Cementerio de Tulcán
Cementerio de Tulcán
4.5
8:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Monday
8:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Tuesday
8:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Wednesday
8:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Thursday
8:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Friday
8:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Saturday
8:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Sunday
8:00 AM - 6:00 PM
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4.5
222 reviews
Excellent
141
Very good
72
Average
8
Poor
1
Terrible
0
Gaby P
2 contributions
Nov 2020
José María Azaél Franco Municipal Cemetery
It is one of the most representative beauties in Latin America, it is recognized by local and foreign inhabitants as a modern wonder.
It has several figures found in the cemetery have Greek, Egyptian, Inca, Arabic, and natural forms, currently you can see figures referring to the fauna of the Galapagos Islands, idols and masks of the indigenous cultures of Ecuador, Gothic columns, arches, among many others.
Without a doubt, it is a very beautiful and spectacular place in the City of Tulcan that stands out as a tourist place in our province of Carchi, highly recommended to visit with family and friends.
It is one of the most representative beauties in Latin America, it is recognized by local and foreign inhabitants as a modern wonder.
It has several figures found in the cemetery have Greek, Egyptian, Inca, Arabic, and natural forms, currently you can see figures referring to the fauna of the Galapagos Islands, idols and masks of the indigenous cultures of Ecuador, Gothic columns, arches, among many others.
Without a doubt, it is a very beautiful and spectacular place in the City of Tulcan that stands out as a tourist place in our province of Carchi, highly recommended to visit with family and friends.
Written 30 August 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.
Robert O
Rotterdam, The Netherlands5,740 contributions
Jan 2020
Just north of the parque Ayora in Tulcan's town center, there is this well maintained cemetery with cypress tree sculptures. It is no doubt Tulcan's main attraction and visited frequently by locals, who seem to regard it as an alternative to visit a park. Couples in love between some of the tombs. Children playing on the grassy spaces. Families and individuals taking selfies. Not things you normally associate with a graveyard.
The part closest to the entrance is perhaps the most appealing as it almost feels like entering a labyrinth. It is allowed to climb the walls with boxes of the deceased. From upstairs you get an overview of the huge cemetery and surroundings.
The part closest to the entrance is perhaps the most appealing as it almost feels like entering a labyrinth. It is allowed to climb the walls with boxes of the deceased. From upstairs you get an overview of the huge cemetery and surroundings.
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.
Kevin Peralta
Carchi Province, Ecuador6 contributions
Jun 2020
Tulcan is a small city, but has charming places. It is capital of province of Carchi, have much history. It is a commercial city because is near from Colombia. If you come here, you can pay with pesos Colombianos. Furthermore, there are popular markets are big and you can eat much typical food. The cemetery is big with figures of cypress which each has different mean. Someone are animals, other are inspired about Pasto culture, also there are cubes spheres. There are some trails where there are wall of cypress with huge archways above head. This place is nice and very visited for Colombians because is near for them.
Written 29 September 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.
Alison K
Tunja, Boyaca, Colombia28 contributions
Apr 2014 • Friends
This is a great day trip. We arrived to the bus station at 6am and arrived home at about 6pm. It made for a long day, but it was definitely worth it! You can do these in separate day trips and spend more time in each place, or in one day since they are along the same route.
First, we went to the bus terminal in Pasto and took a bus to Ipiales for 6,000 pesos (US $3.00 / 2 hours). From Ipiales, we took a white colectivo taxi to Rumichaca. It costs 1,600 Colombian pesos (US $ .80 / 10 minutes), but the taxis don’t leave until they are full. It usually only takes about 5-10 minutes for the taxi to fill with four people and leave. The taxi will drop you off right on the border. You can walk across without any problems. If you are only planning on going to Ecuador for the day, you don’t need a passport stamp (at least when I was there), but if you plan on traveling longer in Ecuador, it’s advisable to get an exit stamp from Colombia and an entry stamp into Ecuador. In my experience, the Colombian border control were much more efficient. There is usually a line at the border control in Ecuador, but it moves quickly.
At the border, a lot of people will offer to exchange money. In El Tulcan, you can use Colombian pesos without a problem. The official currency in Ecuador is the US dollar.
