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Guatavita

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City
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Guatavita (Colombia)
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Practical info — Guatavita

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🌤 Weather — 5 days

📍 Nearby

Sights nearby

Guatavita attracts visitors who are fascinated by indigenous history and the legend of El Dorado. The modern town, built in the 1960s after the original settlement was flooded for a reservoir, features a uniform architectural style with pristine white walls, clay-tiled roofs, and cobbled streets, offering a great setting for leisurely strolls. The main highlight is the nearby Lake Guatavita, a circular crater lake that was a sacred site for the indigenous Muisca people. Guided tours reveal the history of rituals where gold and emeralds were offered to the gods, sparking the El Dorado myth. The Tominé Reservoir also provides water sports and scenic boat rides. Visitors can enjoy local Andean cuisine, including hearty soups like ajiaco. Guatavita is an easy day trip from Bogotá, accessible by buses taking about two hours through scenic mountain roads. The best time to visit is during the dry months, from December to March and July to August, to fully enjoy outdoor activities.

Best time to visit & climate

The most pleasant time to visit is Jan, Feb, Dec.

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Avg °C141414141413131313141414
Rain mm386112822123018816313411919217496

Geography

Population
1,920 (2018)
Coordinates
4.93444, -73.83444

Facts

  • The original town of Guatavita is submerged under the Tominé Reservoir.
  • The new town was built in the 1960s.
  • Features uniform colonial-style white architecture.
  • The nearby Lake Guatavita is the origin of the El Dorado legend.
  • The Muisca people considered the lake sacred.
  • Boating and sailing are popular on the Tominé Reservoir.
  • Located about 50 km from Bogotá.
  • Famous for its local artisan crafts and wool products.

Explore nearby

Notable places around

Lake GuatavitaLake Guatavita2 km · NEExplore →
Bavaria Brewery TocancipáBavaria Brewery Tocancipá10 km · SExplore →
Parque Jaime DuqueParque Jaime Duque15 km · SExplore →
Chingaza National ParkChingaza National Park17 km · NWExplore →
ZipaquiráZipaquirá19 km · SExplore →
ChíaChía25 km · SExplore →
Cerro de GuadalupeCerro de Guadalupe26 km · SWExplore →
BogotáBogotá27 km · SExplore →

Route planner — Car & Motorhome

Where do you start? We build the route here, with stops and country notes along the way.

Vehicle
Only stops with (optional):

© OpenStreetMap contributors · OpenRouteService

Sights in the town Guatavita (3)

Antigua Plaza de Guatavita🏺 historical

The submerged remains of the original town square of Guatavita, flooded by the Tominé Reservoir.

Museo de Guatavita🏛 museum

A local museum preserving artifacts and the history of the old town of Guatavita before its inundation.

Embalse del Tomine🌿 nature

A scenic overlook providing sweeping views across the expansive waters of the artificial Tominé Reservoir.

Frequently asked questions

Guatavita: where is it located?
Guatavita is located in Colombia.
Guatavita: what is there to see?
Highlights include Antigua Plaza de Guatavita, Museo de Guatavita, Embalse del Tomine.
Guatavita: when is the best time to visit?
The most pleasant time to visit is Jan, Feb, Dec.
Guatavita: why is it worth visiting?
Guatavita attracts visitors who are fascinated by indigenous history and the legend of El Dorado.
View on map → The Top 50 Attractions → OpenStreetMap →
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Nearby cities

Soacha — Guatavita (Colombia)
Soacha
Large suburb of Bogotá with rich indigenous history.
Facatativá — Guatavita (Colombia)
Facatativá
Agricultural and industrial city near Bogotá.
Zipaquirá — Guatavita (Colombia)
Zipaquirá
Historic city world-famous for its underground salt cathedral.
Chía — Guatavita (Colombia)
Chía
Northern suburb of Bogotá, known as the city of the moon.
Girardot — Guatavita (Colombia)
Girardot
A bustling riverside resort city that serves as a popular warm-weather weekend getaway for Bogotá residents.

History & landmarks

Ráquira — Guatavita (Colombia)
Ráquira
Colombia's pottery capital, a vibrant and colorful town known for its traditional clay craftsmanship.
Salt Cathedral of Zipaquirá — Guatavita (Colombia)
Salt Cathedral of Zipaquirá
The Salt Cathedral of Zipaquirá is an underground Roman Catholic church built within the tunnels of a salt mine.

Nature

Lake Guatavita — Guatavita (Colombia)
Lake Guatavita
A nearly circular crater lake, widely considered the origin of the El Dorado legend.

More places

Bavaria Brewery Tocancipá — Guatavita (Colombia)
Bavaria Brewery Tocancipá
One of the largest and most modern breweries in Latin America, producing the most famous Colombian beer brands.
Parque Jaime Duque — Guatavita (Colombia)
Parque Jaime Duque
A family theme park near Bogotá featuring replicas of world wonders and a zoo.
Chingaza National Park — Guatavita (Colombia)
Chingaza National Park
A high-altitude Páramo national park that provides vital protection for endangered spectacled bears and Andean condors.
Church of San Francisco (Bogotá) — Guatavita (Colombia)
Church of San Francisco (Bogotá)
The oldest surviving church in Bogotá, known for its spectacular 17th-century wood-carved altar.
La Candelaria — Guatavita (Colombia)
La Candelaria
The historic neighborhood of Bogotá, known for its steep streets, colonial houses, and rich history.
Museum of Independence - Casa del Florero — Guatavita (Colombia)
Museum of Independence - Casa del Florero
The historical house in Bogotá where a dispute over a flower vase on July 20, 1810, sparked the independence movement.
Primary Cathedral of Colombia — Guatavita (Colombia)
Primary Cathedral of Colombia
A neoclassical cathedral on the Plaza de Bolívar in Bogotá, the largest in the country.
Capitolio Nacional — Guatavita (Colombia)
Capitolio Nacional
The seat of the Colombian Congress, a magnificent neoclassical building located on the Plaza de Bolívar.