The Guajira

Itinerary

The first stop is Manaure, where the salt flats greet us with their brilliant white geometries. There, we understand how salt is not only a natural resource but an essential part of the economy and life of many Wayuu families. We continue to Uribia, known as the indigenous capital of Colombia, a meeting point for the communities that inhabit this ancestral territory.

Now immersed in the desert landscape, we arrive at Playa Arcoíris, where water splashes among rocks and the sun transforms the sky into a spectacle of colors. Afterward, we ascend Pilón de Azúcar, a sacred viewpoint for the Wayuu. From the top, the sea stretches to the horizon, while the wind tells stories of the desert.

Then we descend to Playa Dorada, where time stops. The warm water invites a restorative swim, and the golden landscape envelops us with its serene energy. It is here that the sea and desert embrace without haste.

The journey culminates in Cabo de la Vela, where we share a traditional lunch prepared by local hands. It is a moment to savor the culture, to converse with those who make this trip possible, and to understand the importance of traveling consciously, respectfully, and regeneratively.

At the end of the day, we begin our return to Riohacha, carrying on our skin the desert sun and in our hearts the memory of a territory that transforms.

Note: This itinerary is subject to change due to weather conditions or force majeure.

Includes

• Shared 4x4 transportation, capacity up to 6 people.
• Experienced driver.
• Typical lunch.
• Assistance insurance.

Not included

• Activities not mentioned in the itinerary.
• Personal expenses.

General environment conditions: Cabo de la Vela

• Climate: The climate in Cabo de la Vela is arid, hot, and dry, with temperatures ranging from 28 °C to 38 °C. The desert sun is strong throughout the day, so prepare for high temperatures and direct exposure.
• Humidity: Low. Although humidity is not as high as in other regions, constant heat and dry desert winds can cause dehydration. Staying hydrated is essential throughout the day.
• Physical demand: Low to moderate. Walks are short and accessible, but the combination of heat, sun, and travel on unpaved roads can be demanding if you are not physically and mentally prepared.
• Electricity: Limited in the area. Many lodgings and visit points operate on solar energy or do not have continuous access to electricity. Bring an external battery if you need to charge devices.
• Environmental and cultural respect: You are entering a sacred territory for the Wayuu people. Their culture, worldview, and traditions are alive and present. Avoid imposing external customs, generating waste, or disturbing the environment. Appreciate every story, gesture, and shared moment: you are part of an intercultural encounter that deserves respect and care.

What to bring to fully enjoy

• Cash. There are no card terminals or ATMs in the area.
• Light, breathable, quick-drying clothing.
• Reusable water bottle to stay hydrated.
• Comfortable, sturdy footwear for walking on sand and climbing viewpoints.
• Eco-friendly sunscreen and biodegradable repellent.
• Cap, hat, and sunglasses: the sun's reflection in the desert can be intense.
• Camera or cell phone with sufficient battery, but always ask for permission before photographing people or spaces.

Important information

• Community services: Visits in Cabo de la Vela take place in spaces managed by Wayuu families and communities. The service is simple but deeply genuine. Value each interaction as an essential part of the experience.
• Natural risks: The tour takes place in a desert and coastal environment, exposed to sun, strong winds, and unpaved roads. Assistance insurance is included.
• Personal belongings: Bring only what is essential and protect it from dust and wind. Weather conditions may affect electronic equipment or fragile belongings.

During your visit to Cabo de la Vela

• Respect Wayuu culture. Avoid taking photos without permission and do not interrupt their daily activities.
• Do not leave litter. Bring a bag to collect your waste and avoid using single-use plastics.
• Do not collect stones, shells, or elements from the environment.
• Listen to the local guides. They know the history, sacred places, and cultural norms of the territory.

Itinerary

Day 1 – From the white sea to the heart of the desert
The adventure begins in Riohacha, where the warm Caribbean wind announces the start of an unforgettable journey. The first destination is Manaure, home to the traditional salt flats that paint the landscape with white and pink tones. There, guided by a community guide, you will tour the pools where salt is extracted artfully, as it has been done for generations.
Afterward, you make a stop in Uribia, known as the indigenous capital of Colombia. It is the ideal place to take a break, buy snacks, or simply observe the daily life of the Wayuu people.
The route continues to the mythical Cabo de la Vela, crossing landscapes of desert and sea. Upon arrival, a local lunch awaits you at the accommodation, a space managed by families from the community. After a short rest, the exploration of the most emblematic places of Cabo begins.
You visit the charming Playa Arcoíris, famous for the light effects created when water crashes against the rocks. Then, you ascend Pilón de Azúcar, a sacred hill for the Wayuu people. From its top, the desert and sea open into a breathtaking view.
You end the afternoon with a swim at Playa Dorada and an unforgettable sunset, which can be enjoyed from Playa Ojo de Agua or El Faro, depending on the pace of the tour. The sky is painted in oranges and reds as night falls over the desert.
The day ends with a traditional dinner and a night under the stars, resting in comfortable chinchorros or beds, depending on the chosen plan.

