How I Exited Colombia Without Leaving: The Cheapest Colombia Visa Run That Feels Like a Jungle Getaway (via Leticia)
- Claire Poho
- Mar 29
- 27 min read
Updated: Apr 2
It’s legal. It’s fun. And it might involve an açaí in Brazil.
You came for a month. Maybe two. A quick escape from winter.
Then suddenly you’re spending your days in cute cafés, sipping some of the best coffee you’ve ever had, surrounded by likeminded people from around the world—coworking, connecting, feeling at peace, feeling like you’ve…arrived.
You’re living on açaí bowls, New York steak, cold brews, and maracuja soda… totally guilt-free, because it's all so affordable.
The only guilt? That moment your boss asks you to turn on your camera—and they see sunshine beaming through the swaying banana leaves behind you. Oops.
It’s official: Medellín pulled you in.
A few bachata nights, a little party here and there, a crew of amazing humans, Sunday hikes in Envigado, cacao ceremonies, the occasional weekend on the Caribbean coast…
90 (or 180) days flew by—and now, Migración says chao.
Yeah, happens to the best of us.
But don’t panic.
Here’s how to legally leave Colombia—without really leaving.
(And maybe grab an açaí in Brazil while you’re at it.)
This guide outlines one of the most cost-effective—and surprisingly fun—ways to do a visa run in Colombia.
In this article, you’ll find out:
Let’s start with the basics—who’s this Colombia visa run trick actually for?
Before you book that flight to Leticia, let’s make sure this strategy is the right fit for your situation.
If you’ve already used your full 180 days of visa-free stay in Colombia for this calendar year, this option won’t work for you.
At that point, you have three options:
1. Apply for a visa
2. Leave the country for the rest of the year
3. Overstay (and deal with the consequences—more on that later)
A visa run will benefit you if:
🕒 1. You’re nearing your 90-day limit and forgot to apply for the extension.
If you’re still within your first 90 days but forgot to apply for the simple online extension to get to 180, you’re not alone.
Doing the extension is easier and cheaper than a visa run—but if it’s too late now and you don’t want to risk overstaying, this is your next best option.
📆 2. You arrived toward the end of the year and want to “reset” for the next.
If your country has a visa-free agreement with Colombia, you’re allowed to stay up to 180 days per calendar year—but not in one single stretch.
Your 180-day allowance resets on January 1st, but you must leave the country before you can use the next batch of days.
Example:
You arrive in October 2025 and stay until April 2026—a total of 180 days.
That breaks down to:
~90 days from your 2025 allowance
~90 days from your 2026 allowance
So now:
✅ You must leave Colombia (you’ve hit the 180-day max in one go)
✅ But you still have ~90 days left for 2026
➡️ A quick visa run lets you re-enter legally and use those remaining days.
🛂 3. Your Colombian visa is expiring and you want to switch to tourist status.
Apparently, there’s a way to transition from a visa to a tourist stamp without leaving the country…
But honestly? It sounds complicated, and I didn’t try it.
Personally, I found it much easier to just exit and re-enter as a tourist no questions asked. Trying to set up an appointment at Migración Colombia and figuring out paperwork just isn’t my favorite thing.
So, if you fall into one of the categories above, a visa run is your best move.
Depending on where you are in Colombia, you may find different international flight options. From Medellín, some common international flights on the affordable side are to Panama City, Punta Cana, San José, Miami, Fort Lauderdale or Orlando...
These can work for a visa run—but here’s the catch:
Even if you score a cheap flight, these places are not budget-friendly once you land.
A taxi from the airport, a couple of meals, one or two nights in a hotel—and boom, your “quick visa run” cost more than a week in Medellín.
(I mean… I once got charged $6 USD for a hot water refill (!!) at Panama Airport. 💀)
That’s why I recommend skipping the overpriced tourist hubs and opting for a much more affordable, interesting, and Colombian alternative:
🛫 Taking a domestic flight to Leticia! 🇨🇴
✈️ Why do your Colombia visa run in Leticia? (And how to get there)
Yup, that’s right—Leticia.
A small town of about 37,000 people, tucked into the Amazon jungle at the southernmost tip of Colombia, right on the border with Brazil and Peru.
This quirky little border town isn’t just cheaper—it lets you do your visa run without technically leaving Colombia.
And honestly? It’s more fun than dodging stroller caravans and confused families at MCO.
Leticia has its own airport, with 3–4 daily flights from Bogotá served by Avianca and LATAM.
🛫 Flight Tip: Medellín → Leticia
There are no direct flights from Medellín (or other major cities), but the connection through Bogotá is smooth—and honestly, for a journey into the Amazon, a 4-hour total trip from Medellín is pretty reasonable.
