Guatavita Lagoon tour from Bogotá: Lake, Casa Loca & Tomine

Lake Guatavita, an upside-down house, and a mountain reservoir in one day

A 9-hour guided tour from Bogotá to Lake Guatavita, Casa Loca and Tomine reservoir, with a professional Spanish-speaking guide and entrance to the lagoon included. You'll visit the sacred lake where El Dorado offerings were made, stop at Casa Loca for photos (admission separate), and see the Tomine reservoir in the town of Guatavita before returning to the city.

Step-by-step itinerary

Visit Guatavita Lagoon and surroundings

• Meet guide and travel to Guatavita Lagoon
• Explore Cacique Guatavita lagoon
• Visit the crazy house and take photos
• Travel to Guatavita town and see Tomine reservoir
• Have lunch near Tomine reservoir (not included)
• Visit Chile Avenue shopping center

The experience

A guide meets you at a set point and drives you to Lake Guatavita, the lagoon at the center of the El Dorado legend. The lake sits high in the mountains outside Bogotá, ringed by native vegetation, and the guide explains the history of the Cacique Guatavita and the ritual offerings that gave rise to the myth. Entrance to the lagoon is included, so you walk the site without an extra ticket.

Next stop is Casa Loca, a house tilted 5 degrees backward and 5 degrees to the left, with everything inside mounted upside down. It's built as a photo attraction and a visual puzzle. Admission costs extra if you want to go inside. From there you drive to the town of Guatavita and the Tomine reservoir, a large body of water in the valley below. This is where the day opens up for lunch if you want to eat. The guide can point you to options, but meals aren't part of the package.

The whole route takes 9 hours door to door. The guide speaks Spanish and knows the region's history and landscape. Children from age 4 are welcome on the tour. The drive involves mountain roads and moderate walking at the lagoon site, so a reasonable level of fitness helps, and the altitude, Guatavita sits well above Bogotá, is something to prepare for.

What’s included

• Professional guide in Spanish.
• entrance to Lake Guatavita.
• water and coffee.
• accident insurance policy.

Before you book

Days and timesTuesday to SundayDeparts at 08:00

Book up to12h before

AgesAdult (18 to 50 years) · Senior (51 to 60 years) · Youth (11 to 17 years) · Child (4 to 10 years) · Under 4: can't be booked

GroupUp to 10

Live guideSpanish

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated today

Good to know

Moderate physical effortNot recommended during pregnancyNot recommended with heart problems

Operated by Cabalgatas Montana Ecological Tourism

Is this one for you?Pick this if you're based in Bogotá and want to reach the high-altitude lagoon and mountain landscape by guided van rather than driving mountain roads yourself.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (11 to 17 years); Child (4 to 10 years). Children under 4 can't be included in the booking.

What is Lake Guatavita and why is it famous?

Lake Guatavita is a high-altitude lagoon in the mountains near Bogotá, known for the legend of El Dorado. The Cacique Guatavita made ritual offerings of gold and emeralds to the lake, a practice that sparked centuries of stories about a lost city of gold. The lagoon itself is a natural crater lake ringed by native vegetation, and the guide explains both the archaeological history and the myth during the visit.

Do I need to pay extra for anything on this tour?

Entrance to Lake Guatavita is included. Casa Loca charges separate admission (around 30,000 COP per person) if you want to enter the upside-down house and take photos inside. Lunch at Tomine is not included, though the guide can suggest places to eat in the town of Guatavita.

How long is the drive from Bogotá to Guatavita Lagoon?

The full tour is 9 hours, which includes the drive from Bogotá, time at each of the three main stops, and the return to the city. The lagoon itself sits in the mountains at a higher altitude than Bogotá, so the journey involves mountain roads and takes time, but the guide manages the pace and explains what you're seeing along the way.

What should I bring or wear for this tour?

Wear comfortable walking shoes for the lagoon site and layers for the mountain climate, which is cooler than Bogotá. Bring sun protection and a light jacket. Water and coffee are provided during the tour, so you stay hydrated, but bring any snacks or medications you might need for the 9-hour day.