Crossing the Border: Colombia to Ecuador
This travel guide will show you how to cross the border from Colombia to Ecuador by land using public transport. Read more on how to safely get from Colombia to Ecuador via the Rumichaca border by bus.
Travelers who want to get from Colombia to Ecuador by land usually use the most common route via Rumichaca border crossing that connects the town of Ipiales on the Colombian side and Tulcan in Ecuador.
This border crossing is considered safe, and you shouldn't have any problems.
The only issue could be the time as you can never know how long the procedure will take. We recommend getting to the border early so you won't be stuck in the queue.
We got from Ipiales to Tulcan in less than two hours, but we met a girl who told us that her friend waited in Rumichaca for ten hours only one month before our journey.
We believe this was only bad luck, and this is not a standard, though. On the other hand, we know how rumors like this might make you feel uncertain and vulnerable.
That's why we've created this step-by-step travel guide on crossing the border between Colombia and Ecuador via Rumichaca bridge.
We are absolutely aware that you want to make sure your trip around South America will be as smooth as possible.
We hope this blog post will help you leave the wonderful country of Colombia and enter the next destination on your itinerary, Ecuador, without any troubles.
COLOMBIA - ECUADOR - BORDER CROSSING VIA RUMICHACA
So how should you proceed? How should you cross the borders from Colombia to Ecuador (or vice versa) independently?
The process of getting from Colombia to Ecuador is not that straightforward as you might expect. So we’ve created this step by step guide to help you get from one country to another.
Mind you, your experience might be very different from ours. We will be really grateful if you leave any tips for other travelers in the comment section!
GET TO IPIALES
The first step on crossing the borders is getting to Ipiales, a city only 5 minutes drive from the Rumichaca border. It is not a pleasant city, and if you don't have to, we don't recommend roaming around, especially after dark.
We arrived after the dark, wanted to buy just water in a shop, but turned around halfway, and rather returned to our hotel. We believe that the impression would have been much better during the day, though.
You will most likely arrive from Cali, Popayan, or Pasto.
We arrived from Popayan as it was on the way from San Agustin (a pretty town with a UNESCO archeological park), where we spent a couple of nights.
Popayan lies supposedly 8 hours drive by bus from Ipiales, and the cost is 35 000 COP (we don't believe that the bus made this trip ever in 8 hours, it took us 10 hours plus the bus arrived one hour late from Cali).
You can split your journey and spend a night in Pasto, 2 hours before Ipiales, but if you do not wish to explore Pasto, it is much better to travel as far as Ipiales, so you do not lose a day.
In Ipiales, we can recommend a very nice and safe Hotel San Jose Ipiales.
The hotel is located only two minutes walk from the bus terminal, so it is convenient as you don't need to walk around much, and it is easy to get from the city the next day.
TAKE A TAXI FROM IPIALES TO RUMICHACA BORDER
Although shuttle buses are running between the bus station in Ipiales and the border, we found out that taking a taxi will be safer, more comfortable, and it was also within our budget, as it cost only 8 000 COP.
Staff at the front desk will help you call a cab.
In case you prefer taking the shuttle, go to the bus station where you arrived yesterday. In front of the station are shuttles that will take you to the border.
The tickets should cost no more than 2 500 COP, and it is better to reconfirm with the driver that he goes to la frontera.
It was funny that the taxi dropped us off technically behind Colombian borders, so we had to walk back to get a stamp in our passports.
In case this happens to you, do not skip this part by no means, and don't walk directly across the bridge to Ecuador Immigration.
You need to get the confirmation that you have left the country, otherwise, the officers on the Ecuador side will send you back, and you'll lose precious time.
CHANGE COLOMBIAN PESOS TO DOLLARS
If you have some Colombian Pesos left, you can change it outside the immigration office.
Immediately after we arrived, we were approached by a woman who offered us a reasonable exchange rate.
You won't need Colombian currency anymore, so don't worry.
Of course, it is always better to spend the money, so it is wise to count how much cash you have a few days before exiting Colombia and try to pay with it everywhere you can.
That should not be a problem because cash is the king in Colombia.
EXIT COLOMBIA
Now you can go to the Colombian Immigration Office. There was a queue outside on the right, but it was for Colombians, and we had to follow the left line designated for foreigners.
There's an officer in front of the door; show him your passport, he will let you in and tell you in which line to wait.
Get a stamp with the date of your departure from Colombia.
Leaving Colombia is free, do not pay anything if asked. Even though the office was quite full, it did not take more than ten minutes to get everything settled.
WALK ACROSS THE BRIDGE
After officially leaving Colombia, you must walk less than five minutes to the Ecuadorian Immigration Office via Rumichaca Bridge. You can also take a taxi, but it is unnecessary even if your luggage is heavy.
We were quite surprised how freely we could walk around and when considering how the police and army presence in Colombia is strong, we couldn't have believed that we didn't see anyone here on the borders.
