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Leticia

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Leticia is a city in the Amazonas department of Colombia.

[edit] Understand

Leticia is a small town of approximately 37,000 inhabitants situated on the left bank of the Amazon River. It is the capital of the state of Amazonas, Colombia’s 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°F).

Leticia’s 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.

[edit] Get in

[edit] 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, there are daily flights with companies Aerorepublica, Aires and Satena. The flight lasts two hours.

[edit] By Boat

From Peru you can take a rapido (speedboat) from Iquitos [1] to Tabatinga in Brazil or Santa Rosa in Peru (60 USD or 170 PEN / 10 hrs ). 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).

[edit] Get around

[edit][add listing] See

[edit][add listing] Do

Because of its privileged position as a triple frontier and being very close to a tributary river Yavarí, Leticia can serve as the perfect base for eco-tourism 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 [2] [3]. On the Yavarí river you can find the Yaguas and Mayorunas.

Close to Leticia you can also find Amacayacu National Park which is on Colombian territory. On the Yavarí 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 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.

Don't forget to have your yellow fever certificate ready, showing vaccination at least 10 days earlier. It is required and usually the check will be performed.

[edit] Learn

[edit][add listing] Buy

[edit][add listing] 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.

[edit][add listing] Drink

[edit][add listing] Sleep

  • Hotel Anaconda, [4]. The best choice. 50 Rooms with AC, swimming pool, Restaurant, Cable TV and different services. All major credit cards. The hotel also owns Anaconda Tours, an operative agency who provides the main tours around the Amazonas River, near villages in Peru and Brazil.  edit

  • Albergue Tacana, Com de Tacana (Km 11 Via Tarapaca), ☎ 313 8723207 (), [5]. checkin: 0200hrs; checkout: 1200hrs. 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 take 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 dormitory accommodation for 8 persons. Fishing, Canoeing, jungle walks with Bora Mirana guides from the the doorstep, try the mambe,jahe/ ayahuasca and experience living Bora(Indigenous) culture. COP 20-30000 pp.  edit

  • Mahatu Jungle Hostel, Cra 7 No. 9-69, ☎ +57 311 539 1265 (), [6]. 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. The filth of the bathroom will remind you of your college days when no one cleaned the shower sink for 3 weeks. The owner's behaviour ranges from friendly to lunatic. Mostly on the lunatic/asshole side though. BE AWARE: There are two locations, one pretty close to the city center, small, and one larger plantation-style a little bit further away, none are really good; but you probably want to stay at the plantation one. Dorm bed : 17,000 COP.  edit

[edit] Get out

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