Ipiales is home to the La Lajas Cathedral, the site of a celebrated visitation of the Virgin Mary. Additionally, Ipiales hosts a yearly Black and White Festival, celebrating diversity. The town offers several hotels catering to the pilgrim and the tourist. The hotels in Ipiales range from basic to relatively luxurious. In a part of the world where 24-hour hot water is considered an amenity worthy of the hotel's marquee, tourists are advised to thoroughly research their destinations beforehand.
The Hotel Belmonte is the budget hotel for this area and offers the basics to pilgrims and tourists. Rooms in the Belmonte are set up like those in a dorm or a hostel. The sleeping quarters are small but private, and there are common areas for travelers to congregate and plan their coming journey or to reflect on the day's events. There is hot water, but it is only in the shared bathrooms. The price reflects the basic nature of the accommodations, as it only costs $4.60 for a single and $8.20 for a double. The Hotel Belmonte is a serviceable, if Spartan, option, ideal for the backpacker.
The Imperio Real costs slightly more than the Belmonte but offers more in the way of amenities. The rooms are set in the more familiar hotel style with cable TV and private restrooms. The hotel is near the airport and major area roadways, while most other hotels in Ipiales are located in the downtown area. Nightly rates, as of 2010, range from $9.25 for a single to $12.50 for a double, putting the Imperio Real firmly in the budget range.
The Hotel Internacional El Nogal is the area's high-end option. However, it is still relatively expensive to lodge there; prices range from $15.50 to $19.50 for a single and $20.50 to $28.00 for a double. The Hotel Internacional seeks to pamper guests with a free American-style breakfast buffet, saunas and airport pickup. It is also the only hotel in the area to offer Internet access. The hotel is centrally located in Ipiales and is within a short walk of local restaurants.
