Tourism in Putumayo — Amazon, Jungle and Ancestral Medicine

Putumayo is a transition department between the southern Colombian Andes and the Amazon, a territory of virgin jungles, mighty rivers, indigenous communities with ancestral knowledge and waterfalls of singular beauty. Its capital, Mocoa, gained sad notoriety in 2017 due to the avalanche that destroyed part of the city, but it is also the access point to one of the most spectacular hiking routes in southern Colombia: the waterfall trail, with La Llorona Waterfall, La Fin del Mundo and El Pozo del Amor.

Putumayo is the main destination in Colombia for those seeking experiences with ancestral yagé medicine (ayahuasca): the Ingano, Siona, Cofán and Kamentsa communities have centuries-old healing traditions with this sacred plant. The department has 13 municipalities and La Paya National Natural Park, on the border with Ecuador and Peru, is one of the most biodiverse parks in the country.

Main Tourist Attractions

Attraction	Type	Description
Mocoa Waterfalls	Nature / Adventure	The Mocoa waterfall trail (5-8 km, 4-6 hours) passes by La Llorona (the highest and most spectacular, 40-meter drop), La Fin del Mundo, El Pozo del Amor and the Tres Chorros Waterfall. Crystal-clear rivers for swimming in Amazon jungle at 600 meters above sea level.
La Paya National Natural Park	Ecotourism / Jungle	The southernmost national park in Colombia (422,000 hectares), on the triple border Colombia-Ecuador-Peru. Virgin Amazon rainforest with jaguars, tapirs, pink river dolphins, manatees and hundreds of bird species. Only accessible by canoe from Puerto Leguízamo (1-2 days).
Ancestral Yagé (Ayahuasca) Medicine	Culture / Spiritual	The Ingano and Siona communities of Putumayo practice ritual use of yagé (ayahuasca) in healing ceremonies with certified taitas (shamans). Colombia has regulated its use in indigenous ceremonial context. 3-7 day retreats with taitas in the Sibundoy Valley and Villagarzón.
Sibundoy Valley	Culture / Nature	The highest valley of the Amazon foothills (2,200 meters above sea level), cradle of the Kamentsa and Ingano peoples. Pita (fique fiber) crafts, carved wooden carnival masks, musical instruments and the Carnival of Forgiveness (Bëtscnaté) each year.
Putumayo River and Fishing	Nature / Adventure	The Putumayo River, natural border with Ecuador and Peru, is habitat of pintadillo, pirarucú, gamitana and other Amazon species. Sport fishing from Puerto Asís and river excursions through the border Amazon rainforest.
La Cocha Lagoon (Nariño border)	Nature / Landscape	La Cocha lagoon is shared between Nariño and Putumayo. From the Putumayo side there is less traveled access, with indigenous communities and less explored Amazon cloud forest ecosystems.

Typical Cuisine

Putumayo cuisine mixes Andean tradition from the Sibundoy Valley and Amazon tradition from lower Putumayo. In the valley: roast guinea pig (charcoal-grilled with red potato and peanut chili), quinoa soup and purple mazamorra. In lower Putumayo: Amazon fish (pintadillo, bocachico), yuca casabe, chontaduro and chontaduro chicha. Sibundoy Valley corn masato is the ceremonial Kamentsa drink.

Adventure and Outdoor Activities

Hiking to the Mocoa waterfalls (essential, 4-6 hour walk with swimming in natural pools) is the most popular activity. Kayaking on the Mocoa River (foothills rapids), Amazon wildlife spotting by canoe on the Putumayo River, trekking to indigenous communities in the Sibundoy Valley and ancestral medicine experiences (with certified taita) are the most unique offerings.

How to Get There

Mocoa has Cananguchal Airport with flights from Bogotá (1 hour 15 minutes) on Satena. By land from Bogotá: 20 hours via Bogotá-Pitalito-Mocoa road (good condition through the Massif). From Pasto (Nariño): 5 hours via the Amazon transversal highway. Puerto Asís has flights from Cali on Satena.

Where to Stay

In Mocoa: 2-3 star hotels downtown, lodges near the waterfalls. In the Sibundoy Valley: basic hotels in Sibundoy and San Francisco. For yagé retreats: farms with cabins in Villagarzón offering 3-7 day retreat packages. Best season: December–March (less rainy, waterfalls with moderate flow).

Festivities and Events

Carnival of Forgiveness Bëtscnaté (Kamentsa carnival in the Sibundoy Valley, variable date according to lunar calendar, generally February–March), San Juan Festivities in Puerto Asís (June), Folklore and Culture Festival in Mocoa (September).

Also check the climate of Putumayo, the list of municipalities of Putumayo and the complete guide to Colombian festivities.