South America
Colombia
Narino Department
Ipiales
Places to visit in Ipiales
Las Lajas Sanctuary
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Las Lajas Sanctuary

See all things to do
See all things to do
Las Lajas Sanctuary
4.5
#1 of 8 things to do in Ipiales
Architectural BuildingsReligious Sites
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Monday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Tuesday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Wednesday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Thursday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Friday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Saturday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Sunday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
862 reviews
Excellent
644
Very good
181
Average
32
Poor
5
Terrible
0
Gllla
Los Angeles, CA77 contributions
Interesting architecture
Jun 2023 • Friends
It was interesting to see the church and all the plaques people giving thanks. I particularly liked how the rock was incorporated into the interior. I need to note that the path is not narrow- at its most narrow point it’s as wide as a two-lane road - and it’s not particularly steep. I think that the person who wrote that it was May have come in from an entrance other than the main one
Written 15 June 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Cathmac
London123 contributions
A stunning sanctuary
Mar 2023 • Solo
The sanctuary is one of the highlights to see when crossing the border between Colombia and Ecuador. I only had a short amount of time and was lucky enough to meet Yurany from pastostravel.com who was able to customise a tour around my itinerary. Online I could only find 4 day tours.
The architecture is stunning and it's in an area of natural beauty so with more time on your hands you can visit the cascades and walk along the river. There is also a cable car to take in the amazing view.
Written 29 March 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
justonehuman
San Rafael de Escazu, Costa Rica21 contributions
Admittedly tough to get to... but WELL worth all the trouble!
Mar 2023
If you're a typical North American you've probably never heard of this place before -- and that's a crying shame because Las Lajas Sanctuary is not only an incredible church but one of the most spectacular *buildings* I have ever seen. The setting is magnificent, the church itself incredibly dramatic and beautiful, and to top it all off it's absolutely free to enter (apart from the museum in the bowels of the place, which is surprisingly good and well worth your time!) Oh, and if you go after sundown, they do a spectacular light show with the structure too!

One word of warning though: if you don't like heights, then this is not the easiest place to visit, seeing as it spans a deep ravine and most of the paths down into the canyon to reach Las Lajas are on the narrow side. Also, the climb back out is pretty intense -- bear in mind that you're at over 10,000 feet in elevation and suddenly that trek back up to the parking lot feels a LOT longer than it actually is.

But don't let any of the deter you from finding a way to visit Las Lajas. Yes it's remote, yes it's hard to get to, and yes it's a hell of a climb coming back up from the sanctuary. Trust me: it's all gonna be 100% worth it to see this place for yourself!
Written 21 March 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Astrid W
Bogota, Colombia132 contributions
Great combination of architecture and engineering
Jul 2022
This is great! The architecture and engineering are awesome. You can take a cable car on top of a mountain and ride all the way down to the church, you can see the landscape and get great photos from above the place. It'd be advisable to arrive during the day, probably late afternoon and stay till dusk to see the church lit by lights, it provides a nice view and great photos.
Written 13 July 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Angie Carolina C
1 contribution
A great experience
Apr 2021 • Couples
The sanctuary of las lajas is located in Ipiales Nariño. It Is a place visited by many people. The church is incredible. When you arrives, you must go down many steps but worth it. The food is excellent and isn't pricey. I was with my boyfriend for few hours. In this place there is a museum with very interesting and old things, there is a beautiful waterfall and the people are very friendly. ¡It is an unforgettable experience!
Written 6 December 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Elizabeth M
3 contributions
Visita Las Lajas
Jul 2020
The city you visit is the city of Lajas in Colombia, there have a church very big and is nice to my mothe the like that place because she is very religious but I not like the religious but I respect it.
Lajas is very interesting that olace have much stories and leyends, also have an museum where they display ancient relics but is very scary.
I did not like their food very much but I found a restaurant with very delicious Colombian food.
Written 8 January 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Callun
Dublin, Ireland4 contributions
Unique
Jan 2020
For sure it is the most beautiful church tha i have seen in my life.
I got in the morning to the bus terminal and few minutes later I was in a shared taxi in way to Las Lajas.
Written 11 March 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Lilo G
London, England, United Kingdom372 contributions
Unique
Feb 2020 • Friends
Basílica church located in the southern Colombian Department of Nariño , in the municipality of Ipiales, and is built inside the canyon Guaitara River, amazing gothic style, very easy to get there from Ipiales 12, 000 pesos (£3) a Taxi or take a collectivo taxi that you share with others and is even cheaper.
Written 29 February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Robert O
Rotterdam, The Netherlands3,823 contributions
Miracles in a cleft
Jan 2020
According to legend miracles happen here. People believe that the virgin Mary appeared to a deaf,mute girl called Rosa in 1754 during a storm with lightning and thunder. The girl was cured! Ever since believers go to the canyon to pray and ask Mary to repeat a similar act. Walking down from Las Lajas village to the river at the bottom of the canyon you will see many small plaquettes to thank Mary for her support.

The natural scenery is beautiful, though the exploitation of the site by the Roman Catholic church for pilgrimage purposes has affected the area significantly. The trails at the bottom of the cleft are short in distance. Pleasant for a short walk, also to escape from the crowds.

To get from Ipiales to Las Lajas you can take a colectivo either from the Ipiales bus terminal or from San Felipe church (2,500 COP one way).
Distance Ipiales - Las Lajas is 8 km.
Written 6 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
nathaliavalentina
Medellin, Colombia1 contribution
Las Lajas Sanctuary
Dec 2018
One of my favorite places is Las Lajas Sanctuary. It is near of the border with Ecuador. I go there With my family every year on January. When i am there, i usually eat cuy and buy many presents for my other family and my friends. Things like handles, picture, small statue, canfits etc... I like it because it is a magic place for me, share time with my family, i love watch the sanctuary architecture, visit the museum, take photos, and there they sell the best roast. It is a great place to share whit the family, observe a lot things. I always feel good there.
Written 15 November 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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