If you’re flying from Medellín, I recommend booking with Avianca.
They offer the full connection with just a 1-hour layover in Bogotá—I got to my gate at a leisurely pace just before boarding started. Perfect timing.
🛫 Flight Tip: Bogotá → Leticia
The flight from Bogotá to Leticia takes 2h.
If you are flying directly from Bogotá, here’s a tip: Check prices from both Bogotá and Medellín (or other Colombian cities).
Why?
Because the flights from Leticia to Bogotá are around 100,000 COP (~$25 USD) more expensive than flights from Leticia to Medellín via Bogotá. 🤯
Yup, the longer flight is cheaper—and it’s not just a one-day glitch.
I checked over the course of a week, and the price difference was noticeable on all dates across both Avianca and LATAM.
As you can see above, there's about a 90,000 COP difference between the BOG → LET & MDE → LET flights with LATAM on 2 April, and as much as 144,000 COP difference in the flights with Avianca on 2 April.
💡 Money-Saving Hack (Use at Your Own Risk)
So, if you’re headed to Bogotá, you can:
➡️ Book a flight from Leticia to Medellín (with a layover in Bogotá)
➡️ And just exit the airport in Bogotá instead of continuing to Medellín
This is known as “skiplagging”—and while it works, it’s technically against airline policy.
⚠️ Only do this if:
You’re not checking any luggage
You book a one-way ticket
You don’t use your frequent flyer number
You’re not doing it all the time
Airlines can technically penalize repeat offenders, but for a one-off situation like this—especially in Colombia—it’s rarely enforced.
💸 OK, so how cheap are the flights?
Honestly? Really cheap.
I booked my flight on a Saturday afternoon and flew out Sunday morning—just $67 USD for a one-way ticket from Medellín to Leticia, with no luggage.
I only intended to stay a few days, so a small backpack was more than enough.
🧳 What about carry-on limits?
If you’re used to strict airline policies back home, don’t stress—Colombian airlines are way more relaxed.
I usually carry a backpack, a small purse, and a tote bag—and no one ever says a word.
As long as you’re not rolling in with a full suitcase or a massive hiking pack, you’ll be fine.
📆 Should you book last minute?
Interestingly, yes.
The flights actually seemed cheaper closer to the departure date.
I booked my return flight at 10 p.m. for a 9 a.m. departure the next morning—and paid just 300,000 COP (~$73 USD).
Now, checking flights a month in advance, prices range from 400,000 to over 1 million COP. 😳
Of course, this might be seasonal, so definitely do your own search—but don’t assume last-minute means expensive.
💸 Money-Saving Tip: When booking with Avianca, switch the currency from USD to COP at checkout. My flight originally showed $79 USD, but when I changed the currency to COP, it only deducted $67 USD from my account! 🎉
🚕 What about getting from the airport?
Leticia wins again.
No pricey taxis or stressful transport logistics here.
I literally walked 20 minutes from the airport to my accommodation.
(Yes, walked! In the jungle. And it was fun! I mean—Were else can you do that?! Maybe in Bali, but that’s about it.)
On the way back, I grabbed a yellow taxi for 20,000 COP (~$5 USD).
🛬 So—you made it to Leticia. But now what?
Let’s talk border crossings, immigration hacks, mototaxis, and how to technically “leave” Colombia… without going far at all. 🌿👇
How to do the visa run
Leticia lies on the Amazon River and borders both Brazil and Peru—which means you have two options to get your passport stamped. If one option falls through for whatever reason? You’ve got a backup. 💁♀️
🇧🇷 For ease, I recommend Brazil.
It’s a land border—you can literally walk to Brazil.
Yes, walk. It’s that close.
🇵🇪 For fun? Go with Peru.
You’ll take a short boat ride to a small island village—it’s got major jungle-mystic vibes.
But first—you have to “leave” Colombia.
🛂 Step 1: Get your exit stamp from Colombia
Here’s what to do as soon as you land in Leticia:
👉 At the baggage reclaim area, you’ll need to pay a 50,000 COP tourist fee (it’s for entering the Amazon region—yes, it’s legit).
You’ll likely see taxi drivers and tour guides waiting around upon exiting. Feel free to ask them where immigration is, or:
➡️ Just head right out of baggage claim and walk to the end of the small airport building.
Look for Migración Colombia on your right.
The office is small—usually staffed by 1–2 people—so it’s a quick process.
📝 What to expect:
If you have a Colombian visa, they’ll ask to see it.
They’ll likely ask where you’re going—I simply said “Brazil”, and that was enough.
It all felt pretty relaxed, but have a story ready, just in case.
Example options:
“I’m taking the boat to Manaus (Brazil)”
“I’m heading up to Iquitos (Peru)”
Get your passport stamped and…
🎉 Congratulations! You’ve officially left Colombia!
