Villa de Leyva, Colombia 🇨🇴
#228
5.633825, -73.523968
Nomad Score:
64%
Essentials
| 🏙️ City | Villa de Leyva is a picturesque town known for its colonial architecture and cobblestone streets, located in the Boyacá department of Colombia. |
| 👥 Population | Approximately 15,000 residents. |
| 💻 Internet Speed | Average internet speed is around 20-30 Mbps. |
| 💸 Currency & Banking | 1 USD ≈ 4,000 COP. Local banks like Bancolombia and Davivienda are available. |
| 🚰 Tap Water | Tap water is generally safe to drink, but bottled water is recommended. |
| 🔌 Power | Electricity is 110V, 60Hz, and Type A/B sockets are used. |
| 📶 SIM Card | Providers such as Claro, Movistar, and Tigo offer good coverage and affordable prepaid plans. |
| 💳 Banking for Expats | International credit cards (Visa, MasterCard, American Express) are widely accepted. |
| 🛌 Accommodation | Accommodation options include Airbnb and local guesthouses, with prices ranging from 40,000 COP to 150,000 COP per night. |
| 💳 Cashless Friendly | Yes, cards accepted widely, especially in urban areas. |
| 🏠 Short Term Rentals | Airbnb and local vacation rentals are available, with prices starting around 120,000 COP per night. |
| 🛏️ Budget Accommodation | Hostels such as Hostal Casa de los Fundadores, with prices around 50,000 COP per night. |
Working and Networking
| 🏢 Best Coworking Space | CoWork Villa de Leyva offers a great environment for remote work. |
| ☕ Best Cafe for Work | Panaderia El Limon offers free Wi-Fi and a cozy atmosphere. |
| 💼 Networking Events | Informal meetups are held at various cafes; checking local Facebook groups helps find these events. |
| 🥂 Social Events for Expats | The Villa de Leyva Expats group on Facebook organizes various social events. |
Transportation
| 🚕 Best Taxi/Ride App | Uber operates in Villa de Leyva, but local taxis are also available. |
| 🚲 Bike/Scooter Rental | Bicycles can be rented at local shops for around 30,000 COP per day. |
| 🏖️ Best Beach Nearby | The nearest beach is in Tota Lake, approximately 1.5 hours away. |
| ✈️ Top Regional Airline | Avianca provides regional flights to Bogotá. |
| ✈️ Top International Airline | Avianca and LATAM are major carriers offering international routes. |
| 🛣️ Highway Access | Accessible via the main highway from Bogotá to Tunja. |
| 🚉 Main Train/Transit Hub | No major train services; buses are the main form of transit. |
| 🚍 Public Transport Passes | Bus services operate without specific passes, pay per ride. |
| ✈️ Regional Travel | Buses to nearby towns like Ráquira and Monguí are frequent and cost around 10,000 COP. |
Health and Wellness
| 🏥 Best Hospital | Hospital San Rafael provides emergency and medical services. |
| 🧘 Yoga & Wellness Centers | Centro de Yoga Sivananda offers yoga classes and wellness programs. |
| 🏋️ Gyms & Fitness Centers | Sport City Gym offers reasonable memberships for locals and expats. |
| 🧺 Laundry Services | Lavandería Villa de Leyva provides cleaning services at reasonable rates. |
Food and Drink
| 📱 Best Food Delivery App | Rappi is popular for food delivery in the area. |
| 🍽️ Best Local Dish to Try | Ajiaco, a traditional soup made with chicken and potatoes. |
| 🍱 Vegan/Vegetarian Options | Oma Café specializes in vegetarian dishes, with many local options available. |
| 🍫 Best Dessert Spots | Heladería La Villa offers artisanal ice cream and desserts. |
| 🛒 Affordable Shopping Spots | Plaza Principal hosts local vendors and markets. |
| 🛒 E-commerce/Online Store | Mercado Libre is widely used for online shopping. |
| 🛒 Grocery Delivery | Rappi also provides grocery delivery services. |
| 🍸 Bar/Nightlife Area | Bar El Camino offers a lively atmosphere and good music. |
| 🍻 Local Brewery | Casa de la Cerveza produces local beers and offers tastings. |
| 🍷 Wine Bars | Casa del Vino features an extensive selection of Colombian wines. |
| 🍲 Street Food Stalls | Local food carts serve empanadas and are popular among residents. |
