Villa de Leyva is a charming colonial town roughly three hours from Bogotá, Colombia. From cobblestone streets to incredible dinosaur fossils, there is so much to do for travelers of all ages!
This was one of the best family trips we have taken in Colombia. The kids were engaged the whole time, the town is safe and walkable, and there was this perfect mix of adventure, culture, and relaxation that’s hard to find anywhere else. Here are our must-see, do, and stay in Villa de Leyva.
The Town
Let’s start with Villa de Leyva itself, because the town is it’s own main attraction. The Plaza Mayor is the largest entirely cobbled square in Colombia, and believed to be the biggest in all of South America. It’s massive, beautiful, and the kids immediately claimed it as their personal soccer field (along with every other kid there).
The streets around the plaza are lined with colonial building and artisan shops selling everything from handmade jewelry to local sweets. It feels like stepping back in time, but with really good coffee and WiFi. Walking around with the kids felt easy and safe as most of the centro is pedestrian-friendly and the whole town has this relaxed, unhurried energy.
One thing to know: the cobblestones are charming but not super stroller-friendly. If you’re traveling with little ones, a carrier is the better call. And bring comfortable flat shoes, your feet will thank you.
Gondava Dinosaur Park
If your kids love dinosaurs (and when do they not?), Gondava is going to blow their minds. This is Colombia’s first dinosaur theme park, located about 7 km from Villa de Leyva in the town of Sachíca, and it’s spread across 34 hectares of stunning landscape with lakes, desert terrain, and forests that genuinely make you feel like you’ve stepped into another era.
The park features life-size dinosaur replicas, including a 14-meter-tall brachiosaurus, a T. rex, velociraptors, and more. But what made it special for us was the hands-on stuff. There are excavation areas where the kids can actually dig for fossils and pretend to be paleontologists. Mine took this role VERY seriously.
There are also nature trails, lake boating, suspension bridges, and mini golf (extra cost). Budget 2–3 hours for a full visit. You can see out full vlog on YouTube!
Location: 7 km from Villa de Leyva, in Sachíca
Hours: Daily 9:30 a.m. – 4:15 p.m. (high season); Tue–Sun in low season
Tickets: Adults COP$18,000 (~$4.50 USD); children COP$16,000; extra activities have additional costs
Tip: Wear comfortable shoes and bring water, the area is arid and the sun hits hard
Museo El Fósil (Fossil Museum)
Speaking of fossils — this one is the real deal. Museo El Fósil is built on the exact spot where a 110-million-year-old fossil was discovered in 1977 by local farmers. The fossil is displayed in situ, meaning exactly where it was found, and it’s one of the most complete specimens ever discovered in the world.
The museum also houses over 500 pieces of Colombian paleontological heritage that includes ammonites, bivalves, ichthyosaurs, and other marine organisms from a time when this region was underwater. The fact that we were standing in what used to be an ocean blew my kids’ minds. Honestly, it blew mine too.
It’s a shorter visit that includes the guided tour (a must), but absolutely worth the stop, especially if you’re pairing it with Gondava for a full dinosaur/fossil day which is what we did. They’re only about 15 minutes away from each other.
Location: 5–6 km west of Villa de Leyva on the road to Santa Sofía
Hours: Mon–Sun, 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Tickets: Adults ~COP$10,000; children ~COP$5,000
Ages: All ages, especially great for fossil-curious kids
Museo del Chocolate
¿A quién no le gusta el chocolate? Colombia’s first experiential chocolate museum is located steps from the main plaza and it is so much more than a museum. It’s a restaurant, bakery, boutique, and an interactive chocolate workshop where you can make your own chocolate tablet with your choice of ingredients.
The guided tour walks you through the history of cacao and chocolate, the kids get their hands dirty making chocolate, and then you get to eat it. It’s the kind of activity where everyone’s happy at the same time, which as a parent, I never take for granted.
Pro tip: eat at the restaurant and the museum entry is free with your receipt. The food is good for what it is. They serve breakfast, lunch, dinner, and traditional Colombian onces (afternoon tea with warm drinks and dessert). The interior and garden are beautiful and very photo-worthy.
Location: Steps from Plaza Mayor
Tickets: Free with restaurant receipt; ~COP$20,000 without
Tip: Plan to eat there and get free entry, win-win
Mercado Municipal
This is the food spot in Villa de Leyva that you need to know about. Mercado Municipal is housed in a colonial building dating back to 1740 with gorgeous black-and-white checkered tile floors, a wood-burning oven, and tables surrounding a central patio. It’s giving Bogotá-style food hall energy in the heart of a colonial town, and the food is excellent.
The menu is seasonal and includes everything from crispy duck salad and grilled octopus to artisan pizzas cooked in the wood-burning oven. Inside the same building you’ll find Rosa Cremosa (a gourmet sweet shop the kids will not let you skip) and Bolívar Social Club (a cocktail bar for when the kids are in bed).
Location: Calle 12 #8-00
Hours: Daily 12:30 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.
Tip: Also check out the Saturday Market (Plaza de Mercado, 5 a.m. – 4 p.m.) for fresh local produce, fruits, and handcrafts — a great authentic experience
Where to Stay: Hotel La Corada
We stayed at Hotel La Corada and I cannot recommend it enough for families. It’s a 4-star hotel just steps from the Plaza Mayor, which means you’re in the middle of everything without needing transportation.
What makes it great for families: there’s a game room area for the kids, a terrace, a full-service restaurant with cooked-to-order breakfast, and spa facilities including a sauna. The rooms are comfortable with everything you need, I recommend the Family Room!
