When planning a trip for after In-Service Training, Villa de Leyva, Boyacá, was an obvious choice. As our time in Tunja was full of long sessions on classroom management and Peace Corps policies, a trip to Villa de Leyva offered the chance to relax and explore a new corner of Colombia.
After a quick one-hour bus ride from Tunja, a large section of our Andean training cohort was ready to see the town. For most, it was our first time there, so we walked around to explore a bit. Instantly of note was the town’s architecture; every building had been preserved with the same colonial style. Even the Ara supermarket chain had the town’s uniform of white walls and dark wooden accents.
Astral, a sourdough bakery, had been recommended by cohort members who had previously visited Villa de Leyva. This bakery ended up being a highlight of the trip. As you walk in, you are greeted with racks of warm bread, and the smell of freshly baked bread is overwhelming. It was hard to resist the urge to try everything, though we didn’t resist it too hard, since we returned four times during our three days there. It was easily the best bread we’ve had in Colombia. Most of their bread was sourdough. Some highlights were the chocolate bread and the queso paipa & jalapeño bread. The chocolate bread struck the perfect balance, conveying a complex flavor profile while not being too sweet. When eaten warm, there were small molten chocolate chips. The queso paipa & jalapeño bread combined just the right amount of spice and richness, a flavor combination we hadn’t experienced in Colombia.
After playing games and kicking back at our hostel, we hit the town for some karaoke and dancing. Bella and Chris started us off with a crowd favorite, “Don’t Stop Believin”. Before we knew it, the whole establishment was singing along. The girls stepped on stage for “Dancing Queen” by ABBA, fully embracing our inner Mama Mia. As the night continued, some volunteers learned how to play the bell, danced in the street with strangers, and sang a few more karaoke songs.
By 8:30 a.m. on Saturday, everyone was awake and ready to take on a hike. Villa de Leyva is surrounded by mountains that overlook the town. A kind French lady recommended hiking along Las Cárcavas de Villa De Leyva. Weaving our way up the trail, the views became more and more dramatic as each mile passed. Fueled by bread and belly laughs, we did cartwheels and handstands, stumbled, and ran through the beautiful nature that surrounded us. At the end of the hike, we stopped at the Saturday market for refreshments and food.


To close our time in Villa de Leyva, we went to La Galleta for their famous milhoja. Milhojas are a typical Colombian pastry consisting of layers of puff pastry, whipped cream, and arequipe–hence the name, which translates to English as “one thousand sheets”. Needless to say, we did not hold back on the carbs and sugar in Villa de Leyva. The milhojas were airy, sweet, and had the perfect amount of crunch.
There are endless things to do in Villa de Leyva. Our trip just scratched the surface of the history, nature, and good food that the town has to offer. It’s a must-visit in the interior and a great place for whatever type of trip you’re interested in.
Disclaimer: The content of this publication is generated by individual volunteers. The opinions and thoughts expressed here do not reflect any position of the United States government or the Peace Corps.