Villa de Leyva

Travel Guide Bogotá

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Colonial city high in the Andes

Villa de Leyva is one of the most beautiful colonial cities in Colombia. In 1954, the city was declared a national monument. Villa de Leyva is located at an altitude of 2140 meters in the Boyacá region and has about 17,500 inhabitants. From Bogotá you can get there in 3-4 hours by bus.

Mega Plaza
The central plaza is the big eye-catcher. With a circumference of 120 by 120 meters, Plaza Mayor is one of the largest plazas in Latin America. During the week, the square can often be deserted, but on weekends it teems with activity, with day-trippers from Bogotá.

Striking architecture
The most striking building just outside the city is Casa Terracotta, a house made entirely of clay. It is the life’s work of Colombian architect Octavio Mendoza Morales. You can also see Casa Terracotta inside.

Here you will find tips and the best things to do.

#ColombiaMyWay tips

Tip #1
Grab a bike
The area lends itself perfectly to a fun bike ride. If you want to bike -but differently-, check out Aventurapark Villa de Leyva. Here you can buy a ticket for aereal bikes for COP35,000 / $9 and zipline tickets (canopy) cost between COP30.000 and COP40.000. Aventura park is located 14 km from the city, opposite Parque la Periquera. Check Aventura park’s facebook and website for photos and more info.

Tip #2
Drink a glass of wine from Colombian soil
A winery in Colombia? Yes you heard it right! In Villa de Leyva you can indulge in a glass of wine from the Viñedo Ain Karim vineyard, 10 km from Villa de Leyva. You can book a tour including various tastings.

Tip #3
Go to the market on Saturdays
Stroll around Plaza Mercado and soak up the authentic ambiente

Tip #4
Visit the village of Ráquira, the “capital of ceramics.”
The souvenir shops are open every day, but there is a market on Sundays, so that’s when the ambiance is at its liveliest.

Tip #5
Go hiking in Iguaque National Park.
Santuario de Fauna y Flora Iguaque is located 13 km outside the city. Here you can hike in the paramó landscape with its unique flora and fauna. Entrance to the park is COP76,000/$19 (2025) but rates are adjusted every year.


Enthusiastic about Villa de Leyva?
Then check this link for the best places to stay in Villa de Leyva 

 

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Top 10 tips for El Dorado airport Bogotá

Practical information about Colombia, Travel Guide Bogotá

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10 Helpful (and Tasty) Tips

Time to spare before your departure from El Dorado airport?

Great! With it’s good facilities, the airport is a convenient place to spend a few hours.

Check out our 10 tips for things to do at El Dorado airport Bogotá here.

  1. Scoring a new backpack
    At Totto, you’ll find backpacks, suitcases, bags and other handy travel items. You’ll see the store as you walk toward the national departure hall.

2. Get a free yellow fever shot
You can get the shot at hospital de Fontibón, next to the international departure hall. Keep in mind though, that you must get a yellow fever shot at least 10 days before arriving in a high-risk area.

3. Have lunch at Crepes & Waffles
Not just for a crepe or waffle, but also for a soup, salad or ice cream sundae. You’ll find the restaurant next to the international departure hall. There is a smaller restaurant in the national departure hall.

4. Feast on a juicy burger
At El Corral, order a burger “Colombian style,” with all the delicious toppings.

5. Buy a box of Arequipe donuts to take home
These super-sweet (but oh-so-delicious) donuts with arequipe (caramel) can be bought at Dunkin Donuts or the Donut Factory.

6. Order a cup of coffee made with care
There are specialized, small coffee shops, which you can recognize by the fancy coffee machines. For a cheaper cup of coffee (+ free wifi), Cafe Oma is highly recommended. For the tastiest cappucino you have to be at Zyrope cafe bar!

7. Eat and relax in the large food court
There is a spacious, modern food court in the international departure hall. You can choose from all kinds of drinks and food, from healthy smoothies to snacks and full meals. Our favorite: Gaira Café; this restaurant is at the back of the food court, in a quieter location. The restaurant is not cheap, but the setting is nice and spacious: you have all the space for your hand luggage.The restaurant is owned by Colombian singer Carlos Vives and decorated with all kinds of musical instruments.

8. Buy a unique handmade souvenir
At El Market you can buy beautiful painted bowls, among other things. For a cheaper souvenir, visit the stores towards gate 10.

9. Surf the internet with free wifi
There is free wifi in most places at the airport, but the signal at the gates is often not as strong. In that case, order a drink at the food court and enter the “clave” listed on your receipt. That is the code for the wifi.

10. Check here for locations and opening hours
Website El Dorado – restaurants
Website El Dorado – stores

Look here for General information El Dorado airport

Check here for the best hotels close to El Dorado airport.

Discover Bogotá like a local

Travel Guide Bogotá

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Tips from a local

Bogotá has something for everyone, with activities that are fun for locals and travelers alike. Read a local’s tips for exploring Bogotá’s historic center + bonus tips on what to do in this metropolis.

