Mitú

Travel Guide Amazon

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One of Colombia’s most off-the-beaten-track destinations

Mitú is a town located in the department of Vaupes, in the heart of the Amazon rainforest. The town is virtually cut off from the rest of Colombia; you can only get there by flight from Bogotá (Satena) or by a day-long boat ride through the jungle. For this very reason, Mitú is a magical destination.

Birding
Mitú is home to some of Colombia’s rarest bird species. It is a paradise for birdwatchers anyway, with more than 500 different bird species.

Ethnic diversity
There are 26 Native American communities, so there is great ethnic diversity. The Vaupes River connects all these communities, so the transportation of locals (and travelers) and products is via boats and canoes.

Hiking in pristine nature
Even if you are not an avid birdwatcher, Mitú has a lot to offer.Outside the town you can hike on trails to spot birds and wildlife, this must be with a local guide, because you must have permission from the leaders of the Indian communities. In unspoiled nature, you can hike to waterfalls, caves and natural pools. A highlight of a trip to Mitú is getting to know the traditions and culture of Indian communities, such as the Jerico community, 2 hours away. Check out options for hostels and hotels in Mitú, your base for a trip to one of Colombia’s most off the beaten track destinations.

Check here information on

Amazon, Florencia and Cerros de Mavecure and general information about travel to Colombia.

Popayán

Cali & SW Colombia

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White city in southern Colombia

Popayán is a colonial city in southwestern Colombia, (a 4-hour drive from Cali) often visited by travelers passing through from Colombia to Ecuador. The capital of the Cauca region was founded in 1537 and is also called the white city, where it is pleasant to walk around the old city center with its many colonial buildings and churches.

Starting point for trips in the area
A visit to Popayán is well combined with a hike in Puracé Natural Park, the archaeological sites of San Agustín and Tierradentro, Pasto and the Tatacoa Desert. Update March 2024: Due to increasing volcanic activity, the Puracé volcano is currently closed.

Culinary and religious destination
Popayán is known as a culinary destination. In 2008, Popayán was even recognized by UNESCO as a gastronomic capital. Also, Popayán is one of Colombia’s most important religious centers, known for Colombia’s largest celebration of Semana Santa (Easter week).

Read on for our tips on what to do in Popayán.

#ToColombia tips

What is there to do in Popayán?

Tip #1
Take a free city tour of the historic city center
Learn all about Popayán’s history on a city tour with GetupandgoColombia. The same organization also offers a free “trekking” tour on Sundays. Tours are based on gratuity, minimum COP20,000/€5 per person.

Tip #2
Taste the local specialties of Popayán
Popayán has its “own” empanada, the Empanada de Pipián: An empanada with a puree of potatoes, spices and peanuts. It comes with a spicy peanut sauce, which makes this empanada unique in Colombia. With a gastronomic walk you will get an insight into the gastronomic culture and the annual gastronomic congress that attracts more than 30,000 visitors.

Tip #3
Visit the market in Sivia
If you want to visit an authentic -not touristy- market, the market in mountain village Silvia is a must. Every Tuesday morning here you can see the Guambiano men and women with their colorful, traditional clothing. They come to the market in chivas (colorfully painted buses) to trade their goods. Some 20,000 Guambiano Indians live in Colombia and most live in the Silvia area. Grab an early morning bus from Popayán to Silvia, as the market only lasts until noon. If you prefer to go on an organized tour, you can take a trip to Silvia with Popayán tours. It is far for a day trip, but you can also visit Silvia -combined with Popayán- with a tour from Cali.

Tip #4
Take a mountain bike tour
There is a cool mountain bike tour from the mountain village of Coconuco at an altitude of over 2,500 meters. This is where you will be taken, and after visiting the thermal baths, you can start the mountain bike trip downhill (30km).

Tip #5
Take a Spanish course
 There are many students in Popayán and several language schools offer Spanish lessons. With Popayán tours you can not only study Spanish but also take fun excursions in the area.

Tip#6
Visit the archaeological sites of San Agustin and/or Tierradentro
A UNESCO World Heritage Site, San Agustin is one of Colombia’s most important archaeological sites. There are over 500 statues from the Precolumbian civilization, all the more reason why San Agustin attracts visitors from all over the world.

Tierradentro is an archaeological site of nearly 20,000 square meters with statues and tombs from the pre-Columbian civilization.

#ColombiaMyWay tips

Check our top 3 tips for where to stay in Popayán:

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El Caracol
Affordable accommodation in a small hotel with cozy cafe

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Hotel la Plazuela
Hotel in a historic building, 100 meters from Caldas square

$$$
 Hotel Dann Monasterio
Stay overnight in a renovated monastery from 1570.

Check out our tips for itineraries in southern Colombia and information about Cali, Pasto, San Agustín, the coffee region and other destinations in Colombia.

Update August 23, 2025
Presidential elections are scheduled in Colombia for May 2026. As a result, the risk of unrest or attacks is increasing throughout the country. Especially the southwest of Colombia (around Cali, Popayan and Pasto) is experiencing unrest at the moment. For example, there was an attack on a military base outside Cali. Although tourists are not the target of attacks, there is still a risk of collateral damage.

