May 9, 2010 - Villa de Leyva via Tunja

Day of riding buses...start at 7 am to a bus stop near Hostel but I failed to heed the hostel suggestion to only get on a bus w/ 'Terminal' on it! Instead, I asked driver if he went to the Terminal - Yes! After 45 min we were dropped off at a place to get another bus - we thought. I looked across the blvd and saw a street sign reading 'Terminal', but since driver said we needed another bus & we asked 2 girls at the stop, both said Yes, we needed another bus. Ten minutes later we got on one that said 'Terminal'...girls indicated this was it!...

Jan 2, 2010 - Les pueblos coloniaux

On remonte la cordillère (des Andes) orientale, en busetas (petits minibus bondés), avec pour objectif la côte caraïbe. Première escale dans le Boyaca, à Villa de Leyva. Ce petit village colonial, très bien conservé, est niché au creux des montagnes. Rues pavées de grosses pierres, maisons blanchies à la chaux, et en prime une très bonne pâtisserie francaise! On a rencontré beaucoup de Bogotanos, qui viennent passer le week-end là, mais très peu de touristes étrangers (comme c´est le cas dans beaucoup de campagnes colombiennes). Conseillés...

Sep 2, 2006 - Villa de Leyva

Close to Bogotá, many people had talked of Villa de Leyva as a small, pretty village off the high sierra i.e. better and warmer weather. I fancied a couple of days away from the traffic, noise and pollution of Bogotá..... Only 3 hours away (close) I thought I was the only foreigner in the village. Not quite Gunfight at the OK Corral, but I could imagine how it could have been 100 years ago. The village is small, less than 5,000 inhabitants and a few more out in the surronding countryside. It's popular as a weekend retreat for Bogotanos so I...

Aug 22, 2005 - Surprising Colombia

Colombia is a bag full of surprises. Baigalmaa, Justin and myself were skeptical of Bogotá upon arrival, but our appreciation of the city grew day by day. The colonial architecture, excellent museums, diverse restaurant scene and the amazing friendliness of the locals continued to inspire good thoughts over our first three days. It's a clean city, and easily manageable using a combination of foot power and low-cost taxis. La Candelaria, the historic district, is one of narrow alleys, pastel-colored shops and the sounds of Colombian music...

Jul 16, 2005 - Colombia - Villa De Leyva

We arrived here on the recommendation of a couple of travellers and what a tip it was - this is an absolutely fantastic place and as luck would have it we arrive midst the Feista de Carmen - a weekend of music, live bands, incredible fireworks, markets and equestrian events. The town is a colonial, national monument, with beautiful architecture, the largest Colombian plaza and characters straight out of a spaghetti western. It is also a getaway for rich Bogotarians and consequently has great resturants, bars and shops. Our hotel is one of...

Mar 21, 2005 - Colombia: Villa De Leyva

I'd been ill with some kind of stomach bug so the relatively short bus 4hr bus journey from San Gil to Villa de Leyva was a relief with only one bus change at Tunja. This was my first time at altitude above 2,500m (Tunja is at 2,800m) and I really felt it! Despite the breathlessness that accompanies the thin air, the freshness of it and cooler temperatures was a welcome change. Villa de Leyva is a very pretty colonial mountain town set in a valley - all cobbled streets and whitewashed buildings with flowers on the balconies and shutters....