Getting Around Cúcuta
Cúcuta is built on a grid system, which makes it relatively easy to orient yourself once you understand the street naming. The calles (streets, abbreviated C, Cll or Cl) run east to west and cross the avenidas (avenues, abbreviated Av), which are usually the larger main streets. Avenidas are numbered from a central avenue numbered 0 (Avenida Cero), with the letter E added to avenues numbered west to east to denote East (Este). Addresses are written as a series of numbers, for example Av. 4 #12-24, meaning the building on Av. 4 is 24 meters from the corner. Some avenues are better known by name than by number, such as Avenida Libertadores or Avenida de Los Faroles.
Rail, Metro and Tram
Cúcuta has no rail, metro or tram network. Getting around the city is done by road, on foot, by bus, by taxi or by bicycle.
Buses and Public Transport
Many public and private transport companies run bus services covering almost the entire metropolitan area, including Villa del Rosario, Los Patios and El Zulia. Buses are a cheap way to travel around Cúcuta, with tickets costing around US$0.45, though the price will be higher depending on the bus, the route and the day.
A few things to keep in mind before you hop on:
- Buses may be overcrowded and may lack air conditioning.
- Drivers may travel very fast, trying to outdo buses from competing lines that cover the same route, so be alert.
For longer journeys, Cúcuta is connected by national highways with Bogotá (about 14 hours) and with Caracas in Venezuela (about 16 hours). The city's ground terminal, the Central de Transportes de Cúcuta, sits on Avenida 7.
Taxis and Ride-Hailing
Taxis are by far the best way to travel around the city if you don't mind spending a bit more. Cabs can take you anywhere you want, and you can expect a fleet of small but newer vehicles, typically not more than three to five years old. Be aware that driving in Cúcuta can be a challenge because it is very crowded, with private cars, taxis and lots of motorcycles competing for limited road space.
Walking and Cycling
The grid layout means walking is a practical way to cover short distances in the city center, though the crowded roads call for caution. For a more active option, Cúcuta has a modern Ciclo-Vía, which is an exciting and healthy way to get to know the city and get closer to the people. If you ride, there are rules you must follow: a helmet must be worn, a reflective vest must be worn, and the bicycle must have reflective panels on the wheels and back. On Sundays from 8AM to 1PM, Avenida Libertadores — the largest and most important avenue in the city — is closed to traffic so it can be used as a Ciclo-Vía.
Getting from the Airport into the City
Cúcuta's air terminal is Camilo Daza International Airport (CUC), a domestic airport with flights to Bogotá, Medellín and other Colombian cities. Avianca has a non-stop flight to Medellín's Rionegro International Airport, while ADA, the low-cost carrier EasyFly and LATAM fly to the local airport in Medellín (Olaya Herrera). Cúcuta can also be reached via the neighboring airport of San Antonio in Venezuela, and it is usual for passengers in transit to San Antonio, Venezuela, to arrive this way.
Once you land, taxis are the most straightforward way into the city, and the same road network that connects Cúcuta with Bogotá, Bucaramanga, Valledupar and Cartagena de Indias — and, by its border location, with Venezuela — serves the airport area.