Charming colonial Villa de Leyva!
Time seems to have stood still in Villa de Leyva, a Boyacan municipality that preserves the most authentic examples of its colonial past in its architecture.
This town is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful in Colombia, famous for its historical importance and its magnificent plaza, which was declared a National Monument in 1954.
Villa de Leyva is one of the most beautiful cities in Colombia. A destination that combines history, culture, nature and charming colonial architecture, making it an ideal place for those who want to explore the rich heritage of the country.
WHAT TO DO IN VILLA DE LEYVA, BOYACÁ
EXPLORE THE HISTORIC CENTER AND MAIN SQUARE
One of the best things to do in Villa de Leyva is to stroll through its cobblestone streets. You can start at the main square, where you will see the church of Our Lady of the Rosary, the Luis Alberto Acuña House Museum, and several buildings that were used during the colonial period to consolidate Spanish control in the Kingdom of New Granada. In fact, the Plaza Mayor of Villa de Leyva is the largest in Colombia and one of the most impressive in South America with its 14 thousand square meters.
A few meters from the Plaza Mayor is the Plazuela del Carmen, a quiet place where you can relax in the park, visit the church of Nuestra Señora del Carmen and visit the Museo del Carmen.
Another place to visit in Villa de Leyva is the Antonio Ricaurte Park, located 3 blocks from the Plaza Mayor. This place is surrounded by charming white houses with tiled roofs and wooden balconies, representative of the Spanish colonial style. The Casa Museo Antonio Ricaurte stands out, a small place where you can learn about the life of this hero of independence.
VISIT THE BEST MUSEUMS IN VILLA DE LEYVA
Another of the best plans in Villa de Leyva is to immerse yourself in its rich cultural and historical heritage by visiting its most interesting museums, among which the Casa Museo Antonio Nariño, the Fossil Museum and the Paleontological Research Center stand out.
The Antonio Nariño House Museum is one of the tourist sites in Villa de Leyva dedicated to this Colombian politician and military man. Nariño is known for being the first person to secretly translate the Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen. Best of all, the entrance is free.
Tourism in Villa de Leyva also extends to the outskirts of the city, where some of the most complete paleontological museums in Colombia are located, such as the Fossil Museum and the Paleontological Research Center, where you can find dozens of fossils, including the best preserved Kronosaurus in the world.
The Terracotta House
The Terracotta House is a clay construction considered the largest ceramic in the world, located 2 kilometers from the Plaza Mayor. If you want to see an immense work of architecture made of pure clay, you must visit the Terracotta House in Villa de Leyva. It was built by the architect Octavio Mendoza and has an area of 500 square meters and a weight of 400 tons.
– It is located 5 minutes from Villa de Leyva.
La Periquera Waterfall
It is a beautiful waterfall located about 15 kilometers from downtown. It is one of the ideal tourist places in Villa de Leyva to visit with children, family or couples, as it offers plans for all tastes, from hiking through nature trails, observing local flora and fauna, to adventure sports.
The Blue Ponds
Los Pozos Azules are a group of turquoise blue pools surrounded by a rocky desert landscape that contrasts with the intense blue of the water, the result of the concentration of minerals at the bottom of the pools. A place to take pictures and spend the afternoon in the middle of nature
Monastery of Santo EcceHomo
It is one of the oldest buildings in the region, built in the seventeenth century by Dominican monks. Located just 8 km from Villa de Leyva, it is a highly recommended place to visit for its beautiful architecture and gardens.
VISIT RÁQUIRA
Ráquira is one of the towns near Villa de Leyva that you can visit. It is located about 30 minutes by car and is a colorful village of artisans where you can buy all kinds of handicrafts made of clay. You can also visit a workshop and try to make your own pottery using ancestral techniques. On the way to Raquira you can have a good picada lunch in Sutamarchan.
Climb to the Mirador el Santo
If you are the type of person who appreciates a good panoramic view, you can take a 30-minute walk to the Mirador del Santo, where you can see Villa de Leyva from above.
Hike to the Iguaque Lagoon
Do you like ecotourism and natural landscapes? The Iguaque Flora and Fauna Sanctuary is a protected area open to the public and part of the National Natural Parks System. Here you will find the sacred Iguaque Lagoon, which, according to Muisca mythology, is the cradle of humanity, since the mother of this civilization emerged from its waters.
– You can hike, camp, and if you are lucky, see deer, weasels, and three species of woodpeckers.
The trip to Laguna de Iguaque is estimated to take 6 to 7 hours with a length of approximately 9.4 km (round trip). It is essential to hire a guide
Activities for Kids and Teens
There are many activities for children and teenagers in Villa de Leyva such as ATV or horseback riding and also visiting the following parks:
Gondava, the great valley of the dinosaurs
is located in the municipality of Sáchicha in Boyacá, near the municipality of Villa de Leyva. The park has an extension of 35 hectares where it tries to recreate the life of these animals.
Visitors can enjoy different educational activities where they can learn about the life of the different dinosaurs. In addition to the walks among the life-size dinosaur figures, where you can climb a mammoth and seven other species.
Adventure Park
A multi-adventure park located 30 minutes from Villa de Leyva that offers the following circuit An 850 meter canopy that enters an impressive canyon, crosses a 90 meter Tibetan bridge over the Pastaza River, then climbs a 90 meter via ferrata and ends with a 350 meter canopy, very safe and fun.
Ostrich Farm
The breeding of the largest birds in the world is a local attraction for lovers of ecology and conservation. Catalogued as a park dedicated to agrotourism, it stands out as a space of connection between the visitor and nature.
It is located in Sopotá, at kilometer 4 of the road to the fossi.
