Always wanted to walk among the lions in your bikini just before going down the slide? Then you’ve come to the right place in Piscilago. At Piscilago, you can enjoy many cool slides, pools and the zoo all day long. And yes that combination is quite distinct. You’ll find Colombia’s largest water park between hot Melgar and Girardot, just a few hours from Bogotá. Looking for a stopover between the Tatacoa Desert and Salento? Then Piscilago is ideal. Also great to visit on a day trip from Bogotá AND a fantastic destination for traveling with children in Colombia. And do you like going out and dancing? Then stay in the nearby town of Melgar: the nightclub mecca. In short, time to get to know a destination that is very popular for Colombians: Piscilago.
Piscilago: the famous megapark of Colombia
Just 105 kilometers from Bogotá, about 2.5 to 3 hours away, you will find Piscilago. Departing from chilly Bogotá, you can hardly imagine getting off the bus or car 3 hours later in tropical temperatures. It is so hot there that you want nothing more than to go down the slide into the water as fast as possible. Piscilago is one of the most visited parks in Colombia as well as in South America. In addition, this water park is considered one of the most important places in the region.
Not surprisingly, because in Piscilago you can spend many days. It is so big that we were only able to do 9 of the 35 attractions in 1 day.
Slides Piscilago
In Piscilago you will find 9 large slides. Some faster and higher than others. Off many slides you go in a band for 2 or 4 people. If you are afraid of heights then it will take a while to get through. But on the other hand, from the top of the slide you do have a beautiful view of the green mountains in the area.
My favorite was Onda extrema. Here is a video:
I found the scariest slide to be Piscitornado, where you are launched at tremendous speed into a funnel in which you then circle before falling into the water. Other cool slides include Anaconda and Megatobogán. The latter is more than 500 meters long and has 27 curves and 3 tunnels. Here you will find all the slides listed including videos and/or photos.
Zoo
As you walk through the park you will encounter many animals. In the trees you can see monkeys and in (in my opinion) too small enclosures other wild animals such as lions, tigers, turtles, many birds and more. So as you walk from slide to slide, you can check out animals along the way. Personally, I am not a fan of zoos, but if you do love them, this is the perfect (and a rather unusual) combination. Here you can find everything about the animals in Piscilago.
Pools
Scattered around Piscilago are 5 large swimming pools. Great for relaxing at the end of the day, for playing if you have small children or for cooling off in the heat. Below Piscinas you will find more information about the different pools.
Other attractions
In addition to the slides, pools and zoo, there are riding attractions, such as trains, a park for smaller children, pedal boats on the lake and a tour boat. Here under Atracciones Mecánicas you can find more information about these attractions.
Restaurants in Piscilago
There are 5 restaurants in Piscilago and (driving) kiosks in the park. There are no vegetarian menus, so ask about what they have without meat, fish and chicken. Such as salad, rice, French fries, plantain and dessert. Also delicious. Here find the restaurants listed.
Piscilago Colombia: how did I like it?
Fair? Before, I thought it wouldn’t be anything for me, but I really loved it! Too bad that with crowds (more on that below practically) it is not possible to do very much, but enough to have a cool day. I can sincerely recommend Piscilago, unless you really don’t like slides. It’s a cool day out and a refreshing stopover on your journey through Colombia.
Where to stay. Melgar or Girardot
As mentioned, you can visit Piscilago on a day trip from Bogotá. But if you’re passing through or want a weekend getaway, it’s a great place to stay. Nearby Melgar and Girardot are popular vacation destinations among Colombians (especially from the Bogotá region) and for good reason. It is just a few hours drive from Bogotá and nice and warm (around 30 degrees). Many swimming pools and, of course, Piscilago Colsubsidio. In addition, many Colombian tourists come to Melgar for the nightclubs.
Hotel Suite Royal in Melgar
We stayed in Melgar at the Hotel Suite Royal. It sounds very expensive but is not at all. A cheap hotel within walking distance to many restaurants and nightclubs if you are in need of them. For only 26 euros we had a spacious room with private bathroom and balcony. No air conditioner, but there is a fan. Includes an extensive and delicious breakfast and 2 pools in the hotel. One on the first floor and the other on the roof terrace. These are open until 10 in the evening. So we also laid in the pool until 10 in the evening with a beautiful view. There are also a bar and lounge chairs on the rooftop terrace. Definitely recommend this hotel! Click here for more information or to book.
Piscilago Colombia practical
How do you get to Piscilago?
By car
On this route from Bogotá to Tatacoa or from Bogotá to Salento, you will pass it. From Bogotá, it is about a 3-hour drive, depending on traffic. The route can be driven with an ordinary car; you don’t need a 4X4 for it. Going on a day trip by car? Then leave between 4 and 5AM to get ahead of traffic jams and arrive before opening time. You can read all about driving and renting a car in Colombia here.
