Far below the cloud bolls, a textured green carpet embroidered with pales brown rivers stretches from horizon to horizon. Or perhaps you will be arriving to this city on the slow currents of the great Amazon River, your boat cutting a wake through the silted waters, passing by families in peque-peques. Welcome to the last outpost of Colombia, on the far south-eastern corner of the country.

Leticia forms part of the triple frontier, along with Tabatinga, Brazil, and Santa Rosa, Peru. Twenty-five kilometers (15 miles) downstream is Benjamin Constant, a major Brazilian port on the river and alternative point for hopping a boat to Manaus. This is the point where some travelers first step foot into Colombia. Others say their last good-bye before hopping a boat upstream to Iquitos, Peru, or downstream to Manaus, Brazil.

Although the most developed of the three border cities, it is still a small town. Everything is within walking distance. Parque Santander is the hub of social life. Dawns and dusks the tree are a riot of pericos (small green parrots). In this park is a pool with Victoria Regia Amazonica, the largest water lilies in the world. Nearby are two wonderful sculptures: Alegoria Cómica del Amazona by Aida Orrego, and one of leaping pink dolphins.

Upon arriving in Leticia, you’ll have to pay an entry tax of $8 and show you international yellow fever vaccination certificate.

(Altitude: 95 meters / 312 feet, Population: 37,000, City Code: 8)