Don't wander outside these urban areas on your own at night, especially on Leticia's infamous 'Los Kilometros' road. In Peru, drug traffickers remain in business in this wayward corner of the country and have harassed tourists who've wandered off the beaten track.
Tour operators and lodges in the region have been issued warnings about where they can and cannot bring tourists, so don't stray on your own beyond areas where local tourism guides normally operate. Locals and foreigners may freely cross borders within an 80km radius of Leticia, but a passport is needed for points beyond. If you plan on heading further afield, you must get your passport stamped at the Ministry of Foreign Relations office at Leticia's airport. Importantly, you must get a second stamp from either the Brazilian or Peruvian authorities within 24 hours, so plan carefully.
If you have an early departure from Leticia by boat, you'll need to get your stamp at the airport the day before. To avoid a lot of stress and heartache, it's strongly recommended to arrange your visa before arriving in the Amazon. But if you must, bring a passport photo and yellow fever vaccination certificate to the Brazilian Consulate.
Processing time is one to three days, depending on volume. Travelers coming here from Brazil who need a Colombian visa may obtain one at the Colombian consulate in Tabatinga. If you need a Colombian visa extension, there is no need to pay an extension fee. Simply stamp out and head to Brazil or Peru for one day and return for a fresh day stamp. Sluggish internet speeds plague Leticia, though nearly every hotel and most restaurants have free wi-fi.
WhatsApp is heavily used. There are ATMs in the town center, especially along Carrera 10 between Calles 7 and 10, and casas de cambio on Calle 8 between Carrera 11 and the market. Shop around; exchange rates vary.
