Most services are concentrated around the main square (Parque de la Independencia) and on Sucre and Bolívar, the two main arteries of the city. Be aware that many shops and services in Tulcán tend to close for a lengthy lunch break.
Money
There are several banks, all located on or around the Parque de la Independencia, which all have ATMs. None change money or travelers’ checks.
The ATM outside Cooperativa financiera CoopCCQ (corner of Olmedo and 10 de Agosto, open 8.30 a.m. – 5.30 p.m.) accepts Visa, Cirrus and Mastercard.
Banco del Pichincha, which cannot be missed with its giant yellow sign in the middle of 10 de Agosto on the southern side of the main square, has two ATMs which accept BanRed, Diners Club International, MasterCard, Visa and Plus. Open 8.30 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Banco del Austro, on Ayacucho, has an ATM which takes Visa, Plus, Cirrus and BanRed.
To change money, you have to go through money-changers (cambista). You should have no trouble spotting them: they are all the men hanging around the Parque Isidro Ayora and Parque de la Independencia, casually flipping bank notes and hissing “cambio! Dollares, pesos!” Just make sure you check their “carnet de identificación” which shows that they belong to the official Asociación de cambistas.
Health
The Clinica del Volante, on Bolívar 48-056 and Rocafuerte, offers 24-hour attention. A basic visit costs $10 and there is an English-speaking doctor, usually on duty in the afternoon. Tel: +593-6-298-1889
There are pharmacies just about on every street corner.
Police
The general emergency number is 101, the phone number for the most central unit of policía comunitaria, on Parque Ayora, is 298-2022.
Post office
The post office is on Bolívar 53-027 and Junin.
Phone There is a plethora of shops offering “cabinas”, among which Andinatel on Bolívar and Atahualpa, and Porta and Movistar cabinas just up the street.
Internet
Cybercafés can be found in abundance on the main streets of Tulcán. The one on Rocafuerte and Sucre, open 9 a.m. – noon and 3 p.m. – 9 p.m., has headphones if you need to make a Skype call.
Tourist information
The tourist information center is located in the building at the entrance to the cemetery. The staff will helpfully hand out brochures and give you information about Tulcán itself, but is a little clueless regarding attractions any further than Tufiño. If they happen to run out of city maps, you can check out the giant mural on the outside wall facing the topiary. Open daily 8 a.m. – 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. – 6 p.m. Tel: +593-6-298-5760
Colombian consulate
You should be able to cross the border into Colombia without having to resort to the Colombian consulate, but in case you do need to, it is located on Rafael Arellano and Roberto Sierra and open 8 a.m. – 2 p.m. Tel: +593-6-2980-559