Ipiales: The Ecuador Border, Las Lajas & Tourism in Nariño
Visit Ipiales, in southern Colombia. Department of Nariño. Border with Ecuador.
The border city of Ipiales is the gateway for travel to Ecuador.
Ipiales has plenty of commercial activity thanks to its location a few kilometers from the border with Ecuador.
Ipiales is in the department of Nariño, in southern Colombia. The city sits at 2,900 meters above sea level, in a mountainous area with beautiful, fertile valleys. Because of its altitude, the climate in Ipiales is cool all year, with cold nights.
Ipiales has a downtown with shops and banks, plus restaurants and several hotels and other accommodation. The bus terminal receives buses from various Colombian cities. A system of shared taxis takes travelers to the border at the Rumichaca Bridge, which links the city of Ipiales (Colombia) with Tulcán (Ecuador).
Crossing the Colombia–Ecuador border
Distance between Ipiales and the border: 3 kilometers.
The border crossing between Ecuador (Tulcán) and Colombia (Ipiales) is the Rumichaca International Bridge, over the Carchi River. Next to the bridge are each country's immigration offices, where you complete the entry and exit formalities with the required documents (passports, visas, permits, etc.). There are also money changers, shops and food stalls on site.
Rumichaca Bridge opening hours
It operates 24 hours a day. The border crossing is open all day.
Festivals and events in Ipiales
- Multicolor Border Carnival.
- Holy Week in Ipiales.
- Feast of the Virgin of Las Lajas (September 16).
Frequently asked questions about Ipiales
In the department of Nariño, in southern Colombia, at 2,900 m above sea level and a few kilometers from the border with Ecuador.
Over the Rumichaca International Bridge, about 3 km from Ipiales, on the Carchi River, which connects to Tulcán (Ecuador). Shared taxis run to the border from downtown.
The Rumichaca Bridge operates 24 hours a day. Both countries' immigration offices are next to the bridge, along with money changers and shops.
The Las Lajas Sanctuary is about 7 km from Ipiales; you can reach it by taxi or shared transport from the city center.
The Multicolor Border Carnival, Holy Week and the Feast of the Virgin of Las Lajas (September 16).
Because of its altitude (2,900 m), the climate is cool year-round, with cold nights.