Essentials
- City
- Leticia, Amazonas, Colombia
- Population
- Approximately 50,000
- Internet Speed
- Average 10-20 Mbps (mainly satellite and fiber optic via Peru/Brazil); expect occasional outages
- Currency & Banking
- Colombian Peso (COP). 1 USD ≈ 3,950 COP. Bancolombia and Banco de Bogotá ATMs available.
- Tap Water
- Not drinkable; use bottled water like Brisa (approx. 3,500 COP for 1.5L)
- Power
- 110V, 60Hz, 🔌 Type A/B sockets (same as USA)
- SIM Card
- Claro is the most reliable; 10GB data plan for 30 days costs approx. 40,000 COP at Carrera 11
- Banking for Expats
- Bancolombia is best for local withdrawals; Revolut/Wise work at most POS terminals
- Accommodation
- Eco-lodges, boutique hotels, and guesthouses like Hotel On Vacation Wayira
- Cashless Friendly
- Mostly cash-based; card acceptance (Visa/MC) limited to larger hotels and upscale restaurants
- Short Term Rentals
- Airbnb options available near Parque Santander; approx. $450 - $800 USD/month
- Budget Accommodation
- Hostel La Esperanza (approx. 45,000 COP/night for a dorm bed)
- Best Area to Stay for Tourists
- Parque Santander (City Center) for proximity to the river and amenities
- Best Area to Stay for Digital Nomads
- Sector Punta Brava (quieter, more residential with better boutique guesthouses)
Working and Networking
- Best Coworking Space
- No dedicated coworking hubs; Hotel Waira offers reliable Wi-Fi for guests and day-pass users (approx. 50,000 COP)
- Best Cafe for Work
- Tierras Amazónicas (Calle 8); decent Wi-Fi and power outlets with great coffee
- Networking Events
- Informal gatherings at the 'Tres Fronteras' meeting point (Riverfront area)
- Social Events for Expats
- Facebook Group 'Expats in Leticia/Amazonas'; weekly meetups at Pizzeria El Gringo
Transportation
- Best Taxi/Ride App
- No Uber; use local Moto-Taxis (approx. 3,000-5,000 COP per trip within town)
- Bike/Scooter Rental
- Amazon Rental (Carrera 10); approx. 60,000 COP per day for a scooter
- Best Beach Nearby
- Playa de Puerto Nariño (river beach accessible by boat, 2 hours away)
- Top Regional Airline
- Satena (connects to smaller Amazonian outposts)
- Top International Airline
- LATAM or Avianca (via Bogotá). No direct international flights except to Tabatinga, Brazil
- Highway Access
- None; Leticia is only accessible by air or river (Amazon River)
- Main Train/Transit Hub
- Alfredo Vásquez Cobo International Airport (LET)
- Public Transport Passes
- No formal system; boat 'collectivos' to Puerto Nariño cost 35,000 COP one way
- Regional Travel
- Fast boats (Rapidos) to Tabatinga (Brazil) or Santa Rosa (Peru) for approx. 10,000-20,000 COP
Health and Wellness
- Best Hospital
- Hospital San Rafael (Calle 7); basic services, emergencies require evacuation to Bogotá
- Yoga & Wellness Centers
- Bio-Hotel Kurupira; offers jungle meditation and yoga retreats
- Gyms & Fitness Centers
- Gymnasio Olympus (Calle 10); monthly pass approx. 100,000 COP
- Laundry Services
- Lavandería Amazonía (Carrera 11); approx. 6,000 COP per kilo
Food and Drink
- Best Food Delivery App
- None; local restaurants offer delivery via WhatsApp/phone
- Best Local Dish to Try
- Pirá-curú (giant river fish) or Mojojoy (palm grubs)
- Vegan/Vegetarian Options
- Nativa (Carrera 9); offers plant-based Amazonian fusion
- Best Dessert Spots
- Heladería Amazon (Calle 8) for exotic fruit ice creams like Copoazú
- Affordable Shopping Spots
- Mercado Público de Leticia (Riverfront); best for fresh local produce
- E-commerce/Online Store
- Mercado Libre (shipping takes 7-10 days via air freight)
- Grocery Delivery
- Supermercado El Éxito (Local Leticia branch, not the national chain)
- Bar/Nightlife Area
- Tabatinga, Brazil (cross-border) for 'Avenida da Amizade' nightlife
- Local Brewery
- No local brewery; Cerveza Poker or Club Colombia are staples
- Wine Bars
- Restaurante El Cielo (Calle 8) has the best selection of imported wines
