The Colombian Amazon is one of the most fascinating and biodiverse destinations in the world. Located in the southernmost part of the country, this region is home to lush tropical rainforest, hundreds of animal and plant species, and Indigenous communities that preserve ancestral traditions. Traveling to the Amazon is like diving into a nearly untouched natural universe, where the connection with the land, water, and wildlife is unforgettable.
How do you get to the Colombian Amazon and when is the best time to visit?
The main gateway to the Colombian Amazon is the city of Leticia, the capital of the Colombian Amazonas department. It can only be reached by air from Bogota, with daily flights that last approximately two hours. Leticia borders Tabatinga (Brazil) and is near Santa Rosa (Peru), making this region a unique cultural crossroads.
The climate in the Amazon is warm and humid year-round, with temperatures ranging between 25 and 30 degrees Celsius (77–86°F). The best time to visit is during the dry season, from July to November, when river levels drop and access to various areas becomes easier via hiking and canoe trips.
Tours, prices, and experiences
Tourism in the Colombian Amazon has grown in recent years, always with a focus on respect and conservation. There are organized tours that allow visitors to explore the jungle, observe animals in their natural habitat, and engage with Indigenous communities.
One of the most recommended tours is a three-day, two-night jungle expedition with accommodation in eco-lodges. These packages include river transfers, meals, local guides, and activities such as night walks, bird watching, artisanal fishing, and visits to Indigenous communities. The average cost of this tour ranges from 800,000 to 1,200,000 Colombian pesos per person (approximately US$200-300), depending on the comfort level of the accommodation.
There are also one-day tour options, priced between 120,000 and 250,000 pesos (US$30-60). These typically include boat trips along the Amazon River, visits to nature reserves such as Mundo Amazonico, ecological trails, and even encounters with pink dolphins.
Local tour agencies offer packages in Spanish, English, and Portuguese, with expert guides who not only know the region well but also promote environmental education and respect for Indigenous cultures.
@bydrealeon AMAZONAS 💚 Viajé a Colombia junto a @amazonasparaviajeros para vivir una de las experiencias más increíbles de mi vida. Gracias @hydrate.co por acompañarme en cada paso de esta travesía. Estuve cinco días adentrada en la selva, visitando tribus originarias, recorriendo el Amazonas en un pequeño bote de madera, y conectando con una naturaleza tan salvaje como mágica. Me hospedé en @buruamazonas y @geckoextreme y cada lugar fue único, inmersivo y lleno de alma. Si sueñan con vivir una aventura real, profunda y transformadora, Amazonas para Viajeros es la empresa con la que tienen que hacerlo.
Nature, culture, and sustainability
Beyond its natural beauty, the Colombian Amazon is a space for cultural exchange. Travelers can meet communities such as the Ticuna, Yagua, or Huitoto, who share their customs, dances, cuisine, and knowledge of medicinal plants. These experiences offer insight into the harmonious relationship Indigenous peoples maintain with nature.
In places such as Monkey Island (Isla de los Micos), visitors can interact with small primates; and in the Tanimboca Natural Reserve, they can sleep in tree-top cabins and walk across hanging bridges in the rainforest canopy.
Most activities in the region are sustainability-focused. Many tour agencies work directly with local communities and allocate part of their profits to conservation, education, and community development projects.
Related: Sebastiao Salgado, Renowned Photographer of the Amazon, Dies at 81.