The urban centre is located at an altitude of 2,700 metres (8,900 ft) in the Eastern Ranges of the Colombian Andes.

[1] La Uvita is derived from Chibcha, meaning "meadow of the fertile farmlands".

[1] La Uvita was founded by Vicente Ferrer del Río de Loza on December 24, 1758, as a place for the colonial inhabitants of Boavita to flee the indigenous people in Boavita.

[1] Main economic activity of La Uvita is the manufacturing of cheese.

It also serves as a touristic entry to the El Cocuy National Park.