- Street Food Stalls
- Parque Santander at 6 PM; Empanadas and Arepas for 2,000 COP
- Popular International Cuisine
- Pizzeria El Gringo (Italian-style wood-fired pizza)
Culture and Attractions
- Must-See Landmarks
- Parque Santander at sunset (thousands of parrots return to the trees)
- Museums & Art Venues
- Museo Etnográfico del Hombre Amazónico (Banco de la República)
- Historical Sites
- The 'Tres Fronteras' (Triple Frontier) point where Colombia, Brazil, and Peru meet
- Religious Sites
- Catedral Nuestra Señora de la Paz (Climb the tower for city views)
- Annual Events
- The Amazonian Border Festival (July 15–20)
- Cultural Districts
- The Riverfront (Port area) for indigenous community interactions
- Theater Venues
- Casa de la Cultura (occasional local performances)
- Local Markets
- Leticia Market Port for indigenous crafts (Chambira fiber bags)
- Music Scene
- Live Cumbia and Brazilian Forró music at 'La Comarca' bar
- Street Art
- Murals on Carrera 11 depicting indigenous Tikuna legends
- Cooking Classes
- Mundo Amazónico Ecological Park offers jungle-to-table workshops
- Art Galleries
- UIRÁ (focused on indigenous Amazonian art)
- Historic Buildings
- The old wooden houses on the floating village of Isla de la Fantasía
- Local Heritage
- Indigenous traditions of the Huitoto, Bora, and Tikuna ethnic groups
Nature and Outdoor Activities
- Nearby Nature Escapes
- Tanimboca Reserve (Ziplining and treehouse stays)
- National Parks Nearby
- Amacayacu National Park (Accessible via boat)
- Cycling/Walking Paths
- The road to Tarapacá (mostly used by motorcycles but paved for 10km)
- Scenic Viewpoints
- Mirador de la Iglesia (Church tower overlook)
- Birdwatching Locations
- Isla de los Micos (Monkey Island) and Yahuarkaka lakes
- Bonfire-Friendly Spots
- Authorized campsites within Mundo Amazónico
Other Services and Amenities
- Parcel Delivery Service
- Servientrega (Carrera 10)
- Tech Repair Services
- Leticia Cell (Calle 8) for phone and basic computer repairs
- Table Tennis Spots
- Polideportivo del Barrio Porvenir
- Language Classes
- Spanish/Portuguese exchange at the Mercado Front
- Libraries & Study Spots
- Banco de la República Library (Excellent AC and quiet atmosphere)
- Community Centers
- SENA (National Training Service) Leticia campus
- Gaming Lounges
- Small LAN centers near Parque Santander
- Casino & Gaming Halls
- Small electronic casino on Calle 8 near the main park
Business
- Studio Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. 4,500,000 COP per m² (e.g., 40 m² = 180M COP / ~$45,000 USD)
- Studio Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. 3,000,000 COP per m² (e.g., 40 m² = 120M COP / ~$30,000 USD)
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. 4,200,000 COP per m² (e.g., 60 m² = 252M COP / ~$63,000 USD)
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. 2,800,000 COP per m² (e.g., 60 m² = 168M COP / ~$42,000 USD)
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. 4,000,000 COP per m² (e.g., 80 m² = 320M COP / ~$80,000 USD)
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. 2,600,000 COP per m² (e.g., 80 m² = 208M COP / ~$52,000 USD)
- Corporate Tax
- 35% (Standard Colombian rate)
- Dividend Withholding Tax
- 10% for non-residents
- Tax System
- Worldwide income basis for residents (183+ days in country)
- Highest Income Tax Bracket
- 39%
- VAT
- 0% in Amazonas (Exempt from Colombian 19% VAT due to Ley de Amazonía)
- Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules
- Yes, applicable under Colombian tax law
- Property Tax
- Annual 'Impuesto Predial' approx. 0.5% - 1.2% of valuation
- Property Transaction Tax
- Approx 3% including notary fees and registration
- Attractive Tax System for Digital Nomads
- The Digital Nomad Visa (V-Residente Nómade Digital) allows 2 years stays and possible tax exemptions on foreign income