…Meanwhile, you’re still in Colombia. 🤣
And if, like me, you’re hooked on bachata or Medellín’s springtime climate, you probably have no plans to leave. 👀
Now you don’t have to. 💁♀️
🇧🇷 Step 2: Entering Brazil
‼️ UPDATE: Starting 10 April 2025, citizens of the United States, Canada and Australia will newly require a visa to enter Brazil. You can apply for your e-Visa online on https://brazil.vfsevisa.com/ — the process is supposed to be quick and easy and you should receive your visa via email within a few days. The application costs 80 USD though, so this new bureaucratic hurdle will bring your visa run cost up a little.
If you're a citizen of one. of these countries, you probably want to consider entering Peru instead of Brazil. You can read about the Peru route below, however, I suggest you still read this section as it covers some good practices regarding how to go about entering and exiting a country country for visa run purposes.
If you're from the EU like me, you can still enter visa-free. If you're from anywhere else, do your own research and check if you need a visa!
The next step is entering Brazil or Peru—let’s start with Brazil.
Leticia borders Tabatinga, the Brazilian village on the other side of town.
And yes—you can literally walk to Brazil. The border is that close.
There’s no formal checkpoint—just a sign that says “Welcome to Brazil”. 🇧🇷
The walk isn’t exactly scenic, and the immigration office (Policia Federal) is located further into Tabatinga, so the total walk could be 30–50 minutes, depending on where you start.
If you’re not in the mood for sweating through your shirt in Amazon humidity, just hop on a moto, tuktuk, or taxi—cheap and easy.
🕒 Brazil Immigration Office Hours (Policia Federal)
Open daily, including Sundays
Hours: 8:00–12:00 and 14:00–18:00
⏰ Important: Brazil is 1 hour ahead of Colombia, so plan accordingly!
🇧🇷 Policia Federal: A Quick Heads-Up
When you get to Policia Federal, you may be doubtful whether you’re even in the right place—because it does not look neat and clean like the modern, air-conditioned Migración Colombia offices.
A taped piece of paper peeling off a rusty door that doesn’t close properly. You walk in, and there are maybe four chairs.
The entire “office” barely fits one immigration officer.
Total prison cell vibes. 😅
🛂 Getting Your Brazil entry stamp
So here’s the fun part of my visa run—aka learn from my mistakes. 😅
I was feeling super relaxed about the whole thing. I’d only booked my flights the day before, had zero plans, and knew nothing about the area.
If the immigration officer had asked me what I was planning to do in Brazil, I probably would’ve said something like:
“Oh, I just need the stamp. I have no intention to spend time in your country. I’m going back to Colombia—don’t worry about me!”
Apparently, that’s a terrible idea. 😅
But in a typical Claire fashion, I got lucky.
When I arrived at the immigration office, there was a blond couple ahead of me. I wondered if they were here for the same reason as me.
We started chatting and they told me they were going to Manaus.
“What about you?”
“Oh, I’m just here for the stamp. I live in Medellín and need to renew my visa.”
They kept their cover story going for a while, but eventually, the guy gave me a look, leaned in, and whispered:
“They’ll never give you your stamp if you’re just staying around here.
Say you’re going to Manaus—only then will they stamp you in.”
Oh.
Manaos? Manaus? What even is that? Where is it? And—why would I go there? 😅
They were clearly playing the Manaus game with me in order to keep their plans a secret from the officer.
But honestly, there was no need—
The officer didn’t speak English… and apparently, not even Spanish. Only Portuguese.
Luckily, these guys were my angels.
The guy spoke just enough Portuguese to explain their “travel plans” to the officer. After a few questions, they got their stamps—and then it was my turn. 😳
Still clueless about this whole Manaus operation, I asked them if I could pretend I was traveling with them.
The officer started flipping through my passport and fired another round of questions:
Where were we going?
How long were we staying?
And then? Where next?
I was sweating just a little. 😅 Ah the Amazon heat!
But my friend covered for me.
He launched into a story about how we were traveling across South America and heading to Argentina next.
Meanwhile, I was silently standing behind him thinking:
Oh crap… this story won’t hold if he checks my passport thoroughly and sees I entered Colombia seven months ago and had a visa. Not exactly “backpacker just passing through” vibes. 😂
But… it worked.
He handed me my passport with a 90-day stamp, and just like that—I was officially in Brazil. 🙌
Muito obrigada, Brasil!
✌️ Step 3: Exiting Brazil
Once you enter Brazil, you need to officially exit again. Otherwise, you could run into trouble when re-entering Colombia, or worse, if you ever want to come back to Brazil and they see no record of you leaving.
