Mocoa

Mocoa is the capital of the Putumayo department in southern Colombia.

Understand
Situated just east of the Andes and on multiple bus routes, Mocoa is a gateway to the western Colombian Amazon.

By bus
Accessible by bus from Pitalito/San Agustín (COP$30,000/40,000), Neiva (COP$60-70,000, in 2022), and Pasto (COP$50,000) as well as from Ecuador via the San Miguel border crossing.

By plane
There is an airport in Villagarzón and a bigger airport in Puerto Asís. From the Villagarzón airport, the easiest way to get to Mocoa or intermediate points is to take a taxi or hitch a ride to the nearby Terminal de Transporte, where you can get a seat in the back of a 4x4 that goes to the Mocoa terminal (February 2023: approximately COP$5000).

Get around
The town is small enough to explore on foot. The main square and center of the city are uphill from the bus station. There is a small tourism office on the main square, although it operates with limited hours. For other nearby destinations, there are colectivos every few minutes on the main roads. If you are alone and look like a traveler, hitchhiking short distances can be quite easy, mainly on motorcycles. 4x4 collectivos and public buses are also good options if you are on the main road.

Do

 * Hike.
 * Rappel down the el Fin del Mundo waterfall (Ecoturismo Putumayo).
 * Visit the Centro Experimental Amazónica (CEA) which has various animals and plants from the Amazon. The CEA takes care of wild animals (jaguar, anacondas, turtles, birds, river fish…) rescued from traffic, and releases them if possible (many are traumatized). Entrance: COP$10,000. The place also offers interesting free exhibitions regarding indigenous culture and Putomayo history, in Spanish.

Eat
The local specialties are various freshwater fish and jungle fruits. Numerous small restaurants can be found near the main square, where street food also is available.

There is a large market right next to the bus station.

Almuerzo places in Mocoa are notably cheaper than what you'll see in many larger cities (as low as COP$6000), but meals on the trail to el Fin del Mundo cost significantly more COP$15,000/20,000 for lunch/dinner and at Huaca Huaca Hostel COP$12,000.

Sleep
There are many reasonably priced hotels in the city itself, mainly around the bus station and square.



Go next

 * Pasto via el trampolín de la muerte (COP$30,000 back seat in a jeep, COP$70,000 for a small bus)
 * San Agustín
 * Puerto Asís