Colombia · August 2023
Overview
Villa de Leyva is a colonial town of white houses, wooden balconies and stone streets, around one of the largest plazas in South America. It is peaceful, full of good restaurants and craft shops, and surrounded by dry hills where dinosaurs and marine reptiles were found. It is the perfect weekend escape from Bogotá.
Hernán Suárez de Villalobos founded the town on 12 June 1572. Its name honours Andrés Díaz Venero de Leyva, the first president of the New Kingdom of Granada. During the independence period, the First Congress of the United Provinces of New Granada met here in 1812, two years after the Cry for Independence. The patriot Antonio Nariño died here in 1823. The whole town was declared a National Monument in 1954.
How long to stay: 2 to 3 days.
Last updated: October 2026
Quick Facts
Location
In the department of Boyacá, about 40 km west of Tunja and 170 km north of Bogotá.
Budget
Per person, per day.
| Backpacker | Mid-range | Comfort | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bed | COP 60,000–100,000 ($18–31) | COP 220,000–380,000 ($67–116) | COP 600,000+ ($183+) |
| Food | COP 45,000–75,000 ($14–23) | COP 100,000–170,000 ($31–52) | COP 250,000+ ($76+) |
| Activities | COP 10,000–40,000 | COP 60,000–120,000 | COP 250,000+ |
| Daily total | COP 115,000–215,000 ($35–66) | COP 380,000–670,000 ($116–205) | COP 1,100,000+ ($336+) |
Prices go up on weekends and Colombian holidays.
Things to Do
The main square covers about 14,000 m², one of the largest in South America. It has its original colonial character: stone floor, a Mudéjar-style fountain in the middle (it supplied the town's water until the 1930s) and buildings with their original architecture. The square was recognised as a National Monument together with the town in 1954.
Price: free · Tip: the square is beautiful at night, and it is the main stage of the December Festival of Lights.
The main church on the square was built in 1604. It has a balanced colonial facade, a typically Castilian tower and baroque altarpieces from the 17th century carved in wood and covered in gold. Inside are colonial paintings, mostly by the Bogotá artist Gregorio Vásquez de Arce y Ceballos. The church is historically recognised for hosting the First Congress of the United Provinces of New Granada in 1812.
Price: free · Tip: visit outside mass times.
The colonial house where the first laws of Colombia as a republic were drafted after the cry for independence, during the First Congress of the United Provinces of New Granada. Next to it, the Garden of the Próceres (Jardín de los Próceres) sits between the House of Congress and the Real Fábrica de Licores (Royal Liquor Factory), and stands out for its beautiful arches.
Price: free or small fee.
The Museo del Chocolate tells the history of cacao in Colombia. Keep in mind that the front is a shop, and to get to the actual museum you have to buy the equivalent of about COP 10,000 per person. Inside there are many artifacts in a maze-like display, but they do not have descriptions, so you have to scan many QR codes to understand the history. Even so, it is a sweet stop, and you can taste chocolates made with local ingredients.
Price: about COP 10,000 · Time needed: 45 minutes.
A calm park away from the busy centre, surrounded by restaurants and cafés. Nearby is the house where Antonio Nariño, who translated the Rights of Man into Spanish in 1793, spent his last days.
Price: park free; museum small fee.
We went inside a restaurant called El Patio. It had a calm atmosphere, crafts all over the place, and the food was really really good.
A museum built around a complete Kronosaurus fossil, a 120-million-year-old marine reptile found by local farmers in 1977. This region was under the sea in the Cretaceous period.
Price: about COP 15,000 · Getting there: 6 km by bike or tuk-tuk.
A huge house made entirely of baked clay, designed by the architect Octavio Mendoza as a giant piece of pottery. It is considered the largest pottery piece in the world.
Price: about COP 20,000–30,000.
Small turquoise ponds in the desert hills just outside town, good for a walk and photos.
Price: small fee.
Walk the cobbled streets, visit the galleries, craft shops (especially wool ruanas and ceramics from nearby Ráquira) and cafés.
Price: free.
Transit Tips
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Fly into Bogotá (BOG).
By bus: from Bogotá's Terminal Salitre or Terminal del Norte, direct buses take about 3.5 to 4 hours; or go to Tunja and change for a 45-minute bus. The ride through the hills of Boyacá is beautiful.
By car: about 3.5 to 4 hours from Bogotá; traffic leaving Bogotá on Fridays and returning on Sundays is heavy.
Walking: the town is compact.
Bikes and tuk-tuks: for El Fósil, Casa Terracota and Pozos Azules.
Keep in mind that the average temperature is around 18°C. During the day it can get hot, but it is best to bring a jacket to wear at night. And, of course, wearing sunscreen is essential.
Helpful Words
A few basics in Spanish can make everyday conversations much easier.
Where to Stay
Plan & Book
Explore accommodation options and open hotel details directly from the map.
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