One of the best places for camping, or cooking a meal in the open and or engaging in water-sports is the Neusa Dam, 80 km (an hour and a half) out of Bogotá to the north. The climate is cold, and the water looks green under the reflection of the sky on sunny days. The dam is 3,000 m above sea level, the average temperature is 10°C, and on a cold day may go down to -3°C: it is essential to take warm clothing.

A good time to visit Neusa is January, when the weather is dry and the days are warm. Perfect for a ride in a dinghy, fishing for trout, or trail-walking.

The Neusa Reservouir in Cundinamarca, Colombia is a fantastic tourist site. The ecological system in the park develops special environments for the habitat of different species of wildlife among which you can find borgo, and different species of wild animals, as well as trout farms for fishing.

The Neusa reservoir comprises three areas for tourists; centro, laureles, and chapinero, which are divided by campground and cabins area. The “centro” area is located on the bridge of the reservoir and is the main entrance to the park. The superindent office, located here, registers all cars and persons entering the areas of laureles and chapinero.

The chapinero zone (cottages) is divided by cabins that can accommodate 4, 9, 15 and 20 people. These cottages are equipped with kitchens, bathrooms, fireplace, and parking. On the end of this zone the park offers accommodations at the Neusa hotel. The Chapinero zone has two restaurants and a picnic area.

The Chapinero and Laureles zones are separated by the dam, but each one offers fishing and boat ride services.

History

The construction of the dam began as a project to generate electricity for the municipalities of Zipaquirá, Tocancipá, Gachancipá, Cogua and the salt of Zipaquirá. Subsequently, the Concession Salinas Bank of the Republic decided to advance a project of multiple use, comprising water supply for Bogotá, Zipaquirá and neighboring municipalities; Bogotá River regulation and power generation, purpose was later discarded.

Studies of the dam began in August 1948 and the construction works began in 1949 and ended in early 1952. Both studies and construction were executed by the US firm Winston Brothers & Company. In 1962 the batch was delivered to CAR for management and administration.

Services

• Extensive camping zones
• Cottage and cabins for accommodations
• Paintball
• Fishing
• BBQ stations
• Hotel service
• Water sports
• Picnic zones
• Ecological walks
• Horseback riding
• Mountain bike