Things to Do in Leticia

Leticia sits at the heart of the Amazon rainforest, where Colombia meets Brazil and Peru in a fascinating tri-border convergence. This small but significant city serves as the gateway to the Colombian Amazon, offering an authentic jungle experience that feels worlds away from the country's bustling urban centers. The town itself has a laid-back frontier atmosphere, with wooden houses, muddy streets during rainy season, and a palpable sense of being on the edge of something vast and untamed. What makes Leticia particularly compelling is its role as both a working river port and a launching point for serious Amazon adventures. You'll find indigenous communities maintaining traditional ways of life alongside modern amenities, creating an intriguing cultural blend. The mighty Amazon River dominates everything here - it's your highway, your source of food, and your constant companion as you venture into one of the world's most biodiverse ecosystems.

Leticia's food scene revolves around fresh river fish, tropical fruits, and traditional Amazonian ingredients you won't find elsewhere in Colombia. Try tucumá (a local palm fruit), various catfish preparations, and exotic fruits like caimito and copoazú. The central market offers the most authentic experience, with simple restaurants serving generous portions at local prices. Several restaurants cater to international visitors with more familiar options, though you'd be missing out on the unique regional cuisine. Many jungle lodges serve excellent traditional meals as part of their packages, often featuring ingredients foraged from the surrounding forest.

The dry season from June to September offers the most comfortable weather and best wildlife viewing opportunities, as animals congregate around water sources. However, this is also peak tourist season with higher prices and more crowds. The wet season (December to May) brings daily afternoon rains, higher humidity, and flooded forests that allow for different types of exploration, including canoeing through flooded woodlands. Water levels are highest from March to May, creating unique opportunities to navigate areas normally inaccessible. Shoulder seasons (April-May and September-November) might offer the best balance of reasonable weather, moderate prices, and good wildlife viewing.