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Voykit pocket guide · Colombia
Mocoa
Spend 1–2 days in Mocoa for a waterfall hike and jungle wildlife visit; longer only if you plan multiple jungle treks.
Mocoa is the Putumayo department capital, a small Amazon gateway. The town itself is walkable, but the main draw are nearby waterfalls and the Amazon research centre. One full day covers the Fin del Mundo waterfall and the Centro Experimental Amazónica; a second day allows a hike to Hornoyaco or a relaxed stay.
- Country
- Colombia
- Best months
- Jun–Aug (dry season, check)
- Avoid
- Mar–May (rainy)
- Stay
- 1–2 nights
Checked 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change; anything marked (check) is not confirmed.
Essentials
- Currency
- COP
- Money
- Currency is the Colombian peso (COP, $). Cards work in hotels, malls and many restaurants; cash is needed for small shops, markets and rural areas.
- Daily spend
- Budget COP 30,000–45,000 excl. bed · Mid COP 45,000–70,000 excl. bed (estimate; check)
- SIM and data
- Claro (best coverage), Movistar and Tigo SIMs in malls and at airports; passport required and IMEI registration may apply for longer stays — check.
- Emergency
- Police / ambulance / fire 123
- Plugs
- Types A, B · 110–120 V · 60 Hz · US-style plugs.
- Tipping
- Restaurants: 10% propina voluntaria offered on the bill.; Guides: COP 20,000–50,000 per person per day.; Taxis: Round up.
- Water
- Tap water is safe in Bogotá and Medellín; drink bottled on the coast and in rural areas.
- Toilets
- Put paper in the bin in most places; bring tissues for bus stations.
What things cost
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Meal at local restaurant | COP 6,000–12,000 |
| Fin del Mundo waterfall entry | COP 30,000 |
| Colectivo ride (short distance) | COP 5,000–10,000 |
| Dormitory bed (La Casa del Rio) | COP 18,000 |
Desk estimates, checked 2026-09; check locally.
Get in
By air
- SVVG · Villagarzón Airport
- Taxi or 4x4 to Mocoa terminal, ~5 km (3.1 mi)Taxi or 4x4 to Mocoa terminal, ~3.1 mi (5 km)
- PUA · Puerto Asís Airport
- Larger airport, bus or taxi to Mocoa (≈2 h)
Typical fares
- Villagarzón Airport → Mocoa (taxi/4x4)
- about COP 5,000, 15 min (check)
- Colectivo to Fin del Mundo
- about COP 30,000 round‑trip (check)
Show 7 more sections and the pocket cardHideGet around, See and do, Sleep, Phrase card, Etiquette, safety and scams, One and two days, Sources, Pocket card
Get around
Town is walkable; colectivos run every few minutes on main road; hitchhiking on motorcycles is common for short trips.
See and do
Known for
- Fin del Mundo waterfall
- Hornoyaco waterfall
- Centro Experimental Amazónica
Day trips
| Where | How | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Fin del Mundo waterfall | Colectivo or hitchhike 5 km (3.1 mi) down the road, then walk 30 minColectivo or hitchhike 3.1 mi (5 km) down the road, then walk 30 min | ≈1 h |
| Hornoyaco waterfall | Colectivo 2 km (1.2 mi) down the road, then 1 h walkColectivo 1.2 mi (2 km) down the road, then 1 h walk | ≈1 h 15 min |
Sleep
- La Casa del Rio
- Dormitory, COP 18,000; near bus station
- Huaca Huaca Hostel
- Dormitory, COP 36,000; on Fin del Mundo trail
Phrase card
| English | Say or show |
|---|---|
| Hello | Holaˈola |
| How much? | ¿Cuánto cuesta?kwanˈto ˈkwesta |
| I need a guide | Necesito un guíaneθeˈsito un ˈgi.a |
Etiquette, safety and scams
Etiquette
- Greeting: Handshake, cheek kiss between women and mixed pairs; avoid: Launching into requests without a greeting
- Politeness: 'Con gusto', 'a la orden'; avoid: Blunt commands
- Topics: Coffee, football, food; avoid: Escobar jokes, drug talk
- Showing valuables: Keep phones away; avoid: 'Dar papaya'
Scams and watch-outs
- Tourism office has limited hours; confirm opening before visiting.
- Waterfall hikes need a guide; equipment required (boots, machete).
- Night travel on unpaved roads can be unsafe; use 4x4 collectivos.
Mocoa is generally safe for day visitors; remote jungle areas require a guide and proper gear.
One and two days
No timed day plan for Mocoa yet. Suggested stay: 1–2 nights. Build a day from the list below, mornings for the big sight.
- Fin del Mundo waterfall
- Hornoyaco waterfall
- Centro Experimental Amazónica
Sources
Written by Voykit; facts cross-checked against these sources, last desk check 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change: check on the day.
- Wikivoyage: Mocoa, revision 5295094 (CC BY-SA 4.0): en.wikivoyage.org/w/index.php?oldid=5295094
Pocket card
Cut along the border and keep it in your wallet. Show the local-script lines to a driver.
Mocoa
A esta dirección, por favor
To this address, please
My hotel (write the name and address in the local script)
- Police / ambulance / fire123
US consulate in Bogotá; check local contact details.
Voykit · checked 2026-09
Printed from Voykit (/mocoa). Written by Voykit; checked 2026-09. Estimates only: confirm prices, hours and entry rules on the day.