Things to do in Villa de Leyva

Top Things to Do in Villa de Leyva, Colombia - Villa de Leyva Attractions

Things to Do in Villa de Leyva


Book these experiences for a close-up look at Villa de Leyva.

Top Attractions in Villa de Leyva

These rankings are informed by traveller reviews—we consider the quality, quantity, recency, consistency of reviews, and the number of page views over time.
Speciality Museums
The "Museum Fossil" is a community museum that exhibits in situ the fossil specimen holotype "Kronosaurus BOYACENSIS" described by OLIVER HAMPE 1992, this animal, a PLIOSAUROIDAE Cretaceous period Early, with 115 million years old, was a marine reptile predator of large, thick, short neck, four powerful flippers, short and muscular tail, breathing through lungs and gave birth to calves directly into the water. We also exhibited the holotype "PADILLASAURUS LEIVANENSIS" (Parra et. Al., 2015) A Brachiosauridae, originally from the Cretaceous period Early, with 130 million years old, is a dinosaur of great stature, with over 12 meters high and 17 meters long, unique in its kind. Our museum also exhibits a beautiful head of Kronosaurus as well as an interesting tip from another Kronosaurus and vertebras of this animal, and fragments of limbs and muzzle of that powerful marine reptile ... In our collection we have traces of Ichthyosauria, marine reptile breathing through lungs and gave birth to calves directly into the water, in the form of snuff, big eyes and a powerful flukes, one that animal was a hunter deep water. We also exhibited a considerable amount of Ammonoideas, commonly called "Ammonite", our collection of Ammonite allows us to observe the processes of biological change over time, or what is the same, allows us to observe the evolution, as well as the different types of materials rock that make up the fossils of the region. Our small but important collection of bivalvias, fish, crabs and turtles allow us to observe dynamic different ecological and diverse ecological niches, from benthic animals as some bivalvias, through sea animals open as Ichthyosauria and fish, covering metropolitan animals like PLIOSAUROIDAE, reaching close to the coasts, where animals like ammonites, crabs and turtles dominated the scene. Also, our museum exhibits remains petrified plants Cretaceous period, we have evidence of roots, stems, leaves and seeds of gymnosperm plants. Last but not least, we exhibit some fossil remains of mammals of the Cenozoic Era, to be known Mammutidae and other remains still unidentified.
See full details
1

Revenue impacts the experiences featured on this page, learn more.


Learn more about this content
Tours, activities and experiences bookable on Tripadvisor, ranked using exclusive Tripadvisor data including reviews, ratings, photos, popularity, user preferences, price, and bookings made through Tripadvisor.

What travellers are saying

  • Sergio F
    14 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Way, way off the beaten path, this park was an interesting and unique find. After a long-ish ride on an unpaved road, during which we hoped to be going in the right direction, we reached the park and were immediately greeted by Eduardo, the head of the operation.

    Walking us through the premises, he told us about the project in great detail: an attempt, 15 years in the making, to turn exceptionally arid and difficult land into a biodiversity oasis. Most of the crops are not meant for sale but to enhance the cycle of natural development they have started.

    The park welcomes visitors (for $45k per person), although its touristic infrastructure is under development. A restaurant which, as Eduardo told us, will honor the indigenous cuisine of the area, is due to open later in the year.

    That said, the park is already well worth the visit. Strolling through its different areas (in the company of a cute and quiet local cat that acted as our guide after Eduardo left us), we met an impressive collage of Colombian biodiversity. Coffee, bananas, grapes, *cidrón*... some of these crops should fail at that height and in that region, but in the park they flourished. Eduardo is clearly passionate and knowledgeable about his project. We wish him a lot of success in it.
    Written 3 March 2024
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Jasmine38Chichester UK
    Chichester, UK1,952 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Very attractive, cobbled square and much bigger than I anticipated. Gorgeous historic buildings, in white with green trim. Plenty of cafés, restaurants and shops both in the square and the side streets, as well as a few museums. Lots of attractions within the surrounding area too. Lovely place to spend a few days.
    Written 3 February 2024
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Jasmine38Chichester UK
    Chichester, UK1,952 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    A small but excellent collection of prehistoric fossils, primarily sea creatures, found in the local area. Some are large and almost complete. Reasonable signage in English as well as Spanish. We found it fascinating. You can also see the area where the scientists work. Good educational facility for kids too.
    Snack and drinks available.
    Written 2 February 2024
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Freedom329342
    Punta Gorda, FL7 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    Great experience . The tour could be better , information too superficial . Tasting could be in a table . Quality of wines good
    Written 17 July 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Jasmine38Chichester UK
    Chichester, UK1,952 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    Similiar to the CIP paleontology centre, just up the road, but this is privately owned. It contains a very large and impressive fossil of a 'sea monster' from around the same period as dinosaurs. There are are also various other fossil exhibits and all the signage is in both Spanish and English. COP 20,000 entry.

    It was worth a visit but if you only have the time and money for one, I would choose CIP.
    Written 2 February 2024
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • TAMAN1951
    Liberty Lake, WA6,626 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    Lovely grounds and well maintained.

    Not very crowded and easy to maneuver.

    Great story about the entry of the Catholics and their interactions with the indigenous people of the area.

    A little off the beaten path but worth a visit.

    Loved the way fossils were integrated into the masonry.
    Written 4 September 2022
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Alan M
    Takamatsu, Japan56 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    A cracking hike up through montane rain forest into the Paramo and an extremely peaceful end at the sacred lake. Not for the faint hearted but with a guide there is a lot of interest.
    Written 8 February 2019
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Sue D
    1 contribution
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    We loved Villa de Leyva, the cobblestone streets, friendly people, great food - it was an amazing visit, highly recommend, only 3 1/2 hours from Bogota. The small city is quiet and clean yet full of life.
    Written 8 May 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • aussietravelingthere
    Port Douglas, Australia31 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    One of the main buildings of the enormous plaza. Worth a look for historical value, size, construction & not overly ornate. Free entry.
    Written 20 April 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Jasmine38Chichester UK
    Chichester, UK1,952 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    Interesting, quirky house built in 2014, in the Gaudi style, by an architect for his family to live in. However, he turned it into a tourist attraction as he received too many gawpers to actually live in it.

    Enjoyed our visit but you have to take a one hour tour (in Spanish and English) which was a bit too long. It was also pricey by Colombian standards at 38 000 COP.

    You can walk here from the main square in about 20 mins.
    Written 2 February 2024
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Bernhard Kossmann
    Cape Town, South Africa1 contribution
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    We visited late afternoon and experienced the labyrinth as a family. It was wonderfully explained and guided by Monica.
    A very special spiritual event reconnecting our family.
    The advertising of Fibas should put more emphasis on this experience. Much more than a garden.
    Written 7 January 2022
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • fabiandelaparra@gmail.com
    Bogota, Colombia85 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    Good place to enjoy with children. The tour is entertaining and the tour guides are very kind. The representations of dinoraurios are very real. Good place to visit.
    Written 15 October 2017
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Frequently Asked Questions about Villa de Leyva