boyaca & santander, the perfect places for outdoor lovers!
Visiting Boyacá, one of the departments located in the eastern-central region of Colombia and neighboring the nation’s capital, is like stepping into a land of adventure, breathtaking landscapes, rich culture, and unforgettable cuisine. Situated in the Andean region, Boyacá is home to 123 municipalities, each offering a unique blend of climates, colonial charm, and ecological attractions. This diversity makes it an appealing destination for travelers seeking experiences beyond the traditional sun-and-beach getaway.
Boyacá is dotted with small, beautiful villages, each offering a distinct and memorable experience. Just to the north, Santander stands out for its remarkable variety, where climates, landscapes, and ecosystems converge along the Eastern Cordillera. Together, Boyacá and Santander form an ideal region for travellers drawn to adventure sports, mountainous terrain, and peaceful colonial towns surrounded by nature.
A Villa de Leyva Tour is a must when exploring Boyacá. This iconic colonial town invites visitors to slow down and stay at least one night to fully appreciate its natural charm, vast open landscapes, and timeless architecture. In contrast, San Gil, located in Santander, is the adventure capital of the region, attracting adrenaline seekers with activities such as paragliding, rock climbing, and white-water rafting.
No journey through Santander is complete without experiencing one of the renowned Barichara Tours. Often considered one of Colombia’s most picturesque towns, Barichara enchants visitors with its cobblestone streets and historic atmosphere. Hiking the legendary Camino Real offers an unforgettable way to connect Barichara with the surrounding landscapes and history, making it a highlight for culture and nature lovers alike.
colombia tours including boyaca & santander
Private Expedition
Villa de Leyva Tour
3 Days
Visit a beautiful colonial town and spend time with the community of Gachantiva
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Private Expedition
Best of Colombia Tour
16 Days
Start in vibrant Bogotá and finish in Cartagena, exploring Villa de Leyva, the Coffee region and Medellin
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Private Expedition
Colombia Colonial Towns Tour
14 Days
A great journey from Bogota to Cartagena to explore colonial towns like Barichara and Villa de Leyva
MORE DETAILStop places to visit in boyaca and santander
villa de leyva
Located about 3 hours by car from Bogota, Villa de Leyva is a Spanish colonial town surrounded by stunning hills and terrain. This city is well known for its whitewashed colonial houses, cobbled streets and terracotta roofs remarkably well-preserved. Wander the colonial streets, go horseback riding outside the city or visit the Terracotta House, an impressive architectural gem made from terracotta.
raquira
This picturesque town has always been a place where artisans produce pieces of pottery and wool. Its name means "city of pots" in the Native American Chibcha language. The houses, streets and central square are splashed with colour and adorned with an infinite variety of clay pieces. Spend an afternoon appreciating the exquisite handicrafts in this little town.
barichara
Deemed the “prettiest town in Colombia,” Barichara is located about 2.5 hours outside the Santanderian city of Bucaramanga. It offers a unique charming, colonial, and romantic atmosphere – complete with cobblestone streets and historic churches. Visit local artisan shops and try regional specialty hormigas culonas, giant edible ants.
chicamocha
Chicamocha Canyon is one of the world's deepest canyons, offering awe-inspiring views and thrilling activities like paragliding, hiking, and zip-lining. This natural marvel is a highlight of the region, surrounded by rugged, dramatic landscapes.
parque gallineral
Gallineral Park, located in San Gil, is a lush, tranquil park known for its towering trees draped in Spanish moss. Situated along the Fonce River, it offers peaceful walking paths, diverse flora, and a serene escape into nature. It also offers rafting options for various skill levels.
camino real
The Camino Real is a historic stone trail connecting the towns of Barichara and Guane. Offering stunning views of the Andean countryside, this scenic hike showcases colonial history, cobblestone paths, and beautiful, rustic landscapes.
more things to do in boyaca & santander
- Explore other charming colonial towns near Villa de Leyva, such as Paipa, Nobsa, and Mongui. Each town has unique architecture, lively plazas, artisan crafts, and a rich cultural heritage, offering an immersive experience of Boyacá's picturesque landscapes and traditional Andean life.
- Hike in the Sierra Nevada del Cocuy: The Sierra Nevada del Cocuy is formed by a chain of more than 25 snow-capped peaks, in an area of thirty kilometres. Also known as Guican and Chita, it is one of the most important glacial masses in Colombia, which can be walked on foot. This mountain range is part of the El Cocuy National Natural Park, in which there are Andean forests and basal jungle. The perfect location to spot a large amount of fauna such as danta, morrocoy, maiceros and araguato.
- Look for the monster of the Lake Tota: The legends say that the "devil whale" is the Colombian version of the Loch Ness Monster and can be found in the Lake Tota. If you're not scared (especially by the cold) you can take a dip in this icy cold lake and then relax on the white sandy beach. This place is so peaceful and is perfect if you like water, sports and fishing.
- Walk on the Camino Real: This 10 km trail hike connects Barichara and Guane. The path is mostly downhill, perfect for novice hikers. Enjoy sprawling green farmland and mountain views while walking along Camino Real. And if you're too tired to walk back, you can always take cheap public buses back to your starting point in Barichara.
