Crossing The Border | Las Lajas Sanctuary ● Ipiales, Colombia

Yesterday, we got on the bus from Cali to our next destination, Ipiales (which is the border city between Colombia and Ecuador). After a 5-hour bus ride, we made it safely to Ipiales and headed to our hotel. We stayed at Hotel Avanty, which was a very nice and modern hotel. We arrived around 10pm and since we were only staying the night to visit the famous cathedral the next day, we went to bed to be able to wake up early the next day.

If you happen to find yourself in Ipiales and getting ready to cross the border, you definitely have to stop by Las Lajas Sanctuary. It was a short 15-minute taxi ride there for a few dollars (it was super cheap) and then you walk down the hill to reach the cathedral.

 Isn't it gorgeous?!

I told him to smile for the camera 😊



Walking by the cathedral and up the hill to get a wider view, you'll pass vendors selling goods and food. We didn't try any of the food, but it looked really good! The street food in South America (like in other countries) is amazing!

Enjoy some more photos of just the small details of the surrounding area.




 Inside the cathedral, they're getting ready to start a service.

 Nature is just beautiful here...


 Once again, Tim is the local celebrity amongst Colombians.


This poor dog was hanging out with us, hoping we'd give him food...but I wasn't sure if it was okay for us to do that.



I've read other blogs about how stopping by Ipiales to see this cathedral is a must...& I agree! Even though there are tons of cathedrals (just like if you're in Asia, you see tons of temples) and you're feeling a little cathedral fatigue...it's understandable, but this view was just spectacular! I am so glad we had time before crossing the border to Ecuador to check out this place.

*Highly recommend paying this place a visit and also, I recommend staying at Hotel Avanty, it wasn't that expensive (we came at the perfect time when the price was at its lowest). 

We only spent the morning there and then headed back to check out and cross the border to Ecuador!



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