Overview

As with the other Andean countries which share territory in the Amazon basin, Colombian Amazonia occupies a third of the national territory but is cut off both physically and culturally from the rest of the country. But with a rich ecosystem hosting a staggering array of tropical flora and fauna, and distinctive indigenous communities sprinkled along the river banks, it’s a beguiling destination for adventurous travellers.

With a history of disputed borders, the region has passed through turbulent times is now regarded as safe and peaceful, and tourism - still in its infancy among foreign visitors - is on the up. Little English is spoken, but the people are very friendly, and offer a genuine welcome.

There are no roads here. The only municipalities in Colombian Amazonas are the jumbly river port Leticia - accessible only by a two-hour flight from Bogotá and locally by river - and the idiosyncratic eco-village Puerto Nariño, reached solely by boat. The remaining 22 mostly riverside indigenous settlements - where there is no concept of private property and where evangelical churches thrive - earn a living from fishing, farming and a little tourism and are run by traditional self-governing councils.

The timeless, languid pace of life here in the sultry rainforest, where the seasonal rising and falling of the river’s water level is the most significant annual event,  contrasts markedly from the rest of Colombia. Perhaps there is more in common here with the Amazonia of Brazil and Peru, the borders with which converge on Leticia, and which you can visit on the same day.

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Where to go when - our guide to The Colombian Amazon

Sunset in the Amazon

The weather in The Colombian Amazon is wide and varied

While much of the Colombian Amazon is inaccessible, you can visit the jumbly river port of Leticia and the charming eco-village of Puerto Nariño at any time of year. Here the seasons are split roughly in two, with the rainier season from Dec - Jun and the drier season Jul - Nov. During the rainier season, water levels in the rivers are high and many areas of the jungle flood. While some walking trails become inaccessible, you’ll have the chance to kayak through flooded parts of the rainforest. Temperatures at this time are hot, often over 30°C, and humidity is high. During the drier season the water levels lower, particularly in September - November, and there are fewer mosquitos. Most trails will now be accessible so you can hike further into the jungle, and chances of wildlife spotting are best this time of year. Temperatures are sweltering, sometimes over 40°C in the strong sun.

View our The Colombian Amazon weather guide

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  • Lina
    Lina Fuller - Travel Expert

    Lina's passion for the continent where she was born really took off when she moved to Córdoba (Argentina) to study, spending the holidays travelling between Argentina and her native Colombia.

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    Heloise started her Latin American journey as an exchange student in Santiago, Chile. With extended summer holidays this was the perfect opportunity to backpack through Bolivia, Peru, Argentina and Brazil.

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    After graduating with a degree in Anthropology and History and having been fascinated by Latin America since childhood by the book featuring photos of Nazca, Juliet first visited the region in 2003. Since then, Juliet has visited the majority of countries in Latin America but has particularly extensive experience with Peru, a country she loves for many reasons but not least, its incredible archaeological richness and delicious food!

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    After graduating in Computer Science, Paul spent seven months travelling from Colombia to Argentina and came home hooked on Latin America.

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    Charlotte's fascination with Latin America began with a family holiday to Belize. She went on to study Spanish in school and at university before spending a year living in Santiago, Chile.

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