Once you walk across the border into Ecuador, you can take a taxi or a colectivo bus to El Tulcan for 1,500 pesos (US $ .75 / 10 minutes). Ask the driver to let you off in the main plaza, and from there, you can walk 2-3 blocks to the cemetery. You can see the cemetery from the edge of the plaza and it’s only about a 3 minute walk.
There is no fee to enter the cemetery (as of April 2014). Inside the cemetery is a tourist office with a lot of information about travel and tourism in Ecuador. It also has a small historical museum of the cemetery.
We visited the cemetery for about an hour and a half, walking around and taking pictures. The town itself is a bit deserted, so we didn’t’ spend much time except in the cemetery.
When we left, we took a bus (they leave from the main plaza) back to Rumichaca and we walked across the border.
Whether or not you plan to do part 2 of this day trip, visiting Las Lajas church in Ipiales, take a colectivo van from Rumichaca to Ipiales terminal (unless you plan on traveling more in Ecuador). From Ipiales, you can go back to Pasto or another city in Colombia.
If you chose to go to Las Lajas, you’ll want to take a taxi from the terminal to Las Lajas church, which costs 2,000 pesos (US $1.00) and takes 10 minutes. The taxi will drop you off in a pedestrian area and from there you can walk down to the church and take photos. As you walk down to the church, there are a lot of stands selling knick-knacks, food and religious items.
We didn’t go to mass at the church, so we only spent about an hour walking around and taking photos. I’m not sure if this is all the time or just during Holy Week, but people left cotton balls and tissue in the rocks by the church. You say a pray to heal yourself or someone that’s sick and leave the cotton ball in the rock, which is symbolic of the healing (as explained to us by a Colombian woman putting an entire bag of cotton balls in the rock. She shared a few with us).
From Las Lajas, take a taxi to the Ipialies bus terminal and then a bus back to Pasto.
****During Holy Week, a lot of people walked to Las Lajas church as a pilgrimage. It’s about 60 miles, depending on the starting point. Most people we saw walking left the night before or early in the morning, or planned to walk over several days. The road is narrow and there isn’t much of a shoulder for walking, so it didn’t look incredibly safe (especially when dark and with the way Colombians drive).
First, we went to the bus terminal in Pasto and took a bus to Ipiales for 6,000 pesos (US $3.00 / 2 hours). From Ipiales, we took a white colectivo taxi to Rumichaca. It costs 1,600 Colombian pesos (US $ .80 / 10 minutes), but the taxis don’t leave until they are full. It usually only takes about 5-10 minutes for the taxi to fill with four people and leave. The taxi will drop you off right on the border. You can walk across without any problems. If you are only planning on going to Ecuador for the day, you don’t need a passport stamp (at least when I was there), but if you plan on traveling longer in Ecuador, it’s advisable to get an exit stamp from Colombia and an entry stamp into Ecuador. In my experience, the Colombian border control were much more efficient. There is usually a line at the border control in Ecuador, but it moves quickly.
At the border, a lot of people will offer to exchange money. In El Tulcan, you can use Colombian pesos without a problem. The official currency in Ecuador is the US dollar.
Once you walk across the border into Ecuador, you can take a taxi or a colectivo bus to El Tulcan for 1,500 pesos (US $ .75 / 10 minutes). Ask the driver to let you off in the main plaza, and from there, you can walk 2-3 blocks to the cemetery. You can see the cemetery from the edge of the plaza and it’s only about a 3 minute walk.
There is no fee to enter the cemetery (as of April 2014). Inside the cemetery is a tourist office with a lot of information about travel and tourism in Ecuador. It also has a small historical museum of the cemetery.
We visited the cemetery for about an hour and a half, walking around and taking pictures. The town itself is a bit deserted, so we didn’t’ spend much time except in the cemetery.
When we left, we took a bus (they leave from the main plaza) back to Rumichaca and we walked across the border.
Whether or not you plan to do part 2 of this day trip, visiting Las Lajas church in Ipiales, take a colectivo van from Rumichaca to Ipiales terminal (unless you plan on traveling more in Ecuador). From Ipiales, you can go back to Pasto or another city in Colombia.
If you chose to go to Las Lajas, you’ll want to take a taxi from the terminal to Las Lajas church, which costs 2,000 pesos (US $1.00) and takes 10 minutes. The taxi will drop you off in a pedestrian area and from there you can walk down to the church and take photos. As you walk down to the church, there are a lot of stands selling knick-knacks, food and religious items.