By bus
From La Terminal Salitre or La Terminal Sur in Bogotá, there is a frequent bus to Girardot. Ask the driver to drop you off in front of the entrance to Piscilago. Here you will find the information about the buses and terminal. Again, leave early.
From Bogotá, Chía and Zipaquirá, buses also go directly to Piscilago. These leave between 5:30AM and 6:30AM and cost 21,000 pesos (round trip). All current boarding points, times and prices can be found here. You can only go there and back on this bus the same day. Also useful to know: these buses only run on weekends and holidays. If you go during the week then you should take the bus to Girardot.
Opening hours
The days and times when Piscilago is open vary by period.
Low Season
- Wednesday through Friday from 8:30AM to 5:30PM
- Saturdays, Sundays and holidays from 8:30AM to 6:00PM
- There may be attractions closed during low season.
High Season
- From December 1, 2019 to February 2, 2020, open every day between 8:30AM and 6:00PM
Check this link for current opening hours.
Cost
Piscilago is a Colsubsidio park and people affiliated with it pay less. I’m assuming for the moment that you are not 🙂 Then the regular price is 50,500 pesos per person (13.50 euros). This does not include lunch and transportation to and from Bogotá. Including lunch and transportation to and from Bogotá, you pay 100,000 pesos per person (26.41 euros). For all current prices click on this link.
Useful to know:
- Children under 6 years of age may enter for free.
- Parking at the park costs 5,000 pesos for the whole day.
What to bring?
- Towels
- Slippers
- Bathing cap (just like in every pool in Colombia, also mandatory here)
- Swimwear
- For women, it is helpful to bring shorts to wear over your bikini bottoms
- Padlock for lockers
- Anti-mosquito spray (you’ll get really stung if you don’t have this)
- Sunscreen
- Enough cash
- Soap and shampoo to shower before leaving
At each slide and at each pool there is a place where you can store your flip-flops and possibly towel.
What not to wear on the slides
You may not wear jewelry when going down the slide. So take off your earrings and rings, necklaces and watches beforehand.
Where do you store your stuff?
There are many lockers scattered throughout the park. Because the park is so big, it’s quite a hassle to leave all your stuff at one end and keep having to walk miles for a sip of water or some money. Therefore, it is convenient to see one part of the park first, put your stuff in a locker there, and then move to the other side with all your stuff and find a new locker. Trust me: you really need to walk a lot in the heat if you don’t do this. There is also a kind of train going through the park that takes you from one side to the other, but it does not go frequently and walking almost seems faster.
Please note that you must put your own lock on your locker. You can buy locks at the park, or of course you can bring your own. There is a warning about theft so bring a good lock.
Showers and toilets
There are lots of showers and toilets available throughout the park. Includes toilet paper. Allow for queues during the busiest days.
Traveling with children in Colombia: Piscilago
Piscilago is a perfect destination if you are traveling through Colombia with children. For both young and old, this park is great. Please note that children up to 1.10m – 1.30m (different for each slide) are not allowed down the respective slide. But there is also plenty to do for the little ones. Think play parks, fountains, pools, trains and the zoo.
When is the best time to visit Piscilago?
If you go on the reviews you will see that there are many complaints about the lack of facilities and the huge waiting times for attractions during the busiest days. I met people from Girardot who have been many times and told me that during the busiest days, a 1 to 2 hour wait for a slide is quite normal.
I myself went on a Sunday and was lucky: there were a lot of people but fewer than usual on a Sunday. That may be because it was neither the first weekend nor the weekend after the 15th of the month (both dates when many Colombians receive salaries and then head out). Or because it was just before the high season, or perhaps because many did not want to leave Bogotá because of the unrest. In any case: it was fine. At most, we had to wait about 45 minutes.
The best time is low season and especially outside puentes (weekends with holidays). Or in high season on a weekday.
How much time do you need?
Actually, 1 day is not enough to see and do everything, but certainly more than enough for a cool experience. I recommend arriving before opening time to get right in and stay until late afternoon. That’s how to get the most out of your day.
How to fit Piscilago into your Colombia itinerary? | The ideal stopover between the Tatacoa Desert and Salento
Piscilago and Melgar fit very well into your itinerary.
- As a stopover on the route Bogotá – Tatacoa Desert
- As a stopover on the route Bogotá – Salento
- The ideal stopover between Tatacoa and Salento
Or visit the park as a day trip from Bogotá.
Discover Colombia’s most popular megapark on a stop off the beaten path during your Colombia highlights trip!
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