⏳ Do you need to stay 24 hours?
I read it was advisable to stay at least 24 hours outside of Colombia to make your “departure” really count.
So my friends and I started calculating the exact time since our first visit to Policia Federal…
But honestly? I doubt it matters much.
Your visa stamp only shows the date, not the hour. And I really doubt immigration officers are digging into time logs or scanning system data to see if you hung out in Brazil for a full 24 hours.
Still, if you have time—it’s not a bad idea to play it safe.
A cautionary tale:
My new friends certainly wanted to play it safe that way—and they had a good reason. The guy told me about a time he went to Mexico: He crossed the border, turned right around, and tried to exit the same day.
The officer didn’t give him an exit stamp—they just cancelled the entry one. Ouch.
Would that happen in Brazil? Probably not if you’re crossing on a different date…
But who knows?
⚠️ Immigration officers have a lot of discretion—not just for this entry, but for future ones, too. So it’s always a good idea to avoid raising red flags.
Personally? I don’t stress about these things too much. But:
a) I think it’s good to keep this stuff in mind;
b) I do believe in being respectful and playing it safe timing-wise, if you can afford it.
🛃 Back to Policia Federal: Round Two
So, the next day, we headed back to Policia Federal.
We had a story ready:
“We were going to take the boat to Manaus, but changed our minds and decided to head to Peru instead.”
Fortunately, the officer that day was very chill, and we didn’t even need the script.
He stamped the first passport, then took mine and gave it a curious look.
“República Checa?”
“Sim, soy yo,” I said confidently, but feeling mildly nervous inside.
“What language do you speak over there?
Oh—it’s its own language?
Wow, how cool! I wouldn’t know, would I?!” he laughed.
He seemed very excited to learn something new about a country he’d clearly never encountered before. Friendly guy! 😄
We got our exit stamps, and just like that—we were done with Brazil.
🇨🇴 Final step: Re-entering Colombia.
If you’ve completed the steps above—and you still have days left in your 180-day visa-free allowance for the calendar year—then re-entering Colombia should be quick and easy.
Here’s how it went for me:
When I arrived at the Leticia airport, I headed to Migración and handed over my passport,
“Where are you coming from?”
“Brazil.”
“Where did you stay while in Leticia?”
“I was in Brazil!” I repeated, determined to stick to the story. 😅
“What hotel did you stay at here in Leticia?”
…oh. Right.
Yeah, I did stay in Leticia (i.e. Colombia)…
So I told her the truth and gave the name of my accommodation.
She typed it into the computer, said nothing more, and stamped my passport.
Yay! All done.
Was I worried?
A little. Because while I left Colombia de jure—de facto I was still here! I haven't even spent a night away. Could that be problematic?
Apparently, it wasn’t.
So why did she ask?
Here’s my theory:
Technically, accommodation providers in Colombia aren’t allowed to host foreigners who don’t have a valid entry stamp (→another reason to not overstay and stay legal). So the officer may have been asking not to question me, but to update the system for the hotel’s sake—or to ensure everything was properly logged.
This whole border region is so fluid—you can cross between Colombia, Brazil, and Peru without ever formally “entering” any of them if you don’t go through immigration.
🇵🇪 The Peru Route: A Slower, Sweeter Option
(& Why My Two Hours in Santa Rosa Were the Best Part of the Trip)
If Brazil doesn’t work out—or you’re craving a softer, slower experience—take the boat to Peru.
‼️ Can you enter Peru visa free with your passport? If you can travel to Colombia visa free, chances are very high that the same applies to Peru, but by all means, do your own research!
🚤 Getting There
The Peruvian territory accessible from Leticia and Tabatinga is a small island called Santa Rosa.
Head to the port in either town and ask for boats to Peru. It’s a very short ride and costs 10,000 pesos, 10 reais, or 10 soles—they accept all three currencies.
Once you reach solid land, you can walk or take a tuktuk to immigration. Walk till you reach the main island road and then head right.
The island is small, but the roads can get muddy, especially after rain.
So if you plan to walk around, I recommend flip flops or shoes that can get dirty.
Welcome to the Amazon. 🌿
🛂 Getting Your Stamp
More fun contrasts—after the dodgy vibes of Policia Federal in Brazil, the Peruvian immigration office was a delight!
Santa Rosa is a tiny, simple island on the Amazon with not much to show for it. There’s one muddy main road for tuktuks, and the houses are drafty wooden cabins built on pylons over the river.
So when we pulled up to the immigration office, I expected… more of the same.
But just like my first time walking up to Policia Federal—I was surprised.
Only this time, in the opposite direction.
We jumped off the tuktuk into the mud… and walked into a neat, modern building.
No prison cell vibes here!
