Overview
Tucked into the far southern tip of Colombia, where the borders of Colombia, Brazil and Peru meet along the Amazon River, Leticia is one of South America's most extraordinary gateway cities. It's the starting point for expeditions into the Colombian Amazon — pink river dolphins, Ticuna indigenous communities and dense rainforest all lie within a short boat ride of the airport. For UK travellers looking for a genuine Amazon adventure rather than a well-trodden tourist trail, Leticia is hard to beat.
Best time to fly to Leticia
Leticia sits almost on the equator, so temperatures stay warm and humid year-round, typically between 25°C and 32°C. The wetter months run roughly from December to May, when the river rises and boat excursions are at their easiest. The drier season, from around June to October, brings lower river levels and better access to jungle trails on foot. For the best fares, check the When to book chart above — travelling outside Colombian school holidays and the Christmas/New Year and Easter (Semana Santa) peaks generally works in your favour.
Airlines and routes
There are no direct flights from the UK to Leticia — journeys are routed via Bogotá. Avianca operates a nonstop service between London Heathrow and Bogotá, taking around 11 hours, and also codeshares with European carriers via hubs such as Madrid, Amsterdam and Paris. From Bogotá, Avianca, LATAM Colombia and Satena all operate the roughly two-hour domestic hop down to Leticia's Alfredo Vásquez Cobo International Airport (LET). All told, allow 15–18 hours door to door once you include the connection.
Things to do in Leticia
Leticia rewards travellers who want to get close to the rainforest and its communities. Highlights include:
- Amacayacu National Park: Protected rainforest reachable by river, with guided walks and wildlife spotting.
- Puerto Nariño: A car-free riverside village and one of the best bases for spotting pink and grey river dolphins.
- Isla de los Micos: A small island reserve where squirrel monkeys roam freely among the trees.
- Lake Tarapoto: A quiet lagoon popular for dolphin-watching and piranha fishing trips.
- Mundo Amazónico: A botanical reserve explaining Amazonian plants, medicine and indigenous traditions.
At Alfredo Vásquez Cobo International Airport (LET)
LET is one of the most conveniently placed airports in Colombia, sitting less than 2km from Leticia town centre. Taxis and mototaxis (motorbike taxis) wait outside arrivals, and the ride into town takes only a few minutes at a modest fare. Many hotels also offer airport pick-up, and for onward river travel, Leticia's port — where boats depart for Puerto Nariño and other Amazon destinations — is an easy taxi ride from the terminal.
Top tips for finding cheap flights to Leticia
- Book ahead: The London-Bogotá route and the Bogotá-Leticia connection both tend to offer better fares the earlier you book, particularly for the July-August and December peak periods.
- Fly midweek: Tuesday and Wednesday departures are typically cheaper than weekend travel on both legs.
- Stay flexible: Shifting your dates by even a few days can make a noticeable difference — use the price charts on this page to spot the cheapest days.
- Compare airlines and routings: Connecting via Madrid, Amsterdam or Paris can sometimes undercut the direct Heathrow-Bogotá fare, especially outside peak season.
Travel essentials
UK passport holders do not need a visa for tourist stays in Colombia of up to 90 days. The currency is the Colombian peso (COP), though cards are widely accepted in Leticia's hotels and restaurants. A yellow fever vaccination is recommended, and sometimes required, for travel into the Amazon region, so check current guidance before you go, and pack mosquito protection and comprehensive travel insurance that covers remote regions.
