Colombian Amazon-Orinoco: Rainforest, Rivers and the Plains
The Colombian Amazon-Orinoco at a Glance
The Colombian Amazon-Orinoco joins two worlds: the Amazon rainforest around Leticia and Puerto Nariño, with pink river dolphins and Indigenous communities, and the Llanos, the open plains of Meta and Casanare, with cowboy culture, wildlife safaris and Caño Cristales, the river of colors. ColombiaSky designs private trips across the Colombian Amazon-Orinoco, usually as an add-on to Bogotá.
Almost half of Colombia lies east of the Andes, and very few travelers see it. In the south, rivers are the roads and the forest closes in overhead. In the north, the land opens into grassland where capybaras graze beside cattle and the horizon seems endless. Both are reached by short flights from Bogotá, and both slow you down in the best way.
WHAT TO DO
Signature experiences in the Colombian Amazon-Orinoco
Pink dolphins on Tarapoto Lake
Puerto Nariño, Amazonas
A canoe ride through flooded forest to the Tarapoto lakes, where pink and gray river dolphins surface around the boat.
Life on the Amazon River
Leticia, Amazonas
Boat trips on the Amazon, the meeting point of Colombia, Brazil and Peru, and jungle walks with Indigenous guides who know every plant.
Up in the treetops
Amazonas
Canopy platforms and night walks to see the forest from above and hear it come alive after dark.
The river of five colors
Caño Cristales, La Macarena
Red, yellow and green plants color the riverbed in season. See our Caño Cristales guide for timing and logistics.
Safari on the plains
Casanare, around Yopal
Stay on a working hato, a cattle ranch, and look for capybaras, anteaters, caimans and hundreds of bird species across the savanna.
Llanero culture
Villavicencio and Meta
Horseback rides with llanero cowboys, joropo music and dance, and mamona, the beef slow-roasted over an open fire.
River and canyon
Güéjar Canyon, Meta
Clear water, carved rock and swimming holes near La Macarena, a quieter add-on to a Caño Cristales trip.
The Logistics
Getting there: Leticia, La Macarena and Yopal are reached by domestic flights, with Bogotá as the main hub, and Villavicencio is also reachable by road. Routes differ by destination and can change, so we confirm them for each itinerary. Getting around: in the Amazon, almost everything moves by boat. Weather: hot and humid in the rainforest; in the Llanos, December to March is generally the drier season, when wildlife gathers around the water, though rain is never ruled out. Health: check current vaccination advice, including yellow fever, with a travel doctor before you go.
How Long to Stay
Three or four nights in the Amazon around Leticia and Puerto Nariño, three nights for Caño Cristales, and three for a ranch stay in the Llanos. Each works on its own after a few days in Bogotá, or two can be combined in a longer trip.
Things We’d Tell a Friend
Bring long sleeves, repellent and quick-dry clothes. Leave the drone at home unless we’ve confirmed permits. Listen to your Indigenous guides; they read the forest like a book. And in the Llanos, get up before dawn: the light and the wildlife are at their best.
Colombian Amazon-Orinoco FAQ
What is the Colombian Amazon-Orinoco?
It is Colombia’s eastern region: the Orinoco plains of Meta, Casanare, Arauca and Vichada in the north, and the Amazon rainforest of Amazonas, Guaviare, Guainía, Vaupés and Caquetá in the south.
How do you get to the Colombian Amazon?
By flight to Leticia, usually from Bogotá. From there, boats connect to Puerto Nariño and the lodges along the river.
Will I see pink river dolphins?
Sightings are common around Puerto Nariño and the Tarapoto lakes, but they are wild animals, so they are never guaranteed.
Can ColombiaSky plan a private trip to the Colombian Amazon-Orinoco?
Yes. We arrange flights, lodges, boats and local guides, on their own or as part of a longer Colombia trip. Tell us your dates and interests and we’ll send you a plan.
Plan Your Trip with ColombiaSky
ColombiaSky is part of Organización Aviatur and has curated luxury journeys in Colombia for more than 17 years. Read our guides to the Amazon and Nature & Adventure, or tell us your dates, interests and pace, and we’ll build your trip to the Colombian Amazon-Orinoco around you. For an official overview, see Colombia Travel.