The urban centre is situated on the Altiplano Cundiboyacense at a distance of 20 kilometres (12 mi) from the department capital Tunja.

[1] The name Cucaita is derived from Chibcha and means either "Seminary enclosure" or "Shade of the farming fields".

Cucaita was ruled by the zaque of nearby Hunza.

Modern Cucaita was founded on August 12, 1556 by friar Juan de Los Barrios.

[1] Main economical activities of Cucaita are agriculture (predominantly onions and peas), livestock farming and minor carbon mining.