Colombia day 2: Villa de Leyva.

Submitted by maria on Mon, 09/09/2019 - 19:16

We got up early and had breakfast at the lodge, impressive with self service of toast, butter, jam, coffee, cocoa, strawberry juice and watermelon.

North Bus Station Bogota

North Bus Station Bogota

 

They asked us if we wanted eggs or arepas with cheese. We chose the second ones that we had not tried yet. Depending on the area of the country, the way of cooking the arepas is different, in this case it was a fine toast with cheese on top, very tasty.

A taxi came to pick us up, which had previously booked the accommodation. Taxis in Bogota are quite cheap and if the journeys are long it is worth it.

We go to the North bus station. The hobby of cycling is great and on Sundays one of the main avenues is cut off from traffic in one direction so that Bogotanos can enjoy cycling.

 

How to get from Villa de Leyva to San Gil

 

 

We arrive at the station and to our surprise there are no go-getters. It is quite new and modern to access the platforms you need to buy the ticket in advance at the ticket office, which is accessed through some turnstiles. Everything is very well organized. There are several companies to Villa de Leyva, we go with Cundinamarca. It is a 3 hour journey. We listen to Roberto Carlos and Junco among other popular songs on the bus.

 

Villa de Leyva is a beautiful colonial town, almost all tourism is national. It is the paradise to buy handicrafts, souvenirs and wool clothes like ponchos. The main streets are paved and it stands out because of its whitewashed buildings and its great Main Square.

Our accommodation Casa Gaddiel, they are very nice.

 

Main Square Villa de Leyva

Main Square Villa de Leyva

 

It's a pleasant destination to spend the day, with numerous churches and museums to visit, highlight the courtyards, are impressive. It is located in a valley surrounded by mountains so there are always options for excursions around.

 

Villa de Leyva

Villa de Leiva

 

 

We eat at the Casa Blanca restaurant, steak, barbecue ribs and vegetarian tray and beers, all accompanied by potatoes and roasted yucca.

 

Villa de Leyva

Villa de Leyva

 

 

In the Villa they make some homemade square ice creams known as paletas that look good. We buy strawberry and cheese. Strawberry is much better.

 

 

Taxi to the north bus station: 23,000 COP.

Bus from Bogotá to Villa de Leyva 25.000 COP/pax.

Chocolate and water sponge cake 8.000 COP.

Food: Casa Blanca Restaurant 80.700 COP 3 pax + 8.000 COP voluntary tip (churrasco, barbecue ribs and vegetarian tray, beers, all accompanied by potatoes and roasted yucca). It is customary in Colombian restaurants to ask you if you want to pay for the service which corresponds to 8% of the amount of the bill.

Dinner: 24,000 COP 3 pax (empanadas and drink).

Beers: in the plaza 9,000 COP a Colombia Club and a Colombia wheat.

2 artisan ice creams 2,000 COP/ ice cream (they call them paletas).

Accommodation: Casa Gaddiel 90.000 COP/ room with bathroom and breakfast 3 pax.