Weekend getaway from Bogota · #3 of 10
Laguna de Guatavita
The sacred crater lake behind the El Dorado legend. A guided rim walk tells the Muisca story, with views over the Tomine reservoir, the whitewashed lakeside town of Guatavita and the upside-down Casa Loca nearby.
Ever wanted to see where the El Dorado legend actually started? Welcome to Laguna de Guatavita, a gorgeous green crater lake sitting at 3,100 meters. Picture ancient Muisca chieftains covered in gold dust, tossing treasures into these waters. After walking the scenic rim trail, you will head to the lovely, whitewashed town of Guatavita on the reservoir for a perfect lazy afternoon.
Getting there
Roughly 75 km. Renting a car is your best bet to loop the lake, Guatavita town, and the wacky Casa Loca in one go. You can even tack on a trip to Zipaquira.
Tell the driver you are heading to the Laguna; you will get dropped at the turnoff, leaving a 7 km trek or taxi ride to the gate. On weekends, catch local vans or split a cab from town.
Day trip - Saturday or Sunday
Chasing gold legends and lakeside vibes- 17:30 AMDrive
Leave Bogota heading north
Cruise out of the city via Autopista Norte and Ruta 55, watch the skyline fade into rolling green hills. You'll climb high above the Sesquile valley to reach the park gate.
📍 Bogota, Colombia
Tip · Set that alarm early. Mornings offer the clearest views of the crater before the afternoon clouds roll in and block the magic.
- 29:00 AMFood
Breakfast stop in Sesquile
Hit a roadside bakery for steaming hot chocolate, cheesy almojabanas, and eggs. Fuel up now, because there are zero snack spots inside the reserve.
📍 Sesquile, Cundinamarca
- 310:00 AMActivity
Guided rim walk at Laguna de Guatavita
Follow the local guides up the wooden steps to the rim. As they share tales of the Muisca gold rituals that sparked the El Dorado myth, stare down at the hypnotic green water.
📍 Laguna de Guatavita, Sesquile
Tip · Your ticket includes the guide (available in English and Spanish). At 3,100 meters, the weather changes fast, so pack layers, sunscreen, and plenty of water.
- 412:15 PMSight
Viewpoints over the Tomine reservoir
As you head down, pull over to soak in views of the massive blue Embalse de Tomine. It is a stunning sight, framed by green hills and the glowing white town below.
📍 Embalse de Tomine, Guatavita
- 51:00 PMFood
Lunch on Guatavita's plaza
Grab a table on the main plaza for a slow, delicious lunch. Local favorites include fresh-caught trout and steaming bowls of comforting highland soup.
📍 Guatavita, Cundinamarca
Tip · Try to grab a table before 2 PM. The weekend lunch rush is real, and the popular plaza spots fill up fast.
- 62:30 PMSight
Wander the whitewashed town
This town is a picture-perfect maze of white buildings, red tiles, and cute artisan shops. Grab an ice cream, hunt for cozy hand-woven goods, and stroll the waterfront.
📍 Guatavita, Cundinamarca
- 73:30 PMSight
Photo stop at La Casa Loca
Just outside town, you will find a literal upside-down house built by an Austrian expat. Walk on the ceilings and snap some seriously trippy photos.
📍 La Casa Loca, Guatavita
- 84:30 PMDrive
Return drive to Bogota
Head back down Ruta 55 toward Bogota. Leave early on Sundays and holiday Mondays, since traffic heading back into the city can get absolutely brutal.
📍 Guatavita, Cundinamarca
Where to eat
These cool reservoir highlands are famous for trout. Order yours grilled - trucha a la plancha - at any of the cozy spots around Guatavita's main plaza.
The ultimate local pre-hike fuel. Snag them fresh and warm from a neighborhood bakery in Sesquile or Guatavita town.
When to go
Your best shot at cloudless crater views and mud-free boardwalks.
Lush, green, and wonderfully atmospheric. Just pack a solid rain jacket since the high rim offers zero cover when showers blow in.
Sitting at 3,100 meters, this lake is chilly and windy year-round. Dressing in warm layers is an absolute must.
Good to know
- Double-check the calendar before you head out: the reserve is usually closed on Mondays.
- Locals get a discount on tickets, so make sure to bring your Colombian ID or cedula if you have one.
- You are climbing higher than Bogota here. Take those wooden boardwalk stairs nice and slow to adjust to the altitude.
- If you are driving, you can easily pair the lake with the Zipaquira Salt Cathedral for an epic double-feature day trip.
