Home › Destinations › Villa de Leyva
Weather in Villa de Leyva
Cobbled colonial plaza frozen in time
—
Loading live weather...
About Villa de Leyva
Villa de Leyva is Colombia's most picture-perfect colonial plaza—a UNESCO-recognized town square surrounded by whitewashed buildings with red-tile roofs. The main plaza is so large that it can accommodate 800 cows, though today it's filled with tourists, cafés, and colonial architecture. The town sits high in the Andes, with surrounding natural attractions.
Best months to visit
Year-round
Things to do in Villa de Leyva
Colonial plaza exploring and photography
Nearby Ecazo waterfall hiking
Fossil museum visiting and paleontology exploring
Surrounding mountain biking and hiking trails
Local Colombian cuisine and artisan shopping
Day trips to nearby natural attractions and mines
Weather by month
Click any month for detailed weather information and travel tips.
January
22C
Mild and comfortable, with regular rainfall.
February
23C
Mild and comfortable, with regular rainfall.
March
22C
Mild and comfortable, with frequent heavy rain.
April
22C
Mild and comfortable, with frequent heavy rain.
May
22C
Mild and comfortable, with frequent heavy rain.
June
21C
Mild and comfortable, with regular rainfall.
July
22C
Mild and comfortable, with some rainy days.
August
22C
Mild and comfortable, with some rainy days.
September
23C
Mild and comfortable, with some rainy days.
October
22C
Mild and comfortable, with frequent heavy rain.
November
22C
Mild and comfortable, with frequent heavy rain.
December
22C
Mild and comfortable, with regular rainfall.
Villa de Leyva is a meticulously preserved colonial town built around one of Colombia's largest cobblestone plazas, its whitewashed buildings and red-tiled roofs little changed since the 16th century. Surrounded by a dry, fossil-rich highland landscape unusual for the Andes, the town makes a relaxed base for visiting nearby paleontology sites, vineyards and the desert-like Ráquira and Iguaque areas.
Best areas to stay in Villa de Leyva
Plaza Mayor
The vast central cobblestone square, the heart of the town's restaurants and hotels.
El Fósil / Paleontology sites
A short drive away, home to fossil museums including a near-complete kronosaurus skeleton.
Ráquira (day trip)
A brightly painted pottery town about 30-40 minutes away, known for ceramics and crafts.
Iguaque Nature Reserve
A high-altitude reserve with hiking trails up to a sacred lake, considered the birthplace of humanity in Muisca mythology.
Getting to Villa de Leyva
✈
Flights
Fly into Bogotá, then travel by bus or car (about 3-3.5 hours) to Villa de Leyva.
⏱
From London
~3-3.5 hours by road from Bogotá.
🚕
Getting around
The town centre is walkable; bikes, tuk-tuks and tours are used for surrounding sites like Ráquira and Iguaque.
Frequently asked questions
When is the best time to visit Villa de Leyva?
December to February and July to August are drier; the high-altitude climate means cool nights year-round regardless of season.
What is the main plaza like?
It's one of the largest cobblestone plazas in South America, entirely car-free and ringed by colonial buildings, cafes and restaurants.
What day trips are popular from Villa de Leyva?
The El Fósil paleontology museum, the colourful pottery town of Ráquira, and Iguaque Nature Reserve for hiking are all common day trips.
Is Villa de Leyva good for wine tasting?
Yes — a few boutique vineyards near town, unusual for Colombia's altitude, offer tastings and tours.
How do you get around?
The town centre is entirely walkable; tuk-tuks, bikes and tours cover the surrounding countryside and villages.
Traveler reviews
★★★★★
The plaza at night, with almost no cars and warm light spilling from the restaurants onto the cobblestones, was one of the calmest places we visited in Colombia.
Camilo V. · August 2023
★★★★☆
Hiked up to the sacred lake at Iguaque — tough at altitude but a totally different landscape from the town below.
Beatrix N. · December 2024
★★★★☆
Ráquira's painted houses and pottery stalls made for a colourful half-day trip from Villa de Leyva.
Julian R. · February 2024
Ready to visit Villa de Leyva?
Find the best hotels and experiences for your trip.
More dream destinations
