Villa de Leyva-Blissful village

Tucked a 4 or so hour bus rode from Bogota, this gem of a colonial town was one I was very glad I had on my itinerary. Cobbled streets, tonnes of walking and hiking opportunities.


My weekend was lucky timing of both the independent film festival and the regional kite flying competition.

The facts
Stayed: private adobe cabana in Finca La Mara about 1.5km out of town on Via Colorada. Easy and safe walk on dirt road to center. Booked through Booking.com for COP 161,000 a night (approx $90). Nice grounds, main house was lovely to hang in living room and where breakfast was served. Cabana was lovely cottage w/ alot of colour. They tout themselves as eco, which cheekily 'allows' them to charge a higher price, but really, it was more like a $60-70 a night place. Hot water was sketchy, but truly, Rocio who manages the place was a delight and the fireplace in our cottage was a bonus.

The current owner however is selling the place, which may be bought by a young couple we met who were also staying there when I was. Hope they keep it as a B&B and make the touch ups it needs. I'd stay here again for sure.

Eats/drinks
Loads across the center of won and side streets. Hard to pick.

1. Cafe Chameleon: in a maze of cafes and restaurants on one of the corners of the main Plaza (Casa Quintero complex) Cra 9 @calle 12). Windows overlooked the Plaza, so a great vantage point. Had me some meat, well prepared, generous portions, clean and great service
2. Organic cafe in same Casa Quintero. Name escapes me. Long wait and a little manic, but wrth the wait of good food.
3. La Galleta: AWESOME pastry shop and cafe. Owners must have learned and worked overseas. Cakes and pastries were divine. The carrot cake was wonderful and the Milhojas with a draping of cajeta sauce was TO DIE FOR and not to be missed. Nice toilet too.