puerto Nariño is a peaceful and authentic small town.
Thanks to day trips organized by a few local agencies, it’s a great destination to understand indigenous culture and explore the Amazon at your own pace.
It’s a great alternative to ecolodges and multi-day tours.
It’s always hot and humid in Puerto Nariño (average annual temperature 26°C).
- During the high water season (November to May), the Amazon floods parts of the jungle, so you’ll spend more time on the boat. You can kayak in breathtaking scenery but expect more mosquitoes.
- In the low water season (August to October), some parts of the jungle are revealed, so you’ll do more walking. This season is good for fishing, it rains less, but the sun is scorching.
May to July are my favorite months to visit Puerto Nariño and its surroundings.
Be aware that the low water season is not ideal for spotting pink and gray dolphins in Lake Tarapoto, which is 30 minutes upstream by boat from Puerto Nariño.
Every Saturday, students from nearby indigenous communities gather to study and meet.
One day and one night are enough to enjoy Puerto Nariño and take a trip to Lake Tarapoto.
If you plan to use it as a base for exploration, I recommend staying for three nights. This will allow you to visit an Indigenous community and camp in the jungle.
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Things to do in puerto nariño
Puerto Nariño is a very small town that’s perfect for a leisurely stroll.
So, no taxis or tuk-tuks in Puerto Nariño, meaning you’ll be navigating the pretty, pink-paved streets on foot.
Enjoy the lively, friendly atmosphere as you stroll around. The large, colorful statues and house graffiti will catch your eye. These artworks aren’t just decorations; they illustrate Amazonian legends and scenes from local life.
It’s hot in Puerto Nariño, and an exotic-flavored ice cream is irresistible, especially from the lookout at the village’s top. This is where you’ll get the best view of the river, the town, and the forest. You enter through the wide-open mouth of a giant jaguar.
Puerto Nariño hosts the Fundación Natütama, aimed at preserving the Amazon River’s wildlife and plants, as well as local traditions. You can reach the center by walking along the main street that follows the river at the town’s lower end (about a 10-15 minute walk from downtown).
I thought finishing my visit to Puerto Nariño at this foundation was a great way to learn about the river’s annual water cycle and the species living there through a beautiful collection of wooden sculptures.
The guide shares legends throughout the visit, including the story of the dolphin man who seduces young girls.
Cabaña de Águila, a 20-minute walk from Puerto Nariño, allows you to see monkeys in their natural habitat without venturing deep into the jungle. Don’t go in the late afternoon, as the monkeys go to sleep early (around 4:30 PM), and you might end up returning in the dark. Night falls quickly, and there is no lighting.
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PUERTO NARIÑO SURROUNDINGS
Puerto Nariño is a good base for day trips.
During the high water season (November to May), you can see pink and gray dolphins in Lake Tarapoto, just a 30-minute boat ride from Puerto Nariño. Simply book an excursion with a local guide. We even got to swim there at sunset. Not seeing my feet, I didn’t stay in the water for long.
In the low water season, you’re more likely to spot them if you venture a bit further towards the mouth of the Rio Loretoyacu, where it flows into the Amazon.
Always with a local guide, set out in the late afternoon for piranha fishing using an artisanal rod and pieces of chicken.
There’s a whole technique to it: you strike the rod in the water before casting the line to mimic the struggle of a wounded animal. I was amazed at how quickly the little voracious fish bit the hook. If you value your fingers, I recommend letting your guide handle the unhooking.
Fishing is easier during the low water season because the fish concentration is higher, and there’s less food available for them.
Exploring the Amazon rainforest with a local guide after sunset spices up your jungle experience. The astonishing world becomes even more mysterious at night. I was captivated by the bioluminescent mushrooms.
These excursions typically last between 2 and 3 hours.
You can extend the adventure with a dinner by the campfire and spend the night in a hammock.
Puerto Nariño is a vibrant hub for 22 indigenous communities, including the Tikuna, Yagua, and Cocama.
A guided tour of an indigenous community provides a glimpse into the traditional life of Amazonian peoples in a remote and simple setting.
The nearest communities to Puerto Nariño are Mocagua for wildlife (30 minutes away), Tarapoto, the smallest community, for lake views (30 minutes away), and San Martín for exploring Tikuna culture (50 minutes away).
