Back

Discover indian culture in the Colombian Amazon

NEPTUNO ©

Discover the lifestyle and culture of the indians of the Colombian Amazon.

A visit to the Colombian Amazon offers an experience a bit different from that of the other countries’ territory in Amazonia. The social, economic and political upheavals of the region have of course affected all countries in this remote part of the continent but none more so than Colombia. It’s taken a while for the area to settle down enough to be an attractive destination for foreign visitors, but now tourism is on the up.

Wildlife spotting here is a given: but a visit now is really rewarding for those looking to discover and understand the dynamics of life on the shores of the Amazon.  Leticia, the gateway to Colombia’s Amazonas department, lies on the confluence of the frontiers of Brazil and Peru and is a lively enough port and trade centre with a mixed population but beyond the town’s limits the river banks are peppered with 22 indigenous communities from the Ticuna, Yagua and Cocana tribes, all self-governing and fiercely protective of their traditions. They are beginning to welcome visitors to their homes and makeshift craft shops and dining rooms, but effectively life goes on as before.

Visit Mocagua, where encouraged by artist Diego Samper who owns the lodge next door, the inhabitants have decorated their houses with larger than life portraits of the animals and birds of the region.  Macedonia is a community well set up for mass tourism, with native dancing and brimful of stalls selling stuff – probably best avoided but you can call in at other friendly, unspoilt and authentic villages such as Palmeras and Santo Sofia, as well as San Antonio on the Peruvian side of the river, where the main grassy thoroughfare is an abandoned airstrip constructed by long-gone drug lords.

Attractive Puerto Nariño, 75km upriver, is a larger, flower-filled village famed for its eco-credentials, founded by Indians but now with a sizable mestizo population. 

Colombia
The Colombian Amazon
The Amazon

Papagaio

Your edit for Latin American inspiration

Our exciting range of articles on Latin America explore everything from iconic destinations and lesser-known cultural gems to delicious traditional recipes. You’ll also find exclusive travel tips, first-hand client reviews and the chance to get your personal questions answered by our travel experts.

View Extraordinary Inspiration
Bartolome, Galápagos

Meet our team

Real Latin american experts

  • Mary
    Mary Anne Nelson - Travel Expert

    Born in the Atacama Desert in northern Chile, Mary’s insider knowledge and dry sense of humour make her a highly valued member of the Tailor-made Holidays and Group Tour sales team.

  • 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.

  • Finn Clennett
    Finn Clennett - Travel Expert

  • Alex
    Alex Walker - Travel Expert

    A globetrotter since her childhood, Alex spent a year studying abroad in Guadalajara and has returned to Latin America countless times since then.

  • Chris
    Chris Rendell-Dunn - Travel Expert

    Anglo-Peruvian Chris grew up in Lima and spent much of his adult life in between London and Cusco as a tour leader, before settling permanently in our London-based Tailor-made and Group Tours sales team.

  • Ben
    Ben Line - Travel Expert

    Ben fell in love with Latin America on a six month backpacking trip from Colombia to Mexico in 1995. Since then he has explored most of South America, including living in Peru for a year. He is now Head of Sales.

0 1 2 3 4 5