Crossing the Brazil – Colombia Border by Air & Land

Crossing the Brazil-Colombia border allows you to transition from the steamy jungles of the Amazon to eventually reach the mighty peaks of the Andes Mountains—some of the best attractions in South America. 

This guide will explain the necessary details to facilitate your trip and how to do so with the least amount of hassle.

Crossing the Colombia-Brazil Border by Air

Getting between Brazil and Colombia is as easy as hopping on an international flight. There is a multitude of air connections between several cities, and this option is by far the easiest.

Unfortunately for budget travelers, it is also the most expensive option.

But don’t write this off as being out of reach. Even if you intend to cross the border by land, you will still need to fly to one of the two adjacent border cities of the country you’re starting from. 

This will either be Leticia in Colombia or Tabatinga in Brazil. Unfortunately, both are essentially isolated, which means you’ll first have to find a way to the border before going through the formality of crossing it. 

Let’s now take a look at the two cities and the necessary process from each one.

Tabatinga, Brazil—Getting There and Across

Unless you’re crazy enough to attempt an Amazon jungle trek, the only way to cross from Brazil to Colombia by land is from the tiny border town of Tabatinga.

Getting to Tabatinga requires either a domestic flight from within Brazil or a very long boat ride from the major city of Manaus along the Amazon River. 

The slow boat would obviously be your cheapest option. However, it will require that you bring your own hammock, drinking water and patience, as you must be willing to spend a few days (3-6) chugging along in the jungle. On the upside, a slow ride on the Amazon River is an amazing experience in and of itself.

If you arrive by air, leaving the tiny airport will take you no time. 

Then head over to the Immigration office on Tabatinga’s main road—Avenida de Amizade. 

Right next door is the Federal Police Office, where you need to obtain your exit stamp. 

According to the latest available information, the immigration office’s open hours/availability are every day from 9:30-11:30 am, then 2:00-4:30 pm. Check with your local embassy for up-to-date hours of operation.

Once you’ve got your passport stamped for your exit from Brazil, you might be surprised to see that the official crossing is made by passing under a large archway in the road with no officials in sight. That’s why getting your exit stamp before leaving the country is so important, as your onward travel from Leticia will require it.

So, you’re in Colombia! Now what? 

Assuming that Leticia isn’t your final destination, the immigration office is in the airport, where you must pay a tourist tax of COP$35,000 (or a little over US $7).

You can either spend some time exploring the jungle or make your way to Bogota or one of the other vibrant cities Colombia is known for via a domestic flight.

Leticia, Colombia—Getting There and Across

Unlike Tabatinga, the only way to get to Leticia from within Colombia—short of a completely unhinged jungle trek on foot—would be to arrive by air. As a point of reference, a flight from Bogota to Leticia will take about two hours.

When you arrive at the airport in Leticia, you’ll be directed to pay the tourist tax mentioned in the last section. Be sure to have your passport stamped for exiting the country because if you don’t, you will have to return to the airport and do it again.

Now that you’ve gotten your Colombian exit stamp, you can take a taxi, tuk-tuk or a long and humid walk to pass under the arch into Brazil. However, I would definitely recommend some kind of motorized transportation, even if you are on a budget.

Much like the opposite crossing, you’ll have to stop for customs at the Federal Police Office on the Tabatinga side of the border to get your passport stamped for Brazil. 

Now you are free to begin exploring this vast and varied country that is truly blessed with natural beauty—albeit from one of its most remote corners.

What do You Need to Cross the Border from Brazil to Colombia?

To make the process as simple as possible, below are some key details to consider before crossing from Brazil to Colombia.

Passport

As with traveling between most countries, a valid passport is required to enter Colombia and Brazil. Check with your local embassy for any specific requirements, such as being valid for six months after entry.

Departure Tax

At the time of writing, no reports of any departure taxes being collected. As was mentioned, all customs controls take place away from the actual border crossing—which on the plus side, means no daily limit or wait time at all! 

Proof of Exit

On the Colombian and Brazilian sides, getting an exit stamp for your eventual crossings is essential. In Colombia, this is done right at the airport. In Brazil, this is at the Federal Police Office. So, while you could theoretically walk across the open land border, getting out of the isolated region will require the proper documentation.

Proof of Economic Stability

There is no requirement to prove your financial viability to cross borders.

Visa

Visa requirements vary from country to country. Be sure to check with your embassy for specific details for your particular nationality. For many citizens, no visa is required.

Entry Fees

In Leticia, you will have to pay a tourist tax (US $7) at the immigration office, which is essentially an entry fee. At present, there is no such requirement on the Tabatinga side.

Cash

Having some local currency is always a good idea. In this case, you’ll go from Brazilian reais to Colombian pesos. 

In any event, don’t keep too much on you so as not to arouse suspicion. This would also be a good moment to point out that along with a change in currency, you’ll also be presented with a shift in language, with Portuguese being spoken on the Brazilian side and Spanish on the Colombian.

Safety Tips

The border guards are well aware of the nature of travel between their countries and will generally be understanding. As long as you have the correct documentation, you shouldn’t have any problems.

The locals are generally friendly, and so long as you travel by day and use the same precautions you would visiting any other cities, there’s no need to be particularly concerned for your safety.

COVID-19 Restrictions

While the pandemic has wound down around the world, resulting in eased border crossings, COVID-19 restrictions are always subject to change. Check with your embassy in advance of your dates of travel for the latest information.

Map of the Brazil-Colombia Border

This map should give you a good overview of the Brazil-Colombia border. The land crossing is in a very remote area at the southeasternmost tip of Colombia. 

How to Get from Brazil to Colombia by Land?

Here are the steps, as simply put as possible, for making the crossing:

• Fly or take a riverboat to Tabatinga, Brazil
• At the Federal Police Office, get an exit stamp in your passport
• Take a shuttle from Amazon Xplorer (or walk) across the land border and make your way from Tabatinga to the Leticia, Colombia airport
• At the airport, check in with the immigration office for an exit stamp and pay the tourist tax (approximately COP$35,000)
• Board your flight to onward destinations

A Few Final Words about the Brazil-Colombia Border

The crossing between Brazil and Colombia is truly a unique one. 

However, if you’re adventurous enough to travel to this remote region of South America, crossing the border should be no problem at all. And by combining a trip to these two worthy destinations, you can turn that adventure into a trip of a lifetime.

FAQ

Important disclaimer: Though every effort has been made to provide the most current and up-to-date information, please keep in mind that international border crossings and their entry and exit requirements are very much subject to change. Political factors, natural disasters and global influences can affect a nation’s borders with little warning. So, be sure to check with your country’s embassy—and that of your destination country before you leave for your trip.