Laguna de Guatavita, Colombia

el flaco says on Mar 13, 2009, 04:39:

This is the lake where the El dorado legend originated, it is close to Bogotá and makes a good day trip. it is hard to get to I would suggest going on a tour. I went to the nearby town/village of Guatavita (well worth a visit) and had to pay a taxi 50k to take me there and back including waiting time. Getting to Guatavita wasn't that easy either.
At the lake, it is a national monument with admission charges and English speaking guides. A safe area.
If you go to the Gold Museum and see the gold raft model then you'll want to come here because this is where it took place for real.

0 funny, 0 helpful.

uspiks2 says on May 4, 2009, 17:05:

You can take the bus to Guatavita from the station Norte. It doesn't take long.
There is a hotel located right in front of the square. Nearby you can find many hostels.
It's about 40,000 to take per night for a room, with private bath, and chimney. Less if you don't wan the chimney.

Normally the town is quiet, and beautiful. You'll be able to walk around feeling relaxed and secure.

From the town to The Laguna, you have to ask and take a local bus, and they'll let you off in front of a gate, which takes 3-5 hours to walk. I'd hitch hike to lessen the time.

The weather is really nice, so you're comfortable walking that distant, and the surrounding is really really serene.

Remember one thing though, a bus station you asked to be 15minutes away may turn out to be an hour walk.
I guess the people there walks extremely fast even on the hills. But it was one of the best i visited in Colombia.

0 funny, 0 helpful.