santuario de las lajas

Awe inspiring architectur with no back wall wich is rocks. Very beautiful and calm. Great visit but only worth one hour to relax and enjoy the atmosphere. Pretty cheap to get there. Take a collectivo taxi(the white taxis). Worth the stop.

Yes, it looks stunning in the photos... and sure the architecture is pretty cool... But it's become such a tourist attraction it's lost its charm. The outside has been revamped, so it looks new and cheap. Think awesome Gothic cathedral meets creators of Disneyland.After walking through several churches in Colombia you develop a certain appreciation for the 'wow factor' they give you as soon as you walk through the door. You would expect nothing less from something so seemingly impressive from the hilltop. Unfortunately "wow" is the last word that comes to mind when you walk through these church doors. Again, fake and touristy come to mind.The stain glass windows are covered in advertisements for travel tours, power lines run every where and ruin almost ever photo, not to mention all the stands and shacks. Because it's a tourist attraction more than a church, the tourists take away from it any sense of reverence or piety.I would recommend visiting Las Lajas for exercise and cheap knickknacks more than the church it's self.You don't need the recommended 1.5 hrs to visit, the only time consuming part is trying to find a collectivo that isn't trying to rip you off. (They try and charge you 2.500 per person but the locals say it really only costs 1.000, 1.500COP tops.)

Travelers are often conflicted whether to stop and see Las Lajas or not. Highly recommended for those who enjoy not only seeing beautiful architecture, but those who also have a fondness for open spaces and marvel at how space is used. Cheap taxi from Ipiales will get you there, or if you have time, walk through the small towns to get there. Unlike me, don't forget the sunscreen!

We stopped in ipiales at night, spent the night on our way to Cali, and had just one day in Ipiales. The only tourist attraction in a beautiful church in Lajas, it is worth a vist. A taxi costs 8000 pesos to get there. There is a pathway down to see the church built on a river with a waterfall in the background. Give yourself about 2 hours for the visit. At the bottom there is a simple playground for kids.It is free to visit.

I saw the photos online before I went to Ipiales but nothing, absolutely nothing, can prepare you for the close-up of this amazing building straddling the gorge!Actually lost for words to describe it, it was like my camera wouldn't leave my hands...Just get there and see this for yourself!! This should be on everybody' bucket list!!

I went to Santuario de Las Lajas from Pasto (2h trip to zip Ipiales COP7,000). Arriving at the 'terminal' in Ipiales you can leave your luggage there (there's a little room downstairs and it costs COP2,000). Ftom there you get a community cab (white one) and it departs once there's 4 people in the cab COP2,000/each (unless you want to pay COP 8,000 yourself. It's a 15 min drive to the Cathedral where you can take your time to have a look around and take pictures. It's very pretty! To return it's the same thing, get a community cab back to the terminal! Really cheap and worth the visit!

After having seen so many churches in South America, this is definitely my favorite. Not hard to get to from the town if you just hop into a collectivo for 2000 pesos. Gorgeous scenery and lovely way way to spend the afternoon

Before crossing the border it's well worth the trip out here. You can take a collectivo for 2000 pesos just two blocks from the main square. Or, if you have your bags, just grab a taxi which you should be able to negotiate for about 7000 each way. It's a 10 min walk each way which you could do with your bags easily enough.

Arguably the most famous Church in Columbia this beautiful neo-gothic Church is set is wedged in a lush green valley. Built between 1916-1949, it's really not to be missed. From the Ipiales Bus Terminal you catch a collectivo white small taxi (there's a sign that states Collectivo Las Lajas) to Las Lajas which is $2000 peso per person one way. You need to wait till the taxi is full before it will leave (4 passengers). This journey takes about 15 minutes. upon arrival you walk down hill about 10 minutes until you reach the Church. Under the Church there is a small museum which is $2000 peso per person to enter. All the information is in Spanish though. Don't forget to walk over the bridge both up the stairs and under the church so you can take photographs from different vantage points. All the way down the hill to the church and walking back up the hill (after you have finished) are loads of small souvenir shops and market food stalls. Once you have finished return to where the collectivo dropped you and jump in another one to take you back to the Ipiales Bus terminal. Again this will be $2000 peso each. TIPS: allow about 2-2.5 hour round trip for the trip. Wear sneakers it's a bit of a walk up and down the hills and stairs.

I'd highly recommend going to this cathedral if you get to stop off in Ipiales when crossing the border. It is absolutely amazing!!! The best thing about it is that not many tourists know about it, so you're mainly visiting the area with a load of South Americans. I cannot recommend it enough, just beautiful!!!

This Cathedral was built during the first half of the 1900’s and spans the river. It is defiantly worth a visit. You can spend just an hour, but I recommend taking your time not only to visit the church but the shops that line the walkway to and from the church. Visit to the museo is also recommended. Weekends are very busy so plan accordingly.

De paso entre ecuador y Colombia, hay que hacer escala en Ipiales para visitar la iglesia Las Lajas. una obra de arquitectura muy buena. Se llega desde la frontera en Taxi, y caminando algunos metros a pie.

Depuis Ipiales on peut y acceder en bus, mais il nous dépose à 2km au dessus. Un télépherique est en cours de construction, mais en attendant, il faut marcher le long de la route pendant un petit moment. Une fois en bas, c'est un véritable paysage de carte postale qui s'offre à vous.

El lugar me parece muy lindo. Es una obra de arte en todo el sentido de la palabra. Sí vas a ir debes recorrerlo todo, incluyendo el museo y un camino que está debajo y da al río. Merece la pena

Nunca antes tinha visto o rio cruzar por baixo de uma igreja. Local é de muita oração e dovoção, diversas placas de promessas atendidas estão expostas, vale a pena ver.