We were backpacking in Colombia and heading south toward the Ecuadorian border, as I badly wanted to visit Las Lajas Sanctuary – the incredible white church built on a rock. From there, we were planning to get from Colombia to Ecuador by land border in Ipiales, which has a very bad reputation .. 😉
Our travel itinerary from Colombia: Pasto – Las Lajas Sanctuary – Ipiales (land border) – Quito (Ecuador).
How to get from Colombia to Ecuador by land border.
I have to be honest here and say this is not particularly safe to cross the land border between Colombia and Ecuador for many reasons. I’m sure you will hear stories of how people were robbed on the border and how unhelpful is Colombian police. But on the other hand, a lot of people do it and make it – like us.
How to get from Pasto to Ipiales?
Pasto is accessible by bus from various cities in Colombia (Bogota and Cali). The journey from Bogota to Pasto takes approximately 10-12 hours, while the trip from Cali to Pasto is around 6-8 hours (although this route is not recommended for tourists due to bus kidnappings). It is better to book a flight to get to Pasto. We booked a flight last minute and it was ~$100, but normally it’s way cheaper. Check TRIP.COM for the best rates.
How to get to Colombia from Ecuador?
If you are coming from Ecuador you can easily reach Ipiales from of Quito. Buses operate between Quito and Ipiales, with the journey taking around 5-9 hours. It took us 5.5 hours to reach Quito from Ipiales border. On the way you’ll be able to admire breathtaking views of the Andean landscape.
Is it safe to go to Ipiales in Colombia?
Robberies are very common among tourists. It is not advised to remain on the street after dark. Use only marked taxis and agree on the price before the drive. If you are staying overnight near the Colombian border, it’s better to accommodate yourself in Pasto.
Visiting Las Lajas Sanctuary.
Las Lajas is the most beautiful sanctuary in South America. This stunning basilica is a testament to both human ingenuity and the natural beauty of its surroundings. Here is all you need to know about Visiting Las Lajas Sanctuary.
It’s a 20-minute walk toward the sanctuary (safety is a small concern due to pickpocketing). You can wander through the interior of the basilica, admiring the intricate details of its architecture and the beautiful religious artwork on display.
The quickest way to get from Las Lajas Sanctuary to Ipiales land border is by taxi. Taxi cost 10 000 COP and it’s only a 10 minutes drive.
Ipiales land border.
Ipiales is a popular land border crossing, especially among travelers who want to visit Las Lajas Sanctuary. There is Rumichaca International Bridge between the cities of Tulcán (Ecuador) and Ipiales (Colombia). That’s why the border crossing at Ipiales is known as the “Rumichaca Bridge.”
On the Colombian Exit Migration are two queues – take the left one (having the building in front of you) – it’s shorter and also dedicated for travelers.
Please note you need to have a Colombian’s exit stamp first to enter Ecuador. It’s important to mention this, as our taxi driver took us directly to Ecuadorian office, where we were told to walk back to Colombian Migration Office and get a stamp. This only wasted our time and let’s be honest this isn’t the place you want to hang around
Ecuadorian Migration Office.
It takes about 45 minutes to get the stamp at the Colombian exit immigration, indicating your exit from Colombia. After exiting Colombia, you’ll need to walk across the bridge to reach the Ecuadorian immigration office. Here, you’ll complete the entry process, including getting your passport stamped with the entry visa for Ecuador.
Surprisingly there was no queue at the Ecuadorian Migration Office. Some blogs say you need to fill out a migration form before entering the line – but we did not have to fill in any papers and did not pay anything. You are granted 3 months visa in your passport.
Tips on how to get from Colombia to Ecuador by land border.
- Never show or take off your belongings like cash, phone, expensive items.
- Carry some local currency for convenience when crossing the border, as well as some US dollars (small notes), which are widely accepted in both countries.
- Always locate the police forces in case you need their help.
- Do NOT use the ATM cash machine placed at the border. It’s like an invitation to rob you.
How to get from Ipiales border to Ecuador?
It is best to take a ataxi from the Ecuadorian border in Ipiales to get to the nearest city TULCAN (Tulcan BUS terminal if you are planning to get to Quito).
You can pay with COP in the Ecuadorian taxi to Tulcan, they know you may not have Ecuadorian money yet. Even in Tulcan we paid with COP. Bus ticket to Quito costs $6 – you need to purchase the ticket in the terminal building, it is not available to get it from the driver.
Buses to Quito from Tulcan bus station depart frequently every 30 minutes. It took us 5.5 hours to reach Quito terminal. Be prepared Quito terminal is extremely busy.
Final tips for traveling in Ecuador.
- Currency Exchange – Consider exchanging some money at authorized exchange points near the border if you need Ecuadorian currency.
- Language – Spanish is the official language in both Colombia and Ecuador, it is very useful to know basic expressions in Spanish. In many places, nobody will be speaking English.
- Travel Insurance – It’s highly recommended to have travel insurance that covers both Colombia and Ecuador for any unexpected situations. SafetyWing is my recommendation for the best nomad insurance.
- Public transport – robberies are very common in Ecuadorian public transport. We were robbed on the first bus in Quito, and we have no idea how that happened; they are very skilled.
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