This is how we crossed the Colombian/Ecuador border from Ipiales to Ibarra. 1. Catch a collectivo to the border at Rumichaca. Collectivos leave from the Ipiales bus terminal on the left lane of the terminal. When we arrived one was nearly full so we didn't have to wait at all. It left at 9:50am and cost COP$1,500, pay the conductor on the minibus when he comes around. We drove to the border through Ipiales town going past parque Santander and the military base. We arrived at the border at 10:05am. 2. At the border the collectivo drove straight past Colombian migration and over the bridge to the Ecuadorian migration. The police then boarded the bus and checked some people's bags. We got off the bus and had to walk back over the bridge to Colombian migration ... read more

Our Arrival We arrived on the bus from Popayan at 4:30pm. We caught a bus from the bus stop outside the terminal in the middle of the terminal road next to the taxi rank at 4:45pm. The bus C11 cost COP$1,200 and takes a loopy 20 mins to get into town up calle 18 near carrera 21. Unfortunately for us we did get on a C11 bus but it was heading in the wrong direction. After about 5 mins of sitting there going "I'm sure it will loop back towards the town soon" it became apparent it wasn't. We headed further up into the hills as everyone got off the bus. A couple of policemen boarded the bus and checked everyone's ID's. The road turned rougher into what seemed to be a four wheel drive track ... read more

Our Arrival We arrived at terminal del norte at 8:50am on a 6:30pm night bus from Cartagena. The terminal is well signed in English as well as Spanish and has a tourist information booth where you can pick up a map. The tourist information was actually unmanned when we were there, the person left as soon as a bus pulled in so we helped ourselves to a map which was followed by some stern words by a security guard. To get to the metro from the arrivals area go down one floor and walk along the bridge over the road. The metro station is Caribe. The ticket office is on the right and is COP$1,900 per journey. Put the ticket in the barrier and it keeps it. We caught the metro at 9:10am and got to ... read more

Our Arrival Our bus from Bacaramanga arrived in Santa Marta bus terminal at 8:30am. There are taxis outside the bus station to take you to town for a negotiated fare or you can get the bus. We caught the bus. You have to walk out to the main road and wait for a bus to come past with 'Bastidas' on the front which is the name of the avenue that runs next to the beach. The bus costs COP$1,400 (COP$1,500 on holidays) and you pay the driver once you get on. It took about 1/2 hour to get into town. It drives down carrera 5 which is a busy shopping street and we got out once it reached calle 10. Where We Stayed Hotel Villa Del Mar - carrera 2 between calle 11 and calle 10c. ... read more

Our Arrival Our bus from Bogota dropped us off at the terminal up the hill and over the river from the town at 3:20pm. We walked down the hill and left across the bridge which is calle 12 and took the first right down carrera 11 which is where a lot of the hotels are next to the river. It took 20mins to walk there along the side of the road. There wasn't much of a path. Where We Stayed Hotel San Carlos - Carrera 11 and calle 12. COP$20,000 for a double room with TV, fan and shared bathroom. COP$30,000 for a private bath. Towels and soap provided. Cold water showers. Internet works on both levels. What We Did Walked up to the cross on the other side of the river for views of the ... read more