Back

Spot wildlife in the Colombian Amazon

ECODESTINOS ©-Colombia-Colombian Amazon-02 June 2016

Parrots, toucans, monkeys, sloths and even pink and grey dolphins can be spotted in the Amazon of Colombia by the patient observer. 

The riverbanks around Leticia and Puerto Nariño in the Colombian Amazon are quite busy with indigenous communities: fisherman can be spotted on the banks, small homesteads are surrounded by tiny fields, dugout canoes and small canopied motorised launches chug up and down.

The rainforest here, however, is still relatively pristine, and with patience, a talented guide and a good pair of binoculars you should be able to compile an impressive list of observed species. Monkeys chatter on vine-choked tree trunks, sloths nestle on exposed branches high in the canopy, and cormorants, toucans, parakeets and egrets fight for space on tropical foliage below, while kingfishers flit through the tangled vegetation at water-level and any number of spiders, frogs and toads shelter on the forest floor. Most exciting of all, however, for visitors is the opportunity to spot dolphins, both grey and pink, breaching the water’s surface, graceful and unconcerned by human presence.

A canoe or motor launch ride from Leticia, Puerto Nariño or Calanoa Lodge following the riverbanks or, in high water, penetrating the flooded forest, will swiftly enable you to enter this biodiverse habitat and start ticking off your wildlife observation list. A stroll along clear trails by day or night will also open up opportunities for the silent, patient observer.  

Holidays Spot wildlife in the Colombian Amazon

From expertly designed Private Journeys to trail-blazing Group Tours, browse our range of carefully crafted holidays.

Amazon rainforest of Colombia

Private Journeys

Colombia / The Amazon

Off the beaten track Colombia: San Agustin and the Amazon

12 days from £3,725pp

(based on two people sharing & excluding flights)

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

  • 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.

  • Finn Clennett
    Finn Clennett - Travel Expert

  • Sallly
    Sally Dodge - Travel Expert

    A former Journey Latin America tour leader, Sally spent 7 years working, travelling and living throughout Latin America before returning to the UK to help people arrange their own adventures to this wonderful destination.

  • 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.

  • Heloise
    Heloise Buxton - Travel Expert

    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.

  • Hannah
    Hannah Waterhouse - Travel Expert

    Hannah had an early introduction to Latin America when her family moved to Ecuador and she returned to study in Buenos Aires for a year before backpacking across the continent.

0 1 2 3 4 5