From Wikitravel

Cúcuta is in Colombia in the region of Norte de Santander

Contents 1 Understand 1.1 Climate 2 Get in 2.1 By air 2.2 By Bus 3 Get Around 3.1 By bus 3.2 By taxi 3.3 By Bicycle 4 See 5 Do 5.1 The Malecon 6 Buy 6.1 Shopping Malls 7 Eat 7.1 Fast Food 7.2 Restaurants 8 Drink 9 Sleep 10 Work 11 Get out

Understand

Cúcuta is the capital of Norte de Santander, home of 1 million people (all of the metropolitan area). It's a major commercial hub in the northeastern Colombia, playing a significant role in trade between Colombia and Venezuela. Cúcuta is located in the northwest, 580 km to the north of the capital Bogotá.

The area of the city is 1.176 km2

Climate

The average temperature is 28º C.

Get in

By air

Cúcuta has a domestic airport, Camilo Daza and the neighboring airport of San Antonio (Venezuela).

It is usual the arrival of passengers in transit to San Antonio, Venezuela or the foreigner.

By Bus

Cúcuta is connected by national highways with Bogotá and Caracas in Venezuela.

Buses arrive to the "Cúcuta's Bus Station" (La Terminal de Transportes de Cúcuta).

Get Around

The city of Cúcuta is built on a grid system. The calles (also streets) cross the Avenidas (also Avenues) and run from East to West. Calles are abbreviated as C, Cll and Cl.

Avenidas, abbreviated as Av, are usually larger and main streets. The numerical system for the Avenidas is used but some have names that are more commonly used such as Avenida Libertadores or Avenida de Los Faroles. Each address consists of a series of numbers, for example: Av. 1E #13-24. This indicates that the building on Av. 1E is 24 meters from the corner.

By bus

There are many public and private transportation companies that offer bus services and cover almost all of the metropolitan area (Villa del Rosario, Los Patios and El Zulia). It's a cheap and a rather safe way (ticket costs around US$ 0.45, but it will cost more depending on the bus, the route and the day) to travel around Cúcuta, and they offer nice and clean vehicles that you will feel comfortable with.

By taxi

This is by far the best way to travel around if you don't mind spending a bit more for transportation. The cabs here are very clean, safe and they will take you to anywhere you want.

By Bicycle

A ride on Cúcuta's modern Ciclo-Vía is a very exiting and healthy way to get to know the city and get closer to the people. There are certain rules that must be followed: Helmet must be worn when riding, also a reflective vest must be worn. The bicycle must have reflective panels in the wheels and back.

The Av. Libertadores (the largest and most important of the city) is closed to use it as Ciclo-Vía on Sundays (8 AM - 1 PM)

See

• House of Francisco de Paula Santander (1 Km International Freeway to Venezuela)
• Catedral of Cúcuta
• Santander Park
• Municipal Park
• Colon Park
• House of Santander Francisco de Paula Santander is hero of the independence of Colombia and his house is located in Villa del Rosario (A municipality member of the Metropolitan Area of Cúcuta). There you can visit the Historic Church that was the principal sede of the Congress of the Great Colombia (Colombia + Panama + Venzuela + Ecuador).

Do

The Malecon

In the Av. Libertadores there are ample green zones and platforms that allow their visitors to walk and to contemplate the own nature of the Pamplonita River; this proximity to the shore has allowed that the custom has denominated it “Malecon” becoming a site of recreation par excellence. It runs from the San Rafael bridge in the south of the city to Arnulfo Briseño Square, where there's a beautiful metallic sculpture called “Musical Mirror” as well as a skating track and children's park.

Buy

Shopping Malls

• Unicentro [1] Unicentro is the most important shopping mall in Colombia. There are five sedes located at Bogotá, Medellín, Cali, City of Panama and Cúcuta). More than 48.000 m2 of commerce, 110 stores, Center of foods, Bingo and casino, Supermarket Carrefour, Open spaces and green zones.

• Ventura Plaza This is the biggest shopping center of Cúcuta. It is located in the heart of the city and close to the Casino International Hotel. (Diagonal Santander between tenth and eleventh street).

• Vivero Almacenes Vivero was creaed in 1969 as a t-shirt store, but now is one of the most important malls in Colombia. Av. Demetrio Mendoza, Diagonal Santander. Tel. 5766108

• Gran Boulevard It is one the most traditional mall of Cùcuta, located in the Av. 0 (unique in the world). It has a building of apartaments. There you can get computers, shoes, clothes and visit an excellent bar called "LA MICRO". The main office of Movistar Colombia for Cúcuta is there.

• Plaza de Los Andes

Eat

Fast Food

• Kokoriko Av. 0 Calle 8 Esquina Tel. 5722822
• PRESTO Av. Los Libertadores # 3-08 Tel. 577 5596 / 577 4949
• Los Carritos Av. 0 # 15-71 Tel. 5710097
• Los Carritos Av. Los Faroles # 9E - 51 Tel. 5741506
• Juan K Av. 3E #1-218 La Ceiba Tel. 5779113 / 5779114

Restaurants

• Restaurante Rodizio Malecon II Etapa La Riviera Tel. 5739029 / 5751719
• Pinchos & Asados (Rodizio) Tel. 5739039
• Restaurante El Corral 5745701 / 5773152
• Mangos Av. Libertadores #7-22 Tel. 5752648
• Restaurante La Gran Muralla Av. Libertadores #10-84 Malecon Tel. 5753946 / 5755156 / 5755069

Drink

• Local coffee is excellent.
• Aguardiente is a must for all tourists. It can be found at all cafes and bars.

Sleep

• Hotel Tonchalá
• Hotel Casablanca Av. 6 # 14-55 Tel. 5722888 FAX: 5722993
• Hotel Quinta Avenida
• Hotel Villa Antigua. (Located on the highway to Venezuela).
• Hotel Arizona Av 0 # 7-67
• Hotel Bolivar Av. Demetrio Mendoza
• Hotel Casino Internacional Calle # 2E-75
• Hotel Acora Calle 10 #2-75
• Hotel Acuaris Calle 5 # 3-37
• Hotel Amaruc Av. 5 # 9-73
• Hotel Chucarima Calle 7 # 2-30
• Hotel Exelsior Av 3 # 9-65
• Hotel Lord Av. 7 3 10-58
• Hotel Luxor Calle 10 # 2-66
• Hotel Victoria Plaza Calle 8 # 2-98
• Hotel Paraiso Calle 10 # 5-84
• Hotel Conquistador Av 11 E. Frente al Parque Simón Bolívar, Colsag.
• Hotel La Paz Calle 6 Av 3 y 4
• Hotel Cacique Av 7 calle 9 y 10
• Hotel El Samán (Prosocial) Autopista Internacional, en Villa del Rosario

Work

Officially it is not legal to work in Colombia without a proper working visa. Visas can be obtained by employers on your behalf.

Get out

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