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La Cocha Lagoon

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Lake
—°8
La Cocha Lagoon (Colombia)

Weather…

La Cocha Lagoon, also referred to as Lake Guamúez, is located in the Nariño department of southwestern Colombia, approximately 20 kilometers from the city of Pasto. Situated at an elevation of 2,820 meters above sea level, it stands as the second-largest natural lake in Colombia, covering an area of roughly 40 to 50 square kilometers. The lagoon is of volcanic origin and lies within a tectonic graben of the Eastern Cordillera of the Andes. A key ecological feature is La Corota Island, the smallest national sanctuary in the country, which protects a unique high-altitude cloud forest ecosystem within its 12 hectares. In 2001, the lagoon was officially recognized as a Ramsar site, highlighting its international importance as a wetland and its role in regional biodiversity conservation. The surrounding village of El Encano is famous for its alpine-style wooden architecture, influenced by Swiss settlers, which gives the area a distinct European feel amidst the Andean landscape. The cold, misty climate supports a thriving trout fishing industry and gives a serene environment for eco-tourism.

Best time to visit & climate

The most pleasant time to visit is Jan, Aug, Sep.

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Avg °C181918181817171718181818
Rain mm99107137153136115836476134171135

📋 Practical info

🧭
Getting there
The lagoon is easily reachable via a well-paved, gently winding mountainous road starting effectively from the city of Pasto, typically genuinely taking wonderfully under an hour.
📅
Best season
Visiting specifically during the reliably drier season precisely between December and roughly March features absolutely clearest views, completely despite the predictably cool weather.
⛰️
Terrain & paths
The immediate lovely surroundings generally feature wonderfully flat shores with completely secure wooden boardwalks precisely near the delightfully welcoming main port village directly.
🎒
What to bring
Wonderfully warm, deliberately layered clothing is absolutely and strictly essential largely due to the surprisingly freezing Andean winds constantly blowing fiercely around the incredibly damp areas.
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Parking
Genuinely safe and wonderfully organized public parking areas are generally reliably provided nicely near the incredibly appealing main port village of exactly El Encano quite conveniently.
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Safety
Generally speaking, terribly painful altitude sickness can occasionally severely affect surprisingly sensitive travelers, so strictly stay well-hydrated constantly and deliberately move moderately.
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Time needed
A wonderfully comprehensive visit generally completely involving a truly relaxing boat ride directly to Corota Island typically actually takes roughly around three to exactly five complete hours.

Geography

Coordinates
1.10830, -77.15830

Facts

  • Second-largest natural lake in Colombia (40-50 sq km).
  • Located at an elevation of 2,820 meters in Nariño.
  • Designated as a Ramsar wetland site in 2001.
  • Contains La Corota, Colombia's smallest national sanctuary.
  • The lagoon reaches a maximum depth of around 75 meters.
  • The primary source of the Guamúez River, a Putumayo tributary.

Explore nearby

Notable places around

PastoPasto14 km · SExplore →
Galeras VolcanoGaleras Volcano23 km · SExplore →
Doña Juana VolcanoDoña Juana Volcano28 km · NExplore →
Nueva LojaNueva Loja40 km · NWExplore →
Puerto Francisco de OrellanaPuerto Francisco de Orellana44 km · NWExplore →
Las Lajas SanctuaryLas Lajas Sanctuary48 km · SExplore →
Napo RiverNapo River50 km · NWExplore →
IpialesIpiales54 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 La Cocha Lagoon (8)

Little Switzerland📍 landmark

An easy on the eye spot on the shores of La Cocha lagoon, known for its appealing wooden houses in the style of Swiss chalets.

Viewpoint🌿 nature

An elevated viewpoint providing a sweeping look over the dark waters of La Cocha lagoon and its central island.

Reserva Natural San Francisco🌿 nature

This nature reserve on the shores of La Cocha lagoon protects the fragile Andean cloud forest and its rich biodiversity.

🕒 24/7

Sendero Interverdal Casapamba📍 landmark

A nature trail that winds through highland vegetation, offering hikers a look at the flora and fauna of the Casapamba region.

Reserva Natural El Arrayán🌿 nature

This reserve is dedicated to the preservation of the arrayán tree, a species typical of the highland region surrounding La Cocha.

🕒 24/7

Church⛪ religious

A small chapel on the shores of La Cocha lagoon, serving as the religious heart for the local fishing community.

Iglesia de El Encano⛪ religious

The main church of El Encano is located right by the lake and serves as a spiritual starting point for pilgrims to the lagoon.

