Laguna de Guatavita
Laguna de Guatavita
4.5
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This lake is where the legend of El Dorado originated.
Duration: More than 3 hours
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- TrotaAye3418 contributionsBeautifulThis is a beautiful historic and spiritual place only a couple hours from Bogotá. The guide is in Spanish (hopefully you either understand spanish or have a translator close by) The guide will teach you about the ceremony how the new cacique (chief) was selected and his 9 years of preparation. Then you will hike to the top of the mountain that was once filled with water and gold from the ritual but unfortunately the lake was emptied by greedy people. Definitely worth the visit if you are into history and cultureVisited December 2023Traveled as a coupleWritten December 29, 2023
- Jarand Mikael L57 contributionsCosy lakeThe small city of Guatavita is lovely. A driver took us there for a day trip. We walked down to the lake and had a cold Coke by the lake. Looked around in the local shops and had a warm coffee at the town square. Lovely day, nice views, many good pictures.Visited March 2024Traveled as a coupleWritten March 4, 2024
- Stephen COklahoma City, Oklahoma104 contributionsGreat tour (Spanish only)This was a great tour to a beautiful place. The tour took about 2 hours and other than the altitude adjustment it was fairly easy with a lot of stairs! The tour guide only spoke Spanish so it was a little hard to follow along with the commentary but there were signs in English that helped us connect the dots. Scenery was stunning!Visited April 2024Traveled with friendsWritten April 21, 2024
- ianhtighDundee, United Kingdom149 contributionsBeautiful and meaningful spot.Great visit. Beautiful scenery, diverse nature, and interesting culture. Great tour guide who was keen to share info about the plants and nature as well as about the local muisca people and cultural significance of the lagoon. Tour was spanish only ( and pretty difficult spanish with a lot of information and specific vocab) but some of the other guests joined in translating into english between them and was great. We visited as a day trip from bogota.Visited June 2024Traveled with friendsWritten June 15, 2024
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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4.5
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Victoria O
Shanghai, China211 contributions
Feb 2021
We live in Bogota so did this as a day trip. In hind sight booking with a tour may make this a more interesting visit for non-Spanish speakers.
We organized a private taxi for 6 of us and it took about 1 and a half hrs to get there. The driver dropped us off and you meet them on the other side of the lake!
You join a group of about 30 people- the groups set off every 30 minutes to ensure there is a gap between each group. The tour guide gives lots of detailed information about the lake, the legend and history of El dorado and the Muisca people- but you need Spanish to access it. There are English boards to find out more information.
Because you are in a group, the "hike up" is painfully slow. We were eager for a good walk but it was definitely more of a plodding walk with many stops to share information.
The lake and surrounding landscape are very pretty and there are clearly designated areas for photo opportunities.
The guide leaves you to walk down by yourself.
We organized a private taxi for 6 of us and it took about 1 and a half hrs to get there. The driver dropped us off and you meet them on the other side of the lake!
You join a group of about 30 people- the groups set off every 30 minutes to ensure there is a gap between each group. The tour guide gives lots of detailed information about the lake, the legend and history of El dorado and the Muisca people- but you need Spanish to access it. There are English boards to find out more information.
Because you are in a group, the "hike up" is painfully slow. We were eager for a good walk but it was definitely more of a plodding walk with many stops to share information.
The lake and surrounding landscape are very pretty and there are clearly designated areas for photo opportunities.
The guide leaves you to walk down by yourself.
Written April 17, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Kevin S
Pontypridd, UK6,890 contributions
Jan 2023
Pay $3 per person to enter, to then be told you can only go on an accompanied tour. The tour is essential to know the history. But its in Spanish, we don't speak Spanish. Well you can't go alone, you'll get lost. What, on a path two metres wide? You might get altitude sickness? We have been at 2500/3000 metres for 3 weeks we are used to it by now. What if a child is tired and wants to turn back, or after the main two marked mira-dors people want to turn back? You can't.
We entered, then turned around at the mirador. But I refuse to promote this by adding photos. The way they work you'll need at least half a day out of Zipaquira to do this tour or a full day from Bogota, it's not worth that.
We entered, then turned around at the mirador. But I refuse to promote this by adding photos. The way they work you'll need at least half a day out of Zipaquira to do this tour or a full day from Bogota, it's not worth that.
Written February 9, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
inalima
Atlanta, GA7 contributions
Jun 2022 • Friends
I would give a 10 star for the place itself, and 0 for administrators and staff. Unfortunately , the rules of this place are very poor and not organized at all. I live in Bogota and brought my english speakers friends to see the lagoon and enjoy the nature and the noise of the birds. Once we paid for the tickets, we were told we were not supposed to walk on our own for safety reasons. So we stayed with the group with a guide until half way through the trail. The guide was rude, talked to me in a very impolite way in front of the crowd, and required us to stay in the crowd even though my friends didn’t speak any Spanish. My friends just wanted to take pictures while the guide was speaking SPANISH, but he obligated us to hear his loud voice in a very old style microphone. There wasn’t even headphones for the tourists so the voice of this guide wouldn’t eco that entire peaceful place. We couldn’t even listen to the noise of the birds and enjoy the views peacefully .That staff needs serious training and they need to change the policies of the tour. It was a very odd safety policy because the second half way of the trail we were able to enjoy the nature freely. The second half way of the trail was more dangerous than the first half way because part of it wasn’t paved. If you don’t speak SPANISH don’t go, you will be frustrated like my friends were, and like many people that reviewed here on Trip advisor about the language problem in this place. Don’t forget to bring toilet paper, even though you pay for a fee to enter the park, when you go to the bathroom there is no toilet paper. You have to buy it if you need to use it.
