'''Leticia''' is a city in the Colombian Amazon.

Understand

Leticia is a small town of approximately 37 thousand inhabitants situated on the left bank of the Amazon River. It is the capital of the state of Amazonas, Colombia_fs southernmost town (4.09__ south 69.57__ west) as well as its only major port on the river. It has an elevation of 96 meters above the sea-level and an average temperature of 27 centigrade (80.6 degrees Fahrenheit).

Leticia_fs public facilities include a hospital with 3 levels, an airport, and good telephone communication nationally and internationally with internet access capabilities. Water and energy services are acceptable.

Get in

By Plane

You can only get into this spectacular, tropical and adventurous town from Colombia by plane. The only place connected to Leticia by a commercial airline is Bogota - its El Dorado International Airport has flights to Leticia on Aerorepublica. These flights are quite expensive, mainly because Aerorepublica is the only airline serving this distant destination. The flight lasts two hours.

By Boat

From Peru you can take a '''rapido (speedboat)''' from Iquitos [http://www.iquitosnews.com/page01a.html] to Tabatinga in Brazil or Santa Rosa in Peru. This will take you approximately nine or ten hours and cost you around US$50-60. These two towns are very close to Leticia at the tripartite border of Peru, Brazil and Colombia. There are also other, slower boats which ply the same route, for US$20/25.bring your hammock your own plate and spoon for the food included (not bad).

Get around

See

Do

Because of its privileged position as a triple frontier and being very close to a tributary river Javary, Leticia/Tabatinga can serve as the perfect base for eco-tourist activities as well as for the studies of wildlife and flora in the Amazon region. It can also be the perfect starting point for visiting indigenous tribes such as: the Tikunas, Yaguas, Huitotos and Boras in the Amazonas [http://www.amazon-indians.org] [http://www.matses.org]. On the Yavary river you can find the Yaguas and Mayorunas.

Close to Leticia you can also find Amacayacu National Park which is located on the Colombian territory. On the Yavary River there is also a natural Reserve. The ribera peruana is also a Zone with virgin tropical forest. Amongst others in the ribera peruana the Cayaru river can be found.

Leticia/Tabatinga also greets 2 or 3 tourist cruises in the season between March and April such as the MV World Explorer, MV Bremen, MV Le Levant. Celebrity guests also include the infamous Mr. Bill Gates.

Learn

Buy

Eat

Leticia is a melting pot for food even thought they commonly eat the same things each week each region of Colombia's delicacy are made here. For example, many people make Sancocho, a hearty soup, in different regions of Colombia. Each family will have its own variation. Common staples are meats baked together with potatoes, and sometimes vegetables, usually cooked over a stovetop in a pan. A usual Sunday meal might consist of grilled meats, cooked in makeshift charcoal grillers, served with rice and plantains.

Drink

Sleep

  • '''Hotel Anaconda''', [http://www.hotelanaconda.com.co]. The best choice. 50 Rooms with AC, swimming pool, Restaurant, Cable TV and different services. All major credit cards.
  • Also the Hotel has Anaconda Tours, operative agency who provides the main tours around the Amazonas River, near villages in Peru and Brazil.

  • '''Natural Reserve Tanimbnoca''', [mailto:tanimboca@gmail.com tanimboca@yahoo.com]. Cabins up in the trees with bath and shower or camping in the canopy of giant trees they offer good custom jungle trips.
  • '''Albergue Tacana''', [http://www.amazon-holidays.com/alberguetacana.html]. For a real jungle experience the Albergue Tacana is located out in the forest in the community of Tacana . (Take combi from in front of the Anaconda hotel to KM 11 then 50 yards past the school tale the road on the right into the jungle. The Albergua and village are 2-5-3 km). Built in the 2004, a traditional forest style building with 3 comfortable cabin style double rooms as well as hammock accommodation for 8 persons. Fishing, Canoeing jungle walks with Bora Mirana guides from the the doorstep, try the mambe and experience living Bora(Indigenous) culture.
  • '''Mahatu Jungle Hostel''', [http://www.mahatu.com]. Popular with backpackers is the new Mahatu Jungle Hostel Leticia, with downtown garden and maloka hut. The hostel offers dorms, singles and doubles and organize excursions to the nearby Lakes Leticia, Zacambu and Marasha Reserve and the Indian Yagua community La Liberdad.
  • Get out