'''Cucuta''' is in Colombia in the Andino region of Colombia.
Understand
Cucuta 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. Cucuta is located in the northeast, 580 km to the north of the capital Bogota.
The area of the city is 1.176 km2
Climate
The average temperature is 28o C.
Get in
By air
Cucuta has a domestic airport, '''Camilo Daza''' with flights to Bogota, Medellin and other Colombian cities. It can be reached also by 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
Cucuta is connected by national highways with Bogota and Caracas in Venezuela.
Buses arrive to the "Cucuta's Bus Station" (''La Terminal de Transportes de Cucuta'').
Get Around
The city of Cucuta 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. 4 #12-24. This indicates that the building on Av. 4 is 24 meters from the corner. The city's avenues are numbered both east to west and west to east, starting from a central avenue numbered 0 (Avenida Cero). Like in the example, the letter E is added to avenues numbered west to east, as to denote East (Este).
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 way (ticket costs around US$ 0.45, but it will cost more depending on the bus, the route and the day) to travel around Cucuta. Buses may be overcrowded, lack air conditioning and could be traveling very fast to try to outdo the one(s) from the competing lines that covers the same route. Beware.
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 may take you to anywhere you want, but they could be old Fords or Chevys from the 50's in very different stages of disrepair.
By Bicycle
A ride on Cucuta's modern Ciclo-Via 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-Via on Sundays (8 AM - 1 PM)
See
'''House of Francisco de Paula Santander''' (''1 Km International Freeway to Venezuela'')
'''Catedral of Cucuta'''
'''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 Cucuta). 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 _gMalecon_h becoming a site of recreation par excellence. It runs from the '''San Rafael''' bridge in the south of the city to '''Arnulfo Briseno Square''', where there's a beautiful metallic sculpture called _gMusical Mirror_h as well as a skating track and children's park.
Buy
Shopping Malls
'''Unicentro''' [http://www.metrocuadrado.com/microsites/constructores/pedrogomez/2371/] Unicentro is the most important shopping mall in Colombia. There are five sedes located at Bogota, Medellin, Cali, City of Panama and Cucuta). 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 Cucuta. 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 Cucuta, 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 Cucuta 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 Tonchala'''
'''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 Simon Bolivar, Colsag.
'''Hotel La Paz''' Calle 6 Av 3 y 4
'''Hotel Cacique''' Av 7 calle 9 y 10
'''Hotel El Saman (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