Leticia and the tri-border area
Leticia lies on the Amazon, in the Colombian part of the tri-border area. The region sits between Colombia, Peru and Brazil, and the Brazilian town of Tabatinga and the Peruvian settlement of Santa Rosa are close by. For trips in Colombia, the usual targets are the Isla de los Micos and the village of Puerto Nariño, where pink river dolphins live.
Boats link the area with Iquitos (a fast ferry to Santa Rosa) and Manaus (slow boats to Tabatinga). Guided programmes are listed on our page for Amazon River tours. For the boats between the cities, see getting to the Amazon River.
Our pick: a short evening on the river bank
A two-hour sunset trip from Leticia, good for a first evening in town.
Hand-picked tours, booked through GetYourGuide. Prices are indicative starting prices in US dollars (as of October 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
Leticia tours and Amazon trips
Boat trips, lodge stays and river excursions around Leticia and the tri-border area, with live prices and availability.
Tres Fronteras: where three countries meet
Tabatinga, Santa Rosa and Leticia at a glance.
Leticia, Colombia
The Colombian base for river trips, with the Isla de los Micos and Puerto Nariño as the best-known excursions.
Tabatinga, Brazil
The Brazilian town next door has the river port where slow boats from Manaus arrive. Manaus to Tabatinga takes about 6 to 7 days.
Santa Rosa, Peru
Santa Rosa is where the fast ferry from Iquitos ends. The ferry does not continue to Leticia and does not cover the border formalities.
The open town border does not replace permission to travel on in the neighbouring country. Do not rely on a short crossing to extend your stay, and check your entry stamp.
Boat to Puerto Nariño
The boat from the civil port of Leticia to Puerto Nariño takes about 1.5 to 2 hours. The fare is COP 42,000 per person, including 21 kg of luggage. Reference departure times are 7 a.m., 9 a.m., 12 noon and 2 p.m. Check the current timetable on the day you travel.
Puerto Nariño is known as a place for pink dolphins. The animals live in the area, but a sighting depends on the day. Watch from the boat and do not feed or touch them. See pink river dolphins.
Package prices in Leticia
Package offers for 2026 to 2027, per person.
| Length | From (per person) | Included |
|---|---|---|
| 2 days | COP 850,000 | Accommodation, meals, river transport, guides |
| 3 days | COP 1,450,000 | Accommodation, meals, river transport, guides |
| 4 days | COP 2,000,000 | Accommodation, meals, river transport, guides |
Prices differ by operator and season. For most visitors, the 3-day offer is the middle choice between a short taste and a long stay. Ask which local fees apply and whether the Isla de los Micos entry is included.
Entry rules and travel advice
Check them before you book.
Entry to Colombia
German tourists need no visa. The immigration authority sets the length of stay in the entry stamp, at first up to 90 days.
Yellow fever
Anyone arriving in Colombia from Brazil, aged 1 and over, must show a yellow fever vaccination certificate. It must be valid 10 days after the vaccination. This applies to a trip from Tabatinga, so plan the vaccination before you leave Germany.
Travel advice
The US advisory for Colombia was set to Level 3, "Reconsider travel", on 31 March 2026, and it lists some areas separately. German travel advice for Colombia is current as of October 2026. Read both before you go. Neither describes the area as free of risk.
Isla de los Micos
The island of monkeys is a known excursion near Leticia. Treat the animals as watch-only and ask about the rules and the entry price when you book.
Malaria advice depends on your exact route, so ask a travel doctor. For a wider look at Peru, see the Peru jungle guide.
Health notes for the tri-border area
Three countries mean three sets of advice.
Yellow fever vaccination is recommended for Peru's Loreto region and for Brazil, and Colombia asks for the certificate on arrival from Brazil. Malaria risk in Peru is medium in the city of Iquitos and high in the villages and on the tributaries around it, and Colombian advice depends on your exact route. Dengue occurs in all three countries. Oropouche fever has been recorded in Brazil, Colombia and Peru in recent years, and the advice includes protection against biting midges as well as mosquitoes. Use repellent by day and by night. Ask a travel doctor about medication before a trip that crosses all three countries.
Plan the rest of your trip
More from the Amazon River.
Leticia: frequently asked questions
How do I get from Leticia to Puerto Nariño?
By boat from the civil port. It takes about 1.5 to 2 hours and costs COP 42,000 per person, including 21 kg of luggage. Check the timetable for the day.
Do I need a visa for Colombia?
German tourists do not. The entry stamp sets the length of stay, at first up to 90 days.
Do I need a yellow fever vaccination for Leticia?
If you arrive from Brazil, yes. The certificate is required from age 1 and must be valid 10 days after the vaccination.
Can I cross to Peru and Brazil from Leticia?
The towns are open to each other, but this does not replace permission to travel on in the other country. Ask for the current rules at the border posts, and do not assume a short crossing extends your stay.
Are pink dolphins guaranteed?
No. The dolphins live in the area around Puerto Nariño, but a sighting depends on the day. Do not feed or touch them.
Is this the official website of Leticia?
No. This is an independent travel guide to the Amazon River. It is not run by a town, a border authority or a tour operator.