The vast majority of preconceptions that come packaged into the average American’s idea of Colombia are negative, often drug-related and, happily, extraordinarily misinformed. Just a little bit of research into the current situation of the country reveals as rich a culture as any tourist could desire. In addition to mainstays like the Catedral de Sal de Zipaquirá, there exists a wide breadth of attractions stemming from a storied pre-Colombian past, like the Museo del Oro and my favorite place to visit, Laguna de Guatavita.

Laguna de Guatavita, or Lake Guatavita, is located a short drive (about 35 miles or 63 km) outside of the capital city of Bogotá, making for an ideal day trip. Although the winding, mountain roads make the venture outside the city limits into a bit of a bumpy ride, the absolutely stunning views of the Colombia countryside make the drive well worth it.

The lake is almost completely surrounded by small mountains. As such, Lake Guatavita has two main attractions. For those infatuated with the outdoors, the lush greenery and exciting hike cannot be beaten. Although the walking trip up the mountain is nothing at which to scoff, more intense athletes should be forewarned that while the vista that serves as a reward to those who hoof it to the top is breathtaking, the trip is specifically targeted to a family demographic and so the mandatory tour guide sets the pace accordingly. Furthermore, the lake is not free, with an entry cost of either 8000 Colombian pesos for national citizens (about 4 dollars) or 12000 Colombian pesos for tourists (about 6 dollars).

What that small fee buys is a trained tour guide who can most aptly elaborate upon the history of the lake, which serves as the second layer of interest offered by Lake Guatavita, beyond the its natural beauty. Although Laguna de Guatavita is not a name readily recognized by most Americans, the legend of El Dorado is much more widely known.

As valuable as the natural beauty, the history of the lake is just as fascinating. The legend, which extends back to the time of the Spanish conquistadores, speaks of the indigenous Muisca people of Colombia and their alleged rituals. It is believed they covered their leader in gold and would then send him out into the middle of the lake to bathe. The story has evolved into several tales of a city made of gold, culminating in the DreamWorks animated film, The Road to El Dorado. Less innocently, the legend has also influenced a number of attempts over the years to retrieve the sunken gold from the lake, which is said to have accumulated on the lake’s floor from generations of Muisca leaders.

A large number of lives, as well as excessive amounts of money, have been lost chasing this unique sunken treasure. While the Muisca people did in fact live in the area, the failed expeditions (including a British-led attempt that literally drained the lake) have only recovered a small number of artifacts. That being said, it is evident that mismanagement and poor planning played an enormous role in the lack of success in the searches for the fabled gold and so to this day, and although the Colombia government has outlawed any further attempts the lake still holds a significant amount of intrigue. It takes only a little bit of imagination to imagine a fortune lying beneath the waters, to remain untouched for the rest of time.