Getting to and away from Pasto

Transportation

By Lorraine Caputo

Pasto has a good city bus network. Busetas ($0.20) begin running at 6 a.m.; most routes operate only until 7:30-8 p.m., with a few until 10 p.m. Rutas 4, 6, 7, 9 and 10 connect the bus station with downtown, passing by Calle 17 and Carrera 21.

Taxi fares are set by law. For routes within the city the cost is $1.60 per person; for the airport it is $3.60 per person.

Pasto's central bus terminal is located about 3 kilometers from the center, at Carrera 6 and Calle 16. The handicap-accessible building has an information booth, restaurants, shops, phones, an ATM (Visa, Cirrus, Plus), and even casinos and a pool hall to while away the time.

To Sandoná: TranSandoná—daily 6:30 a.m., 11 a.m., 4:30 p.m., 5:45 p.m ., $2.10, 2 hours.

To Túquerres: Valle de Atriz—daily, 5:30 a.m., 7:30 a.m., $2.60, 2 hours.

To Popayán: Bolivariano—hourly 9:30 a.m.-10 p.m., $13.60, 5 hours. Transipiales—hourly, 8:30 a.m.-11:30 p.m., $13.10, 5-6 hours. Cootranar—hourly 5:30 a.m.-11:30 p.m., $10.50, 6 hours. Flota Magdalena—hourly 8 a.m.-10 p.m., $11.50, 6 hours.

To Cali: Bolivariano—hourly 9:30 a.m.-10 p.m., $18.35, 8 hours. Transipiales—hourly, 8:30 a.m.-11:30 p.m., $17.30, 8 hours. Cootranar—hourly 5:30 a.m.-11:30 p.m., $15.60, 8 hours. Flota Magdalena—hourly 8 a.m.-10 p.m., $14.70, 8 hours.

To Bogotá: Bolivariano— hourly 9:30 a.m.-10 p.m., $40.30, 18 hours. Flota Magdalena—Noon, 3:30 p.m., 9 p.m., $34, 8 hours.

Cheaper trucks and chivas leave from a lot terminal at Carrera 9 16-10.

Aeropuerto Antonio Nariño de Pasto provides direct and connecting services to all of Colombia. It is located 30 kilometers from the city, at Cano.