1) Free Museum Day
Throughout the year, free admission is included on the last Sunday of the month: Museo de Bogotá, Gold Museum, Museo Botero, Museo Casa de la moneda, Museo militar de Colombia, Museo de arte colonial, Museo histórico de la policía and Museo Nacional. On other days, you pay a (modest) entrance fee.

2) “Septimazo” walk
Most of the museums are in the center of the city, therefore it is almost mandatory to do a “septimazo”; a walk along Carrera séptima in the center. In doing so, you walk past various stores and can see artists, painters and musicians at work.

Pastelería La Florida
This pastry shop is a perfect starting point for your walk. Take a seat in the more than 70-year-old building, order a delicious pastry or taste a traditional dish, such as tamales* with hot chocolate or agua de panela con almojábana*. Address: Carrera 7 #21-36.

*Tamales: a mix of vegetables, meat, chicken, potato and cornmeal. This package is wrapped in banana leaf and then steamed

*Agua de panela con almojábana: sugar water with a roll of cornmeal and cheese

La Candelaria
From La Florida, you can continue walking to Plaza de Bolívar in the district of la Candelaria. This historic district with its traditional houses, still has a colonial atmosphere. At the Plaza del Chorro de Quevedo, you can take a break and see where Bogotá was founded 482 years ago.

Try an authentic Colombian drink?
Then order a glass of Chicha Bogotana, a fermented corn drink. While enjoying this traditional drink, you can listen to the cuenteros; storytellers who will make you laugh and reflect on life.

3) Festival Iberoamericano de Teatro de Bogotá
This theater festival with storytellers, street theater and dance and theater performances, has been held for 30 years in June/July. There are performances (free of charge) at various locations around the city.

4) Festival de Verano
In the month of August, the Festival de Verano is held, in honor of the city’s birthday. There are various outdoor (free) activities to allow people to enjoy the green spaces and parks as much as possible. These include kite races, sports activities, fireworks shows and concerts. Prepare well for outdoor events and different weather conditions. Have your thick coat, umbrella or sunscreen ready!

5) Usaquén
If we’re talking about colonial sites, then we can’t neglect Usaquén: definitely not to be missed. Originally Usaquén was a town close to Bogotá, but due to population growth, Usaquén is now part of the city of Bogotá. It is an attractive neighborhood with traditional streets, a central square, a town hall and beautiful gardens surrounding the church.

Sunday=Market Day
Every Sunday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. people sell goods and food in the central square. The Usaquén market has existed since 1991 and is famous in Bogotá. The market hosts cultural events and sells handmade products that are unique and representative of Colombia. At the beginning of the market is the Santa Bárbara shopping center. Here you can clearly see the contrast between the modern mall and the colonial architecture. The address is Carrera 5 # 120A-07. In Usaquén are some of the best restaurants in the city, for every taste and culture.

Bogotá; a fantastic meeting point that you must know to get a small idea of Colombia. What are you waiting for!?

 


#ColombiaMyWay Tips

#Tip 1
If you are in Bogotá in December, visit the Expoartesanías fair. You will find cultural products from the different regions of Colombia, giving you a good idea of the cultural diversity of the country. You can buy handmade products and learn about the traditions that are part of Colombia’s identity.

-Location: Corferias, Bogotá
-Click the link for location in Google Maps
-Date: every year between December 5 and 20
-Price: around $7

#Tip 2
As a tourist you are easily recognised, so beware of pickpockets. Take as few valuables as possible and store your money safely, e.g., in a thin pouch under your pants. Do not walk in the dark in La Candelaria, but use taxis from your hotel or hostel.

#Tip 3
Read our travel stories here about our own experience in Bogotá. Want to do a guided tour of Bogotá’s historic center? Then check here the possibilities for tours in la Candelaria. Check our complete guide about Bogotá here.

#Tip 4
here  you can find the nicest hotels and hostels in Bogotá

 

Hotel tips for stopover in Bogotá

Travel Guide Bogotá

Looking for an overnight hotel near El Dorado Airport? Then check here our tips for comfortable hotels with facilities, close to the airport.

Tip #1
City Express Junior & City Plus Aeropuerto

Our favorite, due to convenient extras like airport shuttle and early breakfast.

Location: In the Fontibon district, 3 km from the airport
Price range: €30-60 per night for a double room

These two hotels are in the same building. The “Plus” rooms are slightly more spacious and have larger beds, but the furnishings are similar. The modern hotel has a restaurant with room service, soft drink vending machine and a gym. There is:

  • Good wifi
  • Air Conditioning
  • Room service until midnight
  • Early breakfast: from about 5:15 a.m. they start preparing the breakfast buffet. You can then grab some simple items from the buffet already, such as croissants, jam and coffee.
  • Free shuttle to the airport, on every hour from 5:00 am. There is also a shuttle from the airport to the hotel (on request)
  • Tip: Be punctual or on time or rather a little early for the shuttle to the airport. The bus leaves exactly on time and does not wait! (We speak from experience -:)

 

Tip #2
Mr. Huésped

Distance from airport: 5 km, in Engativa district
Price range: €20-30for a double room

Mr. Huésped is a small hotel with 9 rooms with Netflix. There are also g ecommon areas.

