Where to Stay in Pasto – A Guide to the Capital of Nariño
Pasto, officially San Juan de Pasto, is the capital of the Nariño department in Colombia. Located in the west of the country, near the border with Ecuador, Pasto is famous for its colonial architecture, Carnival celebrations, and for being the main gateway to explore Las Lajas, a neo-gothic church built into a deep gorge. In this post, we will discover the best areas to stay in Pasto, Colombia.
The main cultural attractions in Pasto’s City Center include Plaza de Nariño, Pasaje del Corazón de Jesús, Templo De Cristo Rey, Museo Taminango, Museo Juan Lorenzo Lucero, and San Andrés Church. See accommodation in Pasto City Center.
Pasto’s North End is home to the Centro Cultural Pandiaco Museo Del Carnaval. Considered one of the best folklore museums in Colombia, this museum has several displays focusing on the city’s famous Carnaval de Blancos y Negros celebrations. See accommodation in North Pasto.
However, Nariño’s main tourist attraction is hands down Santuario de Nuestra Señora de Las Lajas. Also known as Las Lajas Shrine, this impressive neo-gothic basilica, built in a gorge on the Guáitara River 85 km east of Pasto, attracts thousands of visitors each year. See accommodation near Las Lajas Shrine.
Some natural attractions around Pasto include Volcán Galeras and La Cocha Lagoon.
Due to its location in the southern Colombian Andes, Pasto features an unusual altitude-influenced Mediterranean climate. Temperatures remain stable throughout the course of the year and typically hover between 10 and 17 ºC. Rains are frequent from October to May. The best time to travel to Pasto is during the dry season (July to September).
To get to Pasto by air, the city is served by the Aeropuerto Antonio Nariño. Located 35 km from the city center, this small airport offers connections to Cali and Bogotá.
Pasto is also very well-connected by long-distance buses to the rest of Colombia and Ecuador. See long-distance bus routes, schedules & fares.
Public transportation in Pasto consists of several local bus lines. The City Center is very pedestrian-friendly, and there are also taxi services available. Another option is to rent a car in Pasto for your trip.
The best area to stay in Pasto is the City Center. This old district is home to some of Pasto’s best cultural attractions, charming colonial architecture, restaurants, nightlife, and shops. It is also where some of the top hotels are located. See accommodation in Pasto Historic City Center.
Another great option to consider when choosing the best location in Pasto is the city’s North End.
Keep reading to find out more about the best location in Pasto, Colombia for tourists.
Offering a fitness center and a 24-hour front desk, Hotel Cuellars is located in Pasto’s commercial zone. Free Wi-Fi access is available. All rooms of Cuellars’ Hotel feature a mini-bar, a TV, and a private bathroom with a shower and toilet. Some of them have a flat-screen TV and a living area.
The Best Areas to Stay in Pasto, Colombia
1. Recommended area: Historic City Center
El Centro is the best area to stay in Pasto if you want to be close to the main historical and cultural attractions of the capital of Nariño.
Centered around the Plaza de Nariño, the central Pasto houses some of the best examples of colonial and republican architecture in western Colombia.
The Templo De Cristo Rey, in neo-Gothic style, is home to the image of the Lord of Sibundoy.
A few streets further south, the Plaza del Carnaval is home to the Gold Museum, which offers goldsmithing and ceramics works by the ancestral peoples of the south and west of present-day Colombia .
Other must-see attractions in the center of the city of Pasto include the Taminango Museum and the Juan Lorenzo Lucero Museum.
Approximately one kilometer west of Plaza de Nariño is the Unicentro Pasto shopping center. With a hundred shops and a large food fair, it is the most important mall in the city.
The accommodation offer in the center of Pasto is varied and includes everything from cheap inns to the best four-star boutique hotels.
Why is this a recommended area to stay in Pasto, Colombia:
- Museums and cultural centers
- Central area
- Carnival square
- Malls
- Best area during Carnival
- Varied accommodation
Accommodation in this area
-
Top Choice
Hotel Dalher
Located in Pasto, 38 km from La Cocha Lake, Hotel Dalher offers accommodation with a terrace and free private parking. This 1-star hotel has a bar and air-conditioned rooms.
-
Budget
Colombian House Hostal
Located 28 km from La Cocha Lake, Colombian House Hostal offers accommodation with a shared lounge, terrace and shared kitchen. Free WiFi is available throughout.
-
Luxury
Hotel Cuellars
This property is 12 mi from Antonio Nariño Airport, a 40-minute drive from Galeras Natural Sanctuary and a 45-minute drive from Galeras Volcano and Laguna de la Cocha.
2. North Pasto (Near the Carnival Museum)
The Pandiaco Cultural Center, also known as Museo del Carnaval de Negros y Blancos, is located in the north of Pasto, 9 minutes by car from the City Center.
This important popular art and folklore museum showcases various displays focusing on the historical and cultural heritage of the Nariño region.
Its collection includes fragments of old floats, photographs, individual costumes and works of art.
In the surroundings of this museum, in the north of Pasto, you’ll also find the Universidad de Nariño, the Cooperativa University and the Faculty of Arts.
Because it is a university area, the northern neighborhoods are dotted with food outlets, bars, and nightlife venues.
This area is connected by buses and taxis to the rest of the city.
Por qué es una zona recomendada donde alojarse en Pasto, Nariño:
- Restaurants and nightlife
- Museo del Carnaval
- University area
Accommodation in this area
-
Top Choice
Hotel Cafe y Miel
Hotel Cafe y Miel is located in Pasto, in the Nariño department, 21 km from La Cocha Lagoon. The property has a restaurant.
-
Budget
Villa Paraiso
Located 41 km from La Cocha Lake, Villa Paraiso offers accommodation with a restaurant, a shared lounge and a shared kitchen. WiFi and private parking are both free.
-
Luxury
Hotel Morasurco
Hotel Morasurco is located in Pasto in the Nariño region, 39 km from La Cocha Lagoon. The property has a restaurant.
Read this in other languages
