Travel time: Year-round
Leticia, situated in the heart of the Amazon at the tri-border of Colombia, Brazil, and Peru, experiences a classic equatorial climate. Characterized by consistent heat, high humidity, and significant rainfall, the region does not have traditional winter or summer seasons. Instead, the year is defined by the oscillation of water levels and the intensity of precipitation. Maintaining an average temperature of approximately 27°C (81°F), Leticia offers a landscape where the weather is a constant, living force.
In Leticia, the weather follows a predictable daily cycle. Mornings are typically heavy with humidity, often reaching 90% or higher, with mist or low-hanging clouds over the Amazon River. As the sun rises, temperatures climb rapidly, peaking between 30°C and 32°C (86°F–90°F) in the early afternoon.
Convective activity usually triggers short, intense tropical downpours during the late afternoon or early evening. These rains can be violent, accompanied by thunder and lightning, but they often clear within an hour, providing a temporary drop in temperature. Nights remain warm and muggy, rarely falling below 22°C (72°F).
While it rains year-round, the year is broadly split into two hydrological seasons based on the "flood pulse" of the Amazon River.
The Wet Season (High Water): December to May Precipitation is heavy and frequent, peaking in March. During this window, the Amazon River can rise by up to 10–15 meters (33–49 feet). This transforms the landscape into igapós (flooded forests) and várzeas (floodplains). Locals navigate primarily by boat, and the forest canopy becomes accessible at eye level via canoe. The humidity is at its most oppressive, often making the air feel several degrees hotter than the thermometer suggests.
The Low Water Season (Less Wet): June to November August and September are the driest months, though "dry" is relative—rain still occurs on roughly half the days in a month. As the river recedes, massive white-sand beaches emerge along the riverbanks, and terrestrial hiking trails become accessible. This period also sees the highest temperatures, occasionally reaching 34°C (93°F) in September and October.
A unique meteorological event known as or Friagem can occur between June and August. These are cold fronts originating from the Antarctic that push up through the Amazon basin. For a few days, temperatures can unexpectedly plummet to 15°C–18°C (59°F–64°F). While brief, the sensation is starkly different from the usual tropical heat and is often accompanied by gray skies and a persistent chill.
The climate varies significantly between the urban center of Leticia and the surrounding deep jungle. Inside the primary rainforest, the dense canopy acts as a thermal buffer; the forest floor is typically 2°C–4°C cooler than the city but holds even more moisture. Within these microclimates, humidity can remain at a saturation point (100%) even when the sun is shining above the trees. Near the river, the vast water mass creates a slight breeze during the afternoons, which provides the only natural relief from the "sticky" equatorial feel.
Historically, Leticia has been a place of climate extremes, but recent decades have seen more unpredictable patterns. Intense El Niño events have led to record droughts, which significantly lower river levels, isolating riverine communities and impacting local fishing—the primary source of food. Conversely, extreme La Niña years can lead to catastrophic flooding that exceeds the height of traditional stilt houses (malocas).
Locals have adapted to this "eternal summer" through architecture and lifestyle. Traditional homes are built on high wooden stilts to accommodate the 15-meter rise of the river. The pace of life in Leticia slows significantly during the peak heat of midday (12:00 PM to 3:00 PM), with most activity occurring in the early morning or after the evening rain has cooled the air. For residents, the rain is not an inconvenience but a vital resource that dictates travel, diet, and the very structure of their environment.