Villa de Leiva Overview

Overview

Villa de leyva is Located some 150 kilometres from Bogota , or about three hours by car, through the nicest of landscapes. Made out of small winding streets, lined up with orange roofed white houses, and surrounded by hills, the village is a charming place to spend some time. It boasts one of the biggest cobbled-stoned squares in South America.

The Hosteria del "Molino de la Mesopotamia" used to be an old mill but has been turned into a hotel packed to the top with antiques. You can also visit the birthplace of Antonio Ricaurte and the house in which Antonio Nariño lived. The latter translated the 'Rights of Man' into Spanish and both of them became important figures in the Spanish Independence Movement.

There are a number of attractive places to visit nearby Villa de Leyva. The Iguaque National Park, for a nice walk. Ráquira is a small and very colorful town about 30 min. away, where you can find every kind of typical pottery and souvenirs. Horse riding, canoeing  and country walks are very popular as the landscapes are really wonderful.

The Hosteria Duruelo with a new spa, very nice pools and a superb view may be the best hotel in town, but not the best food... Also charming are Hosteria San Antonio and Hotel San Agustín.

There are some nice restaurants in town, for pasta and italian food try El Camaleon, right on main square in Casa Quintero. For fondue, try  La Gata also at Casa Quintero and for sandwiches, cakes and ajiaco, try La Mision. For lebanese fare Zarina is a good place.