It was air-conditioned, staffed by at least four workers—even though we arrived literally three minutes before closing. One person was even stationed at the door to manage the flow and ensure people were attended to in the correct order.
Impressive.
To get your entry stamp, the same rule applies:
Have a story ready. (Say you’re taking the boat up to Iquitos.)
They might ask a few questions, but it’s likely to be chill.
🛑 Don’t forget—you’ll need to return the next day for your exit stamp.
Otherwise, you could run into trouble:
• when re-entering Colombia
• or if you ever want to visit Peru again and they have no record of you leaving.
🏝️ Two hours in Peru—A Heart-Warming Experience
Even though it requires hopping on a boat, I found the trip to Peruvian immigration far more enjoyable than going to Brazil.
Here’s why:
Santa Rosa is a tiny island on the Amazon River.
It has almost no infrastructure—but it’s lush, peaceful, and has that slow, earthy island energy that makes you slow down and take it all in.
We asked a few locals what there was to do in Santa Rosa, and every single one of them said something along the lines of:
“Absolutely nothing.” 😂
🧶 So what did we do instead?
We wandered into the tiny souvenir shop next to immigration—and ended up staying there for over an hour.
“What time do you close?”
“At five.”
We checked our clocks.
“Oh… so an hour ago?”
“Yeah, it’s fine. Sometimes I stay longer.” 😄
He definitely didn’t mind. I doubt he gets many excited shoppers lingering this long—most foreigners just pass through to catch the boat to Iquitos. Shopping before a 3-day boat trip isn’t exactly top priority.
But for us? It was the perfect detour.
The shop had everything—alpaca wool sweaters, ponchos, hats, traditional shirts, comfy pants, colorful jewelry, and tons of adorable alpaca figurines in every size.
The prices? So good.
50 soles (~$14 USD) for an alpaca sweater. And yes—they accept cards.
🌅 The walk back
After realizing we’d missed dinner, we decided to walk back to the port—and honestly, it was one of my favorite parts.
The only road cuts through the island like a little muddy ribbon, lined with simple stilt houses where the locals go about their lives—watching TV, chatting with the neighbors on the porch, playing volleyball on the main road…
We were so absorbed in it all… and walked way past the port without realizing.
I don’t think many foreigners explore that far down the road, because as soon as the locals saw us, they lit up—shouting to us jovially from their windows, full of curiosity and warmth.
Eventually, someone asked where we were going and laughed:
“You passed it a loooong time ago!”
We asked if they could give us a lift—and they did, no questions asked. It was already dark, but we were told there’s always a boat back to Leticia. If it’s super late, they might charge extra—but we left around 7 p.m. and paid the regular fare.
💚 Final thoughts on Santa Rosa
On paper, there’s nothing to do in Santa Rosa.
But in reality? It was my favorite part of the whole trip.
The locals were so kind. The air felt lighter.
The whole island just radiated peace, simplicity, and softness.
After all the potholes, mototaxis, and border stamps, Santa Rosa was a breath of fresh air.
I left feeling resourced, grounded, and unexpectedly moved.
🤔 Is It Worth It to Do a Visa Run?
If you’re asking this question, chances are you’re considering overstaying—so let’s address that.
The other possibility is that you’re wondering whether to get a visa instead, or you currently have a visa and you’re debating whether to renew it or switch to tourist status via a visa run. This is too complex to address in this article, but I'll write a separate blog post on this in the future.
First, let’s make sure a visa run is actually an option for you.
Remember the three qualifying categories I outlined earlier in this article:
If you’ve already used your 180 days of visa-free stay in this calendar year, a visa run won’t help. You have two choices:
• Apply for a visa
• Or overstay and deal with the consequences (see next section)
If you do have days left in your 180-day allowance, then the question becomes:
How much more time in Colombia will you actually gain?
Will a visa run buy you another 90 days? Another month?
Is it worth the cost and the hassle?
That’s a decision only you can make.
But I’ll share what helped me weigh it out.
⚠️ What happens if you overstay?
Sincerely, I’ve considered this more than once myself.
And from all the forums, blog posts, and Facebook threads I’ve read… the short answer is:
You’ll probably just pay a fine.
Most people who’ve overstayed report that they were able to pay and re-enter Colombia later as tourists without major issues.
But of course—it depends.
💸 So… how much is the fine?
That’s the tricky part—No one really knows.
There’s no fixed public scale, it’s all anecdotal evidence and random websites, but there seems to be nothing about it on official Colombian websites.
Here’s what I found, but, again, I don’t think it’s very reliable:
Some say:
• 1.4–1.5 million COP for overstays of 1–30 days
• Up to 4 million COP for 90–120 days
Others reference fines up to 7x the monthly minimum wage, which in 2025 would be around 9 million COP.