Therefore, follow the advice below:

  • Always listen to the advice of local authorities and remain alert throughout Colombia.
  • Be extra cautious near police stations and military buildings.
  • Avoid demonstrations and places where large numbers of people gather.

Restaurants in Minca

Travel Guide Minca

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Restaurants in Minca cater to every budget and taste. Here you can read our tips for the best restaurants, cafes and ice cream parlors in Minca.

We have been to Minca twice: the first time in 2019 and the second time at the end of 2023. The last time we noticed that many new restaurants established themselves in Minca. For a small village like Minca, there is quite a lot of choice, including Parilla (grill restaurants), Mexican, Lebanese and traditional Colombian food. Even if you have certain dietary requirements, such as vegetarian and gluten-free, you can go to a number of restaurants in Minca. Eating in Minca is not an evening filled experience, as most restaurants close at 8:30 pm.

Our tips

COFFEE AND ICE CREAM

CAFICOSTA

Caribbean Coffee Shop

Caficosta is open between 7 a.m. and 8 p.m.. This is a nice place for a good cup of coffee. The café is modern and spacious with a nice interior. You can also buy packs of coffee to bring home.

LA MIGA

Panaderia

The specialty of this little bakery is its chocolate rolls. You can order them for take out or eat them on the cozy terrace, accompanied by a coffee or chocolate caliente

IL GELATO NEVAO

Ice cream parlor

Here you can go for a real Italian ice cream. The ice cream parlor is on a side street and can be recognized by its colorful murals.

RESTAURANTS

HOTEL MINCA LA CASONA

Oour favorite in Minca

You don’t have to stay at the hotel to try their breakfast, lunch or dinner. We ate several times at hotel Minca la Casona. and each time we liked the food very much. The grilled chicken was the juiciest we have eaten in Colombia! But the real recommendation is the breakfast. Not only for the delicious waffles, but especially for the many hummingbirds that make a real show of “presenting”  themselves at breakfast! Hummingbirds fly by throughout the day, but they are especially active during breakfast. In any case, we couldn’t get enough of the view and on our next visit this restaurant will definitely be at the top of our list again! You’ll find Hotel Minca almost as soon as you enter Minca, on the right. It is a bit hidden, due to the long driveway to the hotel.

LAZY CAT

Happy hour, happy prices!

Lazy Cat is a well known name among travelers. Here you can enjoy international dishes in a relaxed atmosphere and sip on a nice cocktail. Our favorite: the Lazy Cat Margarita with corozo, a typical purple fruit of the Caribbean coast. Normally you pay COP24,000/$6 each, but between 6 p.m. and 8 p.m. we paid COP30,000/$7.50 for 2 Margaritas. Furthermore, there are special prices during happy hour for Mojitos and burgers. Vegetarian and vegan meals are also on the menu.

RESTAURANTE MARHABA

El auténtico sabor libanes

We liked the idea of eating something a little different from traditional Colombian food during our tour of the Caribbean coast, so we went to eat at this Lebanese restaurant. We had the Shawarma roll pollo with an Aguila beer. You can order the Shawarma roll in different sizes and the medium roll was fine (and affordable) for us for a small appetite. We paid COP23,000/$5.75 for the roll + beer.

DUNI DE LA SIERRA

Vegetarian

DUNI can be found behind the church in the park. Here you can have breakfast and lunch and there is a lunch special every day. One of the house’s specialties is the arepa. Duni uses local, organic products. There are also gluten-free options.

BURURAKE

Grill restaurant

Meat lovers beware! For a juicy piece of meat from the grill, Bururake is the place to be. The meat is prepared for you in the open kitchen. The restaurant is located in the back garden of the restaurant, by the river.

CHIQUITA BRAVA

This cafe with a cozy terrace, near the Hotel Minca la Casona, is something you see almost as soon as you enter Minca. It’s a nice place for a cocktail or a locally brewed beer with a pizza.

#ColombiaMyWay Tips

Going to Minca? Then check out our tips for transportation in Minca, what to do in Minca, where to stay in Minca and practical information about Minca.

What to do in Puerto Nariño?

Travel Guide Puerto Nariño

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What to do in Puerto Nariño, Amazon? There are many fun things to do in Puerto Nariño, from strolling around the village with the colorful houses, to doing guided tours and spotting river dolphins, taking jungle walks and spotting sloths in Peru. Here are our 10 tips for the best things to do in Puerto Nariño, Amazon. If you’d rather not go to the Amazon and Puerto Nariño on your own, check here the options for an organized tour with a guide.

ToColombia

10 Tips

Must do’s

1. Visit Puerto Nariño's central square.

Here you will find the Puerto Nariño letters and some statues of animals that live in the Amazon River. The square is a nice place for people watching, selling their wares or coming to watch the games on the sports field. Especially on Saturdays, the sports field is a lively place, when young people from the area gather there to play sports.

