Traveler’s Instructions

How to get to Calanoa

Calanoa is in the Upper Amazon, 60 km from Leticia, 1,100 km (two hours flight) from Bogota, Colombia, 310 km from Iquitos, Peru, 1,160 km from Manaus, Brazil, 3,360 km from the mouth of the Amazon in the Atlantic Ocean and 3,660 km from its source in the Andes mountains. It is easily accessible from Leticia by transport services in public and private boats.

From Bogotá you can fly to Leticia with Latam, Avianca, or Viva Air. Calanoa is next to the Amacayacu Park and the journey from the Leticia Port takes an hour and a half. From the airport to the port it is only 5 minutes by taxi. At the port you board a public or a private boat for an hour and a half to the Calanoa reserve. The boat you choose depends on your budget, your flight’s arrival time, and the size of your group.

If you want to take the public boat service, your flights must correspond to the boat schedule. Private boats or shuttles can only leave Leticia until 3:30 pm.

Public boat schedule:

Leticia to Calanoa: 7 am, 9 am, 12 pm, 2 pm
Calanoa to Leticia: 7:30 am, 10:30 am, 2 pm, 4 pm

Preparation and equipment

We require your ID information for the boat trip from Leticia to Calanoa for the port authorities.

Health: Bring your personal medicines; have in mind anti-allergic and anti-fungal drugs. Bring insect repellent and sun cream (at least SPF 15).
Luggage: A light backpack for activities during the day. It is advisable to pack quick-drying clothes. Light garments are more comfortable and reflect heat. Short and long sleeve shirts or t-shirts. A thin sweater. Poncho or light waterproof jacket. Swimsuit. Hat.
We supply rubber boots: We have sizes from 37 to 44. We do not have sizes for children.

Important: You must bring a good flashlight and spare batteries. If you like to read we suggest packing a head lamp. Flashlights with red light are very practical at night when outside because they do not attract insects.
Canteen or bottle for water. We try to reduce the use of disposable packaging. At Calanoa we supply pure drinking water.
Camera, spare batteries and/or a charger. An airtight bag and silica gel as a desiccant is convenient to keep the equipment protected from humidity.
Airtight bags Of various sizes to protect equipment, documents, and books, or to separate dry clothes from wet ones and to protect your backpack during boat rides.
Cash: It is convenient to have cash in small denomination bills. In Leticia there are ATMs.

During your stay in Calanoa, please follow these instructions:

Rubber boots are your best tool in the Amazon; use them always when you are outside so you can play in the mud pools. But please, take them out when you go into your cabin or the dining room.

Leave your boots outside your cabin; the best way is to keep one into the other. When you use them again please check them inside for unwelcome visitors.

Please avoid throwing toilet paper into the flush toilets, as they drain to a septic tank. Use the baskets beside.

You can have alcoholic drinks. We have beer and wine for sale, but for your security no more than three drinks per night: we don’t want you happily swimming in the Amazon at night!

When you are in the boat always wear the life jacket we will provide.

For our excursions please bring a small backpack with rain gear, insect repellent, water bottle, flash light, snacks and a big amount of curiosity. don’t forget your hat. The adrenaline will be provided by the place.

Rainwater is collected and we recommend that visitors use it in a measured way. Even in the tropical rainforest, clean water is a limited resource. The water in the sinks is not treated, but drinking water is offered in bottles in the dining room.

The electrical energy system, provided by solar panels, allows meeting the basic needs of cooling, lighting, and battery charging. Please turn off the lights when not in use. Please refrain from using hair dryers and high energy consumption equipment.