LETICIA, AMAZONAS
HISTORY
Early Leticia history mentions a Portuguese explorer who, after becoming lost on the Amazon, died of starvation at the present site of Leticia with the rest of his crew. The Peruvian captain Benigno Bustamante, then governor of the Peruvian department of Loreto, founded the city itself on April 25, 1867. Legend has it that when the Peruvian government decided to colonise the area (in order to prevent the Colombian government from claiming it first), they found a cross inscribed with the words "San Antonio", naming the new town after this cross.
A legend states that a Colombian soldier fell in love with an Amerindian woman named Leticia and decided to name the settlement after her. It could also be named after Saint Leticia. However, Peruvian records indicate that on the 15 December 1867, the port of "San Antonio" was renamed to "Leticia" by Peruvian engineer Manuel Charón. Charón named the port in honor of a young female resident of the Peruvian city of Iquitos named Leticia Smith
GEOGRAPHY
Leticia is the southernmost city in colombia. it is the capital of the
department of amazonas, colombia`s southernmost town. leticia has a population
of approximately 37000 people. leticia is colombia`s shipping point for
tropical fish for the aquarium trade. it is located at the point where
colombia, brazil and peru come together in an area called tres fronteras.
LANGUAGE
The oficial language
is Spanish and Portuguese, but in
the city there are many tribes and And
each has its own dialect
· Huitotos
· Camsás
· Ingas
· Yaguas
· Tucanos
· Ticunas
FOOD
The tastes that are tasted in the Amazon are products of ancestral know ledge of the indigenous communities and on the other; The species and ingredients that are mixed of the typical Colombian-Peruvian-Brazilian food.
You get all types of food especially colombian food. land amazonicas serves mostly fish and seafood. the food is excellent and prices are not expensive.
FAUNA AND FLORA
This paradise brings one of
the most varied of flora and fauna in the world, establishing itself as one of
the sites most biodiverse land, in where, thanks to its tropical wet forest and
flooded forest ecosystem, it is possible to find species such as the pink river
dolphin, Cougar, bear, anteater, the boar, deer, the peccary, macaws, monkeys, alligators,
insects, snakes, fish, etc.
As to species floristic,
highlights caobos, quinilla, pomas, cedar, mahogany
and victoria regia, which
are lotuses of approximately 3 m in diameter,
supporting approximately 40 kg
weights.
CELEBRATIONS
LETICIA'S BIRTHDAY
April 25 becomes an important date every year and allows Leticia's
birthday to be celebrated. The inhabitants usually perform the traditional
dawn, participate in a religious ceremony and cultural and sports activities
are planned in different places of the Municipality.
FESTIVAL
DE LA CONFRATERNIDAD AMAZÓNICA
Leticia
Amazonian city, unique, exuberant and strategic, for 25 years in July, opens
its doors to receive delegations from the Amazonian countries each year in this
great meeting of the continental Amazon, such as: BRAZIL, PERU AND COLOMBIA
FESTIVAL DE LA CANCIÓN AMAZONENSE EL PIRARUCÚ DE ORO
At the beginning of the month of December of each
year, during three days, this Festival takes place that is born in December of
1987, with the intention of allowing a greater musical activity in Leticia.
Initially it was called Contest of Indigenous Rhythms of the Amazon
ECONOMIC
ACTIVITY:
The main economic activities
of the Amazon are the extraction and commercialization of rubber, timber,
fishing, tourism, trade and agriculture.
Other activity is tourism, you can find variety of plans or packages. Ecotourism, wildlife watching
and sport fishing are some of them.
THINGS TO DO
ISLA DE LOS MICOS
On the Isla de los micos (monkeys’ island; 35 km
from Leticia, 45 minutes by boat) tourists can walk on trails while learning
about the different species of monkeys that live there. Indeed, they can feed
the monkeys. You can take trips in typical canoes through flooded areas until
you reach lake Tucuchira, where you can see how its inhabitants fish by their
old fashion ways
ECO PARK AMAZONIC WORLD
Located at 15 minutes
from Leticia , this park is a center of environmental interpretation, which has
collection of endemic plants and Amazonic fruit plants. Here, there is a great
emphasis in the protection of our environment. It’s ideal for families with
children who want to enjoy the aquarium with its exotic fishes
NATURAL RESERV TANIMBOCA
In thirty hectares of protected forest, this natural
reserve offers ecotourism activities. Through eco trails you can traverse swamp
ecosystems; also , you can see a great variety of trees, medicinal plants and
different types of flowers. One of the main and most attractive places here is
the serpentarium, where you can find boas, coral snakes, Mapana x snakes and
also the great black caiman.
HOTELS AND RESTAURANTS
HOTEL ON VACATIONS
Is in the rural settlement of San José Vereda in the Amazon jungle and 14
km of Leticia.
Account with 14 malokas with 140 rooms equipped with air conditioning, TV
screen TVs and private bathrooms. Some rooms have views of the Amazon River.
Hotel has an air bazen so
that can enjoy the water and the Sun during your stay. Also have a restaurant
where you can have breakfast, lunch or dinner.
HOTEL SUITES WAIRA:
This boutique hotel with swimming pool Outdoor,
Garden, free Wi-Fi
and restaurant Mall Aquarium is 5 blocks.
HOTEL DECAMERON TICUNA
The Hotel
Decameron Ticuna is a modern resort with all the amenities, is located in the heart of
the Amazon jungle.
Is equipped with spacious 28 bright and comfortable rooms,
equipped with refrigerator, TV remote control, air conditioning, ceiling fans
and a terrace with a spectacular view.
HOSTEL
RESERVA NATURAL TANIMBOCA
The Reserva Natural Tanimboca
establishment is located only 11 km from the city of Leticia and offers
accommodation in the forest in wooden cabins in the trees.
It
is built on a tree to 12 m high.
APARTMENT APARTAHOTEL AYAHUASCA
The Ayahuasca Aparthotel is located in the town of Leticia, just 250
metres from the Amazon River, and offers spacious and comfortable bungalows
plus a complimentary breakfast
This bungalow is spacious and has a minibar and seating area with flat screen
TV cable bath includes shower / toilet
EL
CIELO
One of the best in the city, with a delicious variety of dishes that
blend the most exotic traditional ingredients with international cuisine. We
recommend the pizza base of cassava and different ingredients.
A great place for dinner, where you can taste the delicious pirarucu as
well as other varieties of fish and soups in the region. It will cost you less
than 20,000 pesos per person (without drinks) for an entry and main dish.
RESTAURANT
AMEKTIAR
Exotic Amazonian ingredients in tempting presentations and a great gourmet
touch; Amektiar has one of the most central and modern tri-border. Appears to
be by its appearance, and many of their products, a local fast food, but if you
look carefully you will find pleasant surprises to liven up the noon and take
for granted lunch.
SANTO ANGEL
You will find one of the best options to eat healthy and fast in Leticia
in the grounds of Holy Angel where you can enjoy of casabe pizzas, wraps,
pancakes, waffles, sandwiches, salads, among other simple yet exquisite
preparations. All fair portions to eat light and be satisfied. If you want a
fuller plate also you can request a delicious Jamaican Tenderloin, a juicy tip
of anca with shrimp, a sweet honey mustard chicken breast, or a sophisticated
breton fish.
SOUVENIRS: The most typical souvenir of Santa Marta is the sombrero vueltia but the vessels craft are very popular in this city, the handmade backpacks also very common in this region. 