Day 2 – Mayapo: where the sea embraces the sand
Upon waking, a local breakfast awaits you and a new route: this time towards the serene beaches of Mayapo, one of the best-kept secrets of the Colombian Caribbean. After crossing the desert landscape for a few hours, the sea reappears, now softer and clearer.
Upon arrival, you enjoy a lunch with authentic flavors of Guajira cuisine, prepared by local cooks. Then, you have free time to relax on the beach, swim, or practice water sports like kitesurfing or windsurfing, as the area is ideal due to its constant winds and firm sands.
As evening falls, you begin the return to Riohacha, arriving with a heart full of stories, landscapes, and encounters that only La Guajira can offer.

Note: This itinerary is subject to change due to weather conditions or force majeure.

Includes

• Shared 4x4 transportation, capacity up to 6 people.
• Experienced driver.
• Meals: 1 breakfast, 1 lunch, 1 dinner.
• Accommodation in a ranchería: sleeping in chinchorro or bed according to chosen plan.
• Assistance insurance.

Not included

• Activities not mentioned in the itinerary.
• Personal expenses.
• Tips.

General environment conditions: Cabo de la Vela

• Climate: The climate in Cabo de la Vela is arid, hot, and dry, with temperatures ranging from 28 °C to 38 °C. The desert sun is strong throughout the day, so prepare for high temperatures and direct exposure.
• Humidity: Low. Although humidity is not as high as in other regions, constant heat and dry desert winds can cause dehydration. Staying hydrated is essential throughout the day.
• Physical demand: Low to moderate. Walks are short and accessible, but the combination of heat, sun, and travel on unpaved roads can be demanding if you are not physically and mentally prepared.
• Electricity: Limited in the area. Many lodgings and visit points operate on solar energy or do not have continuous access to electricity. Bring an external battery if you need to charge devices.
• Environmental and cultural respect: You are entering a sacred territory for the Wayuu people. Their culture, worldview, and traditions are alive and present. Avoid imposing external customs, generating waste, or disturbing the environment. Appreciate every story, gesture, and shared moment: you are part of an intercultural encounter that deserves respect and care.

What to bring to fully enjoy

• Cash. There are no card terminals or ATMs in the area.
• Light, breathable, quick-drying clothing.
• Reusable water bottle to stay hydrated.
• Comfortable, sturdy footwear for walking on sand and climbing viewpoints.
• Eco-friendly sunscreen and biodegradable repellent.
• Cap, hat, and sunglasses: the sun's reflection in the desert can be intense.
• Camera or cell phone with sufficient battery, but always ask for permission before photographing people or spaces.
• Flashlight or headlamp (for the night at the cape).

Important information

• Community services: Visits in Cabo de la Vela take place in spaces managed by Wayuu families and communities. The service is simple but deeply genuine. Value each interaction as an essential part of the experience.
• Natural risks: The tour takes place in a desert and coastal environment, exposed to sun, strong winds, and unpaved roads. Assistance insurance is included.
• Personal belongings: Bring only what is essential and protect it from dust and wind. Weather conditions may affect electronic equipment or fragile belongings.

During your visit to Cabo de la Vela

• Respect Wayuu culture. Avoid taking photos without permission and do not interrupt their daily activities.
• Do not leave litter. Bring a bag to collect your waste and avoid using single-use plastics.
• Do not collect stones, shells, or elements from the environment.
• Listen to the local guides. They know the history, sacred places, and cultural norms of the territory.

Itinerary

Day 1 – From salt to desert: Manaure, Uribia, and Cabo de la Vela
Your adventure begins in Riohacha, where the road opens to the north of La Guajira, leaving the city behind to enter territories where nature and culture express themselves without filters. The first stop is Manaure, land of artisanal salt flats that shine under the sun. There, with a community guide, you tour the pools where salt is extracted as it has been done for generations.
You continue towards Uribia, indigenous capital of Colombia and vital center of Wayuu culture. Then, the landscape becomes arid, golden, immense. After crossing the desert for a couple of hours, you arrive at the mythical Cabo de la Vela, a place where the Caribbean Sea embraces the land with serene strength.
After a local lunch at the accommodation, you explore natural gems such as Playa Arcoíris, with its play of water and light on the rocks; you climb the sacred Pilón de Azúcar, from where the horizon seems infinite, and rest at Playa Dorada, bathed by the warmth of the Guajira sun. The day closes with an unforgettable sunset from El Faro or Playa Ojo de Agua, where the sky becomes a living painting. Dinner and rest in chinchorros or beds, according to the chosen plan.

