Blue ponds
Mineral colour.
HaseyJDBS — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Sara Ludovica — CC BY-SA 4.0 · HaseyJDBS — CC BY-SA 4.0
A cluster of small ponds of striking turquoise blue amid dry brown desert land west of Villa de Leyva, their colour coming from minerals dissolved in the water and white clay on the bottom, so the contrast between blue water and bare earth looks almost otherworldly. You walk a short dirt path between the ponds, some deep blue and some pale green, ringed by desert plants and pine trees, with dry hills behind. It is a great place for photos, especially on sunny days when the blue glows. The ponds are on private land whose owners charge a small entry fee, spread over more than one site. Visitors reach them by car, bike or an hour's walk from town, usually combined with the nearby fossil museum. The sun is strong and shade scarce, so bring a hat and water. The ground can be muddy after rain, and the colours are best on clear days.
Mineral colour.
Striking contrast.
One trip.
About 3 km west of central Villa de Leyva, on the road to the fossil museum
Their turquoise comes from minerals dissolved in the water and white clay on the bottom, strongest on sunny days.
