Plan a spring trip to Villa de Leyva. Explore neighborhoods, restaurants, places to stay and practical local advice from AVARA's full editorial guide.
Villa de Leyva — TL;DR
Boyacá's whitewashed colonial gem, where Plaza Mayor's 150,000 square feet meets Selina's hostel views over the surrounding hills.
Villa de Leyva overview
December to February and July to August (dry seasons) offer the best weather for exploring the plaza and countryside on foot.
Plaza Mayor, the largest plaza in Colombia, anchors the walkable colonial centre, with Casa del Carmen and other hostels close by, and El Fósil and the wine vineyards reached by short trips outside town.
Colombian Peso (COP $)
Spanish. English is limited outside tourism.
COT (UTC-5)
Villa de Leyva's hospitality scene continues to blend colonial charm with modern hostel infrastructure, with Selina's onsite restaurant and hillside views reflecting the arrival of Latin America's most popular hostel chain, while La Tienda de Teresa's cheap, sell-out breakfasts preserve the village's authentic small-town character.
Where to eat, drink & do in Villa de Leyva
Villa de Leyva neighborhoods
Plaza Mayor district Home to the largest downtown plaza in the entire country, over 150,000 square feet, with museums, the local market, and shops.
Colonial centre Home to Casa del Carmen, an old colonial house with a central courtyard close to Plaza Mayor.
Countryside vineyard district Home to wine vineyards, El Fósil, and caves and waterfalls near Paso del Angel.
Practical info for Villa de Leyva
Getting around in Villa de Leyva? Plaza Mayor, the largest plaza in Colombia, anchors the walkable colonial centre, with Casa del Carmen and other hostels close by, and El Fósil and the wine vineyards reached by short trips outside town.
When to go in Villa de Leyva? December to February and July to August (dry seasons) offer the best weather for exploring the plaza and countryside on foot.
What's changing now in Villa de Leyva? Villa de Leyva's hospitality scene continues to blend colonial charm with modern hostel infrastructure, with Selina's onsite restaurant and hillside views reflecting the arrival of Latin America's most popular hostel chain, while La Tienda
Seek out Paso del Angel caves and waterfalls in Villa de Leyva? Caves and waterfalls near Paso del Angel, a quieter countryside excursion beyond the main plaza and market.
Base yourself in Plaza Mayor district in Villa de Leyva? Home to the largest downtown plaza in the entire country, over 150,000 square feet, with museums, the local market, and shops. Known for colombia's largest colonial plaza.