Capilla Inmaculada Concepción Vereda Casapamba⛪ religious

A rural chapel in the Casapamba community, known for its simple architecture set against the rugged paramo landscape.

Sights nearby

Frequently asked questions

Where is the lagoon located?
Near the city of Pasto, in the Nariño department.
Are there islands in the lake?
Yes, La Corota island is a small nature reserve.
What is the climate like?
Cold and often foggy, typical of the highlands.
What do the houses look like?
In El Encano, they resemble Swiss alpine villages.
Can you go boating?
Yes, colorful boats take visitors to La Corota island.
La Cocha Lagoon: where is it located?
La Cocha Lagoon is located in Colombia.
La Cocha Lagoon: what is there to see?
Highlights include Little Switzerland, Viewpoint, Reserva Natural San Francisco.
La Cocha Lagoon: when is the best time to visit?
The most pleasant time to visit is Jan, Aug, Sep.
La Cocha Lagoon: why is it worth visiting?
La Cocha Lagoon, also referred to as Lake Guamúez, is located in the Nariño department of southwestern Colombia, approximately 20 kilometers from the city of Pasto.
View on map → The Top 50 Attractions → OpenStreetMap →
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Nearby cities

Pasto — La Cocha Lagoon (Colombia)
Pasto
High-altitude city in the south, famous for its carnival.
Ipiales — La Cocha Lagoon (Colombia)
Ipiales
Border city with Ecuador, famous for the Las Lajas Sanctuary.
Nueva Loja — La Cocha Lagoon (Colombia)
Nueva Loja
Also known as Lago Agrio, it is the most important oil city in the Ecuadorian Amazon.
Puerto Francisco de Orellana — La Cocha Lagoon (Colombia)
Puerto Francisco de Orellana
Also called El Coca, it is a gateway to the deep Amazon and the Yasuní region.
Mocoa — La Cocha Lagoon (Colombia)
Mocoa
Small capital in the Amazon foothills.
Tulcán — La Cocha Lagoon (Colombia)
Tulcán
The northernmost city in Ecuador on the border with Colombia, known for its unique cemetery.
Popayán — La Cocha Lagoon (Colombia)
Popayán
Famous for white-painted colonial buildings.
Buenaventura — La Cocha Lagoon (Colombia)
Buenaventura
Colombia's most important seaport on the Pacific Ocean.
San Gabriel — La Cocha Lagoon (Colombia)
San Gabriel
A historic city in the Carchi province, forming part of Ecuador's National Cultural Heritage.
Misahuallí — La Cocha Lagoon (Colombia)
Misahuallí
Misahuallí is a popular Amazonian river port, famous for the wild monkeys living in its central plaza.

History & landmarks

Las Lajas Sanctuary — La Cocha Lagoon (Colombia)
Las Lajas Sanctuary
Las Lajas Sanctuary is a spectacular neo-Gothic basilica built inside the canyon of the Guáitara River.

Nature

🗺️
Napo River
The Napo River is one of the most important tributaries of the Amazon in Ecuador and a vital artery for the rainforest.

More places

Galeras Volcano — La Cocha Lagoon (Colombia)
Galeras Volcano
One of Colombia's most active volcanoes, located very close to the city of Pasto.
Doña Juana Volcano — La Cocha Lagoon (Colombia)
Doña Juana Volcano
The Doña Juana Volcano is an explosive stratovolcano in the Colombian Massif, surrounded by dense cloud forest.
Las Lajas Sanctuary — La Cocha Lagoon (Colombia)
Las Lajas Sanctuary
An impressive neo-Gothic church dramatically built inside the canyon of the Guáitara River.
Azufral Volcano — La Cocha Lagoon (Colombia)
Azufral Volcano
The Azufral is a semi-dormant volcano in southern Colombia, known for the green Laguna Verde in its crater.
Cumbal Volcano — La Cocha Lagoon (Colombia)
Cumbal Volcano
The Cumbal Volcano is the highest peak in southern Colombia and an active stratovolcano near the border with Ecuador.
Chiles Volcano — La Cocha Lagoon (Colombia)
Chiles Volcano
The Chiles Volcano is located right on the border between Colombia and Ecuador, forming a twin volcanic system with Cerro Negro.
Port of Tumaco — La Cocha Lagoon (Colombia)
Port of Tumaco
An important Pacific port in southern Colombia, relevant for the oil industry and local fishing.
Reventador Volcano — La Cocha Lagoon (Colombia)
Reventador Volcano
A highly active stratovolcano in the eastern Andes, frequently emitting ash and lava.