Approximate Border Location
Border Cities
🇧🇷 Tabatinga (AM)
🇵🇪 Santa Rosa de Yavarí
Coordinates
4.25°S, 70.00°W
Border Type
Land crossing via river
Operating Hours
Open 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Wait Times
30-60 min for pedestrians/boats
Peak Times
Mornings (8-11 AM)
Crossing Types
Pedestrians, boats
Daily Crossings
~1500 travelers/vehicles
Languages Spoken
Portuguese, Spanish
Currency Exchange
Available near Tabatinga (BRL, PEN)
Accessibility Features
Ramps
Safety Information
Generally safe, river hazards
About Santa Rosa de Yavarí & Tabatinga
A River Crossing in the Triple Frontier
The border crossing connecting the Brazilian city of Tabatinga with the Peruvian village of Santa Rosa de Yavarí is a journey into one of the most unique and iconic locations in all of South America: the “Tres Fronteras” or Triple Frontier. This is not a bridge or a road; it is a river crossing, a short boat ride across the mighty Amazon River. To cross here is to travel between two points of a vibrant, chaotic, and culturally fascinating tri-national metropolitan area that also includes the Colombian city of Leticia. It is a passage where the river is the highway and the border is a fluid, almost imaginary line, a journey into the very heart of the Amazon rainforest.
Operational Details
This checkpoint connects Brazil’s Amazonas state with the Loreto Department of Peru. The crossing is facilitated by numerous small, motorized canoes (`peke-pekes`) that constantly ferry people and goods across the river. The formal immigration offices are not at the docks, but located within the respective towns. You must seek them out to get your passport stamped. The Brazilian Federal Police office is in Tabatinga, and the Peruvian immigration office is a short boat ride away in Santa Rosa. The movement between the three cities (Tabatinga, Leticia, and Santa Rosa) is largely unrestricted for locals and tourists making day trips, but formal stamping is essential for those traveling further into any of the countries.
Before Crossing
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A History of a Remote Hub
The history of this region is the history of the Amazon River and the indigenous peoples who have inhabited its banks for millennia. The modern cities were established in the 19th and 20th centuries, largely driven by the rubber boom. The borders were drawn through this remote jungle, creating a unique situation where three countries meet at a single point on the river. The Colombian city of Leticia is the largest and most developed of the three, and it functions as the commercial and tourist hub for the entire region. The three cities, despite being in different countries, function as a single, integrated community, with a shared economy and a constant flow of people.
The Unique Border Procedure
The border crossing procedure is unique and requires proactivity from the traveler. You can freely travel between the three towns without showing your passport. However, if you are officially entering or leaving Brazil or Peru, you must make a dedicated trip to the immigration offices. For example, to travel from Brazil to Iquitos in Peru, you must first get a Brazilian exit stamp in Tabatinga, then take a boat to Santa Rosa to get a Peruvian entry stamp, before you can then board the multi-day ferry to Iquitos. It is a multi-step process that can be confusing for the unprepared traveler. The Colombian immigration office is located at the Leticia airport.
The Surrounding Region: Brazil Side
On the Brazilian side, Tabatinga is a bustling, gritty military and port town. It is the main gateway to the vast indigenous territories of the Alto Solimões region. The city has a lively market and is a major hub for the Brazilian army’s jungle operations. The main attraction is its role as part of the vibrant Tres Fronteras area and its connection to the Amazon River.
The Surrounding Region: Peru Side
On the Peruvian side, Santa Rosa de Yavarí is a small, stilt-house village on an island in the river. It is known for its simple but excellent restaurants serving fresh Amazonian fish. It is primarily a logistical point, the place to get your Peruvian entry stamp and to catch the ferry that travels for several days down the Amazon to the city of Iquitos, the largest city in the world that is inaccessible by road. The journey itself is a classic Amazonian adventure.
Practical Travel Information
Practical planning is essential. Remember to get your passport stamped if you are officially entering or leaving a country. The official currencies are the Brazilian Real (BRL), the Peruvian Sol (PEN), and the Colombian Peso (COP), and all three are widely accepted throughout the tri-border area. Be aware of your personal security, especially in the port areas. Be aware of the health risks of travel in the Amazon, including mosquito-borne diseases, and take appropriate precautions. The only way to arrive or leave this region is by plane (to Leticia or Tabatinga) or by a multi-day boat journey.
Final Considerations
The Tabatinga–Santa Rosa de Yavarí border crossing is a journey into the heart of the Amazon. It is a unique and unforgettable experience, a passage that is defined by the great river that serves as both a border and a bond. It is a place where three nations and countless indigenous cultures meet and mingle in a vibrant, chaotic, and beautiful frontier town. For the adventurous traveler, it is a gateway to the wonders of the Amazon, a starting point for an epic river journey into the largest rainforest on Earth.