| 🍕 Popular International Cuisine | Asian Fusion at Arañita offers sushi and other international dishes. |
Culture and Attractions
| 🎟️ Must-See Landmarks | Plaza Mayor is the main square and heart of Villa de Leyva. |
| 🏛️ Museums & Art Venues | The Museum of Antonio Narino showcases local history. |
| 🏰 Historical Sites | The Convento del Santo Eccehomo is a significant historical site. |
| 🕍 Religious Sites | Iglesia Parroquial is the main church and a beautiful example of colonial architecture. |
| 🎉 Annual Events | Villa de Leyva's Festival of Lights takes place each December. |
| 🎨 Cultural Districts | The historic center, with its charming streets and buildings. |
| 🎭 Theater Venues | Teatro Sucre hosts local performances and cultural events. |
| 🛍️ Local Markets | The traditional artisanal market operates on weekends. |
| 🎼 Music Scene | Local venues feature live music, particularly on weekends. |
| 🎨 Street Art | Murals and urban art can be found throughout the town, especially in alleyways. |
| 🧑🍳 Cooking Classes | Cooking classes are available at local culinary schools. |
| 👩🎨 Art Galleries | Galería Casa de Barro showcases local artists. |
| 🕰️ Historic Buildings | Casa de la Plata features colonial architecture. |
| 🏴 Local Heritage | The annual Festival of Culture celebrates local tradition and heritage. |
Nature and Outdoor Activities
| 🌅 Nearby Nature Escapes | Parque Natural de Iguaque offers beautiful hikes and nature walks. |
| 🏞️ National Parks Nearby | Iguaque National Park is famous for its natural beauty. |
| 🚲 Cycling/Walking Paths | The paths around Villa de Leyva are great for cycling and walking. |
| 🌄 Scenic Viewpoints | Cerro de la Vieja offers stunning views of the surrounding landscape. |
| 🦉 Birdwatching Locations | Several locations in Iguaque National Park are ideal for birdwatching. |
| 🔥 Bonfire-Friendly Spots | Designated areas in nearby parks allow for bonfires. |
Other Services and Amenities
| 📦 Parcel Delivery Service | Sergio Express offers reliable parcel delivery services. |
| 🛠️ Tech Repair Services | Local shops provide tech repair services, including smartphones and laptops. |
| 🏓 Table Tennis Spots | Local community centers often have tables for table tennis. |
| 🧑🏫 Language Classes | Language school Profe A offers Spanish classes for expats. |
| 📚 Libraries & Study Spots | Biblioteca Pública de Villa de Leyva has study areas and resources. |
| 🏘️ Community Centers | Centro de Cultura provides spaces for gatherings and activities. |
| 🕹️ Gaming Lounges | Local cafes often have gaming nights and facilities. |
| 🎰 Casino & Gaming Halls | There are no casinos in Villa de Leyva, but nearby towns may have options. |
Business
| 🏢 Studio Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. $1,200 per m² (e.g., 40 m² = $48,000) |
| 🏢 Studio Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. $800 per m² (e.g., 40 m² = $32,000) |
| 🏠 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. $1,000 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = $60,000) |
| 🏠 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. $700 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = $42,000) |
| 🏡 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. $900 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = $72,000) |
| 🏡 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. $600 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = $48,000) |
| 💼 Corporate Tax | Corporate tax rate is around 33%. |
| 💵 Dividend Withholding Tax | Dividend withholding tax is 10%. |
| 🏦 Tax System | Annual tax is based on worldwide income for residents. |
| 📈 Highest Income Tax Bracket | Maximum personal income tax rate is 39%. |
| 🧾 VAT | Standard Value Added Tax rate is 19%. |
| 🌐 Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules | Yes, Controlled Foreign Company rules apply. |
| 🏠 Property Tax | Annual property tax is based on the property's estimated value. |
| 🏠 Property Transaction Tax | Property transaction tax is approximately 1%. |