- Connect with the nature in The Chicamocha national park: Established in 2006, this national park is home to the Chicamocha River, which flows through the majestic Chicamocha Canyon. Take in the incredible panoramic beauty of this natural wonder by riding a cable car or zip-lining across the canyon. Visitors can also enjoy views from a giant swing or by riding in a dune buggy.
- Contemplate the landscapes from the Cerro del Santísimo Ecopark: Located on the ‘El Helechales’ sidewalk, Floridablanca is the Cerro del Santísimo Ecopark, one of Santander's main tourist destinations. You can contemplate the landscapes, the nature that surrounds the Bucaramanga and its metropolitan area while enjoying the weather. In ‘El Santísimo’ stands a sculpture of Jesus of Nazareth that measures 33 m high, making it a pilgrimage site during Holy Week.
- Climb The Mesa de los Santos: The perfect place for climbers, lovers of nautical activities and walkers. Usually visited as an alternative to live experiences with the natural wealth of Santander. From this place you can see the imposing Chicamocha Canyon.
Local
gastronomy
Santander and Boyaca are both well known for their rich and highly traditional cuisine. With all their cultivated lands and farms they never run out of fresh produce to introduce to their recipes. Their knowledge is a perfect blend between Hispanic, Indian and African cultures and is passed down from one generation to the next.
Oreada Meat: It's a thinly sliced beef steak marinated in spices and herbs, then sun-dried. The texture is unusual and quite similar to beef jerky. It's usually served with rice and boiled yuccas with an almond-based cream sauce.
Petitoria: Santandereana cuisine is not aimed at vegetarians, as this other traditional dish of Santander cuisine is made with the viscera and blood of the goat as the main ingredient. It is an omelet-shaped mixture, which also has egg, cheese, breadcrumbs, rice and other spices and is usually used to accompany the main dishes; in other regions of Colombia there is a similar dish prepared with Lamb, called chanfaina, both of Spanish origin.
Mute: This soup is one of the most traditional dishes of the Andean Region. It's a mixture of pork, beef, vegetables, corn and spices. In some restaurants, they still make it in the woodstove. It's the perfect comfort food for cool evenings.
Culonas ants: Hormigas Culonas are big ants that are popular in the departments of Santander and North Santander. They are crispy and salty and rumoured to strengthen virility and vitality. These giant ants have been cultivated and eaten since pre-Columbian times.
Little Mazamorra: This dish is made with cooked cornmeal that is mixed with onion, peas, potatoes, peas, coriander, garlic, beans and beef. It is a soup of indigenous origin, since the Muisca natives who lived in this region consumed a similar thick soup that they spiced with an herb called guasca, to give it the spicy flavor.
Puchero: It is considered as the main course of this region. In this, several types of meat are mixed delicately with vegetables and other foods produced in the Colombian highlands. The ingredients of the stew are chicken meat and pork loin, with green banana and corn cob.
Cuchuco de trigo con espinazo: This is the typical dish of Runta, one of the rural paths located on the outskirts of the city of Tunja. Cuchuco is a very cheap and popular soup made with peeled wheat, which gives it a very thick consistency.
Boyacense stew: It is another main dish of Boyacense cuisine that is served as lunch. It is made with ingredients such as turnips, beans, cubes, hibias and tender green peas cooked together with chicken, pork and beef ribs. It is accompanied with coriander and pennyroyal.
Corn Patties or Regañonas: Santander is known for its grilled corn patties made with cornmeal, cassava and pork. Crispy outside and soft inside these arepas are completely different from the ones you may have tried before and are perfect as a snack.
Bocadillo veleño: This sweet jam or paste is made from guava pulp and panela mixed together and shaped into red squares. They are often wrapped in bijou leaves and accompanied with a piece of cottage cheese. They make a delightful treat for any time of the day.
Best Time
to visit
Boyacá and Santander offer diverse climates and vibrant festivals. In Boyacá, including towns like Villa de Leyva, temperatures range from 14°C in the cool central region to warmer areas requiring sun protection, while Barichara in Santander spans all thermal floors, from 7°C in the moors to 32°C in the Chicamocha Canyon, with most cities around 24°C. The best time to visit is during the dry seasons: December to March and July to August in Boyacá, and December to March in Santander. Festivals include Boyacá’s Astronomy Festival, Wind and Kite Festival, Aguinaldo Boyacense, and Festival of Lights, and Santander’s San Jerónimo Carnivals and Guabina and Tiple Festival, offering rich cultural experiences.
How to get there?
Getting to Villa de Leyva and other towns in Boyacá is mainly by car or bus from Bogotá, with travel times ranging from 2 to 4 hours, depending on your destination. The route offers stunning views of the Andean landscapes. Roads are generally well-maintained, and public buses and private vehicles are widely available. To reach Barichar in Santander, you can drive from Bogotá in about 6 to 8 hours, or take a flight to Bucaramanga and continue by road. A usual tour is to visit Villa de Leyva and then continue by road to Barichara.
Most roads connecting the municipalities of Boyacá and Santander are paved and in good condition. The main highway from Bogotá passes through Tunja, Paipa, Duitama, and Sogamoso, serving as the backbone of Boyacá’s road network. From this route, secondary roads connect to central towns and northern destinations. Public transportation is available both from Bogotá and between most towns in the region.
more travel tips to visit boyaca & santander
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