Colombia is home to a unique lagoon that resembles the shape of the country’s map. Located in the municipality of Puerto Lleras in the Meta department, the site is known as Lomalinda or Esquigia Lagoon, and is one of the country’s most intriguing emerging tourist destinations.
This magnificent body of water is situated in a region that, for years, was marked by violence and the presence of armed groups. However, some displaced families from the area have now returned and are investing in natural tourism to help develop the local economy. This includes inviting tourists to view the Lomalinda Lagoon from a high vantage point, so that they can appreciate its distinctive shape.
The Regional Natural Park where this beautiful site is located offers a variety of activities for nature lovers, such as hiking, birdwatching, and water tours. These efforts aim to foster ecotourism and sustainable development in the Meta region.
Colombia’s Lomalinda Lagoon in offers unique activities for nature lovers
This unique body of water body is located only five and a half hours from Bogota, Colombia’s capital. The lagoon has become a key point of interest for ecotourists and also attracts sports enthusiasts who enjoy the opportunity to swim in the map of Colombia and explore it entirely by boat. Visitors can also engage in fishing and mountain biking in the surrounding areas.
A few meters from the lagoon is a runway that once accommodated international flights. This infrastructure is a legacy of the Summer Institute of Linguistics (SIL), an American Christian organization that researched and documented indigenous languages in the region from 1962 until the mid-1990s. Although its mission has concluded, the runway and some nearby structures remain as evidence of its work and presence in the area.
The combination of a uniquely shaped lagoon, opportunities to interact with nature through sports and outdoor activities, along with the history of SIL, makes Laguna Lomalinda a special corner of the Colombian landscape.
Other must-visit natural destinations in Meta
In addition to Lomalinda, Meta is home to a number of other notable natural destinations. Caño Cristales, also known as the “river of five colors,” is famous for its waters that take on rainbow hues thanks to the aquatic plant Macarenia clavigera. This attraction is located in the Sierra de la Macarena National Natural Park, a reserve rich in biodiversity which is ideal for ecotourists.
Other must-visit places include Tinigua National Natural Park, which offers jungle landscapes and diverse species of flora and fauna, and the city of Villavicencio, the gateway to the Eastern Plains, where visitors can enjoy llanera culture and local cuisine. It is also recommended to visit Bioparque Los Ocarros, which is dedicated to the conservation of regional wildlife.