Safety in Villa de Leyva

Traveler Advice

By Lorraine Caputo

As Villa de Leyva is a major tourist destination for Colombians, especially the wealthy ones, the security here has always been tight. You won't hear about the guerrillas or other forces ever harassing the town and the streets are patrolled by soldiers, especially between dusk and dawn.

The region has a species of scorpion that you may encounter. Its bite is said to be like a bee sting and can cause muscle cramping at the site of injection. If camping , staying in a rural area or living in rustic conditions, be sure to shake out clothes and footwear before putting them on.