To Santa Sofía

Location:
Villa de Leiva , Colombia

Other Activity Types:
Zoo, Church, Scenic route

By Lorraine Caputo

In the 18-kilometer (10.8-mile) stretch of road from Villa de Leyva to Santa Sofía, many attractions await the eager visitor to the Desierto de Villa de Leyva. Pozos Azules, three kilometers (1.8 miles) outside of the city, are sapphire pools that sprinkle the desert. One kilometer (0.6 mile) further is the Amonita, a large ammonite set in crossroads monument. Here is the left-hand turn-off for Criadero de Avestruces, an ostrich farm (two kilometers / 1.2 miles, daily 9 a.m.-5 p.m., entry: $2.65). Just past the Amonita, on the right side of the road, is Fibas Jardín Botánico del Desierto (Wednesday-Sunday 8:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m., entry: $1.05).

One kilometer (0.6 mile) is the road on the right to Museo El Fósil, an on site Kronosaurus fossil (daily 9 a.m.-5 p.m., entry: adults $1.30, children $0.80). Continuing on the main road, you will pass the Ruinas de Monquirá, vestiges of a church built by Fray Bartolomé de Ojeda in 1533 (six kilometers/ 3.6 miles from Villa de Leyva). Not too far beyond these is the track leading to the enigmatic statues of Parque Arqueológico de Monquirá El Infiernito (1.5 kilometers / 1 mile, Tuesday-Sunday 9 a.m.-noon, 2-5 p.m., closed Tuesday after puente, entry: adults $1.70, students and children $1.05). Another 3.1 kilometers (two miles) along the Santa Sofía road is the turnoff for Viñedo Aim Karin, from whence it is 600 meters / 1968 feet to the winery (entry: $2.65). The last major attraction on this route is the 17th century Monasterio Santo Ecce Homo (daily 8 a.m.-5 p.m., entry: $1.30), 11.7 kilometers (seven miles) from Villa de Leyva and one kilometer (0.6 mile) from the road.

Getting There
Tour agencies in Villa de Leyva offer half and full day trips to these sites (entry fees not included) or you can hire a taxi at the bus station to take you on this route ($37 for four hours). If you are a walker, take a Santa Sofía bus as far as Monaste

Travel Tips: Signs to the different sites only face in the Villa de Leyva-Santa Sofía directions.

Travel Skills: None

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

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