After long days of hiking, fossil hunting, and chocolate making, coming back to a place where the kids could play and we could relax made all the difference. I wrote a full review of Hotel La Corada if you want all the details.
Rates: Starting from ~$62 USD/night
Kids policy: Children of all ages welcome; under 11 have an additional breakfast fee of COP$40,000
Check-in/out: 4:00 p.m. / 4:00 p.m.
Tip: Book for July or October for the best deals
Day Trip to Ráquira
Ráquira is a colorful pottery village about 30–40 minutes from Villa de Leyva, and it’s absolutely worth a half-day trip. The entire town is dedicated to handmade ceramics, and the streets are lined with shops selling bowls, vases, decorative pieces, and kids’ ceramic toys in every color imaginable.
You can visit local artisan workshops where the kids (and you) get to learn pottery-making techniques from master craftsmen and create your own piece to take home.
On the way back, look out for the Casa al Revés (Upside Down House) — a fun, quirky attraction the kids will love stopping at for photos.
Distance: ~30–40 minutes from Villa de Leyva
Plan for: Half day (3–4 hours)
Tip: The artisans are patient and great with kids — let them lead the workshop experience
More Family-Friendly Fun
Villa de Leyva has so much more beyond the highlights above. Here are a few other spots worth knowing about:
Pozos Azules (Blue Pools) — Six crystalline turquoise pools created by minerals in the rainwater, set in the middle of arid desert landscape just 7 minutes from the plaza. Swimming isn’t allowed anymore, but the colors are stunning and there’s horseback riding, hiking, and picnicking. COP$15,000 entry (~$4 USD). Go for the photos and the peaceful energy.
Casa Terracota — A giant house built entirely from clay. It’s quirky, it’s photogenic, and the kids thought it was hilarious and fascinating in equal measure.
El Infiernito — A pre-Columbian archaeological site created by the Muisca people as an astronomical observatory. The Spanish Conquistadors named it “Little Hell” because they thought it was pagan worship. It’s educational and fascinating for older kids who are into history and astronomy. 109 monoliths arranged in rows tracking solstices and equinoxes — the Muisca were brilliant.
Parque Aventura La Periquera — An ecological park with hiking through waterfalls, oak forests, and five Tibetan suspension bridges built with wood and ropes. There’s swimming at the waterfalls too. Great for families who want some adventure mixed in.
Horseback riding — Tours through the Candelaria desert with views of Pozos Azules. About 1 hour 45 minutes, suitable for beginners.
Where to Eat
Beyond Mercado Municipal and Museo del Chocolate (both covered above), here are a few more spots we loved:
El Chipa — Hearty food with local and international options, nestled above the Plaza Mayor with incredible views. Great for families.
Tierra de Carnes — Just off the plaza, famous for slow-cooked pork ribs and grilled meats. A meat lover’s paradise.
Happy Monkey — Cozy spot focusing on Colombian food and plantains, with outstanding vegetarian options including a vegetarian lasagna the kids devoured.
La Galleta — A pastry shop famous for milojas (Colombian dessert made with cookie base, cream, and arequipe). They also host jazz and blues musicians. Open noon–7 p.m. weekdays, 9 a.m.–9 p.m. weekends.
Heads up: Many restaurants have limited hours Monday through Thursday. Call ahead to confirm, especially midweek.
Getting There
From Bogotá by bus: About 3 hours from Terminal del Norte. Coflonorte operates the route, departing twice daily, tickets around $10–15 USD. Easy and affordable.
By car: About 3.5 hours on well-maintained roads. Having a car gives you flexibility for day trips to Ráquira, Gondava, and attractions outside of town. This is what we did!
Within town: Everything in the centro is walkable. For attractions outside of town (Gondava, Museo El Fósil, Pozos Azules), taxis are easy to find and affordable.
Best Time to Visit
The dry seasons — December through February and June through August — are your best bet for sunny days and outdoor activities. Villa de Leyva sits at 2,149 meters (7,051 feet), so the climate is cool year-round: warm during the day (64–75°F) and chilly at night (45–54°F). Bring layers.
Avoid Easter holidays and Colombian long weekends if you can as half of Bogotá descends on this town and it gets crowded fast. Weekdays during dry season are the sweet spot.
Altitude note: At over 7,000 feet, give yourself a day to adjust if you’re coming from sea level. Stay hydrated, skip the wine on night one and eat light when you arrive.
What to Pack
Comfortable flat shoes (cobblestones!), layers for the temperature swings, sunscreen and a hat (the altitude sun is no joke), a reusable water bottle, a light rain jacket if you’re visiting during shoulder season, and sunglasses. If you’re doing La Periquera or horseback riding, bring hiking boots and clothes you don’t mind getting dirty.
Final Thoughts
Villa de Leyva surprised us. I expected a pretty colonial town with not much to do for kids, and what we got was a destination packed with dinosaurs, fossils, chocolate workshops, pottery classes, blue pools, and horseback riding all within a 30-minutes of one of the most beautiful plazas in South America.
For families based in Bogotá or passing through Colombia, this is one of those easy 3–4 day trips that gives you everything. History, nature, adventure, culture, and the kind of slow-down energy that makes you actually enjoy the vacation instead of just surviving it. Los niños la pasaron increíble, and honestly, so did we.
Follow our family travels on Instagram and YouTube for more Colombia adventures. Have you been to Villa de Leyva? What was your favorite part? Cuéntame in the comments!
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