Written June 21, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Rob R
Tredegar, UK2,622 contributions
Jan 2023 • Couples
We visited on an organised tour as we had an evening flight and this filled up the time.
If I am being honest I wouldn’t have probably done it otherwise as it’s a long journey from Bogotá.
The tour is done in Spanish lucky we had an English speaking guide with our tour who translated for us, although the tour was very long winded and we had to stay with an official guide for first half of the tour. With long stops when I just wanted to walk and enjoy the scenery.
When we reached the top guide left us and we were allowed to go at our own pace. To go back down which was just the same terrain as going up.
Enjoyable visit but probably wouldn’t go if it wasn’t part of our tour itinerary and the two and half our trip back to Bogotá airport was a long journey.
The scenery is beautiful but the whole visitor experience was a bit controlled and the tour is only done in Spanish which you have no option but to take the tour with a local guide.
If I am being honest I wouldn’t have probably done it otherwise as it’s a long journey from Bogotá.
The tour is done in Spanish lucky we had an English speaking guide with our tour who translated for us, although the tour was very long winded and we had to stay with an official guide for first half of the tour. With long stops when I just wanted to walk and enjoy the scenery.
When we reached the top guide left us and we were allowed to go at our own pace. To go back down which was just the same terrain as going up.
Enjoyable visit but probably wouldn’t go if it wasn’t part of our tour itinerary and the two and half our trip back to Bogotá airport was a long journey.
The scenery is beautiful but the whole visitor experience was a bit controlled and the tour is only done in Spanish which you have no option but to take the tour with a local guide.
Written January 15, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Stephen C
Oklahoma City, OK104 contributions
Apr 2024 • Friends
This was a great tour to a beautiful place. The tour took about 2 hours and other than the altitude adjustment it was fairly easy with a lot of stairs! The tour guide only spoke Spanish so it was a little hard to follow along with the commentary but there were signs in English that helped us connect the dots. Scenery was stunning!
Written April 21, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Stefan S
19 contributions
May 2021 • Couples
We went on a morning tour with a guide. The park shows great potential in the first half and in the second part you get to see the fantastic lagoon. The tour is physically taxing but not unmanageable. Rich in history, natural beauty and wonder.
This would have been a solid 5-star for us if there had been any english/bilingual guides at the time of our visit.
This would have been a solid 5-star for us if there had been any english/bilingual guides at the time of our visit.
Written May 12, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
TrotaAye3
418 contributions
Dec 2023 • Couples
This is a beautiful historic and spiritual place only a couple hours from Bogotá. The guide is in Spanish (hopefully you either understand spanish or have a translator close by) The guide will teach you about the ceremony how the new cacique (chief) was selected and his 9 years of preparation. Then you will hike to the top of the mountain that was once filled with water and gold from the ritual but unfortunately the lake was emptied by greedy people. Definitely worth the visit if you are into history and culture
Written December 29, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
ianhtigh
Dundee, UK149 contributions
Jun 2024 • Friends
Great visit. Beautiful scenery, diverse nature, and interesting culture.
Great tour guide who was keen to share info about the plants and nature as well as about the local muisca people and cultural significance of the lagoon. Tour was spanish only ( and pretty difficult spanish with a lot of information and specific vocab) but some of the other guests joined in translating into english between them and was great.
We visited as a day trip from bogota.
Great tour guide who was keen to share info about the plants and nature as well as about the local muisca people and cultural significance of the lagoon. Tour was spanish only ( and pretty difficult spanish with a lot of information and specific vocab) but some of the other guests joined in translating into english between them and was great.
We visited as a day trip from bogota.
Written June 15, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jarand Mikael L
Sandnes, Rogaland, Norway57 contributions
Mar 2024 • Couples
The small city of Guatavita is lovely. A driver took us there for a day trip. We walked down to the lake and had a cold Coke by the lake. Looked around in the local shops and had a warm coffee at the town square. Lovely day, nice views, many good pictures.
Written March 4, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
DrMaxR
New York15 contributions
Improving security in Colombia means the wild treasures of this beautiful country are again attracting travelers. A terrific starting point if you're staying in Bogota? The charming Laguna de Guatavita. This small state park, expe...rtly administered by the Department of Cundinamarca, is less than an hour's drive to the north of the city
The scenery is stunning, with mountains soaring all around a small jewel of a lake. And the history is no less captivating; rangers, who accompany all visitors, tell the story of native American princes who would cover themselves in gold dust and float out on the lake during their coronations. Europeans visiting the lake were less interested in ceremony--their activity seems to have centered on obliterating the lake so any gold sitting on the bottom could be dredged out.
