The Rumichaca Bridge is the main land border crossing between Colombia and Ecuador, spanning the Carchi River about three kilometres from Ipiales. For most travellers passing through Ipiales, this is the reason they are here: crossing from one country to the other overland. The formalities on both sides are generally efficient, though the border can be very busy on weekends and around holidays.
Beside the modern crossing, the natural stone arch that gave the place its Quechua name is still visible and still walkable. It is one of those unexpected details — a natural formation that served as a crossing for centuries before anyone built anything on top of it — that rewards a moment of attention before you queue for your passport stamp.
The Ecuadorian city of Tulcán is about 45 minutes by bus from the border, and a shared taxi to Ipiales from the Colombian side takes around 15 minutes. Minibuses and colectivos shuttle between Ipiales town centre and the border throughout the day.