Some managed to get out without a word (or a fine).
Many say that you are allowed to leave without paying, but won’t be allowed back unless you pay, either online or upon arrival.
And yes, there are stories of people overstaying multiple times and still being allowed back after paying up.
💭 My thoughts on this?
My personal theory based on all this is that Colombia is less concerned about the overstay itself—and more about getting paid. Tourists and digital nomads bring in money, and Colombia’s economy benefits.
The visa process supports this theory—because at every stage, you’re paying a fee.
From submitting the application to getting your visa issued, registering it, and applying for a cédula… it all costs money.
For reference, here’s what I paid in September 2024:
Visa application: 213,500 COP (~51 USD)
Visa issuance: 711,000 COP (~172 USD)
Cédula application: 267,000 COP (~64 USD)
So yeah, I think money is a factor.
‼️ But let’s be clear: This is just my theory, based on anecdotal evidence. If you choose to overstay, it’s 100% at your own risk.
😬 What could go wrong?
Besides the fine, here’s what else you might be risking:
• Deportation and re-entry bans
Unlikely for short overstays—but possible, especially if you exceed 180 days.
• Long-term consequences
If you ever want to apply for a visa or residency, overstaying might hurt your chances.
Even if you just want to come back as a tourist, immigration may flag you.
• Accommodation issues
Official hosts are required to check your passport. If your stamp is expired, they might refuse to host you.
• Social consequences
Some people/businesses may not want to associate with someone who’s technically illegal. No one wants to get caught enabling that.
• Your peace of mind
Honestly? This was the biggest one for me. Knowing you’re overstaying—even just a little—can become a background stressor:
“Will they stop me at the airport?”
“Will I get fined? How much will it be?
"Could this jeopardize my future attemps to get a visa?
"Could they ban me from re-entering?"
"...How long has it been now? I need to make a plan and leave..."
🧘♀️ Why I chose not to overstay
There were two times when I seriously considered it.
I was busy, mentally drained, uninterested in dealing with travel or logistics, and reluctant to waste money on a trip I didn't want to take.
I told myself:
“I’d probably spend just as much on a visa run as I would on the fine.”
But at the end, I chose peace of mind. And the long game.
Because…
• I want to stay in Colombia long-term
• I want to apply for residency someday
• I don’t want to mess with my legal status over one lazy month
• I don’t want to create a stressful moment at the airport
• I don’t want that icky feeling of hiding something
🔚 Bottom line?
You probably won’t go to jail or get deported for overstaying a few days or even weeks.
But you are breaking the law—and that comes with risk.
If you love Colombia and want to keep coming back (or stay long-term), it might just be worth playing it safe.
🌴 From Visa Run to Mini Amazon Retreat: How to Enjoy Your Stay in Leticia
So… you’ve got your Brazil or Peru stamp, dodged deportation, and bought yourself more time in Colombia. 🙌
Now what?
You could fly back the next morning—or you could turn this whole visa run hustle into a mini jungle holiday.
Leticia isn’t a polished tourist resort, but it is a major Amazon hub. There’s just enough infrastructure to feel safe and supported, and just enough wild to make you feel like you’re on an adventure.
If you’re planning to stay more than a night or two, here’s what to expect (and how to make the most of it).
🌦️ What to Expect
Leticia is humid, slow, and delightfully unpolished. Here’s the real talk:
• Don’t expect fast-paced tourism.
• Don’t expect luxury—you’re in the Amazon.
• No hip cafés for coworking like in Medellín
• Cell reception may be tricky. WiFi too.
• AC is not standard. Double-check if that matters to you.
• It rains often and randomly.
• Grocery stores are limited in size and offer.
• Many restaurants are closed on Sundays.
🎒 What to bring
An umbrella
Rain clothes
Sunscreen
Mosquito repellent
💡 Pro tip: Apparently, Nopikex is the best mosquito repellent you can find. It comes in a bar and looks like soap—sticky but worth it! Available at the pharmacy.
If you want to go on an adventure in the jungle, you also want to bring:
A headlamp or flashlight
Breathable long sleeves and pants. Leggings are not enough— the mosquitoes will bite right through them!
At least ankle-height shoes or rain boots.
Long socks.
A solid rain jacket or poncho.
🛺 Getting Around
Leticia is totally walkable. I even walked from the airport to my accommodation.
But if you’re headed deeper into Tabatinga (Brazil) or are in no mood for the humidity, grab a ride.
• Yellow taxis exist, but tuktuks and mototaxis are more common.
