Puerto Nariño: Colombia’s First Car-Free Town

In the heart of Colombia’s Amazonas department lies Puerto Nariño, a car-free municipality where the pulse of life beats to a different rhythm. Here, motorized vehicles are not permitted, and the melody of footfalls against the earth sets the pace of daily life.

Nestled along the mysterious Loretoyacu River, whose waters are dark due to the decomposition of roots and leaves at its bottom, Puerto Nariño is a tranquil town home to around 7,700 people, with 95% being indigenous and belonging to the Ticuna, Comaca, and Yagua ethnic groups. The town is characterized by the colorful facades of its wooden houses and the fact that no cars circulate here: only two vehicles are allowed, an ambulance and a garbage truck.

Puerto Nariño exemplifies sustainability in Colombia

By embracing a bold municipal decree, Puerto Nariño has emerged as a beacon of sustainability in Colombia. The municipality offers accommodation, restaurants, 24-hour electricity, and access to telephone and internet networks. And just a short boat ride away lies the mystical Lake Tarapoto, where the playful dance of pink dolphins can be spotted.

Located just two hours from Leticia, Puerto Nariño is dubbed “Colombia’s Natural Nativity Scene,” due to its lack of roads. Around 9,000 curious national and foreign travelers arrive each year in this town, drawn by the allure of its untouched wilderness and rich cultural tapestry.

Tourist Guide for visiting Puerto Nariño, Colombia

This town surrounded by lush virgin jungle, with no traces of large buildings, is home to indigenous ethnic groups in around 21 communities. Accommodations like “Naipata,” a word in the Ticuna language that translates to “House in the Tree,” offer unique experiences such as sleeping in elevated tree houses with a panoramic view of the entire municipality.

Moreover, you have the option to explore the Natütama Foundation Museum, which takes you on a journey through the region’s rich fauna and flora and immerses you in the legends of indigenous ethnic groups. Concurrently, there’s a significant endeavor to educate residents on environmental conservation initiatives.

To embark on this extraordinary adventure, travelers must take a plane or bus to Leticia, the gateway to the Amazon, where the journey upstream to Puerto Nariño begins in a boat. A voyage of discovery through the colorful landscapes of the Amazon and encounters with astonishing wildlife ensure new perspectives of Colombia’s natural splendor.