Major city · Colombia
Cúcuta
Spend 1–2 days in Cúcuta: see the Malecón, historic churches and the Santander House; stay central for easy walking.
Cúcuta is the commercial hub of Norte de Santander, near the Venezuelan border. Its grid layout lets you walk to the main plaza, Malecón riverwalk and historic sites in under two hours each. A short stay covers the highlights; longer trips add day trips to Villa del Rosario or nearby malls.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- COP
- Best months
- Dec–Mar, Jun–Aug
- avoid Apr–May (rainy), Sep–Nov (heat and humidity)
- Airport
- CUC
- Nights
- 1–2
Not a trip line yet
Rules in force · 7Above 2,500 m (Bogotá, Quito, Cusco, La Paz) keep the fir…
- South America ↗Above 2,500 m (Bogotá, Quito, Cusco, La Paz) keep the first day light; sleep lower where you can (Sacred Valley before Cusco) and descend if headache comes with vomiting or confusion.
- South America ↗A yellow fever certificate is required on arrival in French Guiana, and asked for on some routes into Bolivia, Paraguay, Suriname and Guyana, or when arriving from Amazon areas — vaccinate at least 10 days before travel and carry the card.
- South America ↗Overnight buses are the norm in Argentina, Chile and Peru, but pick top-tier companies and keep valuables on your body; on-board thefts from overhead racks are the common loss.
- Colombia ↗Check entry rules for your passport with Migración Colombia or a Colombian consulate; some travellers must complete an online migration form before arrival.
- Colombia ↗Security advice lists specific departments and border areas: check your own government's advice for every place on your route, including coastal roads.
- Colombia ↗Never accept drinks, food or cigarettes from strangers, and be careful with people met on dating apps: drugging (including with scopolamine) followed by robbery is a known risk.
- Colombia ↗Fill in Check-MIG only on the official Migración Colombia site; it is free, and lookalike sites charge a fee.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Cúcuta123 ▾
- Police / Ambulance / Fire123
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Cúcuta, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the Colombian peso (COP, $).Colombia-wide
- SIM or eSIMcheckClaro (best coverage), Movistar and Tigo SIMs in malls and at airports; passport required and IMEI registration may apply for longer stays — check.Colombia-wide
- Tap waterTap water is safe in Bogotá and Medellín; drink bottled on the coast and in rural areas.Colombia-wide
- TippingRestaurants: 10% propina voluntaria offered on the bill.Colombia-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets A/B. US/Canada (A/B): fits · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 120 V: UK and AU 230 V-only devices need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.Colombia-wide
- SafetyCúcuta is generally safe in daytime central zones; stay alert on crowded buses and at night in peripheral streets.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsPut paper in the bin in most places; bring tissues for bus stations.Colombia-wide
- Emergency numbers123 police / ambulance / fire (not 911, 999 or 000)
- Sundays & holidaysMany museums close Mondays; Monday holidays (puentes) move almost half of public holidays.Colombia-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportCUC Camilo Daza International Airport (Domestic flights to Bogotá, Medellín and other cities).
