Santa Rosa

On a island directly across from Leticia, Colombia, is the smallest of the region's triple-border towns, Santa Rosa. In reality, it is so small, it doesn’t seem to be worth the census taker’s time to make a call and count. The town isn’t much, but it is the jumping off point for travelers looking for a boat up the Amazon River to Iquitos. A paved way parallels the riverbank. The walk frays into dirt paths disappearing into the dense vegetation. This main “street,” though is as far as you ever need to go in Santa Rosa. Your launch from Leticia or Tabatinga will pull up amongst the many other canoes shoved against the shore. To the left is where the next boat for Iquitos may be loading up. Also along this stretch are the Peruvian migración post, about a half-dozen basic hotels, a handful of restaurants and other businesses. From the street vendors you can pick up a comic book or other last-minute item for your sojourn.

(Altitude: 50 meters / 164 feet, Population: several hundred, Phone Code: 065)

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Other places nearby Santa Rosa: Tarapoto, Yurimaguas, Moyobamba, Lamas and Iquitos.