The Topocoro reservoir from Zapatoca
Tours, places to stay, restaurants and viewpoints on the reservoir in Zapatoca, with directions from Bucaramanga.
- by road to El Tablazo
- 60km
- above sea level, town center
- 1,720m
- average temperature
- 18.6°C
Key facts about Zapatoca
- Zapatoca is one of the six towns around the Topocoro reservoir, in Santander.
- From the town center it is about 60 km by road to El Tablazo, where the boat tours leave from.
- The town center is at about 1,720 m above sea level, with an average temperature of about 18.6 °C; El Tablazo, on the reservoir shore, is at about 300 m.
Zapatoca is one of the six towns with jurisdiction over the Topocoro reservoir. Its town center has hotels and restaurants serving Santander cuisine, and from its territory you reach a different part of the water.
Combine a visit to the town with a tour on the water: here you will find the tours and places to stay in Zapatoca published in the guide.
Zapatoca is famous for its «silk climate»: the town center sits at about 1,720 m and stays cool most of the year. According to Wikipedia (in Spanish), its sights include the Cueva del Nitro cave, the Pico de la Vieja peak, the La Unión waterfalls and viewpoints over Santander's canyons.
Tours on the reservoir from Zapatoca
We only publish tours from providers with a valid National Tourism Registry (RNT). In the meantime, explore the reservoir's activities with the links above.
Places to stay in Zapatoca near the reservoir
Compare types of places to stayGlamping, cabins, hotels, campsites and fincas in Zapatoca will appear here once the provider is verified.
Restaurants in Zapatoca
River cooking, bocachico and traditional Santander food.
Verified restaurants in Zapatoca will appear on the where to eat page.
Docks, viewpoints and waterfalls in Zapatoca
Docks, viewpoints and waterfalls are added as we confirm their coordinates on site.
How to get to the reservoir from Zapatoca
From Bucaramanga it is about 63 km via Girón and the Girón–Zapatoca road, which crosses the Sogamoso River on the Guillermo Gómez Ortiz bridge. In the rainy season that road can be muddy: drive carefully on the bends near the bridge. There are also buses from the Bucaramanga bus terminal.
The reservoir's boat area, at El Tablazo, is about 60 km from the town center by road, according to OpenStreetMap. If you stay in Zapatoca and go out on the water, leave early and dress in layers: the reservoir is about 1,400 m lower and much hotter.
See the full guide to getting thereQuestions about the reservoir from Zapatoca
What can I do at the Topocoro reservoir from Zapatoca?
Boat tours, pontoon outings, kayaking, fishing and hikes, depending on the tours that operators departing from Zapatoca publish. You can see them above on this page and in things to do.
How do I get to the reservoir from Zapatoca?
Check the "how to get there" section on this page and the full route guide, with directions from Bucaramanga and each town.
Where can I stay in Zapatoca near the reservoir?
Places to stay in Zapatoca from verified providers appear on this page. To compare types, see where to stay.
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