• They’ll beep at you when available—just signal and hop on
• Most moto rides within Leticia or to Tabatinga cost 4–5k COP
• In Brazil, mototaxis are registered public transport—safe and cheap
• Drivers in Brazil & Peru will often accept COP, but if you want to be on the safe side, exchange some local currency.
💱 Exchanging Money
You can exchange money at the Brazil–Colombia border.
I exchanged 50,000 COP and got slightly more than the official rate on Google, yay! 🙌
(It was a bit over 71 BR, in March 2025.) 🙌
💡 Pro tip: If you pay in pesos in Brazil, you’ll be paying more. It’s worth exchanging a little.
You’ll need cash for:
• Mototaxis
• Border snacks
• Souvenirs
• Entry fees (like the 50k Amazon fee at the Leticia airport)
ATMs are available in Leticia and Tabatinga. I used BBVA because it allowed a higher withdrawal.
⚠️ Have small bills—especially for Peru.
Our tuktuk drivers and boat guys had zero change, and juggling three currencies with no coins is a mess. 😅
🍽️ Where to Eat
Leticia
I ate at Tierras Amazónicas both nights—partly because other places were closed (welcome to jungle town hours), but also because this place was great, and I still had more dishes I wanted to try.
(Tip: If you’re set on going somewhere specific, double-check the opening hours. Or don’t—what Google Maps says might be totally irrelevant. More on that later.)
Great vibes, they accept cards, and the jungle specialties are solid—quality fish dishes in the 40–50k range.
Try the Pirarucú—a gigantic Amazonian fish you won’t find anywhere else. They serve it a few different ways. I tried one cooked in a banana leaf, and another with black ají and tapioca. Both yummy!
There are also great Peruvian restaurants on the Colombian side and a fusion that looks good! Sushi stall in park Santander looks surprisingly legit—haven't tried it though!
Santa Rosa (Peru)
Locals recommended Brisas de Amazonas—right across from immigration. Didn’t get to try it, but it did look both breezy and Amazonian!
Açaí Alert 🍧
II love açaí—so of course I had to walk across the border for some authentic Brazilian goodness.
The first spot didn’t exist anymore. The second and third were mysteriously closed (despite what Google Maps claimed). Finally, around 11am, one opened.
Was it worth it?
Kind of. It came in a plastic cup. The toppings were in a self-serve bar that looked like it hadn’t been refreshed in a while—so I skipped the fruit.
In short: not exactly the lush, styled-up bowls I’m used to ordering in my favorite Medellín café. 😅
Still… I get to say I had açaí in Brazil. Worth the walk?
I’ll have to think about that…
🍦 Best Ice Cream in Town
Head to Naì Chì near Parque Santander (Leticia) for legit Amazonian ice cream (açaí + local jungle fruits).
It’s ~7,000 COP per scoop—kinda pricey, but I guess ice cream isn’t native to the jungle.
🛏️ Where to Stay
Leticia has the most options. You’ll find:
• Budget hostels (with dorms + private rooms)
• Jungle-style hotels (some with pools)
• Airbnbs, though availability is tight if you book last minute
Hostel rec: Casa Las Palmas – chill vibe, pool, hammocks, social crowd: lots of people heading to Iquitos and doing plenty of adventurous things—a good way to not not spend three days on a boat yourself but kinda come close to the experience!
🇧🇷 Tabatinga (Brazil) has a couple (literally) decent hotels—but they fill up fast and aren’t always listed online.
🇵🇪 Santa Rosa (Peru) is a quiet wild card.
If you want a quiet retreat, stay there. It’s peaceful, unplugged, and calm. Check out Machu Picchu Selva—a hotel with a pool and a great location next to immigration and the recommended restaurant.
What to Do in Leticia If You Want to Experience the Jungle
If you want a real jungle experience, you’ll need to book a tour—either through your accommodation, a local agency, or even someone who approaches you at the airport (yes, I'm skeptical too—but sometimes they have decent deals).
Most jungle tours range from day trips to 2–5 day adventures, and they’re usually all-inclusive.
But if you ask me—
💸 For what you get—a hammock, no bed, no toilet, no electricity—I found a lot of them a bit overpriced. Especially considering how cheap things usually are in this part of Colombia.
💡 Pro tip: Ask around before you book. Tours sold through hostels and hotels are often marked up. Independent guides and agencies tend to offer better rates.
During my trip, I discovered a non-commercial, community-run option—an indigenous family offering jungle stays in their home: a natural reserve with no electricity. 1–3 nights, diverse activities. It’s not marketed online (DM me for the contact—if you're serious), but it was tried, tested, and recommended to me by other travelers.
I didn’t have time to do it this trip—but I’m 100% coming back just for that.
Not in the Mood to Trek Through the Jungle and Sleep in a Hammock?
