Major city · Colombia
San Miguel
Skip unless you need the Ecuador border: cross the bridge on foot, migration is on the Ecuadorian side, then 30 min by colectivo to Lago Agrio.
San Miguel is a small border town in Putumayo, southern Colombia, used almost only to cross into Ecuador at Lago Agrio. The area has a history of instability and narco trafficking; as of 2023 it is relatively calm, but check the situation before you go. There is little to see or do — the San Miguel river as you cross is about it. Most travellers use the Rumichaca crossing near Ipiales instead.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- COP
- Best months
- Jun–Sep (drier)
- avoid Nov–May (rainy season, road conditions worsen)
- Airport
- Puerto Asís (PUU)
- Nights
- 0
Not a trip line yet
Rules in force · 7Above 2,500 m (Bogotá, Quito, Cusco, La Paz) keep the fir…
- South America ↗Above 2,500 m (Bogotá, Quito, Cusco, La Paz) keep the first day light; sleep lower where you can (Sacred Valley before Cusco) and descend if headache comes with vomiting or confusion.
- South America ↗A yellow fever certificate is required on arrival in French Guiana, and asked for on some routes into Bolivia, Paraguay, Suriname and Guyana, or when arriving from Amazon areas — vaccinate at least 10 days before travel and carry the card.
- South America ↗Overnight buses are the norm in Argentina, Chile and Peru, but pick top-tier companies and keep valuables on your body; on-board thefts from overhead racks are the common loss.
- Colombia ↗Check entry rules for your passport with Migración Colombia or a Colombian consulate; some travellers must complete an online migration form before arrival.
- Colombia ↗Security advice lists specific departments and border areas: check your own government's advice for every place on your route, including coastal roads.
- Colombia ↗Never accept drinks, food or cigarettes from strangers, and be careful with people met on dating apps: drugging (including with scopolamine) followed by robbery is a known risk.
- Colombia ↗Fill in Check-MIG only on the official Migración Colombia site; it is free, and lookalike sites charge a fee.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Official sites
Emergency numbers for San Miguel123 ▾
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about San Miguel, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the Colombian peso (COP, $).Colombia-wide
- SIM or eSIMcheckClaro (best coverage), Movistar and Tigo SIMs in malls and at airports; passport required and IMEI registration may apply for longer stays — check.Colombia-wide
- Tap waterTap water is safe in Bogotá and Medellín; drink bottled on the coast and in rural areas.Colombia-wide
- TippingRestaurants: 10% propina voluntaria offered on the bill.Colombia-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets A/B. US/Canada (A/B): fits · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 120 V: UK and AU 230 V-only devices need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.Colombia-wide
- SafetySan Miguel has a history of narco trafficking and instability.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsPut paper in the bin in most places; bring tissues for bus stations.Colombia-wide
- Emergency numbers123 police · 123 fire and ambulance (not 911, 999 or 000)
- Sundays & holidaysMany museums close Mondays; Monday holidays (puentes) move almost half of public holidays.Colombia-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportcheckPUU Puerto Asís Airport (About 2 hours by bus from San Miguel; check flights from Bogotá.).
- Getting aroundOn foot across the bridge to Ecuador; colectivos from the Ecuadorian side to Lago Agrio (30 min).
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- Budget bedHostel bed in La Hormiga, a night, per personCOP 25,000
- Mid-range bedPrivate room in La Hormiga, a night, per roomCOP 80,000
- High-end bedPrivate room in La Hormiga, a night, per roomCOP 120,000
A day, not counting the bed: Budget COP 50,000 · Mid COP 90,000 · High COP 150,000
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- PUU Puerto Asís Airport (About 2 hours by bus from San Miguel; check flights from Bogotá.)
Map of San Miguel
Where it is, and the guides within about 120 km.
