Canoeing in the Amazon Rainforest: Leticia

Paddle through flooded forest and swim surrounded by wildlife

Canoeing in the Amazon Rainforest near Leticia is a guided activity where you navigate a traditional canoe through seasonally flooded igapó forests, watch for monkeys, sloths, caiman and river dolphins, and swim in the river. A live guide in English, Spanish or French leads the three-hour outing, which includes private transportation from Leticia and suits children from age 4 onward.

Step-by-step itinerary

Canoe journey in flooded Amazon forest

• Depart from Leticia
• Navigate flooded igapó forests by canoe
• Observe wildlife in rainforest
• Swim in designated river areas

The experience

What does it feel like to paddle through a forest that exists half in water? You navigate a traditional canoe through the igapó (the flooded woodland that appears only in the wet season), where trees seem to grow straight from the dark, mirrored water. The guide poles or paddles the canoe while you watch the canopy reflect in the still surface, listening to the calls of birds, the rustle of leaves, and the water lapping against the hull. Monkeys swing through branches overhead; sloths cling to trunks; caiman and river dolphins move through the deeper channels. The guide knows where to look and what sounds mean.

You stop in designated areas to swim. The water is cool and dark, the rainforest rising all around you, not a pool or a beach, but the river itself, contained and safe. After three hours on the water, private transportation brings you back to Leticia. Children from age 4 can come along. Infants sit on an adult's lap in the canoe. The guide speaks English, Spanish or French, so you understand what you're seeing as it happens.

What’s included

• Private transportation from Leticia.
• a live guide in English, Spanish or French.
• access to the flooded igapó forests and designated swimming areas.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day

AgesAdult (18 to 69 years) · Child (4 to 17 years) · Under 4: can't be booked

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish, Spanish and French

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup is optional; you can also go straight to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.You can choose from 9 pickup points.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated yesterday

Good to know

Moderate physical effortPets welcomePublic transport nearbyNot recommended during pregnancyNot recommended with back problemsInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Canoeing the Amazon

Is this one for you?Book this if you want to paddle and swim yourself rather than watch from a boat: the canoe puts you in the water and the forest at once, and the guide handles navigation so you focus on wildlife and the landscape.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English, Spanish and French.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (4 to 17 years). Children under 4 can't be included in the booking.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What animals am I likely to see while canoeing in the Amazon near Leticia?

Monkeys, sloths, colorful birds, caiman and river dolphins all live in the igapó forests. The guide knows the best spots and times to watch for them, though wildlife sightings depend on the season and the animals' own movements.

Can I swim in the Amazon during this canoe trip?

Yes, you swim in designated areas of the river during the outing. The guide chooses safe spots, and the water is cool and dark, surrounded by the rainforest on all sides.

How does the flooded forest look different from a regular river?

The igapó is a seasonally flooded woodland where trees grow from the water itself, creating a surreal landscape where the canopy reflects perfectly in the still, dark surface. It exists only during the wet season, making it a unique ecosystem you won't see elsewhere in the Amazon.