Totally fair. If you’d rather keep things light and low-commitment:
Easy Ways to Experience the Amazon
(All doable in one day, no jungle tour required.)
🚤 Amazon River Boat Ride
You can book a commercial dolphin-spotting tour—yes there are river dolphins and some of them are pink!
Or you can head to the port and hire a local boat driver for a 1–2 hour ride on the river. It’s less than a third of the price, but dolphin sightings are not guaranteed. Still, it’s a fun way to spend time on the river.
🐒 Monkey Island (Isla de los Micos)
A short forest escape full of cheeky monkeys. Usually done as a half-day tour. Cute and touristy.
🧪 Mundo Amazónico Eco Park
Just outside Leticia, this eco-park offers an easy, guided intro to Amazonian plants, traditions, and ecology. No trekking boots required.
🍹 Sunset Caipirinha at Comara
For zero effort and max vibe: grab a cold drink at Comara in Tabatinga, and watch the sun melt over the Amazon. Expect music, locals, backpackers, and dirt-cheap caipirinhas. A perfect end to any day.
🎯 Final Thoughts: Was It Worth It?
Look—I could’ve stayed home, paid a fine, or "worried about it later".
But instead, I got peace of mind and another 180 days in Colombia, legally.
I also got to visit Brazil and Peru for the first time.
Panic over a surprise time zone switch.
Buy alpaca sweaters on a muddy Amazon island.
Make friends at the most improbable place.
Suddenly find myself on unplanned border hopping adventures.
Talk my way into 90 days in Brazil I didn’t even need.
Eat açaí from a plastic cup.
Feel the pull of the jungle—and know I’ll go when I feel the call.
And leave with a deeper understanding of who I am right now.
Because here’s the thing about me:
I’ve spent years living out of backpacks. Hitchhiking mountains. Couchsurfing with strangers. Sleeping in airports and trekking jungles sleep-deprived.
The old me?
She would’ve said yes to a five-day jungle tour.
Taken the slow boat to Iquitos.
Eaten whatever was sizzling on the questionable roadside cart, no questions asked.
But this time… I didn’t want that.
And honestly, it stirred something inside.
Because the old patterns kicked in—You have to go. You have to do it all. Right now.
But I didn’t want it.
Not because I’m less brave.
Not because I’ve “gone soft.”
But because I’m in a new season.
One where I love quiet mornings, and açaí in a bowl.
One where I don’t need chaos to feel alive.
One where I don’t have to prove anything—to anyone.
Because I’ve found the aliveness I used to chase… within myself.
This trip reminded me of the freedom I’ve built—and the woman I’ve become.
That I can go get lost in the jungle anytime… but I don’t have to.
And that’s its own kind of power.
The gift of the trip wasn’t just another 180 days in Colombia.
It was a reconfirmation of what I already know—of who I have become.
If you’re reading this and nodding along—if you’re also in that in-between space where something big is shifting, but you’re not quite sure what yet…
Then I know you’re not just here for visa logistics.
You’re here for the magic between the lines. The serendipity. The aliveness. The full-body yes life.
You’re here for the moments when it all just clicks—not because you forced it, but because you finally trusted yourself.
If that’s you, you’ll love Manifestation Magic:
A private audio series where I share how I’ve manifested adventure, connection, homes, insane jobs, free travel, and dream opportunities around the world.
Because yes, I’ve lived out of backpacks, but I’ve also lived in billionaire residencies, traveled the world, landed free accommodation time and time again, and studied at elite universities around the world when it should have been impossible for me, given my background.
And I’ve also doubted myself, felt lost, made last-minute decisions and watched the Universe catch me every single time—I am sure you’ve experienced it too.
Inside Manifestation Magic, I share the real, unfiltered stories of how I’ve created this life, step by step, since I was a little dreamer girl in post-communist Czech Republic.
But I don’t just tell stories—I break down exactly how I did it.
I show you how to shift your mindset, your habits, your energy, and your frequency to become someone who effortlessly attracts what she desires… and keeps it.
I break down exactly how I manifested a job with royal billionaires—and how I then made it all go away within two weeks. Yup, I have won big and failed hard.
I’ve learned a lot about how dreams come true throughout the years and now I want to share it with you, so that you can start crafting the life you dream of today.
No BS. No "tested manifestation method" telling you to write it down 50 times in your unicorn journal.
Just the honest, real, raw truth of what happens when you start trusting yourself more than the plan.
🎧 Get access here—and start shifting into the version of you who actually lives the life she dreams about.
This isn’t just about magical stories. It’s about remembering what’s possible for you—and rewiring your reality from the inside out.
Enjoy and thanks for reading! Follow me on instagram @theradiancequeen or check out my podcast The Awakened Boho on Apple, Spotify or YouTube!
Comments