Guatavita photos

About Guatavita

See our photos of Guatavita and learn about this beautiful part of Colombia.

Guatavita is a small town located in the Cundinamarca department of Colombia. It is a popular tourist spot because of its beautiful colonial buildings. There is also a local markets that sells handicrafts. The town is well laid out and located next to beautiful Lake Tomine. Water based activities are available and the lake provides a scenic backdrop for the town.

Nearby is Lake Guatavita. This crater lake was sacred to the ancient Muiscas. Their chief would cover himself in gold and then bathe in the water. This ritual has many convinced today that the origin of El Dorado, the legendary place of gold and riches is here. Even the Spanish conquistadores left a visible notch in the cliffside, where an attempt was made to drain the lake.

The town of Guatavita today is a convenient day trip from the city of Bogota. Visitors come to not only admire the architecture and scenery, but to also buy handicrafts and taste Colombian cuisine.