- San Miguel
- Basic guide
Directions in Google Maps · Apple Maps
Guides nearby
- Lago Agrio · 29 km straight line
- Villagarzón · 83 km straight line
- Mocoa · 94 km straight line
- Ipiales · 97 km straight line
- Tulcán · 104 km straight line
- Pasto · 104 km straight line
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Avoid
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Feb
Avoid
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Mar
Avoid
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Apr
Avoid
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
May
Avoid
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Jun
Best
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
Jul
Best
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
Aug
Best
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Sep
Best
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Oct
not flagged
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Nov
Avoid
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Dec
Avoid
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Best: Jun–Sep. Avoid: Nov–May. Month by month →
Warmest Jan (31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)), coolest Jun (21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C) low), wettest May (19 rain days), driest Jan (12). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
San Miguel: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
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Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
12 rd
Feb
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
13 rd
Mar
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
15 rd
Apr
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
18 rd
May
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
19 rd
Jun
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
17 rd
Jul
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
16 rd
Aug
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
15 rd
Sep
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
14 rd
Oct
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
16 rd
Nov
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
17 rd
Dec
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
14 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
On foot across the bridge to Ecuador; colectivos from the Ecuadorian side to Lago Agrio (30 min). Buses/camionetas from Puerto Asís, Villagarzón and Mocoa marked 'Puente Internacional'.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Door to door: 30 min
Colectivo from the bridge, about 30 min
Border town with basic services; continue to Quito or the Amazon.
Puerto Asís
cautionDoor to door: 2 h
Bus/camioneta, about 2 h
Larger town with airport; check security before travel.
Door to door: 4 h
Bus/camioneta, about 4 h
Gateway to the Amazon; road conditions vary with rain.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
La Hormiga
About 15 km (9.3 mi) from San Miguel; affordable hotels, safer option.About 9.3 mi (15 km) from San Miguel; affordable hotels, safer option.
La Dorada
Nearby town with basic hotels; check safety before booking.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- COP 40,000–70,000
- Mid
- COP 70,000–120,000
- High
- COP 120,000+
Trip budget
| Hostel bed in La Hormiga1 × 1 night × COP 25,000 | COP 25,000 |
| Food, local transport, entries1 × 1 day × COP 50,000 | COP 50,000 |
| Bus Puerto Asís → San Miguel1 × COP 20,000 · check | COP 20,000 |
| Colectivo bridge → Lago Agrio1 × COP 5,000 · check | COP 5,000 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | COP 10,000 |
| Trip total≈ COP 110,000 per person per day, bed included | COP 110,000 |
2026 estimate in COP; flights excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Bus Puerto Asís → San Miguelcheck | COP 20,000 |
| Colectivo bridge → Lago Agriocheck | COP 5,000 |
| Meal at a restaurant (Ecuadorian side)check | COP 10,000–20,000 |
| Bottle of water | COP 2,000 |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Check the security situation before travelling; narco trafficking and instability persist.
- The border migration office is on the Ecuadorian side of the bridge, same building for both countries.
- Pay in pesos on the Ecuadorian side, dollars on the Colombian side.
- Walking from the bridge to the border is not recommended due to heat and humidity.
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 123
- Fire and ambulance
- 123
Pocket card
Fill in, then print or save as PDF
Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.
San MiguelSan Miguel
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
Al puente fronterizo, por favorTo the border bridge, please
Emergency
- Police123
- Fire and ambulance123
Embassy
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Bus Puerto Asís → San Miguel: about COP 20,000, 2 h (check)
- Colectivo bridge → Lago Agrio: about COP 5,000, 30 min (check)
Say or show
- Hola — Hello (OH-lah)
- Gracias — Thank you (GRAH-see-ahs)
- ¿Cuánto cuesta? — How much? (KWAHN-toh KWES-tah)
- ¿Dónde está la oficina de migración? — Where is the migration office? (DOHN-deh es-TAH lah oh-fee-SEE-nah deh mee-grah-see-OHN)
Pay in pesos on the Ecuadorian side, dollars on the Colombian side.
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for San Miguel. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Jun–Sep (drier) · avoid Nov–May (rainy season, road conditions worsen) · month by month →
- 1 airport and 2 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 5 day-trips, door to door
- 4 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Border crossing procedures verified with migration office hours.
- Security update from local sources (check).
- Bus schedules and fares from Puerto Asís, Villagarzón, Mocoa.
Sources
Ask about San Miguel
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