Town in Boyacá, Colombia
Is Villa de Leyva safe?
A calm tourist town where visitors seldom face crime beyond occasional petty theft.
Is Villa de Leyva safe?
A calm tourist town where visitors seldom face crime beyond occasional petty theft. Take normal care at night and on remote desert trails.
Key facts
- SoloSquare safety rating: 4/5, safe with normal care.
- Homicide rate in Colombia: 24.9 per 100,000 people (2023, UNODC via World Bank).
- Road deaths in Colombia: 15.4 per 100,000 people a year (2019, WHO).
- Emergency numbers: Police 123 · Ambulance 123 · Fire 119 · All emergencies 123.
Safety in Villa de Leyva at a glance
| What to expect | |
|---|---|
| Overall | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Crime | Occasional pickpocketing during busy holiday weekends; violent crime against visitors is rare. |
| At night | The plaza stays lively until 10 or 11 pm, then quietens. Streets are poorly lit outside the centre; taxis are easy to find. |
| Solo women | Solo women visit often. The town is calm; take usual care at night and on remote trails. |
| Other risks | Altitude about 2,150 m and cold nights; Dust and sun on desert tours; Slippery cobblestones in rain |
Scams, areas and local laws
Common scams
- Overpriced tours sold by street touts
- Taxis quoting extra for weekend demand
Take care
- Unlit roads outside town at night
- Remote trails and dirt roads alone
Calmer areas to stay
Laws visitors break by accident
- Carry your passport or a copy; police checks are common.
- Buying drugs is illegal, and street deals are a common setup for robbery.
How Villa de Leyva compares in Colombia
| Place | Safety |
|---|---|
| Salento | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Guatapé | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| San Andrés | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Minca | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Palomino | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Villa de Leyva | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| San Gil | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Jardín | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Leticia | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Medellín | 3/5 · Take real precautions |
| Cartagena | 3/5 · Take real precautions |
| Bogotá | 3/5 · Take real precautions |
| Santa Marta | 3/5 · Take real precautions |
| Cali | 3/5 · Take real precautions |
| Barranquilla | 3/5 · Take real precautions |
| Pereira | 3/5 · Take real precautions |
Quick answers
Is Villa de Leyva safe for solo female travelers?
Solo women visit often. The town is calm; take usual care at night and on remote trails.
Is Villa de Leyva safe at night?
The plaza stays lively until 10 or 11 pm, then quietens. Streets are poorly lit outside the centre; taxis are easy to find.
What is the crime rate in Villa de Leyva?
Occasional pickpocketing during busy holiday weekends; violent crime against visitors is rare. Nationally, Colombia records 24.9 homicides per 100,000 people a year (2023).
What number do I call in an emergency in Villa de Leyva?
Police 123 · Ambulance 123 · Fire 119 · All emergencies 123.
More about Villa de Leyva
- Safetyacross Colombia
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Going to Villa de Leyva solo?
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Sources
- Villa de Leyva tourism
- World Bank: intentional homicides (UNODC)
- World Bank: road traffic deaths (WHO)
Safety ratings are SoloSquare's editorial judgment from official advisories, crime data and local reporting. Compiled and reviewed by SoloSquare. How we compile and score this. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.