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AndesTransit > Amazing Routes > Bogota to Villa de Leyva Bus

Bus travel from Bogota to Villa de Leyva

Reviewed

on: 2021-09-15

by: Alice Silva

Quick Facts

  • Duration

    3 hours 40 minutes

  • Rating

  • Experience

    kite flying, colonial history, artisans

  • Best Price

    USD $ 12.49

  • Maximum comfort or class

    Good

  • Departures

    6 departures daily

  • Recommended by

    758 travelers

Price may fluctuate due to seasonal demand and other market-driven and regulatory events.

Bus travel from Bogota to Villa de Leyva

The Plaza Mayor of Villa de Leyva.

The bus is the most affordable transport to get from Bogota to Villa de Leyva. It will give you a real-world sense of what people are like outside the cosmopolitan capital, and how they travel and get you to your destination in just a few hours. You can search for available tickets in the search bar and then reserve the departure date and time that suits you best.

What are buses like in Colombia?

If you are going to be spending any time in the capital, Bogota, you will no doubt experience the omnipresent mass transit system called TransMilenio Bus Rapid Transit (BRT). People use it to get everywhere for cheaper than a cab, and it reduces greenhouse gas and pollution.

However, the BRT is nothing like the long-distance buses in Colombia (or city-to-city buses). Buses in Colombia range from jaloppies carrying farmers, chickens, and accordion-playing bands to high-class air-conditioned and soundproofed double-decker coaches.

In between Bogota and Villa de Leyva, you will likely get something in between the spectrum, as the higher-end coaches are reserved for extra-long distances, and Villa de Leyva is considered closer to the shorter range.

How long does it take to reach Villa de Leyva?

Villa de Leyva is 166 km (103 miles) from Bogota, but winds up and around and down mountains on the way, often with a rest stop in the breezy but historically significant Tunja, the capital of the Boyaca province.

It, therefore, takes almost 3-4 hours to reach Villa de Leyva from Bogota, when you account for traffic getting out of Bogota and the layover in Tunja.

Once you get to Villa de Leyva, though, you’ll see why it is one of the most popular weekend destinations as it has something for everyone to do in a short visit. If you don’t have time to return again and again, we recommend spending a good amount of time in Villa de Leyva, as there are many unique sights to discover that are equally memorable.

Cost of Tickets

The cost of tickets from Bogota to Villa de Leyva is generally 28,000 COP ($8), but the cost may increase depending on other factors:

  • The class of the coach. For coaches offering reclining seats, onboard bathrooms, and air conditioning, then the cost of the tickets might be a bit higher.
  • The time of your visit. On holidays or weekends the price increases.
  • The date you make your reservation. The farther in advance you book your reservation, the more discounts you get. Late buyers suffer higher prices.

Where to book tickets for Bogota to Villa de Leyva

There are two options to book tickets:

Online mode

Booking online is the safest and secure option, especially during this era of Covid-19 concerns. Reduce the risk of impacting your health and gain the most contactless transaction experience by booking online at andestransit.com for your tickets from Bogota to Villa de Leyva. Just enter your search above and click Reserve Now, and we’ll bring the tickets to you without ever needing to have gone to the bus station.

Offline mode

We don't recommend this option, given the current health concerns. Bus stations are crowded places, often hot and unsanitary, with people bumping into you and spreading germs on surfaces. Aside from all that, you have to spend some extra effort on which bus station to go to, Salitre or Terminal Satelite Dee Morte. You could end up going to one, only to be told you should go to the other one, and there goes your whole day. Nonetheless, if you’re doing your trip on the spur of the moment and ready to accept whatever seat or departure time is next available, then the offline option is certainly the next best thing to online.

Things to do in Villa de Leyva

The convent courtyard of Ecco Homo near Villa de Leyva, Colombia.

One can easily spend hours walking around the cobblestone streets of Villa de Leyva, even at night, it’s very safe. Fresh breezes make it the stage for an annual kite-flying festival, and the whitewashed colonial architecture makes home to various alleys lined with artisans crafting various bounties to take home with you.

Here we mention the top four things you can do in and around Villa de Leyva.

1. Plaza Mayor

Plaza Mayor is the largest open colonial-era plaza in Latin America. In the middle of the plaza is a Mujedar fountain and around its edges are the church and government buildings, museums, and restaurants. A caution not to try to traverse it with high heels. The cobblestones are large and rounded and in much the same condition as they were laid centuries ago.

2. Museo Del Carmen

Museo Del Carmen is one of the finest religious art museums in the world, which is attached to the main church of the town, Iglesia Del Carmen. The museum is filled with treasured paintings, altarpieces, carvings, and many more religious objects dating from the 16th century.

3. Stroll to Casa Terracotta

Start your mid-morning at park Antonia Narino, located two streets far from the main square. Students come here and sit in the grass to read or play the guitar. Then stop by Panaderia Francesa to buy some tasty chocolate bread or the Astral Bakery located around the corner, to fortify your walk out of town. The destination of your morning stroll will be the Terracotta House (Casa Terracotta), situated twenty minutes outside town. Octavia Mendoza, a Colombian architect, made this extraordinary Terracotta house by baking it under the sun and it still functions as a pottery market.

4. Around Villa de Leyva

You will need to hire a cab but do so to get to the amazing sights a little farther outside of the town. El Fósil is a nearly complete fossil of a chronosaur (like a gargantuan crocodile) and is housed in its own museum. El Infernito is an ancient sacred indigenous site that is studded with giant phallus statues (that's right, penises). Convento Santo Ecco Homo is a beautiful monastery founded in 1620 in one of the most perfect climactic valleys you won't want to leave. For hikers, try out going to Santuario Iguaque where you can hike around several high-altitude lakes (all-day trip). La Periquera is a camping site known for its 7 waterfalls in which you can take a loop trail down to each waterfall (even rappel down them if you want). Pozo Azules is another beautiful area that features three topaz-colored lakes.

Conclusion

Traveling from Bogota to Villa de Leyva by bus is an amazing experience, but you will so enjoy Villa de Leyva that once you get back to Bogota, you might want to get right back on the bus again from missing it already. Search for your departure in the search bar at the top of the page and reserve your ticket today.

Route Map

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What is the minimum price of tickets from Bogota to Villa de Levya?
The minimum price runs about $12 USD at the moment, but it can go up or down based on the bus company providing the service, the time of year (high season or low season), the class of the coach being provisioned, and simply the exchange rate from COP to USD.
Can you go to Villa de Leyva from Bogota and back in a single day?
Not really. You would spend most of your time on the road and not be able to do any activities. Plan to take the bus in the morning and at least spend one night in Villa de Leyva, as there is a lot to see and do there.
Are there any restrictions for riding the bus from Bogota to Villa de Leyva?
Yes, there are few restrictions due to Covid-19, namely the passenger must wear a mask at all times during the trip and not sit in seats taped off to create social distance.
What are the ticket policies?
It depends on the carrier you choose, but their specific policies can be previewed during checkout or in the summaries printed on your ticket email. For a general overview, see the Ticket Policy page.

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