Fortunately, they failed, and the lake is now carefully preserved by the intelligent and dedicated rangers, some of whom speak excellent English. Arrive early since their tours fill up fast.
On the trip up from Bogota, stop at Carajillo, right off the Autopista Norte and well-marked by signs as you approach, for a fine breakfast. After filling up, get back on the Autopista; the road to the park branches off at the town of Sesquile, on the right, just a kilometer up the highway from Carajillo. After winding through Sequile, the road continues south. The well-marked turn-off to the park is ten minutes out of town.
After the hike and back at the turn-off, continue driving south. Off to the right, big Guatavita reservoir dominates the landscape. Its construction drowned the village of Guatavita, and the government relocated its citizens to a new village on higher ground, through which you'll pass if you continue driving south. The new town—government central planning meets Spanish colonial--is surprisingly appealing, and today is largely given over to tourists visiting from Bogota.
Continuing south, you will eventually find yourself in La Calera, overlooking Bogota. The whole loop--up the Autopista Norte, over to the Laguna de Guatavita, down through the new village of Guatavita, and back home to Bogota through La Calera--is an easy daytrip.
The scenery is stunning, with mountains soaring all around a small jewel of a lake. And the history is no less captivating; rangers, who accompany all visitors, tell the story of native American princes who would cover themselves in gold dust and float out on the lake during their coronations. Europeans visiting the lake were less interested in ceremony--their activity seems to have centered on obliterating the lake so any gold sitting on the bottom could be dredged out.
Fortunately, they failed, and the lake is now carefully preserved by the intelligent and dedicated rangers, some of whom speak excellent English. Arrive early since their tours fill up fast.
On the trip up from Bogota, stop at Carajillo, right off the Autopista Norte and well-marked by signs as you approach, for a fine breakfast. After filling up, get back on the Autopista; the road to the park branches off at the town of Sesquile, on the right, just a kilometer up the highway from Carajillo. After winding through Sequile, the road continues south. The well-marked turn-off to the park is ten minutes out of town.
After the hike and back at the turn-off, continue driving south. Off to the right, big Guatavita reservoir dominates the landscape. Its construction drowned the village of Guatavita, and the government relocated its citizens to a new village on higher ground, through which you'll pass if you continue driving south. The new town—government central planning meets Spanish colonial--is surprisingly appealing, and today is largely given over to tourists visiting from Bogota.
Continuing south, you will eventually find yourself in La Calera, overlooking Bogota. The whole loop--up the Autopista Norte, over to the Laguna de Guatavita, down through the new village of Guatavita, and back home to Bogota through La Calera--is an easy daytrip.
Written December 1, 2009
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
HI, I want to go from Milan to Laguna by Train. After reaching there I just want to take a public transport boat ride or a boat tour only across Laguna Lake. I will return back to Milan by Train. Is there an opportunity that I go there and buy a ticket from the lake either a public transport or a private boat operator? I do not want to take a full coach based tour package. Pls suggest me how to buy a ticket for Laguna lake public transport ?
Written July 23, 2023
You can take a bus from Bogota to Guatavita. You go to the “terminal del norte” and ask them
About the bus you can take. Then a taxi o public buses can take you from
Guatavita to the lake. Try to arrive before 10 am. Last bus to the lake leaves at 3 pm.
Written February 4, 2024
ÂżCĂłmo llegar a ChĂa desde Guatavita en flota, autobus , transporte pĂşblico?
Written July 6, 2023
Holaa, saben si antes de subir a la laguna hay un lugar para dejar maletas y evitar cargarlas en el recorrido?🤔
Written January 21, 2023
Para ir a ver la laguna toca hacer un recorrido como de una hora hasta llegar a un Mirador, por un sendero y en ascenso....!!!!!????
Written July 8, 2022
Yineth Rodriguez
Bogota, Colombia
Están exigiendo el Carnet de vacunación del COVID 19 para el ingreso
Written January 5, 2022
Buen dĂa saben si el dĂa de hoy 8 dic está abierto para poder ingresar a la laguna?
Written December 8, 2021
Buen dia quisiera saber si hay restricción para la entrada de niños o q edades pueden ingresar? Gracias
Written June 29, 2019
No hay lĂmite siempre y cuando quienes vayan no sufran enfermedades asociadas al vĂ©rtigo o cardĂacas, dado que hay que subir montaña por escalera de piedra a una altura cercana a los 3100 metros sobre el nivel del mar.
Written January 13, 2020
Vorrei sapere se febbraio è un buon periodo per visitare la laguna con un auto a noleggio e se vale la pena dormire a guatavita
Written June 13, 2019
I'm really not sure. Sorry I cannot be more helpful.
Written November 11, 2018
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