Introducing Villa de Leyva
Villa de Leyva is where time stands still. Declared a national monument in 1954, the town has been preserved in its entirety and virtually no modern architecture exists. The result is a colonial town par excellence - a place where the streets are still cobbled and the walls still whitewashed. It's easy to see the place in just a day, but many travelers find themselves caught in its magical grasp and hang on for several more.
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The town was founded in 1572 by Hernán Suárez de Villalobos and named Nuestra Señora de la Villa Santa María de Leyva. It enjoys a healthy, mild climate, warmer than Tunja, just 39km away but 700m higher.
Villa de Leyva's proximity to Bogotá has made it a popular weekend destination for tourists, a trend that has created a miniboom in hotels, craft shops and tourist-oriented restaurants. You can beat the rush and get a better deal on a hotel if you come early in the week. For more details, check out www.villadeleyva.net (in Spanish).
Last updated: Feb 17, 2009
