Pasto

Capital of the department of Nariño

Pasto, with full name San Juan de Pasto, is the capital of the department of Nariño, in southern Colombia. The city is 2500 high up -in a valley- at the foot of the Galeras volcano. Due to its location about an 8h drive from Quito in Ecuador, a visit to Pasto is often combined with a follow-up trip to Ecuador or Popayán (6h by bus).

One of Colombia’s oldest cities
The city with some 400,000 inhabitants was founded in 1537. This makes it one of the oldest cities in Colombia. There are a number of beautiful churches to admire, the most beautiful of which lies outside the city; the Santuario de las Lajas cathedral.

Spectacular nature and diverse culture
Because of its location in the Andes Mountains, there is much to enjoy in the area around Pasto. There are beautiful lakes, you can hike and there are indigenous villages with their very own culture. The symbol of Pasto’s diverse culture is the annual “Carnaval de Blancos y Negros.” The locals paint their faces black and white and walk through the streets as a symbol of the unity between the different ethnic groups and cultures.

#ToColombia tips

What is there to do in Pasto?

Tip # 1
Celebrate the Carnival de Blancos y Negros
The famous carnival of Pasto, is held annually from Jan. 2-7. It is an event filled with folklore and music, of which the locals are very proud. On this facebook page you will find lots of info about the carnival and pre-carnival events.

Tip # 2
Visit the Santuario de las Lajas cathedral
A must-see if you are in Pasto! This Catholic church in the middle of the mountains, -near the border town of Ipiales-, is also called Colombia’s most beautiful church.

The Gothic-style church is 100 meters long and could be straight out of a movie! Not only is the church beautiful, but the surrounding area is stunning, with a waterfall and a fast-flowing river. At night, the church is beautifully illuminated, and at Christmas the lighting is especially spectacular. The original Iglesia de las Lajas was built in 1764; the current church was built between 1916 and 1949. Ipiales can be reached with a 2-hour bus ride from Pasto, after which you catch a colectivo or cab to Santuario de las Lajas. There is also a cable car.

Tip #3
Visit the “Venice” of Colombia.
In El Encano / Laguna de la Cocha you will find numerous small bridges and colorful houses. You can rent a boat, sail to Isla Corata and then have some food in one of the restaurants that offer local specialties such as trout. On weekends it is a very popular place with locals. You can take a colectivo in Pasto that will take you directly to the Laguna de la Cocha.

Tip # 4
Take a hike at Laguna Verde
About a two-hour drive from Pasto is the green lake of Azufral volcano, one of Colombia’s natural wonders. You can hike to the top of the mountain, where you can see the green lake and a small volcano. The hike can be tough due to the altitude (4000 meters). You reach Laguna Verde by taking the bus to the town of Túquerres and from there take a cab or van to the start of the trail.

Tip #5
Taste the local cuisine
With its location close to Ecuador, it is not surprising that the food in Pasto is influenced by neighboring Ecuador. One of the specialties is “Cuy,” guinea pig. The guinea pig is fried, roasted or stewed and eaten with spicy potatoes and vegetables.

Where to stay in Pasto?

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