Mocoa

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

Understand
Note: In April 2017, mudslides and unusually heavy rains have caused extensive damage to seventeen districts. Many houses simply no longer exist, hundreds of people are dead or missing. There is no electricity, water or gas; medical assistance is in short supply. It may be best to avoid non-essential travel to the region so as not to tax already-stretched local resources.

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

Get in

By bus

Accessible by bus from Pitalito/San Agustín and Pasto, 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.

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. 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.

See
  • El fin del mundo (walk, hitchhike, or take a colectivo down the road to Villagarzón, there is a sign on the left-hand side of the road). The most popular destination near Mocoa: a big waterfall in the jungle. The highlight is looking over the edge to the pool far below, as well as various swimming holes. COP$2500. 
  • Hornoyaco (2 km down the road to Villagarzón, sign on left). A less popular, but impressive alternative to el Fin del mundo. Free. 

Do

Hike.

Buy

Eat

The local specialties are various freshwater fish and jungle fruits.

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

Drink

Sleep

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

  • La Casa del Rio (2 km down the road to Villagarzón, on left). A backpackers' hostel just outside of Mocoa, close to many of the popular hikes in the area. COP$18,000 dorm. 

Connect

Go next
  • Pasto via el trampolín de la muerte
  • San Agustín
  • Puerto Asís

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