El Fósil

Location:
5 kilometers / 3 miles from Villa de Leyva, Vía Santa Sofía
Villa de Leiva , Colombia

Museum Types:
Paleontology

By Lorraine Caputo

In 1977 at a hamlet outside Villa de Leyva, some farmers found the skeletal remains of a former inhabitant of this valley: a Kronosaurus who had perished some 110-115 million years earlier. This discovery was tremendous, as it is one of the few nearly complete fossils of this dinosaur in the world. (The others are in Australia). The 12-meter (39-foot) long creature is joined by other former denizens of this land, such as Ictiosaurus, Elasmosaurus, and other sea and land creatures.

Getting There
Take a buseta towards Santa Sofía, telling the driver you want to get off at El Fósil. From the roadside it’s about a 10-minute walk to the museum. Many tours include this on their itinerary.

Travel Tips: Price includes guide services (Spanish only), from 8 a.m.-noon, 2-5 p.m. No flash photos are allowed.

Price Description: Adults $1.30, children $0.80

Relative price: Budget

Open Hours from:Daily 9 a.m.

Open Hours to:Daily 6 p.m.

Travel Skills: None

You Need to Bring: Bring water, food (snacks and for a picnic lunch), money enough for entries, hat, sunblock, camera.

On the same road to Santa Sofía: Pozos Azules, Amonita, Criadero de Avestruces, Fibas Jardín del Desierto, Ruinas de Monquirá, Parque Arqueológico de Monquirá El Infiernito, Viñedo Aim Karin and Monasterio Santo Ecce Homo. The museums, churches and colonial buildings in Villa de Leyva; the natural wonders beyond Santa Sofía and along the Villa de Leyva-Gachantivá road; Ráquira and Candelaria; Santuario de Flora y Fauna Iguaque.

Currencies accepted
Colombian Peso