 

2. Enjoy the view from the observation tower

From the Mirador Nai-Pata (treehouse) you have a beautiful view of the village and surrounding area. Entrance fee is COP5000/$1.25. The entrance to the observation tower is very funny!

3. Take a boat ride on Lake Tarapoto

If you do the boat trip during the rainy season, you have a chance of seeing gray and -much less common- pink river dolphins can be seen. The best season to spot dolphins is the rainy season, from November through May, when water levels are higher. Space is often scheduled at the end of the trip for piranha fishing.

Photo @ElTiempo

4. Visit the monkey sanctuary

Residents of the indigenous community of Mocagua catch monkeys at the Maikuchiga Foundation. The animals are injured, or rescued from illegal trade. The monkeys are cared for, with the goal of later returning them to the wild.

5. Take a night hike in the jungle

A magical, exciting experience because you have the chance to see animals you don’t see during the day, such as tarantulas and poison dart frogs.

6. Spot parrots and monkeys at Cabañas alto del Aguila

If you spend the night here, spotting wildlife such as monkeys and parrots is nice, but even if you don’t sleep there you can visit the cabañas. There are several species of monkeys that are used to people. The cabanas are about a 20-minute walk from Puerto Nariño. A visit to Cabañas alto del Aguila will cost you COP10,000/$2.50.

7. Meet a Native American community.

There are no less than 22 Indian communities in Puerto Nariño and its surroundings. So a must do is to visit one (or more) of these communities and learn about their traditions, such as San Martin de Amacayacu. There are a few tour operators in Puerto Nariño who can arrange this for you.

 

8. Spot sloths in Peru

On the other side of the Amazon River lies the Peruvian village of San Antonio. This village is known as an excellent place to see sloths in the wild. Sloths eat from a certain type of tree, of which there are more than enough to be found in San Antonio. Often a trip is combined with a hike in the jungle.

 

9. Visit the Fundacíon Natütama

This is a foundation dedicated to conservation and education. In the small museum, you’ll get an insight into the flora and fauna of the Amazon and the traditions of Native American communities. Entrance to the Fundación Natütama is COP10,000/€2.50 and includes a short tour in Spanish.

10. Taste the local cuisine

The local river fish is steamed in banana leaves, making it extra tender in flavor. Another specialty in the Amazon is homemade ice cream. There are many types of ice cream, with the flavors of the fresh fruit from the Amazon, such as acai berries. More about eating in the Amazon and the delicious fresh fruit, read in Amazon culinary.

 

Where to stay in Puerto Nariño? – Information and tips

Travel Guide Puerto Nariño

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Where to stay in Puerto Nariño? You won’t find luxury accommodations with air conditioning and high-speed Internet in Puerto Nariño, but there are a number of simple but comfortable hotels and hostels.

The location
You can choose between accommodation in the village, or accommodation within walking distance -or short boat trip- from the village. If you stay outside the village, keep in mind that not all accommodations have a restaurant, so you will have to walk -or take a boat- to the village each time to get something to eat.

Tours and activities
The owners of the accommodations, generally have a good knowledge of the nature and culture of Puerto Nariño and sometimes act as guides themselves for tours and activities. If they do not provide tours themselves, they have contacts with people who do.

In this guide you will find everything you need to know to stay in Puerto Nariño, our tips for staying in the village or just in the middle of nature. And our bonus tips if you prefer to stay outside the village with a local Indian community, for a very authentic experience.

Tips for booking your hotel or hostel

#Colombia tips

Tip #1
For wildlife

Cabañas Alto del Aguila
Highly recommended if you like to stay in nature, among all kinds of wildlife. For example, there are parrots here and 4 different species of monkeys, which are used to people. The cabañas are basic and prices start at 20 dollars per night. The Cabañas Alto del Aguila are a 20-minute walk from Puerto Nariño, a 5-minute boat ride away. Through the owners, you can book tours and borrow a kayak to cruise the river during sunset or spot dolphins. This is one of the few hostels with wifi (in the common area)

Tip #2 For chilling in the pool after a jungle trip

Eware Refugio Amazónico
One of the few hotels with a pool to relax after an active day in the Amazon.From Eware Refugio Amazónico, you can hike through the jungle to the village and spot monkeys and parrots along the way.

Tip #3
For a comfortable hotel in a central location

Waira Selva hotel is near the boarding point for the boat to Leticia. From the terrace there is a nice view of the river.

Tip #4
For an authentic experience at an Indian community
Further out of the village, you can also stay overnight at an Indian community, such as la Ceiba in Mocagua and San Martín de Amacayacu. Here you can learn all about the culture and traditions of the indigenous community, with the residents themselves acting as guides for the various activities and excursions. Accommodations are basic, but if you set yourself up for this, you can have a special, authentic experience away from mass tourism. You can visit Puerto Nariño on a day trip from your accommodation.

Read on for more tips, for every budget and taste.

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Puerto Nariño

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More hotels in Puerto Nariño
More hotels in Leticia