Day 2 – Heading to the extreme of South America: Punta Gallinas and Taroa Dunes
After an early breakfast, you continue towards the heart of Alta Guajira. The road takes you through solitary and fascinating landscapes: you pass the Wind Farm, a symbol of wind energy; you cross Bahía Portete and Bahía Honda, where you have lunch with a sea view.
Then, the route leads you to one of the most magical places of the trip: the imposing Taroa Dunes, where the desert plunges directly into the Caribbean Sea. It is a time to play with the wind, run on the sand, and immerse yourself in the cold waters that contrast with the desert heat.
From there, you continue to the Casares Viewpoint, a natural balcony towards the bay, and end the tour at the Punta Gallinas Lighthouse, the northernmost point of all South America. A sunset here is a privilege: the sun slowly falls over the northernmost land of the continent. At the end of the day, you have dinner and rest in a community accommodation.

Day 3 – The perfect ending: Mayapo Beach
After breakfast, you begin the return to Riohacha, but first, a final gift awaits you: Mayapo, a hidden paradise with wide beaches, calm waters, and ideal winds for water sports. Upon arrival, you enjoy a typical lunch with the best of Guajira cuisine, prepared by local cooks.
You have time to rest, walk along the beach, swim, or simply contemplate the landscape that closes this journey in style. In the afternoon, you begin the return to Riohacha, with skin tanned by the sun, a backpack full of memories, and a soul touched by the spiritual strength of Alta Guajira.

Note: This itinerary is subject to change due to weather conditions or force majeure.

Includes

• Shared 4x4 transportation, capacity up to 6 people.
• Experienced driver.
• Meals: 2 breakfasts, 3 lunches, 2 dinners.
• Accommodation in a ranchería: sleeping in chinchorro or bed according to chosen plan.
• Assistance insurance.

Not included

• Activities not mentioned in the itinerary.
• Personal expenses.

General environment conditions: Cabo de la Vela and Punta Gallinas

• Climate: The climate in this area of Alta Guajira is arid, dry, and hot, with temperatures ranging from 28 °C to 38 °C. The sun is intense throughout the day, especially during walks to viewpoints and beaches. Prepare for direct sun exposure and bring everything you need to protect yourself.
• Humidity: Humidity is low, but the dry environment and constant desert wind can cause rapid dehydration. Staying hydrated frequently is key to enjoying the trip without issues.
• Physical demand: Physical demand is low to moderate. There are no long hikes, but the heat, travel on unpaved roads, and environmental conditions can be challenging if you are not physically and mentally prepared.
• Electricity: Electricity is limited or intermittent in the rancherías where you will stay. Many spaces operate on solar energy, so there are no constant charging points. It is recommended to bring an external battery for your essential devices.
• Accommodation in rancherías: You will sleep in typical Wayuu rancherías, community accommodations managed by local families. You can rest in traditional chinchorros or basic beds, depending on the chosen plan. The service is simple but authentic, and is a fundamental part of the cultural experience. It is a privilege to share, even for a night, with those who inhabit this ancestral territory.
• Environmental and cultural respect: You are visiting sacred territories and living communities of the Wayuu people, who preserve their own norms, values, and ways of life. Be respectful of their customs, do not impose external habits. Appreciate every gesture, story, and shared meal. This trip is an intercultural encounter, not just a tourist excursion.

What to bring to fully enjoy

• Cash. There are no ATMs or card terminals in the area.
• Light, breathable, quick-drying clothing.
• Reusable water bottle to stay hydrated.
• Comfortable, sturdy footwear for walking on sand and rocky terrain.
• Eco-friendly sunscreen and biodegradable repellent.
• Cap, hat, and sunglasses: solar radiation is intense.
• Camera or cell phone with good battery. Always ask for permission before photographing people or sacred spaces.
• Flashlight or headlamp (for nights in rancherías).
• Light warm clothing for the night (wind can cool down).

Important information

• Community services: Visits and accommodations are managed by Wayuu families. The service is not luxurious, but deeply human and meaningful. Value every detail as part of a respectful exchange.
• Natural risks: This tour takes place in desert and coastal areas. There is direct sun exposure, strong wind, dust, and uneven roads. The tour includes assistance insurance for your peace of mind.
• Personal belongings: Bring only what is essential. Use comfortable backpacks and protect your items from dust, sand, and wind. Avoid bringing delicate or unnecessary devices.

During your visit to Cabo de la Vela and Punta Gallinas

• Respect Wayuu culture. Do not take photos without permission or interrupt their private spaces or rituals.
• Do not leave litter. Whatever you bring, take it back. Avoid single-use plastics.
• Do not collect elements from the environment. Stones, shells, wood, or any natural element must remain in place.
• Follow the instructions of local guides. They know the territory, the codes of respect, and the sacred stories that give meaning to each site.