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Cali to Quito

In the beginning of February, I am going to Quito for a few weeks to study Spanish. I want to make the trip in one day (given there are no big problems). I'll be traveling by bus from Cali, and I had a few questions that I was hoping you could answer:

1. Any ideas when the bus terminal opens in the morning (I want to get going ASAP)

2. Any ballpark figure of what the trip will cost by bus, and how long it will take?

3. I understand the trip goes something like this: Cali-Popoyan, Popoyan-Ipiales, Ipiales-Tulcan (border crossing), Tulcan-Quito. First, is this right? Second, Are all of these bus changes? In Cali do I first just look for a bus to Popoyan?

4. Any advice for the trip? Anything I am too stupid to think of that you'd like to point out?

Thanks a million...

By benign.indifference on Jan 20, 2009, 06:02 in Friendly Talkzone.

njc (Dev team) says on Jan 20, 2009, 07:06:

1. It's always "open", but I don't think buses will be departing until 6am and later.

2. I think it was about COP$60k from Cali to Ipiales and USD$8 from Tulcan to Quito. Consider also the cost of a taxi from Ipiales to the border, then from the border to Tulcan. I took a colectivo from the border straight to a bus terminal in Tulcan for about US$0.35.

3. Yes. Many of the buses stop in Pasto, also. You can buy a direct ticket to Ipiales, though (or even to Quito, but it's more expensive sometimes).

4. Ecuador is pretty dangerous in the state that it's in. It would be best to take Tulcan-Quito by daylight.

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benign.indifference says on Jan 20, 2009, 08:21:

great info, thanks...

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bopenyan says on Jan 20, 2009, 10:15:

I also add that the real issue is ensuring that you arrive at the border before 8:00 p.m., as it closes at that time. When you arrive at Ipiales after 8:00 p.m. taxistas will offer to take you to the border, but as it is closed, you wind up paying for a return trip to no where.

The bus trip can be up to 10 hours, so leave as early as possible, and inquire as to arrival times of the bus at Ipiales. The buses drop you off somewhere in town not close to the main square. It is on a street just off the main square that one finds collectivos to take you to the border.

njc is spot on about the rest. His concerns over safety are warranted - there is a lot of violent robbery of buses in Ecuador, especially on overnight ones. These are reported regularly in Ecuadorian newspapers. For a story on one recent violent bus robbery, check out the Ecuador section of PBH.

Fortunately the bus from Tulcan to Quito takes no more than 4 hours.

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loren says on Jan 22, 2009, 14:22:

It may be possible to catch a ride with us in our truck if you´re interested. I´m not sure if we´ll be doing it in one day though, or what our schedule will be like...in a few days we´ll know more.

http://poorbuthappy.com/colombia/post/three-gringos-from-the-us-drivin...
www.100dayweekend.com

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