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Voykit pocket guide · 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.
- Country
- Colombia
- Best months
- Jan (carnival), Sep–Nov (dry, mild)
- Avoid
- Apr–May (heavy rain), Jun–Aug (cold, fog)
- Stay
- 1–2 nights
Checked 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change; anything marked (check) is not confirmed.
Essentials
- Currency
- COP
- Money
- Currency is the Colombian peso (COP, $). Cards work in hotels, malls and many restaurants; cash is needed for small shops, markets and rural areas.
- Daily spend
- Budget COP 70,000–120,000 excl. bed · Mid COP 120,000–250,000 excl. bed · High COP 250,000+ excl. bed (estimate; check)
- SIM and data
- Claro (best coverage), Movistar and Tigo SIMs in malls and at airports; passport required and IMEI registration may apply for longer stays — check.
- Emergency
- Police/ambulance/fire 123
- Plugs
- Types A, B · 110–120 V · 60 Hz · US-style plugs.
- Tipping
- Restaurants: 10% propina voluntaria offered on the bill.; Guides: COP 20,000–50,000 per person per day.; Taxis: Round up.
- Water
- Tap water is safe in Bogotá and Medellín; drink bottled on the coast and in rural areas.
- Toilets
- Put paper in the bin in most places; bring tissues for bus stations.
What things cost
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| 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 |
Desk estimates, checked 2026-09; check locally.
Get in
By air
- PSO · Antonio Nariño Airport
- 30 min bus or taxi to city centre
Typical fares
- Airport → city centre (taxi)
- about COP 12,000, 30 min (check)
- Bus to La Cocha Lake
- COP 6,000, 45 min
Show 7 more sections and the pocket cardHideGet around, See and do, Sleep, Phrase card, Etiquette, safety and scams, One and two days, Sources, Pocket card
Get around
Taxis 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)). Walkable historic centre.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)). Walkable historic centre.
See and do
Known for
- Black and White Carnival (January)
- Galeras volcano backdrop
- La Cocha Lake
- Colonial churches
- Local crafts and varnish
Day trips
| Where | How | Time |
|---|---|---|
| La Cocha Lake | 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 | ≈ 45 min |
| Galeras volcano viewpoint | Taxi or local bus 9 km (5.6 mi)Taxi or local bus 5.6 mi (9 km) | ≈ 30 min |
| Ipiales (border town) | Bus from terminal (COP 15,000) 30 km (19 mi)Bus from terminal (COP 15,000) 19 mi (30 km) | ≈ 1 h |
Sleep
- 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
Phrase card
| English | Say or show |
|---|---|
| Excuse me / Sorry | Disculpedisˈkulpe |
| Thank you | Graciasˈɡɾasjas |
| How much is it? | ¿Cuánto cuesta?ˈkwanto ˈkwesta |
| Where is the bathroom? | ¿Dónde está el baño?ˈdonde esˈta el ˈβano |
Etiquette, safety and scams
Etiquette
- Greeting: Handshake, cheek kiss between women and mixed pairs; avoid: Launching into requests without a greeting
- Politeness: 'Con gusto', 'a la orden'; avoid: Blunt commands
- Topics: Coffee, football, food; avoid: Escobar jokes, drug talk
- Showing valuables: Keep phones away; avoid: 'Dar papaya'
Scams and watch-outs
- 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.
Pasto is generally safe for tourists; stay aware of altitude effects and keep valuables secure in crowded markets.
One and two days
No timed day plan for Pasto yet. Suggested stay: 1–2 nights. Build a day from the list below, mornings for the big sight.
- Black and White Carnival (January)
- Galeras volcano backdrop
- La Cocha Lake
- Colonial churches
- Local crafts and varnish
Sources
Written by Voykit; facts cross-checked against these sources, last desk check 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change: check on the day.
- Wikivoyage: Pasto, revision 5295090 (CC BY-SA 4.0): en.wikivoyage.org/w/index.php?oldid=5295090
Pocket card
Cut along the border and keep it in your wallet. Show the local-script lines to a driver.
Pasto
A esta dirección, por favor
To this address, please
My hotel (write the name and address in the local script)
- Police/ambulance/fire123
US consulate in Bogotá; Colombian embassy in Washington, D.C.
Voykit · checked 2026-09
Printed from Voykit (/pasto). Written by Voykit; checked 2026-09. Estimates only: confirm prices, hours and entry rules on the day.