Leticia to Iquitos, how to get to Peru from Colombia, Amazon rainforest travel tips from my time solo backpacking through the Amazon
Captain James Hook, yes from Peter Pan once said "Death would be the ultimate adventure" but frankly this is not why we travel and definitely not the desired outcome. Yet the days that always heighten my alertness and anxieties are the border crossing days, and even more so borders that could leave you stranded if you do not get it right. Leticia to Iquitos is a common boat route that backpackers take but, its not the most straight forward of journeys so I have put together some Amazon rainforest travel tips to help you safely navigate the Amazon River and get to Peru from Colombia or vice versa.
I want to go through how to do this unusual border (Colombia to Peru via the Amazon river), and dish out some safety tips. Its a little bit tricky so lets get you through it and safely into Peru, specifically Iquitos from Leticia in Colombia. Naturally, reverse this process if you are trying to take the journey from Peru to Colombia.
🎫 Stamping Out of Leticia, Colombia
When moving onto Peru from Leticia, you have to go back to the airport to get your exit stamp! Yes you heard me right. There is a small grace period on the stamp but ultimately your going to want to get up nice bright and early and head to the airport. Fortunately, I had made a friend in Bogota, and she would be heading to Iquitos so we decided to tackle this part together before taking alternate boat options. There is a 3 day boat ride to Iquitos and an overnight speedboat option. We packed our bags checked out of our hostel and asked them to keep our bags in the luggage room. God bless hostel luggage rooms!
Getting up early we walked to the airport where we had to find some ropey internet to allow us to fill out an immigration form via a website called 'Check-Mig' click here for a link to Check Mig website. This needs to be done at least one hour before travel and can be done up to 72 hours before you exit. You will receive an email which will act as your proof of registration. This simply needs to be shown to the immigration officer at the airport.
We lined up outside a small room and were asked to come in one by one. After my friend had been in, I was asked to step inside where the immigration officer looked at my passport, stamped it and asked to see the Check Mig verification. It was a casual and enjoyable encounter. The immigration officer asked where I had been in Colombia, if I enjoyed the country, and if I would be back. She seemed genuinely interested, after our chat (in my poor Spanish) I said goodbye and we walked back to Leticia.
Quick tip, if you walk it like we did then you will walk directly past the main supermarket in Leticia. On the way back pick up some dried snacks for the journey ahead.
Given that my intention was to take the slow boat, my friend and I went to Calle 8 and exchanged some money into Peruvian Sol, I also bought a hammock. We bumped into my guide from Gambo Tours who pointed out the best places to buy a hammock and where to exchange money. This was one of those situations where there was not much point to shopping around for the best exchange rate as there are so few vendors. I exchange the last of my colombian pesos into Peruvian Sol and exchanged a further 200 dollars worth for the boat ticket and so I had some cash in my pocket for Peru. Do not wait to get money in Santa Rosa, you will not find a cash machine and this whole area is a cash economy, paying by card for the boat is not going to be a thing. All you need is money for the boat Ride to Iquitos where you will find further ATMs.
All set up with cash and a hammock, we went and grabbed our bags before heading to the port of Malecón Turístico where you need to grab a water taxi (around a dollar) to Santa Rosa Island (5 minutes away), this is your gateway to Peru (all on the map below).
🛂 Stamping Into Santa Rosa, Peru
🚣 Boating to Iquitos, Peru
👮🏻♀️ Safety Tips for the Amazon Journey
Have fun, stay safe and travel to the Amazon in the knowledge that it is a lot of fun. Also, if you have undertaken this crossing or any other then please let us know how it went on the border forum. We are stronger together and information is power. Take care.
For the intelligent explorer
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