Departamento del Amazonas Hotel Tips by colombiantraveler

Decalodge Ticuna Hotel: The best place to stay in Leticia

My wife and I stayed 6 days and 5 nights in this beautiful and comfortable hotel in the centre of Leticia, the southest city of Colombia, on the left bank of Amazon river. It is a 5-stars hotel plenty of services and facilities in the middle of a little warm town. It has 28 large and modern rooms, almost cottages, with very high ceiling, air-conditioning, satellite television, mini fridge and all the facilities you can need. Each of them has a typical hammock to rest and enjoy the natural environment. What about the food? Excellent! The chef has created special dishes based on the Amazon products that are a real treat for your taste buds. Basic hotel package includes breakfast buffet and dinner every day, with many options to choose in the menu. There is also a nice swimming pool that we couldn't enjoy enough because we spent every day in different excursions by the Amazon River and its natural attractions. I don't hesitate to advise you this great and unique hotel as your best headquarter to discover the marvelous Amazon.

Unique Qualities: The first person that you greet every morning as you are having breakfast is Kapax, a local legend known as the "Colombian Tarzan" who is famous for being the only person who has swum the Magdalena River, the main river of Colombia, in all its 800 kilometers, from Neiva to Barranquilla. This odyssey was accomplished back in 1976. He did it on his own in 4 weeks and now works for the Decalodge Ticuna Hotel. You can even get a picture with him carrying a huge anaconda that he owns and shows to the tourists or get his advice to schedule your tours and safaris in the region.

Another special plan in the hotel is to learn the oral traditions from the Amazon indigenous people directly from the mouth of a real shaman who shares his wisdom with the guests in a "maloka" (typical indigenous communitarian house) that is built in the back of the hotel. You will end up dancing and singing with him, and feeling a deep relationship with Mother Nature.

Finally, there are a number of different one-day tours that you can take with the travel agency inside the hotel. "Isla de los Micos" (Monkey island), Puerto Nariño (the second town in the Colombian Amazon), National Park Amacayacu, Natural Park Marasha (in Peru), a bike trip to Tabatinga (Brazil) and a walk around Leticia are just some of the different options you have to choose. Do as much as possible. You won't regret it!

Address: Cra 11 No. 6-11 - Leticia, Colombia

Comparison: most expensive

Directions: Very central location, close to the Orellana Park, 3 blocks from the pier

Phone: 57 (098) 592-6600

Price: US$80-120

Theme: Hotel

Website: http://www.decameron.com/Eng/amazon/ticuna/overview.html

Hotel Anaconda: Central and comfortable hotel

I haven't stayed at Hotel Anaconda, but I know that it is a good hotel. It used to be the best hotel in Leticia until the recent inauguration of Decalodge Ticuna Hotel. It is located in a very central place, in front of Orellana Park, less than 10 minutes from the airport.

Unique Qualities: 50 rooms with balconies, with view over the Amazon River, air conditioning and private bathroom. The hotel has a good swimming pool. They offer tours to visit the most interesting sightseeing places in the region, with bilingual guides.

Address: Carrera 11 # 7 - 34 (Orellana Park)

Comparison: more expensive than average

Directions: Downtown Leticia

Other Contact: (57859) 27891

Phone: (57859) 27119

Price: US$40-80

Theme: Hotel

Website: http://www.hotelanaconda.com.co