We didn’t go to mass at the church, so we only spent about an hour walking around and taking photos. I’m not sure if this is all the time or just during Holy Week, but people left cotton balls and tissue in the rocks by the church. You say a pray to heal yourself or someone that’s sick and leave the cotton ball in the rock, which is symbolic of the healing (as explained to us by a Colombian woman putting an entire bag of cotton balls in the rock. She shared a few with us).
From Las Lajas, take a taxi to the Ipialies bus terminal and then a bus back to Pasto.
****During Holy Week, a lot of people walked to Las Lajas church as a pilgrimage. It’s about 60 miles, depending on the starting point. Most people we saw walking left the night before or early in the morning, or planned to walk over several days. The road is narrow and there isn’t much of a shoulder for walking, so it didn’t look incredibly safe (especially when dark and with the way Colombians drive).
Written 2 May 2014
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.
Dennis Davids L
4 contributions
Feb 2017 • Family
Tulcan is the largest city in the province of Carchi, bordered on the north by Colombia and has many tourist attractions.
The most important parks, which form the center of the city are Parque Isidro Ayora and Parque de la Independencia
Around these two parks are the most important institutions of the city. Surrounding the Central Park are the buildings of the Municipality, Government, Social Security, banks, a university, among others. Around the park Isidro Ayora there are buildings of private traders. This city, being border, enjoys a good commercial movement, the most important activity of the area, which sustains the city.
The cemetery is one of the finest technical achievements, its delicate and well formed sculptures carved in cypress make it an indispensable space for meditation and contemplation. This endless museum of silence of significant beauty has been recognized nationally and globally.
Its figures have various representative forms of the flora and fauna of Ecuador and Roman, Greek cultures, divided into two zones: the first one located in the front of the cemetery, known as "Park of the Memories" and the second located in the Later, baptized with the name of "Altar of God".
The most important parks, which form the center of the city are Parque Isidro Ayora and Parque de la Independencia
Around these two parks are the most important institutions of the city. Surrounding the Central Park are the buildings of the Municipality, Government, Social Security, banks, a university, among others. Around the park Isidro Ayora there are buildings of private traders. This city, being border, enjoys a good commercial movement, the most important activity of the area, which sustains the city.
The cemetery is one of the finest technical achievements, its delicate and well formed sculptures carved in cypress make it an indispensable space for meditation and contemplation. This endless museum of silence of significant beauty has been recognized nationally and globally.
Its figures have various representative forms of the flora and fauna of Ecuador and Roman, Greek cultures, divided into two zones: the first one located in the front of the cemetery, known as "Park of the Memories" and the second located in the Later, baptized with the name of "Altar of God".
Written 20 February 2017
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.
Edgar O
Bogota, Colombia314 contributions
Aug 2018 • Friends
This place is unique and fabulous. I had never seen something like this. Worth visiting for sure. Besides, you get help from workers who are very nice by the way.
Written 2 July 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.
DGGmo
London, UK393 contributions
Nov 2017 • Solo
The cemetery at Tulcan is well worth a visit if crossing the border at Rumichaca. Cemeteries in Latin America tend to put ones in Europe to shame but this one is something else. The gardens and hedges are peaceful, beautiful, charming and unique. A lovely place to wander round for an hour or so, and the very nice ladies at the shop just inside the entrance gate allowed me to leave my big rucksack with them while I visited.
To get there from the border you can take any colectivo heading into to Tulcan ($0.75) and jump off at the Parque Isidro Ayora and it's a 10 minute walk. Walk back to the same square and from there you can take a bus to Tulcan Terminal de Transportes ($0.25) and vice-versa.
To get there from the border you can take any colectivo heading into to Tulcan ($0.75) and jump off at the Parque Isidro Ayora and it's a 10 minute walk. Walk back to the same square and from there you can take a bus to Tulcan Terminal de Transportes ($0.25) and vice-versa.
Written 18 December 2017
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.
bycris960308
1 contribution
Mar 2016 • Solo
The CEMENTERIO DE TULCAN, is also called "José María Azael Franco Guerrero", it’s in Tulcán city and it is very amazing.
It is was founded on 1932. On may 1984 it was declared “Patrimonio Cultural del Estado".
