Major city · Colombia
Pasto
Spend 1–2 days in Pasto to see the carnival museum, Galeras volcano view and nearby La Cocha Lake; longer only for day‑trips.
Pasto, capital of Nariño, sits at 2,527 m in the Atriz Valley beneath Galeras volcano. Its main draw is the UNESCO‑listed Black‑and‑White Carnival (early January) and a cluster of museums, churches and natural sites within short drives. A half‑day covers the historic centre; a full day adds La Cocha Lake (20 km) or a volcano viewpoint. Most travellers fit it into a 1‑night stop between Bogotá and the Ecuador border.
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- COP
- Best months
- Jan (carnival), Sep–Nov (dry, mild)
- avoid Apr–May (heavy rain), Jun–Aug (cold, fog)
- Airport
- PSO
- Nights
- 1–2
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 Pasto123 ▾
- Police/ambulance/fire123
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 Pasto, 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
- SafetyPasto is generally safe for tourists; stay aware of altitude effects and keep valuables secure in crowded markets.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsPut paper in the bin in most places; bring tissues for bus stations.Colombia-wide
- Emergency numbers123 police/ambulance/fire (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.
- AirportPSO Antonio Nariño Airport (30 min bus or taxi to city centre).
- Getting aroundTaxis fixed at COP 5,000–6,000 city‑wide; buses connect to La Cocha (20 km (12 mi)) and Galeras (9 km (5.6 mi)).Taxis fixed at COP 5,000–6,000 city‑wide; buses connect to La Cocha (12 mi (20 km)) and Galeras (5.6 mi (9 km)).
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- CoffeeCOP 2,500–4,000
- Taxi, about 5 km (3 mi)Taxi, about 3 mi (5 km)Taxi city rideCOP 5,000–6,000
- Metro or bus rideBus to La CochaCOP 6,000
- Museum or sight ticketMuseum entry (most)free–COP 5,000
- Budget bedBudget hotel single room, a night, per personCOP 70,000
- Mid-range bedMid‑range double room, a night, per roomCOP 210,000
- High-end bedMid‑range double room, a night, per roomCOP 260,000
A day, not counting the bed: Budget COP 70,000 · Mid COP 120,000 · High COP 250,000
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
- PSO Antonio Nariño Airport (30 min bus or taxi to city centre)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Best
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
Feb
not flagged
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
Mar
not flagged
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
Apr
Avoid
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
May
Avoid
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
Jun
Avoid
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
Jul
Avoid
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
Aug
Avoid
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
Sep
Best
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
Oct
Best
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
Nov
Best
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
Dec
not flagged
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
Best: Jan, Sep–Nov. Avoid: Apr–Aug. Month by month →
Warmest Jan (20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)), coolest Jul (10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C) low), wettest Jul (20 rain days), driest Dec (6). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Pasto: 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
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
7 rd
Feb
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
7 rd
Mar
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
8 rd
Apr
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
12 rd
May
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
15 rd
Jun
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
18 rd
Jul
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
20 rd
Aug
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
20 rd
Sep
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
12 rd
Oct
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
9 rd
Nov
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
7 rd
Dec
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
6 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
Taxis fixed at COP 5,000–6,000 city‑wide; buses connect to La Cocha (20 km) and Galeras (9 km). Walkable historic centre.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
La Cocha Lake
goDoor to door: ≈ 45 min
Bus from terminal (COP 6,000) 20 km (12 mi); walk to lakeBus from terminal (COP 6,000) 12 mi (20 km); walk to lake
Boat rides and island visit optional; entry free
Galeras volcano viewpoint
goDoor to door: ≈ 30 min
Taxi or local bus 9 km (5.6 mi)Taxi or local bus 5.6 mi (9 km)
Access to summit closed; view from Telpis sector allowed
Ipiales (border town)
goDoor to door: ≈ 1 h
Bus from terminal (COP 15,000) 30 km (19 mi)Bus from terminal (COP 15,000) 19 mi (30 km)
Connects to Ecuadorian border; check bus schedule
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.
Budget hotels near bus terminal
e.g. Hotel Torre del Bosque, rooms from US$17 (≈ COP 70,000) per night
Mid‑range options on Calle 18
Hotel Don Saul, rooms ~ COP 209,000
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 70,000–120,000 excl. bed
- Mid
- COP 120,000–250,000 excl. bed
- High
- COP 250,000+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Mid‑range double room1 × 1 night × COP 210,000 | COP 210,000 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × COP 120,000 | COP 240,000 |
| Airport‑to‑city taxi2 × COP 12,000 · check | COP 24,000 |
| La Cocha boat ride2 × COP 15,000 · check | COP 30,000 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | COP 50,400 |
| Trip total≈ COP 277,200 per person per day, bed included | COP 554,400 |
2026 estimate in COP; flights and airport transfers excluded.
Prices of common things
| Coffee | COP 2,500–4,000 |
| Empanada | COP 1,500–3,000 |
| Cuy (roasted guinea pig) | COP 12,000–20,000 |
| Taxi city ride | COP 5,000–6,000 |
| Bus to La Cocha | COP 6,000 |
| Museum entry (most) | free–COP 5,000 |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Check Carnival dates (Jan 2‑7) each year; tickets may be limited.
- Galeras volcano access restricted; only viewpoint safe.
- Altitude can cause mild altitude sickness; stay hydrated.
Emergency numbers
- Police/ambulance/fire
- 123
Pocket card
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PastoPasto
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
A esta dirección, por favorTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police/ambulance/fire123
Embassy
US consulate in Bogotá; Colombian embassy in Washington, D.C.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Airport → city centre (taxi): about COP 12,000, 30 min (check)
- Bus to La Cocha Lake: COP 6,000, 45 min
Say or show
- Disculpe — Excuse me / Sorry (disˈkulpe)
- Gracias — Thank you (ˈɡɾasjas)
- ¿Cuánto cuesta? — How much is it? (ˈkwanto ˈkwesta)
- ¿Dónde está el baño? — Where is the bathroom? (ˈdonde esˈta el ˈβano)
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 Pasto. 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: Jan (carnival), Sep–Nov (dry, mild) · avoid Apr–May (heavy rain), Jun–Aug (cold, fog) · 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
- 3 day-trips, door to door
- 3 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Airport‑to‑city taxi (≈ COP 12,000) or bus (COP 6,000).
- Mid‑range hotel booking via local agencies for better rates.
- Add day‑trip tickets (La Cocha boat) as extras.
Sources
Ask about Pasto
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