- Getting aroundThe city uses a grid of calles and avenidas; taxis are cheap and newer, buses cost ~US$0.45 per ride but can be crowded…
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- CoffeeCoffee (café)COP 3,000–5,000
- Taxi, about 5 km (3 mi)Taxi, about 3 mi (5 km)Taxi (city, 5 km (3.1 mi))Taxi (city, 3.1 mi (5 km))COP 15,000–20,000
- Metro or bus rideBus ticketcheckCOP 2,000–3,000
- Museum or sight ticketEntry to Casa de SantanderCOP 5,000–8,000
- Budget bedBudget hotel or hostel, a night, per personCOP 35,000
- Mid-range bedMid‑range hotel double, a night, per roomCOP 120,000
- High-end bedMid‑range hotel double, a night, per roomCOP 180,000
A day, not counting the bed: Budget COP 30,000 · Mid COP 60,000 · High COP 90,000
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- CUC Camilo Daza International Airport (Domestic flights to Bogotá, Medellín and other cities)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Best
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Feb
Best
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Mar
Best
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Apr
Avoid
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
May
Avoid
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Jun
Best
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Jul
Best
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Aug
Best
34°C (93°F)93°F (34°C)
Sep
Avoid
34°C (93°F)93°F (34°C)
Oct
Avoid
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Nov
Avoid
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Dec
Best
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Best: Jun–Aug, Dec–Mar. Avoid: Apr–May, Sep–Nov. Month by month →
Warmest Aug (34°C (93°F)93°F (34°C)), coolest Jan (21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C) low), wettest Nov (144 rain days), driest Jul (38). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Cúcuta: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
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Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
64 rd
Feb
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
46 rd
Mar
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
66 rd
Apr
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
103 rd
May
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
85 rd
Jun
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
43 rd
Jul
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
38 rd
Aug
34°C (93°F)93°F (34°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
46 rd
Sep
34°C (93°F)93°F (34°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
61 rd
Oct
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
119 rd
Nov
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
144 rd
Dec
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
84 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
The city uses a grid of calles and avenidas; taxis are cheap and newer, buses cost ~US$0.45 per ride but can be crowded, and a dedicated Ciclo‑Vía runs on Av. Libertadores Sundays 8 am‑1 pm.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Villa del Rosario (Casa de Santander)
goDoor to door: 30 min total
Taxi or bus ~15 min east
Historic house of independence hero, plus the historic church.
Unicentro Mall
goDoor to door: 20 min total
Taxi ~10 min west
Largest shopping centre, good for food and souvenirs.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Hotel Casablanca
Central, near Avenida 6ta; good for walking to Malecón
Hotel Tonchala
Close to central bus terminal, budget option
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- COP 30,000–45,000 excl. bed
- Mid
- COP 45,000–80,000 excl. bed
- High
- COP 80,000+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Mid‑range hotel double1 × 1 night × COP 120,000 | COP 120,000 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × COP 60,000 | COP 120,000 |
| Camilo Daza airport‑city taxi (one way)2 × COP 25,000 · check | COP 50,000 |
| Bus ride within city2 × COP 2,000 · check | COP 4,000 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | COP 29,400 |
| Trip total≈ COP 161,700 per person per day, bed included | COP 323,400 |
2026 estimate in COP; flights and international transfers excluded.
Prices of common things
| Coffee (café) | COP 3,000–5,000 |
| Arepa with meat | COP 4,000–7,000 |
| Taxi (city, 5 km) | COP 15,000–20,000 |
| Bus ticketcheck | COP 2,000–3,000 |
| Entry to Casa de Santander | COP 5,000–8,000 |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Buses may be overcrowded and lack air‑conditioning; allow extra time.
- Taxi drivers can overcharge tourists; ask for an approximate fare first.
- Cyclists must wear helmets and reflective gear on the Ciclo‑Vía.
Emergency numbers
- Police / Ambulance / Fire
- 123
Pocket card
Fill in, then print or save as PDF
Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.
CúcutaCúcuta
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
A esta dirección, por favorTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police / Ambulance / Fire123
Embassy
U.S. consulate in Bogotá; nearest Colombian consular services for U.S. citizens are in Bogotá (check).
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Camilo Daza → City centre (taxi): about COP 25,000, 15 min (check)
- Bus within Cúcuta: COP 2,000–3,000 per ride (check)
Say or show
- Disculpe — Excuse me / Sorry (disˈkulpe)
- Gracias — Thank you (ˈɡɾasjas)
- ¿Cuánto cuesta? — How much is it? (ˈkwanto ˈkwesta)
- ¿Dónde está el baño? — Where is the bathroom? (ˈdonde esˈta el ˈβano)
- ¿Puedo pagar con tarjeta? — Can I pay by card? (ˈpweðo paˈɣaɾ kon taˈɣɾeta)
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Cúcuta. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Dec–Mar, Jun–Aug · avoid Apr–May (rainy), Sep–Nov (heat and humidity) · month by month →
- 1 airport and 2 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 2 day-trips, door to door
- 3 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Add a short bus ride to Villa del Rosario for history buffs.
- Combine a taxi to Unicentro with a coffee break.
Sources
Ask about Cúcuta
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