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Leticia sits deep in the Amazon where Colombia, Peru and Brazil meet. No roads link it to Iquitos, so the river does the work. The fast ferry is the quickest way to get from Iquitos to Leticia at 16-20h, stopping along the way. The slow boat is cheaper at $28 (95 PEN), though it turns the trip into a multi-day journey down the river.
Distance from Iquitos to Leticia
Iquitos and Leticia are about 370 km (230 miles) apart, crossed directly by sea. The quickest way to get from Iquitos to Leticia is by taking the fast ferry, which takes around 16-20h.
2 ways to travel from Iquitos to Leticia
There are two ways to travel from Iquitos to Leticia. The journey takes 16h–3d and the quickest way is by ferry. If you're on a budget, the cheapest option is by slow boat with tickets starting at $28 (90,000 COP).
Reach out to our Community
9Hello, we would like to do leticia iquitos by boat to leave Colombia, are there boats that make this journey and what would the price be.
PS: it would be for 5 August
Hello, Damien! Travel restrictions between Iquitos and Leticia change a lot. But as per our latest update, fast boats are currently available from Leticia to Iquitos. We don't have the latest fast boat schedules, but you can ask this at your hotel in Leticia. Here's how your trip will look like:
Step 1: Make sure to get your exit stamp at Leticia Airport within 24 hours before your ferry departure. You cannot get this anywhere else, only at the airport.
Step 2: Head to the Tourist Boardwalk (goo.gl) in Leticia and hire a boat to take you to the nearby island of Santa Rosa (Peru).
Step 3: In Santa Rosa, get your entry stamp.
Step 4: And then head to the ferry port. Buy your tickets before boarding the fast boat. The trip takes about 12 hours and ticket prices start from 160 Soles ($42).
It's as simple as that! But again, as travel restrictions are continuously changing, we recommend that you also check with Colombia's Tourism (colombia.travel) for the latest updates. Safe travels!
Hi there! The slow boat option from Leticia to Iquitos is available again. We will travel tomorrow at 7pm from Leticia to Iquitos by slow boat. It will take 3 nights and will arrive early in the morning on the third day.
For the exit and entrance stamps, you don't have to go to the airport in Leticia and to Santa Rosa. There is a floating office with the Colombian and Peruvian migration offices next to each other, this way it's a lot faster. It's located just across the river from Santa Rosa, you can either get there walking from Leticia (cross the little bridge where the small boats depart and follow the muddy trail through the pueblito) or you can take a small boat to get there.
For us, the easiest way to get this information was to take a small boat from Leticia to Santa Rosa. We then got on the slow boat and asked there directly.
Thanks a lot for informing us about the latest situation Fabianne! We added a new section for the route from Leticia to Iquitos and updated this with the latest information you shared. Hope you had a great trip, and big thanks for sharing your insights!
Hello, After I will be going to Leticia soon I was curious whether there is any option to travel into peru by boat. Is the immigration open again? Or is it possible to enter and get the stamp somewhere else like in Lima?
Thx for the help.
Hi Frieder, unfortunately the conditions haven't been approved. The US embassy released a new update (14 Feb 22) stating that all land borders will be closed to foreigners. The only way to enter Peru from Colombia will be by air.
I took the fast ferry from Iquitos to Santa Rosa on March 25, 2022. They were only running over night service. Arrived at Santa Rosa on March 26 at 0700, immigration office is open for Peruvian exit stamp. Hours are 9:00 to 17:00 daily. Wifi and Phone internet are terrible in Leticia, prebook your flights. Airport does not accept credit cards.
Hi Daniel, thank you so much for this info. This will be super valuable for other travellers and is now also included in the post. Thanks, Maarten
Hi, does anyone know about the current situation in Iquitos due to the state of emergency? I am flying there on the 30th December and the plan is taking the boat to Santa Rosa/Leticia, and from there flying to Bogota. Thanks in advance
Hi Susana, the state of emergency in Peru lasts for 30 days. According to this article (theglobeandmail.com) published on December 17, people in Iquitos have participated in protests, so police are on the streets as well. The airport and port in Iquitos haven't been taken over, and there's no curfew in the province. Tourism is still normal and uninterrupted.
