Guatavita Lagoon & Casa Loca tour from Bogotá: El Dorado legend

Stand at the lagoon where the Muisca threw gold into the water, then get lost in a house built on a slant.

A full-day group tour from Bogotá visits Lake Guatavita, the legendary source of the El Dorado myth, and Casa Loca, an optical illusion attraction in the mountain town of Guatavita. The guide explains the Muisca ceremonies and the history that sent Spanish conquistadors searching for gold, while the house plays with perspective to create surreal photographs. Hotel pickup and drop-off are included.

Step-by-step itinerary

Visit Guatavita lagoon and Casa Loca

• Pick up at hotel or hostel
• Visit La Casa Loca attraction
• Explore town of Guatavita
• Explore Guatavita lagoon and learn legend
• Return to Bogotá hotel or hostel

The experience

The tour picks you up at your hotel or hostel in Bogotá and heads into the Andean foothills. The drive itself is part of the draw: the road climbs through mountain scenery and traditional villages on the way to Guatavita. Once there, you walk the town's main square and streets to see the local architecture and craft shops before heading to the lagoon itself.

At Lake Guatavita, the guide walks you through the natural setting and tells the story behind it: the Muisca people held ceremonies here, throwing gold and precious stones into the water as offerings. That ritual became the legend of El Dorado, the city of gold that drew European explorers for centuries. You explore the lagoon's shoreline and the surrounding landscape where that history unfolded.

After the lagoon, you visit Casa Loca, a sloping structure designed entirely around optical illusions. The house is built on an angle so that water appears to flow uphill, people look tilted, and everyday objects seem to defy gravity. It's built for photographs: the illusions work best through a camera lens, so most visitors spend time framing shots that play with perspective and make the impossible look real.

What’s included

• Private transportation from your hotel or hostel in Bogotá.
• a live guide in English or Spanish.
• an audio guide during the tour.
• hotel or hostel drop-off at the end of the day.

Before you book

Days and timesTuesday to SundayDeparts at 07:00

Book up to12h before

AgesAdult (19 and older) · Child (14 to 18 years) · Under 14: can't be booked

GroupUp to 10

Live guideEnglish and Spanish

Audio guideSpanish, French and Portuguese

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Paid on siteUS$ 19.34

Prices and times updated 3 days ago

Good to know

Moderate physical effortStroller-friendlyInfant seats availablePets welcomePublic transport nearbyNot recommended during pregnancyNot recommended with heart problemsNot recommended with back problems

Operated by Beyond Colombia Free, Group & Private Tours

Is this one for you?Hotel pickup from Bogotá means you don't need a car or arrange your own transport to reach the mountains and the lagoon. The guide handles the route and the storytelling, so you focus on the sites and the photographs at Casa Loca.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English and Spanish.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (14 to 18 years). Children under 14 can't be included in the booking.

What is the legend of El Dorado and why does it connect to Lake Guatavita?

Lake Guatavita was the site of Muisca ceremonies where the indigenous people threw gold and precious stones into the water as religious offerings. When Spanish conquistadors learned of this ritual, the story spread across Europe as the legend of El Dorado, a mythical city of gold, and drew explorers searching for treasure for centuries.

How does Casa Loca work and what makes it worth visiting?

Casa Loca is a house built on a slant using optical illusions. Water appears to flow uphill, people look tilted, and objects seem to defy gravity. The illusions are most striking in photographs, so visitors spend time framing shots that make the impossible look real.

What is included in the tour price and what do I need to pay separately?

The tour includes hotel or hostel pickup in Bogotá, private transportation, a live guide in English or Spanish, and an audio guide. Entrance tickets to Lake Guatavita and Casa Loca, as well as meals and tips, are not included.

How long is the full day and what time does pickup happen?

The tour runs for 10 hours total. Your guide will confirm the exact pickup time when you book, based on your hotel or hostel location in Bogotá.