Guatavita Lagoon Tour: El Dorado Legend and Colonial Town

Climb to Guatavita Lagoon and stand where the El Dorado legend began

A half-day private tour from Bogotá to Guatavita Lagoon with a bilingual guide, hotel pickup, bottled water and snacks. You visit one of Cundinamarca's best-preserved colonial towns, learn its history and culture, then reach the ancient lagoon that was sacred to indigenous peoples before Spanish conquest and inspired the El Dorado myth. A minimum of two people per booking is required.

Step-by-step itinerary

Explore Guatavita and its history

• Visit colonial town of Guatavita
• Learn about town's history and culture
• Discover local weather, flora, and fauna
• Explore the oldest sacred indigenous site

The experience

Guatavita Lagoon sits high in the mountains above Bogotá, and this tour gets you there with hotel pickup and a private bilingual guide who speaks English, Spanish, Portuguese, Italian and one additional language. The five-hour outing starts in the colonial town itself, where your guide walks you through its layout, history and the original settlement plan, then moves into the landscape: the weather patterns, the plants and animals that live there. From the town you head up to the lagoon, the oldest and most sacred site for indigenous peoples during pre-colonial times, where the El Dorado legend took root.

The climb to the lagoon is moderate and the site itself is open year-round, though you'll want to dress for mountain weather. Bottled water and snacks come with the tour, and local taxes are included in the price. The guide handles all the talking and context. You walk, listen and take in the place itself.

What’s included

• Hotel pickup and drop-off in Bogotá.
• private transportation to and from Guatavita.
• a private bilingual guide for the full five hours.
• bottled water and snacks.
• local taxes.

Before you book

Days and timesTuesday to SundayDepartures at 09:00, 10:00, 11:00 and 12:00

Book up to12h before

AgesAdult (8 and older) · Child (3 to 7 years) · Infant (under 3)

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish, Spanish, French, Italian 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 due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 8 days ago

Good to know

Moderate physical effortInfant seats availableNot recommended with heart problems

Operated by Hansa Tours S.A.S

Is this one for you?Five hours leaves room for the tour and a meal elsewhere in your day, but not for other major Bogotá attractions. Book this if you want to spend the morning or afternoon in the mountains and keep the rest of your day free for the city.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English, Spanish, French, Italian and Portuguese.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (3 to 7 years); Infant (under 3).

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

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

The El Dorado legend grew from Guatavita Lagoon's role as the most sacred site for indigenous peoples before the Spanish conquest. The lagoon was central to pre-colonial rituals and beliefs, and European explorers later spun those stories into the myth of a lost city of gold, making the lagoon itself a symbol of that legendary wealth.

How much walking and climbing is involved in this tour?

The tour requires at least a moderate level of physical fitness. You'll walk through the colonial town and climb to reach the lagoon itself. The operator does not recommend this tour for travelers with poor cardiovascular health, and appropriate footwear and mountain-ready clothing are essential.

Does the tour include lunch or meals?

The tour includes bottled water and snacks, but lunch is not part of the package. Plan to eat before or after the tour, or bring additional food if you prefer.