Villa de Leyva Travel Guide
Plan your trip to Villa de Leyva - Colombia's best-preserved colonial town with one of the largest public squares in the Americas, fossils, and weekend markets.
Villa de Leyva is Colombia’s most immaculately preserved colonial town. Its central plaza - Plaza Mayor - is one of the largest in the Americas: 14,000 square metres of cobblestone surrounded by 16th-century white-washed buildings, with the town’s parish church at the north end and the mountains of Boyacá rising on all sides. The town was declared a national monument in 1954, which has protected it from the kind of development that has altered similar towns across Colombia.
It is a 3.5-hour drive from Bogota, making it the most accessible weekend escape from the capital - and consequently one of the most visited. Come midweek if you can.
Getting to Villa de Leyva
Direct buses from Bogota’s Terminal de Transportes del Norte depart throughout the day (approximately COP 35,000 to 45,000 as of 2026; journey time 3.5 to 4 hours). Several private transfer companies offer door-to-door service for approximately COP 250,000 to 350,000 per vehicle as of 2026, which makes sense for groups of three or four.
From Tunja (the Boyacá department capital, 45 minutes away), colectivos and buses run to Villa de Leyva throughout the day for approximately COP 6,000 to 10,000.
What to Do in Villa de Leyva
Plaza Mayor is the starting point - walk every side, sit in the shade of the portales, and take time to appreciate the scale of the square. The Iglesia Parroquial de Nuestra Señora del Rosario dates to 1608; free entry during daylight hours.
Fossil hunting and the Paleontological Museum reflect the area’s extraordinary geological past. Villa de Leyva sits in a region where a shallow Cretaceous sea once existed - marine fossils emerge from the hillsides regularly. The Museo Paleontológico on Carrera 9 houses significant finds including a near-complete kronosaurus skeleton. Open Tuesday to Sunday 9am to 12pm and 2pm to 5pm; entry approximately COP 3,000 as of 2026.
El Infiernito (the official name is Observatorio Arqueológico Muisca) is an astronomical calendar built by the Muisca people using stone phalluses aligned to track the sun and agricultural seasons. Located 7 kilometres from town; a taxi costs approximately COP 25,000 round trip as of 2026. Entry approximately COP 5,000 as of 2026.
Casa Terracotta is a private home built entirely of baked earth by architect José Salgar - walls, floors, bathtubs, and furniture all shaped by hand from clay. Open daily 9am to 5pm; entry approximately COP 12,000 as of 2026.
Santuario de Iguaque is a national park with a high-altitude lagoon considered sacred by the Muisca. The round-trip hike takes 5 to 7 hours and reaches 3,800 metres. A taxi to the trailhead costs approximately COP 30,000 to 40,000 from the plaza. Entry approximately COP 40,000 for foreign visitors as of 2026 (check parquesnacionales.gov.co for current prices).
Weekend market on the main square sells fresh produce, herbs, and handcrafts every weekend morning. The Saturday market is the most active.
Where to Stay in Villa de Leyva
Hotel Boutique Casa de Naspis - a colonial mansion converted to a 12-room boutique hotel with a central patio, fireplace, and one of the best locations in the town. Rates from approximately USD 100 per night as of 2026 including breakfast.
Hospedería Renacer - a mid-range guesthouse in a colonial building a block from the plaza with comfortable rooms and a quiet garden. Rates from approximately USD 65 per night as of 2026.
Posada de San Antonio - a locally owned property with simple, clean rooms and helpful staff who arrange tours. Rates from approximately USD 45 per night as of 2026.
Budget option: Hostal La Mesa near the plaza with dorms from approximately COP 45,000 per night as of 2026.
Where to Eat in Villa de Leyva
Restaurante Plaza Mayor on the square serves reliable Colombian dishes - ajiaco, sobrebarriga, and mazorca - in a colonial dining room. Budget approximately COP 35,000 to 55,000 per person as of 2026.
Carnes y Leñas is the best place for grilled meats in town - Colombian cuts prepared over wood fire. Budget approximately COP 45,000 to 70,000 per person as of 2026.
Mercado Municipal (the daily covered market) is where locals eat. Lunch specials with soup, main, and juice cost approximately COP 12,000 to 18,000 as of 2026.
La Guaca serves good coffee and breakfasts in a sun-filled courtyard - the best morning spot. Budget COP 15,000 to 25,000 per person as of 2026.
Planning Your Time
Two nights covers Villa de Leyva comfortably, including one day for the town itself and one for day trips. Book a guided day trip from Villa de Leyva to cover El Infiernito, Iguaque, and the paleontological sites efficiently. Combine with Barichara for a Boyacá and Santander colonial towns circuit, and return to Bogota for onward travel.