The largest of the Sabana reservoirs and the closest thing Bogota has to a shoreline, a 2,690 m lake beneath the white village of Guatavita with reliable afternoon wind that has made it the country's main inland sailing and windsurfing water. Nautical clubs on the shore rent kayaks and dinghies and run courses; picnicking, cycling and horse riding fill the grassy banks. Water temperature hovers near 12C and general swimming is not permitted.
Embalse de Tomine is the largest of the reservoirs on the Sabana de Bogota and the nearest thing the Colombian capital has to a lakeshore. It lies at about 2,690 metres above sea level on the Sesquile-Guatavita road in Cundinamarca, below the whitewashed village of Guatavita, roughly 57 km northeast of Bogota. This is not a swimming beach in the tropical sense. There is no sand to speak of: the shoreline is grassy bank, gravel and small landing stages, and the water is cold, with temperatures hovering around 12 degrees Celsius. General swimming is not permitted, and the lake's reputation rests instead on wind. Reliable afternoon breezes across the open, elongated basin have made Tomine the country's main inland sailing and windsurfing water, with nautical clubs on the shore renting kayaks and dinghies and running sailing, windsurfing and rowing courses. The water looks dark green to grey-blue depending on the cloud cover, and the wide, exposed shape of the reservoir means the wind is felt strongly, particularly from midday. The atmosphere is that of a weekend outdoor destination rather than a party beach: Bogota families, sailing students and cyclists share the banks, with picnic areas, horse riding and cycling on the grassy margins. Amenities are modest and centred on the clubs and the village. Restaurants and cafes in Guatavita serve trout, empanadas and hot drinks, and there is parking near the village waterfront. There are no lifeguard-staffed swimming zones, so visitors should treat any time on the water as a supervised club activity and use the life jackets supplied by operators. Access is straightforward. Buses run from Portal del Norte in Bogota to Guatavita or Sesquile (about COP 9,000-12,000), taking 1.5 to 2 hours, followed by a short taxi to the waterfront. By car, the route follows the Autopista Norte through Briceno. Weather at this altitude changes quickly, and mornings can be misty and cold before the wind builds. The reservoir combines well with the nearby Laguna del Cacique Guatavita reserve and the colonial-style streets of new Guatavita village.
| Distance | 57 km northeast of Bogota; 1.5-2 hours by bus and local transport |
|---|---|
| Getting there | Bus from Portal del Norte to Guatavita or Sesquile (COP 9,000-12,000, about USD 2.86-3.81), then a short taxi to the waterfront; by car via the Autopista Norte and Briceno |
| Difficulty | easy |
| Best season | December-March and July-August for the steadiest wind |
| Address | Via Sesquile - Guatavita, Embalse de Tomine, Guatavita, Cundinamarca, Colombia |
Amenities
- Nautical clubs with sailing and kayak rental
- Windsurfing and rowing courses
- Picnic areas and grassy shoreline
- Restaurants and cafes in Guatavita village
- Parking near the village waterfront
Good to know
- Best for
- sailors, windsurfers, families, cyclists
Location
Via Sesquile - Guatavita, Embalse de Tomine, Guatavita, Cundinamarca, Colombia
4.9441, -73.8327 View on map
Highlights
- Sailing and windsurfing on Colombia's best-known inland wind water
- Kayak and dinghy rental from nautical clubs on the shore
- Views of Guatavita village above the reservoir
- Picnics, cycling and horse riding along the grassy banks
- Trout and local dishes in Guatavita village restaurants
Tips for visiting
- Arrive by late morning; the steadiest wind usually builds in the afternoon.
- Bring a windproof layer and hat; the air and water stay cold year-round.
- Swimming is not permitted, so book kayak or sailing sessions through a club.
- Take the Portal del Norte bus to Guatavita or Sesquile and a short taxi to the shore.
- Combine the visit with the Laguna del Cacique Guatavita reserve, but check its timed entry.
When to visit
December-March and July-August for the steadiest wind; afternoons are best for sailing, while mornings are calmer and often misty.
Frequently asked questions
Can visitors swim in Embalse de Tomine?
General swimming is not permitted, and the water stays near 12 degrees Celsius. Activities are limited to supervised kayaking, sailing, windsurfing and rowing.
How far is Embalse de Tomine from Bogota?
It is about 57 km northeast of the city. The journey takes roughly 1.5 to 2 hours by bus and local transport, or a little less by car.
What can visitors do at the reservoir?
Nautical clubs offer sailing and windsurfing courses plus kayak and dinghy rental. The grassy banks suit picnics, cycling and horse riding.
When is the wind best for sailing?
Steady wind is most reliable from December to March and July to August, and typically strengthens in the afternoon.