Hotels in Villa de Leyva

Villa de Leyva: Founded 1572, Boyacá's Stone-Paved Colonial Town

Villa de Leyva sits in the Boyacá department, 40 km west of Tunja and roughly 160 km northeast of Bogotá. The town was founded on 12 June 1572 and declared a Colombian National Monument in 1954, preserving its whitewashed facades, cobblestone streets, and Plaza Mayor — one of the largest colonial plazas in the Americas at approximately 14,000 square metres. The surrounding semi-arid landscape, shaped by Cretaceous-era sediment deposits, contrasts sharply with the green valleys of central Boyacá.

Where to Stay

Hotels cluster within two blocks of Plaza Mayor, ranging from converted colonial mansions to smaller guesthouses along Calle del Silencio. A second tier of properties lines the road toward El Fósil, a near-complete kronosaurus skeleton found 6 km from town and displayed at the Museo El Fósil. Weekend visitors from Bogotá fill rooms quickly; the Astronomical Observatory Festival in December and the Kite Festival each August draw the largest crowds of the year.

Practical Tips

• Getting there: Buses from Bogotá's Terminal del Norte reach Tunja in about 2.5 hours; a connecting bus covers the final 40 km in 45 minutes.
• Elevation: The town sits at 2,149 m — pack a warm layer for evenings even during dry season.
• Timing: Book at least one week ahead for festival weekends and Colombian public holidays.
• Cash: Most craft stalls and small restaurants around the plaza do not accept cards.