Cúcuta: Tourism, the Venezuela Border & Places to Visit
Cúcuta is a thriving city on the border with Venezuela.
Many people travel to Cúcuta for shopping tourism in the city's busy commercial district.
Cúcuta is a city of transit, shopping and business tourism. It is the capital of the department of Norte de Santander and has very active trade thanks to the exchange of goods between Colombia and Venezuela.
Tourism in Cúcuta
The city's official name is San José de Cúcuta, and it has been one of the fastest-growing cities in recent years. The municipality's population is estimated at about 680,000.
The city has substantial tourist infrastructure, with various hotels, restaurants, shops and malls. It is also home to the Francisco de Paula Santander University, the region's most important public education center.
How to get to Cúcuta
The city is well connected to the rest of Colombia by roads that are generally in good condition, and it has good links with the main Venezuelan cities. For air travel, it has Camilo Daza International Airport, which handles domestic flights.
The bus companies serving Cúcuta include: Expreso Bolivariano, Berlinas del Fonce, Copetran, Cotrans and Concorde.
From the Venezuelan city of San Cristóbal, bus lines run to cities across Venezuela such as Valencia, Barquisimeto, Barinas, Maracaibo and Caracas, among others.
Top sights in Cúcuta
Cúcuta is a busy city, yet pleasant and warm for travelers, with real historical and cultural importance. City life revolves around Parque Santander, facing the City Hall and the San José Cathedral.
An attractive spot to visit is the riverside promenade (Malecón), where people come to walk, do sports or enjoy the restaurants and bars. You can also visit Parque Grancolombiano, the city's largest, home to the Birthplace of Santander and the Historic Temple where the Congress of Cúcuta was held in 1821.
Crossing the Colombia–Venezuela border
The border between Colombia and Venezuela is a few minutes from Cúcuta. The nearest Venezuelan cities are San Antonio del Táchira and San Cristóbal; from the latter you can take buses to Venezuela's major cities.
To cross from one country to the other you can choose between private taxis, shared taxis and vans. Prices vary with comfort and the number of passengers. At the bus terminal there are many offers and people touting transport services; as everywhere, the prices quoted at first can be many times the normal fare, so always negotiate firmly to avoid being overcharged. The pressure from drivers can be intense, but it is best to stay calm and negotiate.
On reaching the border you must complete immigration formalities; the area is always crowded with people, vehicles and goods moving between the two countries. There are also vendors and money changers (be alert and well informed before changing money on the street). In short, crossing the border is not difficult and does not take long, but it is best to stay alert, prepared and patient.
Shopping in Cúcuta
Cúcuta is a city many people travel to in order to shop. As in any border city, the exchange of goods is intense, and many imported products are cheaper than elsewhere in the country. There are many shops offering different types and qualities of electronics, drinks and textiles.
Shopping malls
- Unicentro: Av. Libertadores at Av. Canal Bogotá, Cúcuta.
- Ventura Plaza: Calle 10 and 11, Diagonal Santander, Quinta Vélez sector, Cúcuta.
Frequently asked questions about Cúcuta
It is the capital of Norte de Santander, on the border with Venezuela, in northeastern Colombia. It is a city of trade, business and transit tourism.
Through Camilo Daza International Airport (domestic flights) or by road. Distances: Bucaramanga 200 km, Bogotá 555 km. It also has direct connections with Venezuelan cities.
The main crossing is the Simón Bolívar International Bridge (and the Francisco de Paula Santander bridge), which connect to San Antonio del Táchira. It is wise to check hours, paperwork and the current situation before crossing.
Explore the center and its parks, do some shopping tourism, and visit independence-era historic sites such as Villa del Rosario (Santander's birthplace and the Historic Temple of the Congress of Cúcuta).
It is a hot city, one of the warmest in Colombia; wear light clothing and stay well hydrated.
You can visit year-round; being hot and dry most of the time, any season works, though it is best to avoid the hottest hours for walking around.