visitleticia

Boi Bumbá Dancer

The border of Colombia and Brazil is a place where the cultures mix and one of the most colorful activites are the brazilian dances, it’s important to know a little bit more about each of them:

• The Samba, originates from Rio de Janeiro, known by its fun and harmonius movements. The lyrics inspire popular jubilee.

• Pagode (pagolli) comes from the area of Salvador Bahía, its similar to Samba, but the main difference is the slower rhythm. The lyrics are about the subject of love.

• The Forro oriundo comes from the North East of Brazil, it is a fast paced dance which professionals dance it filled with pirouettes.

• Boi Bumbá comes from the North of the Brazilian Amazon.  It represents the native and colonial traditions,  forming two teams:  Blue or Caprichoso and red or Garantido.  The festivities surround the main character the Bull and a series of other mythical characters. All the characters can be seen in full splendor during the Parintins folk festival, located 300 km following the Amazon river down. This festival is considered the second largest festival, first being the carnival in Rio.  Every year thousands of tourist gather in the tiny island to enjoy a week filled with dance and parties.  The dance possesses a choreography that changes every year that people like to follow.

All the dances can be enjoyed right next to Leticia in the city of Tabatinga’s local night clubs, particularly  Scandalos dance.

One of the most relaxing activities of the Amazon is to enjoy a canoe fishing trip, the ones that take you across the most beautiful and peaceful lakes in the middle of the jungle.

The Piranha is a fish that prefers less turbulent waters and chooses lakes and small rivers with dark water.

They are called dark waters because of the chemical reaction that happens when leafs decompose in the water when they fall from the trees, dyeing the water like tea.  The piranha is a fun fish to catch because it doesn’t require a lot of experience to fish out.

We recommend:

• This activity is fun for all ages, the best season is the dry one, when the water level is low, the canals close off into lakes, the fish groups themselves and that leads to a very favorable fishing experience.
• Locals eat piranhas daily even though it contains a lot of bones it is a very tasty fish. There are various forms to prepare piranhas, ‘escabeche’ and fried with fried platains, lemon and a little bit of Faroga (yuca flour) a very tipical side dish among indigenous people  and brazilians.

From tropical Colombian music to Brazilian Samba, the night life in Leticia is vivacious and will provide some good options. One of the most popular places in Leticia is called Bukhanos, located on International Avenue; here you can enjoy a variety of tropical and Colombian music while you savor cocktails and non-alcoholic beverages.
The bar Emociones is located in the center of Leticia, with a more tropical ambiance you will hear Salsa, Merenge and Vallenatos. Thursday is ladies night that will include drinks.
Next to Emociones you will find Kalua Disco, late at night there are shows that display typical Brazilian dances.

Scandalo’s party photo by portaltabatinga.com.br

Tabatinga has Scandalo’s dance Disco, where you will find a Brazilian atmosphere, there you can enjoy Brazilian beers and delicious cocktails such as Caipirinha, a world renowned Brazilian drink.  Scandalo’s offers a late night showcase of typical Brazilian dances.
We recommend:

• Begin the night in the afternoon in the Malecon pub in Tabatinga.
• Drink a couple of cold beers along a mouth watering Peruvian ceviche in the restaurant Blue Moon, from there just enjoy the beautiful sunset.
• Go on a bike ride from Colombia with its tropical music and finish the night off with Scandalo’s Brazilian party

“Tres Fronteras (Portuguese: Três Fronteiras) is the Spanish name for an area of the Amazon Rainforest where the three nations of Brazil, Peru, and Colombia meet. The three cities Tabatinga, Leticia, and Santa Rosa are located in this part of the world, noted for its natural beauty.

Tres Fronteras should not be confused with the Triple Frontier, at the border between Brazil, Argentina, and Paraguay.” (Wikipedia)

Tabatinga Border Photo by Dibo

It’s Brazil’s main point of entrance from Colombia. Composed of 55k habitants, a city dedicated to commerce provides tourists with excellent restaurants and a vibrant night life.

