The languages are: the great linguistic family Chibchan, of probable Central American origin; the great South American families Arawakan, Cariban, Quechuan and Tupian; seven families only present at the regional level (Chocó, Guahibo, Saliba, Nadahup, Witoto, Bora, Tucano).
The languages are categorized into several large linguistic groups: Chibchan, of probable Central American origin; Arawakan, Cariban, Quechuan, and Tupian families in South America; and seven smaller language families present only at the regional level (Chocó, Guahibo, Saliba, Nadahup, Witoto, Bora, Tucano).