I try to find information that can make border crossings easier on my trip and found Life Remotely. Here was plenty of useful information but I reproduces only the short version in respect for the great job they had done. So those who need more information should visit Life Remotely.
Colombia to Ecuador Border Crossing
Border name: Rumichaca
Closest major cities: Ipiales, Colombia and Tulcan, Ecuador
Cost for Visas: $0
Cost for vehicle: $0
Total time: 3 hours
The Steps
- Drive past the customs (DIAN) office and the immigration office to the giant parking lot. Park here.
- Go to the DIAN office and turn in your temporary permit. No stamps, no copies, just give the paper to the nice official.
- Go to the immigration window. Have your passports stamped for exit.
- Drive to Ecuador.
- Go through a military checkpoint, aduana (customs) and immigration are on your left, but the parking is probably closed off. Drive around to the back of the building and park there.
- Go to immigration and get your passport imprinted with a dot matrix printer. Be prepared for a long wait. we were in line for two hours.
- Go to the aduana office on the corner of the building.
- Hand in your title, the drivers passport and a copy of each.
- They will give you a vehicle permit in return.
- Drive to the nearest gas station and fill up on $1.50/ gallon gas. Woohoo!
Note: SOAT (Vehicle liability insurance) is NOT required for foreign vehicles. We did not buy it at the border and were never asked for it at police checkpoints.
It’s not the destination, but the journey, that matters. 