Because of an open border agreement with Colombia, you don’t require anything in order to enter Brazil. The police force will make random security check points, so please keep this in mind and don’t panic.

Some things to try out:

Watch Brazilians dance samba and folkloric dances at Scandalos night club.

Try Garoto chocolates.

Buy Brazilian sandals on the main market at the Mallet street

Watch the sunset while eating Peruvian ceviche at BlueMoon

Have some beers at la Comara

Enjoy cold and sweet coconut water at multiple places near the local market or at Sorbeteria Mallet.

Enjoy Brazilian food

10. Must try Arepas and Empanadas from the street venders

9. Visit the friendship plaza at the border between Colombia and Brazil

8. Enjoy the typical food of Amazonas in the border

7. Go to the Yahuarcaca lakes

6. Go and chill at km #8’s little lake

5. Sunset at Blue moon restaurant with a chilled beer

4. Visit the Indian Communities at the kilometer #11

3. Visit the Leticia’s public Library and Museum “Del Hombre de la Amazónia”

2. Sunday breakfast at the local market in Tabatinga

1. Watch little green parrots arrive to Leticia’s main park in the afternoon (5pm)

Consisting of 5 lakes, Tarapoto is located 2km away from Puerto Nariño. This is the preferred place for bird watching, dolphin watching and you can swim safely on this lake.

Note: please don’t swim alone; bring a big group with you. The noise of a lot of people swimming scares away any curious animal or fish.

A small town located 85 km upstream from Leticia consisting of 3,500 habitants. PN’s population is 95% indigenous from Tikunas, Yaguas and Cocanas. What’s particularly interesting about PN is that nobody is allowed to use modern modes of transportation; walking and jogging are allowed. There is a small indigenous museum called Natutama, Maguta museum and another museum in the mayor’s office, 2 tasty restaurants (Dona Pachas), 3 hotels (We recommend Casa Selva and Lomas Del Paiju) and a watchtower.

By taking the fast boat you will arrive within 1 ½ hours. You can also take a ferry from Leticia’s market place.

Note: There’s no 24 hour energy.

Budget: An estimate of 70 USD per person per day (including hotel & transportation)

Photo by: fnl

Amacayacu is located 65km going upstream river from Leticia, joint partnership between Colombia’s government and De Cameron Hotels. The visitor’s complex is divided into a scientific research center and a tourist center. Amacayacu has a restaurant, a conference room, private huts, communal dorm style huts and WC. Because it’s a government natural park, it is forbidden to drink alcohol inside the park.

The park offers the following activities:

Tree climbing (Canopy)

Visit native communities

Canoeing on the Matamata River

Alligator spotting

Piranha fishing

All of these services have to be reserved ahead of time. If you wish to visit the park without any of the services you have to pay an entrance fee at the De Cameron hotel in Leticia.

Photos by :geocities.com/glykos72/

Located 35km upstream from Leticia on the Amazon River, near the town called Santa Sofia.

Back in the 1960s, Mike Tsalickis was the Greek owner of the island, wildlife commerce was no illegal which allowed him to capture monkeys and other species and use the island as a conservation site. As years passed the island was abandoned and the monkeys remained in the island.

Today, 5000 monkeys divided into 4 species roam freely on monkey island. Now it’s owned by a joint venture between the Colombian government and a De Cameron a private hotel chain.

Monkey Island offers various activities on the island:

1. Jungle walking (around 1 hour hike)
2. Canopy activities
3. Canoing on lakes
4. Bird watching
5. The chance to interact with the monkeys of the island

Note: In order to visit monkey island you or your tour guide needs to contact DeCameron’s hotel in Leticia and make a reservation prior to the visit.

There is a fee to pay, but it includes lunch and guided tour through the island to see the monkeys.

There are alternate activities but you have to inquire your guide at an extra charge.

Read how to prepare for a jungle trip in the amazon here.