Colombia (Lonely Planet, 5th Edition) - Jens Porup [240]
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Orientation
Leticia is on the banks of the Amazon on the Colombia–Brazil border. Just across the frontier sits Tabatinga, a Brazilian town much the same size as Leticia, with its own airport and port. Leticia and Tabatinga are virtually merging; there are no border checkpoints between them. Frequent colectivos (shared taxis or minibuses) link the towns, or you can just walk.
On the island in the Amazon opposite Leticia/Tabatinga is Santa Rosa, a small Peruvian village. Boats head there from Leticia’s Muelle Fluvial (river pier) and the market, and Tabatinga’s Porto da Feira.
On the opposite side of the Amazon from Leticia, about 25km downstream, is the Brazilian town of Benjamin Constant, the main port for boats downstream to Manaus. Boats shuttle regularly between Tabatinga and Benjamin Constant.
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Information
INTERNET ACCESS
There are several internet cafes in town, all charging about COP$1500 per hour. Connections are generally sluggish. Papelería Internacional (Av Internacional No 6-40; 8am-11pm) and Centro de Negocios (Carrera 10 No 8-96; 7am-10pm) have a good selection of terminals in air-conditioned premises.
LAUNDRY
Lavandería Aseo Total ( 592 6051; Carrera 10 No 9-32; per kg COP$2700; 7am-9pm Mon-Sat, 8am-1pm Sun)
MEDICAL SERVICES
San Rafael de Leticia Hospital ( 592 7075; Av Vásquez Cobo No 13-78). You’ll also find many pharmacies along Carrera 10 and elsewhere.
MONEY
There are many ATMs, but it’s next to impossible to change traveler’s checks here. To exchange currency, look for the casas de cambio on Calle 8 between Carrera 11 and the market. They change US dollars, Colombian pesos, Brazilian reais and Peruvian soles. Shop around as rates vary. Businesses in both Tabatinga and Leticia generally accept both reais and pesos.
Banco BBVA (cnr Carrera 10 & Calle 7) ATM.
Banco de Bogotá (cnr Carrera 10 & Calle 7) ATM.
Bancolombia (Calle 8 s/n, btwn Carreras 11 and 10) ATM.
Cambio Amazonas ( 592 5134; Carrera 11 No 7-96; 8am-noon & 2-6pm Mon-Sat) Currency exchange.
TOURIST INFORMATION
Tourist office (Secretaría de Turismo y Fronteras; 592 7569; Calle 8 No 9-75; 8am-noon & 2pm-5pm Mon-Fri)
VISA INFORMATION
Locals and foreigners are allowed to come and go between Leticia and Tabatinga without visas or passport control, but if you plan on heading further into either country, you must get your passport stamped at the DAS office at Leticia’s airport or at Policía Federal (Av da Amizade 650; 7am-noon & 2-6pm), near the hospital in Tabatinga.
Citizens of some countries, including the USA, Canada, Australia and New Zealand, need a visa to enter Brazil and it may be costly, especially for US citizens. Bring a passport photo and yellow-fever vaccination certificate to the Brazilian Consulate ( 592 7530; Carrera 9 No 13-84; 8am-noon & 2-4pm Mon-Fri).
If you’re coming from or going to Iquitos, get your entry or exit stamp at the Policía Internacional Peruviano (PIP) office on Isla Santa Rosa, or visit the Peruvian Consulate ( 592 7204; Calle 11 No 5-32; 8am-1pm & 3-6pm Mon-Fri).
Travelers coming here from Brazil may need to visit the Colombian Consulate ( 412 2104; Rua General Sampaio 623, Tabatinga; 8am-2pm Mon-Fri) to get the necessary visa.
If you need a Colombian visa extension, head to the downtown DAS office (Calle 9 No 9-62; 7:30am-noon & 2-6pm Mon-Sat, 7:30am-noon & 2-4pm Sun). Be aware: there are two DAS offices, and each have different responsibilities. The downtown DAS handles visa extensions and residency issues. Passport stamps, required for entry and exit, are obtained from the DAS office at the airport.
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Sights & Activities
Museo del Hombre Amazónico ( 592 7729; Carrera