I visited all three, and each left me with unique but unforgettable memories.
It’s a pleasant day trip where you head to Isla Cacao (20 minutes away) to briefly visit the San Antonio community in Peru, then stroll among the roots of giant trees (ceibas) in search of sloths.
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PLAN A TREK IN THE JUNGLE
Our guide to help you plan a multi-day trip in the Colombian Amazon.
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WHERE TO STAY IN Puerto Nariño
My favorite hotels in Puerto Nariño
Staying in a hotel in Puerto Nariño keeps you near the restaurants and bars, letting you experience the charm of this peaceful and verdant small town.
My favorite hotels are Refugio Maiku Puerto Nariño, Maloka Napu, and Wikungo Hotel. You can also find lovely cabins at Cabañas Dechi, owned by Charlie.
You can wake up to the sounds of nature without having to stray too far from the village. Depending on the location of the hotel, you’ll need to get there on foot—remember, there’s no public lighting—or by boat—the hotel takes care of the transport.
Cabañas Alto Del Aguila offers basic accommodation with friendly animals (20 minutes on foot), and Eware Refugio Amazónico (10 minutes by boat) is nestled in a beautiful garden on the riverbank.
GOING OUT IN Puerto Nariño
After a day of adventure, unwind on the terrace of a bar along the main street by the river. Enjoy South American music and a local beer.
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EATING IN Puerto Nariño
My favorite restaurants.
Las Margaritas serves a wide variety of delicious traditional dishes under a huge maloka with a palm roof. Despite the number of tables, the service is friendly and efficient. It’s the busiest restaurant in town, offering a buffet option.
At Maloka Piraña, you can savor delicious Amazonian dishes like pirarucu with copazu juice—a fruit from the Brazilian Amazon. The atmosphere is warm, and the owner is very welcoming. The menu also includes vegetarian dishes, such as Beyju, a tapioca crepe.
Nothing beats the heat like a delicious ice cream. Helados Naipata, across from the lookout, makes the best with exotic Amazonian fruits and guaranteed potable water. My favorite flavors are Camu-camu and Araza.
I also enjoyed the ice creams from Refresqueria y Heladeria Amazónica, located just beside the lookout.
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HOW TO GET TO Puerto Nariño
And getting around.
he main entry point to the Amazon is Leticia, accessible via a direct flight from Bogotá. Upon arrival at Alfredo Vasquez Cobo International Airport, you’ll need to pay an entry fee.
To reach Puerto Nariño from Leticia, you need to take a public boat (2-hour trip). There are 3 departures daily, operated by 3 companies that rotate each day. The departures are notably punctual.
Locals primarily use the public boat, so arrive early and confirm the schedule with your hotel. I suggest booking your ticket the day before. Your hotel or a local agency can help with this.
Puerto Nariño is a town without motor vehicles, so you get around on foot. The grid layout of the streets makes it easy to navigate.
Boats are the only option for getting around. You can take a public boat or hire private boats for excursions or trips to and from your hotel if you’re staying outside the town.
A trail through the jungle takes about 2 hours to reach the community of San Marti. It’s best to go with a guide.
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IS Puerto Nariño SAFE?
Puerto Nariño is a very peaceful town where you can stroll without any worries. The streets are wide and welcoming. Personally, I found the atmosphere pleasant and relaxed. Don’t hesitate to explore it!
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MY LAST TIPS
To make the most of your stay in Puerto Nariño.
As is the case throughout the Amazon, the water is not drinkable here. However, you can refill your water bottle at the free potable water fountain located next to the police station. Be aware that the jugs empty quickly.
Internet connectivity in Puerto Nariño is very poor and may be unavailable for several days. Occasionally, some agencies may let you use their network for a short time to handle a few things.
For phone service, Claro has the best coverage. Consider purchasing a SIM card.
I advise you to take advantage of these technological limitations to disconnect from your usual routine and fully enjoy the extraordinary experience of being in such an amazing part of the world.
There are no ATMs in the town, so be sure to withdraw enough money before coming. Many payments are made in cash due to poor or nonexistent internet connection, which makes card payments impossible.
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