Major city · Ecuador
Tulcán
Half a day is enough: see the topiary cemetery, cross to Ipiales or head south. Use it as a border stop, not a base.
Tulcán sits at the Colombia–Ecuador border, 230 km north of Quito. Its main draw is the Cementerio de Tulcán, a cemetery with elaborate topiary hedges carved into animals and figures. The Reserva Ecológica El Ángel is nearby for páramo hikes. Most travellers stop for a few hours on the way to or from Ipiales, Colombia.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- USD
- Best months
- Jun–Sep (dry season)
- avoid Oct–May (rainy, landslides possible on the Quito road)
- Airport
- TUA
- Nights
- 0–1
Not a trip line yet
Rules in force · 6Above 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.
- Ecuador ↗Check entry rules for your passport with Ecuador's Ministry of Foreign Affairs or an Ecuadorian consulate.
- Ecuador ↗The Galápagos has its own entry controls: a transit control card bought at the airport before departure, a national park entrance fee, and inspections for food and plants. Check official Galápagos rules before booking.
- Ecuador ↗Several coastal provinces (including Guayas, where Guayaquil is) are under official warnings and periodic states of emergency; read your government's advice before routing through them.
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 Tulcán911 ▾
- Police, fire, ambulance911
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 Tulcán, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the US dollar (USD, $).Ecuador-wide
- SIM or eSIMClaro and Movistar (plus CNT) sell prepaid SIMs in malls and shops with a passport; Claro has the widest coverage.Ecuador-wide
- Tap waterNot safe from the tap in most places (Quito and Cuenca's water is treated but pipes vary); drink bottled or filtered.Ecuador-wide
- TippingRestaurants: 10% service often included; add a little for good service.Ecuador-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.Ecuador-wide
- SafetyTulcán is generally safe for daytime visits.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsPut paper in the bin, not the bowl; bus terminal toilets charge a few cents.Ecuador-wide
- Emergency numbers911 police, fire, ambulance
- Sundays & holidaysMany museums close Mondays; national strikes can shut roads for days.Ecuador-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportTUA Teniente Coronel Luis A.
- Getting aroundCity buses ($0.30) run between the terminal and centre.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- Taxi, about 5 km (3 mi)Taxi, about 3 mi (5 km)Taxi to border$3
- Metro or bus rideBus Quito–TulcánAbout 5.5 h, check current schedule$7
- Budget bedPrivate room (budget hotel), a night, per roomUS$15
- Mid-range bedPrivate room (budget hotel), a night, per roomUS$25
- High-end bedPrivate room (budget hotel), a night, per roomUS$40
A day, not counting the bed: Budget US$20 · Mid US$40 · High US$70
Prices in local money; change the currency in the header to see yours next to them. 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
- TUA Teniente Coronel Luis A. Mantilla International Airport (No commercial flights as of 2026; use Quito (UIO) and bus.)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Avoid
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
Feb
Avoid
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
Mar
Avoid
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
Apr
Avoid
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
May
Avoid
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
Jun
Best
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
Jul
Best
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
Aug
Best
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
Sep
Best
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
Oct
Avoid
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
Nov
Avoid
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
Dec
Avoid
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
Best: Jun–Sep. Avoid: Oct–May. Month by month →
Warmest Jan (18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)), coolest Jun (7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C) low), wettest Apr (18 rain days), driest Jul (10). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Tulcán: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
15 rd
Feb
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
14 rd
Mar
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
16 rd
Apr
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
18 rd
May
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
17 rd
Jun
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
12 rd
Jul
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
10 rd
Aug
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
10 rd
Sep
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
12 rd
Oct
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
17 rd
Nov
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
16 rd
Dec
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
15 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
City buses ($0.30) run between the terminal and centre. Colectivos from Parque Ayora to the Rumichaca border cost $0.75. Taxis to the border are fixed at $3.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Ipiales, Colombia
goDoor to door: About 1 h
Colectivo from Parque Ayora to Rumichaca ($0.75), then shared taxi to Ipiales (about 3,000 COP)
Las Lajas Sanctuary is the main sight; bring your passport for border formalities.
Reserva Ecológica El Ángel
goDoor to door: About 1.5 h
Bus from Terminal Terrestre, about 45 min
Páramo hiking with frailejones; go early, bring rain gear.
Otavalo
goDoor to door: About 3.5 h
Bus from Terminal Terrestre, about 3 h
Saturday market; combine with a stop in Ibarra.
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.
Downtown (near Parque Ayora)
Walking distance to the cemetery and bus terminal; budget hotels from $10/night.
Near Terminal Terrestre
Convenient for early buses south; basic hotels.
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
- $15–25 excl. bed
- Mid
- $30–50 excl. bed
- High
- $60+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Hostel dorm bed1 × 1 night × US$10 | US$10 |
| Food, local transport, entries1 × 1 day × US$20 | US$20 |
| Bus Quito–Tulcán (one way)1 × US$7 · check | US$7 |
| Colectivo to border1 × US$1 | US$1 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | US$4 |
| Trip total≈ US$42 per person per day, bed included | US$42 |
2026 estimate in USD; flights excluded.
Prices of common things
| Bus Quito–TulcánAbout 5.5 h, check current schedule | $7 |
| City bus ride | $0.30 |
| Colectivo to Rumichaca border | $0.75 |
| Taxi to border | $3 |
| Budget hotel room | $10–20 |
| Meal at a local eatery | $3–6 |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Taxis charge a flat $3 to/from the border, even for short trips.
- The Quito–Tulcán bus can take 6+ hours due to road conditions.
- Border crossing hours: check current opening times; allow 30–60 min for formalities.
Emergency numbers
- Police, fire, ambulance
- 911
Pocket card
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TulcánTulcán
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
A esta dirección, por favorTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police, fire, ambulance911
Embassy
The US and most other embassies are in Quito. Nearest consulate: check in Quito.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Bus Quito–Tulcán: about $7, 5.5 h (check)
- Colectivo to border: $0.75
- Taxi to border: $3
Say or show
- Hola — Hello (oh-lah)
- Gracias — Thank you (grah-see-ahs)
- ¿Cuánto cuesta? — How much? (kwahn-toh kwes-tah)
- ¿Dónde está el terminal? — Where is the bus station? (don-deh es-tah el ter-mee-nal)
- Necesito un taxi — I need a taxi (neh-seh-see-toh oon tak-see)
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 Tulcán. 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: Jun–Sep (dry season) · avoid Oct–May (rainy, landslides possible on the Quito road) · 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
- 3 day-trips, door to door
- 3 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- An airport-to-bed path that says whether a late landing still works
- Walking clusters with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Field-verified times and fares
Sources
Ask about Tulcán
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