Taking a 4 hour bus from Bogota you hit the region of Boyaca and to a quaint little town of Villa de Leyva.
Here the colonial charm of Colombia creates a picturesque village filled with cobblestone streets and white washed buildings. However once described as a hidden gem, I found that tourism has definitely changed the place, with restaurants and hotels on every corner in the centre- apparently it was the film set for the film ‘Zorro’, which also increased its popularity. Similar to Ubud in Bali.
Visiting on a weekday, Villa de Leyva was very quiet, so I was able to wonder the street and enjoy the laid back vibe of the area. There are a few museums and churches dotted around the area, however the village really gives off a valid back vibe- a perfect stop before hitting San Gil.
However there are numerous hiking/ horseback opportunities available on guided tours to waterfalls or archaeological relics in the surrounding area.