Getting to the Putumayo is part of the pilgrimage. You travel from your city, to Bogotá, to a small jungle town, and finally along the river into the forest, and with each leg the noise of ordinary life falls away. It is simpler than it sounds, and you are not on your own. Once you reserve a place we send detailed guidance and help coordinate your arrival, so you can give your attention to arriving, not to logistics.
How to get here
1. Fly into Bogotá
Almost everyone begins by flying into Bogotá (airport code BOG), Colombia's capital, which is well connected to North America and Europe. We recommend arriving a day early and staying overnight in Bogotá before your onward flight, both to rest and because the small domestic flight can occasionally shift its schedule.
2. Domestic flight to Putumayo
From Bogotá you take a short domestic flight to Villagarzón (VGZ) in Putumayo, operated by the airline Satena. These usually depart from Bogotá's Terminal 2 (the former Puente Aéreo). The airport in Villagarzón is small and easy, and someone from the team meets your group.
3. Into the jungle
From Villagarzón we coordinate transport for your group into the forest, crossing rivers and unpaved road as the jungle closes in around you. For some retreats there is an optional walk deeper in to the traditional maloca. We guide every step, so you always know what comes next.
Visas and your passport
Many nationalities, including the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, the EU and Australia, may enter Colombia as a tourist for up to 90 days without a visa. Your passport should be valid for at least six months beyond your travel dates. Requirements can change, so please check the current rules for your own country before booking flights. If you are unsure, ask us and we will point you in the right direction.
Vaccinations and health
Colombia sometimes asks for proof of a yellow fever vaccination when you arrive from certain countries, so it is worth checking the current entry requirements for wherever you are flying from. Beyond that, what you choose around vaccinations or other precautions is a deeply personal decision. The family lives on this land year round and does not take them, and many guests travel without them; others feel more at ease speaking with a travel clinic or their own doctor first. There is no single right answer here, only what feels right for you. Whatever you decide, bring any personal medicines you need in your carry-on and let us know about them when we talk.
Money and connectivity
Colombia's currency is the peso (COP). It is wise to draw some cash in Bogotá before you fly onward, as there is little opportunity to do so once you are in the forest, and to carry small notes for incidentals or to purchase handicrafts from the community. In the jungle, mobile signal and wifi are limited, and that is part of the gift: a true unplugging. Let your people at home know you will be largely offline, and set an out-of-office before you arrive.
The climate, and what it is like
The Putumayo is warm, humid and green, with rain a natural part of the rhythm, often at night. Days are hot, nights can feel cool by contrast, especially after the river or a ceremony. Expect insects, mud and the full, living presence of the rainforest. None of it is harsh when you are prepared for it; most guests find the wildness is exactly what heals them.
What to pack
Clothing
- Light, modest, breathable clothing you do not mind getting dirty or stained.
- A warm layer for cool nights, and a rain layer or light poncho.
- White or light clothing for ceremony, if you have it.
- Sandals plus closed shoes; rubber boots for the jungle can be bought locally on the way in.
- A swimsuit for the river.
Practical items
- A flashlight or headlamp, and a refillable water bottle.
- Natural insect repellent and a small personal first-aid kit.
- Any personal medications, in their original packaging.
- A journal, and any small item that brings you comfort or belongs on the altar.
- Earplugs, if you sleep lightly, for the loud, beautiful jungle nights.
Once you reserve a place, we send a complete, detailed packing list along with your travel guidance, so nothing on this page is something you have to figure out alone.
Is it safe to travel there?
Many guests carry this worry, and it deserves an honest answer. The Colombia of old headlines is not the Colombia you will experience with us. You travel with clear guidance, and once you arrive you are within the care of the community, in their own protected territory, looked after from arrival to departure. We help you plan a safe route in and out, and you are never on your own.
We hold the logistics with you
This is a real journey, and it is meant to be supported. From the moment you reserve, we are in contact to help with flights, timing, packing and arrival, and through Miranda Vires you are also prepared inwardly for what the land and the medicine will ask of you. When you are ready, the first step is simply a conversation.
