Ibague Travel Guide, Colombia

Ibagué Travel Guide - Colombia’s musical city

Ibagué is the capital of Colombia’s Tolima department, and one of the country’s major cultural centers. Situated at an altitude of over 1200 kilometers, Ibagué seems to enjoy a perpetual spring season, and it is surrounded by a lush countryside. Ibagué is known as the musical city because of the many music festivals it hosts every year, and also due to the nationally known music schools. It is also a well developed commercial and touristic centre. Ibagué is not a large city, but there are plenty of things to see and to do. This Ibagué Travel Guide will briefly describe the main points that you should be aware of before visiting this charming city.

Ibagué Travel Guide - Transport

There are no international airports near Ibagué, but the Aeropuerto Perales is well connected to other Colombian cities. There are daily flights to Bogota and Medellin, as well as quite frequent flights to smaller domestic airports. Aeropuerto Perales is located at 40 minutes outside the city, and it can be reached by bus. You can also get to Ibagué by bus. The national Colombian bus company, as well as private bus companies, run daily services between Ibagué and Bogota, Armenia, Medellin and other cities. Once you arrived, you can get around by bus, taxi or on foot.

Although the city is not very large, it tends to be crowded. Even if you’re not in for walking, this Ibagué Travel Guide recommends that you take a walk in the city’s old quarter, where you can see some interesting architecture dating back to Ibagué’s establishment. If you choose to walk, beware of the city’s poorer and less reputable parts. Ibagué is a city of contrasts, and although there are wealthy, modern parts in the city, you should avoid the poverty-stricken neighborhoods, especially at night.

Ibagué Travel Guide - Accommodation

If you are backpacking through Colombia or if you’re on a budget, there are plenty of affordable hotels in and around the city. However, if you are planning to stay longer than a few days, you should take into account living conditions as well. Not all hotels in Ibagué have hot water, for example, although for the past few years they’ve become more modern. Mercure Hotel Ibagué Altamira offers great living conditions including facilities such as wireless internet access, spas and swimming pools, but it is not a cheap option. Hotel Luisa has comfortable and inexpensive en-suite rooms, but not many additional facilities. Another mid-range hotel with good value for money is Hotel Center, which offers services such as internet access, telephone line and hot water. You can visit the tourist information centre in the city for a more ample and updated list with available accommodation in the city.