ENTER ECUADOR
As a foreigner, you don't need to wait in the queue outside the Ecuador Immigration Office in a cage-like corridor.
Go directly inside the office and wait a bit to get your passport stamped.
You don't need to pay anything, and also, you don't need proof of onward travels (always check if the policy did not change). We didn't have to fill any forms either.
Update: Because of the Venezuelan crisis, the situation at the Rumichaca border crossing changes every day. For obvious reasons, when Venezuelans want to flee their country, the border can get crowded.
Back in 2018, we could see quite many desperate families at the borders, but we did not have to wait at all.
You may need to wait a bit in the queue at the time of your travels; it can really even take a few hours. It is better to have the whole day dedicated to the border crossing and not plan anything else.
It also seems that you cannot enter the office with a large backpack anymore.
In case you are asked to leave your backpack outside (and you won't be able to convince the officer), take turns with your travel companions - never leave your backpack unattended, certainly by someone you do not know.
If you travel solo, try to befriend the fellow travelers around.
Travel Insurance
We never leave home without travel insurance that was designed to cover our expenses if something goes wrong during the trip.
Travel insurance protects against theft, flight delays, injury, illness, cancellations, and much more.
World Nomads provides travel insurance for travelers to cover their trip essentials, including sports and adventure activities.
SafetyWing is affordable travel insurance for backpackers, long-term travelers, and digital nomads.
Travel smarter and safer!
GET TO TULCAN
From the Rumichaca border, you can either take a bus to Tulcan or hire a taxi.
You can always share a cab with fellow travelers if you don't want to wait for a crowded bus.
Taxi cost $3 and will take you to the bus terminal in Tulcan in about 15 minutes.
The bus costs only $1, but we shared the cab with a girl we met, so it made more sense to travel this way.
TAKE A BUS TO OTAVALO OR QUITO
It doesn't matter if you go to Otavalo or Quito. It is easy to get to both destinations from Tulcan.
We arrived by taxi at the small bus terminal, and in less than five minutes, we were on a bus going to Otavalo.
The bus ride takes 4 hours and costs $4. If you carry on to Quito, add another approximately 2 hours and $2.
The bus was of good quality, be aware of thefts in the buses in Ecuador and never leave your hand luggage with valuables unattended.
Always watch your bag, do not leave it under your seat or up in the racks above your head. Keep your bag on your lap even though it is not very comfortable.
We traveled to Otavalo, and the bus dropped us off at the highway, it did not drive inside the town.
Fortunately, the town's center was within walking distance, so it did not take long, and we could finally take a rest in our hostel.
Not sure if it's just us, but we find travel days quite overwhelming and tiring sometimes.
But crossing borders from Colombia to Ecuador worked out great, and we still had energy for Otavalo sightseeing in the evening.
Hopefully, your experience will be similar.
Safe travels!
WHERE TO STAY IN OTAVALO, ECUADOR
Otavalo is a wonderful town, and we think it is a great first stop in Ecuador.
The town is very traditional and famous for markets and handicrafts, but also the scenery.
The town is very walkable, so you can choose the best hotel and hostel that suits your needs and is within your budget.
Weekends are usually busier because of the markets and the number of travelers from Quito, so book your room ahead.
We've handpicked the best hotels for every type of traveler, feel free to choose your preferred accommodation.
Budget | Hostal La Rosa Otavalo - This hotel has a perfect location in the city center, only two blocks from the main square, friendly staff, spacious and clean rooms. A great choice for backpackers.
Mid-range | Hotel El Indio Inn - Perfect location for exploring all major sights, hot shower, clean rooms, and helpful staff.
Luxury | Dona Esther Otavalo - A charming hotel in the center of Otavalo, good breakfast and tasty food, excellent clean rooms, and a roof garden with amazing views.
Alternatively, in case your Ecuador itinerary is a bit different, search for your accommodation in Quito.
TRAVEL TIPS
Be prepared that the border control process might take longer than you expect.
The biggest problem you can face is when a new wave of immigrants arrives and completely clogs the border.
In that case, you will need to armor yourself with patience, a book, or something that will help you kill time, and gear that will protect your valuables.
Pack your travel documents, check if you need a visa, and double-check if you have a passport with you.
Passport | Passport Wallet | Visa Permit | Money Belt | Water
Travel Resources
Here you can find links to all the travel resources we use and which you might find helpful when planning your next holiday.
Accommodation: When looking for accommodation, we usually search hotels via Booking.com or Hostelworld.
Tours: Although we love to travel independently, some places are better to visit with a guided tour.
We prefer GetYourGuide for its easy-to-use interface and solid reputation. Another great alternative is Viator.
Rental Cars: When going on a road trip, we always use Rentalcars.com, a reliable site for booking a rental car in advance.
Flight Tickets: When looking for flight tickets, you can search Skyscanner to find the best price.
Travel Insurance: World Nomads and SafetyWing cover against risks of travel.