It adress is on The Cemetery avenue and Cotopaxi Street, to the northwest of the city.
The cemetery is very amazing and wonderful, beacause in here there are a good service, good attetion and the entry is free. It is very beautiful bacaese in here there are
Green sculptures in shrubs, at night the central road is full of many lights of different colors. Also there are somos mall parks where we can to be with our family, there are some Letters with Sayings about Life and Death.
For my surprise in this place is Don Richard, he is very friendly and he tall us about his homework and he rememmber abourt the important peolple tan the photographe, Among these were some presidents of Ecuador.
I recommended this place because is very interesting, very beautiful, it is a marvel in the world that is in Ecuador. Also Its people are friendly and attentive to tourists.
When I was in this place I now tourist of many countries and They shared that it was the most beautiful cemetery in South America.
Visit Tulcán is very nice.
It is was founded on 1932. On may 1984 it was declared “Patrimonio Cultural del Estado".
It adress is on The Cemetery avenue and Cotopaxi Street, to the northwest of the city.
The cemetery is very amazing and wonderful, beacause in here there are a good service, good attetion and the entry is free. It is very beautiful bacaese in here there are
Green sculptures in shrubs, at night the central road is full of many lights of different colors. Also there are somos mall parks where we can to be with our family, there are some Letters with Sayings about Life and Death.
For my surprise in this place is Don Richard, he is very friendly and he tall us about his homework and he rememmber abourt the important peolple tan the photographe, Among these were some presidents of Ecuador.
I recommended this place because is very interesting, very beautiful, it is a marvel in the world that is in Ecuador. Also Its people are friendly and attentive to tourists.
When I was in this place I now tourist of many countries and They shared that it was the most beautiful cemetery in South America.
Visit Tulcán is very nice.
Written 16 February 2017
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.
Wayne C
Newport, UK83 contributions
Aug 2018 • Couples
Was blown away by the ability of the gardeners who maintain this cemetery. The topiary was absolutely first class. I don't think I have ever seen anything as good.
Written 11 December 2018
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.
captcathy
Baltimore, MD108 contributions
May 2016 • Friends
This is a fascination place to visit if you are in the area of Ipiales, Colombia. You can walk across the international bridge and catch a taxi to the cemetery. The sculpted hedges are a work of art. There is also a section for veterans.
Written 18 May 2016
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.
Can I get from Pasto to Ipailes Cathedral to Tulcan for a day tour?
Written 10 August 2018
Thanks for info. Have decided best do the day tour from Ipiales to Tulcan. If you have hotel suggestions after your return that would be helpful. I am not going until April next year.
Written 22 September 2018
se necesita algún documento esencial aparte de la cédula de ciudadanía, tarjeta de identidad y/o registro civil colombianos en el caso de los niños para entrar a tulcan, haré un viaje pronto a nariño y quisiera ir hasta allá pero no se si necesito algo mas o no ponen problema al ingreso
Written 28 May 2018
Hi There,
Does anyone know if there is anywhere to leave large luggage, either at Tulcan station or at the cemetery? I would like to visit the cemetery on my way from Colombia to Quito, but am carrying a 17kg rucksack, which ideally I will leave somewhere whilst visiting the cemetery.
Hola
Alguien sabe si hay un lugar, al terminal a Tulcan ó al cementerio, dónde puedo dejar mi mochila durante la visita al cementerio? Quiero visitar en el viaje entre Colombia y Quito, y la mochila pesa 17kg! Por eso prefiero dejarla durante la visita!
Gracias!
Written 8 November 2017
De pasto a allí cuantas horas hay y que transporte existe? el santuario de las lajas queda cerca? es posible visitar ambos lugares de sábado a domingo?
Written 20 November 2016
Hola yasmin , son dos horas de recorrido y tienes todo el tiempo de sobra ,te aconsejo primero visitar las lajas , de noche es espectacular y toma un taxi,desde la terminal te cuesta 10.000 aprox.por trayecto.
al otro dia puedes pasar la frontera y tomar bus o taxi , como vas a tulcan no pasas migracion , del lado ecuatoriano tomas un taxi o bus , yo tome taxi por 4usd directo al cementerio , te deja en 15 minutos, es mas me atrevo a decir que en un dia haces todo , pero sin afanes tomate los dos.
saludos.
Written 21 November 2016
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