We suggest monitoring the media for further updates on the situation in Peru, especially in Iquitos. Here's another helpful resource (travel.gc.ca). You might have to postpone your trip for your safety, but I hope everything goes well.
Hi Maarten, I'm planning to travel next year 2023 from Iquitos to Manaus by boats taking into account your useful tips. Any special recommendation to add for senior travelers?
Hi Cristiano, that's quite a trip you're planning! The writer that originally wrote and travelled this route is not within our team anymore so we can't share any particular tips for senior travellers with you at the moment.
At least make sure to follow our general advice to bring your own comfy and reliable hammock, as it's going to be a few nights of travel by boat. Bring your own utensils too and keep an eye on your belongings. We hope you'll have an amazing experience on this adventurous trip.
Hello are there any updates concerning the ferrys? I'm thinking about taking the ferry from Santa Rosa to Iquitos in January/February.
Hi Leo, I deeply regret that we haven't been able to give an update on this. I just did another round of contacting restaurants/hotels and Airbnbs in Iquitos, Santa Rosa and Leticia. Will update this comment and post as soon as I get more information on this.
Are the boats definitely running at this time from Iquitos to Santa Rosa. with Covid etc? I have asked many people and typically they do not know anything.
Hi Stuart,
Sorry for the late reply. I hoped to get a quicker response, but we also didn't get any response from all the hotels and ferry companies we reached out to. We asked some more agencies, but till now we can unfortunately not confirm it. My guess would be that the slow ferries still operate, but fast ferries probably less regularly. Hope to come back to you soon!
Hey Teun, bedankt voor je inzichtelijke comment! Bevestigingen zoals deze zijn erg belangrijk en de extra tips zijn super waardevol. Met de laatste ontwikkelingen in Peru zijn de vertrektijden mogelijk onregelmatiger, maar de informatie die je deelt blijft nuttig en is nu ook verwerkt in het artikel. Geniet nog van jullie verdere avontuur in Colombia!
Thanks a lot for your contribution Jose. Also great news that the tickets became cheaper. I just updated the price in the article. Thanks!
Hi Ana, Thank you so much for this info Ana. This is super useful. I've been contacting many addresses, but without much success. I'm sure you are going to help many other travels with this info and I will update it in this post straight away. Also glad to hear you made it to Colombia. Just don't wait too many years before you return to Peru! That might become quite a ticket. Enjoy your trip through Colombia!
I am interested in doing the same travel as you next month and wondering if you had any trouble exiting Colombia without your exit stamp from Peru.
Rounding it up
That's the full picture for getting from Iquitos to Leticia, roughly 370 kilometres (230 miles) apart. In all, there are 2 ways to make the trip. The cheapest fare is $28 (95 PEN). The quickest trip takes 16h.
Prices and timetables change, so it's worth a quick check before you travel. Have a question, or travelled this route recently? Ask the community below and we'll do our best to help.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the distance from Iquitos to Leticia?
The distance from Iquitos to Leticia is 370 kilometres (230 miles).
What is the fastest way to get from Iquitos to Leticia?
The fastest way to get from Iquitos to Leticia is by ferry and takes 16-20h.
What is the cheapest way to get from Iquitos to Leticia?
The cheapest way to get from Iquitos to Leticia is by slow boat with ticket costs starting from 95 PEN.
About the Authors
Senior Travel Writer
Ela is a storyteller, content producer, solo traveller and a mermaid-in-training. When she's not in front of her laptop, you will find her barefoot and living her best tan on some island in the Philippines. Or exploring the depths of its seas as a budding freediver. An island girl at heart, she'll be happy anywhere there is sea, sand, sun and coffee.
Travel Writer
Selene is a writer who loves coffee, travel, and planning. After spending a decade in Manila, she left the city and her career in banking to embrace a more laid-back lifestyle. Now, she is discovering the beauty of slow-paced travel and finding joy in meaningful experiences.
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Ferry Schedule Notice
Ferry schedules can change due to weather, sea conditions, or seasonal adjustments. We recommend confirming departure times directly with the operator, especially during monsoon season.