  • Breakfast is included.
  • Good wifi
  • Supermarkets and restaurants within walking distance
  • Good value for money
  • A cab from the airport costs approx. COP18,000-20,000/€5

Check here more hotels and hostels in Bogotá

Also check here our 10 tips to make your time fun (and delicious) at El Dorado airport.

Caño Cristales: The most beautiful river in the world

Travel Guide Los Llanos Orientales

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The most beautiful river in the world?

Caño Cristales is also called “the most beautiful river in the world.” Its rivers, rapids and waterfalls stretch for 100 km and are part of the Serranía de la Macarena National Park in the region of Meta. The park is a “meeting point” of the Andes mountains, the Amazon rainforest and the plains of the Llanos. This makes it a perfect place to spot wildlife in the jungle, hike to rock formations and waterfalls, take boat trips and chill in natural pools.

Here you can read all about the Caño Cristales. Why does the river turn pink, how to get there and tips.

Why does the river turn pink?
Half the year, Caño Cristales looks like any other river in Colombia, but between June and November, red, purple, green, blue and yellow colors give the river the nickname “the liquid rainbow,” “the river of 5 colors” or simply the most beautiful river in the world. It is the aquatic plants “Macarenia Clavígera” that give the river its special pink-purple colors. The colors change under the influence of the sun.

How to get to Caño Cristales?
Access to Caño Cristales, is only possible from the town of la Macarena, south of Serranía de la Macarena National Park. The town is home to about 32,000 people and has a few hotels and restaurants. You cannot go to Caño Cristales on your own; you can only do so with an official guide approved by the park. Transportation to/in the park is by all-terrain vehicle and boat.

#ColombiaMyWay Tips

Tip #1
Book a package trip
A trip including flight to la Macarena, lodging and activities, can be booked departing from Bogotá (75 minutes). There are also flights from Medellín, Villavicencio and Cali. Check here the options for a package trip to Caño Cristales.

Tip #2
Arrange the flight and hotel yourself
If you don’t want to book a package tour, there are some hotels that can arrange the trip to Caño Cristales for you.  la Manigua lodge, is one of your best bets to do this. The resort is located on 9 km from Caño Cristales, 20 min. by boat from la Macarena. The location of the beautiful lodge -smack in the middle of nature- is  your home base for making trips to Caño Cristales and other natural attractions in the area. At the lodge itself, you don’t need to get bored. You can fill any free time easily with observing the nature and wildlife from your cabin, but if you would like to be entertained there are also plenty of options: the lodge can arrange activities such as a cacao workshop or a sunset serenade on the water, an experience that you not forget lightly!

Book other hotels in la Macarena here.

Tip #3
Arrange your trip ahead of time
To protect the ecosystem, a very limited number of visitors are admitted

Tip #4
Keep in mind that there are strict rules in the park
For example, plastic bottles are prohibited and swimming with sunscreen on is not allowed (it is harmful to aquatic plants).

The history of Serranía de la Macarana National Park
Caño Cristales was closed to the public and partially destroyed by the guerrillas, paramilitaries and the army between 1989 and 2009. After this, it gradually became safer and tour operators entered the area. Today, protection of the ecosystem of Serranía de la Macarena National Park a very high priority. Caño Cristales is a growing eco-tourism destination and the area is safe to travel with a tour operator.

Sustainable development
Cormacarena is the sustainable development institute responsible for protection in the Macarena area. Only about 200 visitors are allowed per day and visitors are assigned to different sections of the park. The local communities are very dedicated to protecting the area and making sure it does not get too crowded. Therefore, visitors must follow strict rules. In 2009, 700 visitors visited the area and that number grew to 16,000 visitors in 2018. Because of the strict measures, the effect on nature of ecotourism is minimal.

The social and economic impact of ecotourism is immense, as local families and communities organise and lead the trips. In the beginning, 35 families were involved in ecotourism; today there are as many as 650 families. Ecotourism not only raises awareness among the residents of la Macarena. The locals are also enormously proud of their nature and culture. During a cultural evening, they get a chance to share their culture and customs with the travellers.

Scientific research
In the province of Meta, 40% of its area is a protected natural area. In addition to Caño Cristales, Laguna de Loma linda, Piscinias del Güejar and Cañon del Güejar are also protected. In 2018, the flora and fauna of the Guayabero, Duda and Losada rivers were studied.

This research was conducted by Cormacarena in collaboration with the Alexander von Humboldt Institute. These are the results in number of species: 66 microalgae, 114 macroinvertebrates, 245 fish, 38 frogs and toads, 24 lizards, 33 snakes, 7 turtles, 4 crocodiles and 737 birds.