Cabo de la Vela is one of the most spectacular places in Alta Guajira. It offers various accommodations, beautiful beaches, and unique landscapes. You don't need a travel agency to get there. It is easy and cheap to travel from Riohacha to Cabo de la Vela on your own.
Itinerary
- Riohacha: Go to Mercado Viejo and take a shared taxi to Uribia. Tell the driver to drop you just outside Uribia at the crossroads called "4 Via de Uribia".
- Uribia: As soon as you hop off the taxi at 4 Via de Uribia, locals will offer you transportation to Cabo de la Vela. Transport is usually done by pick-up trucks.
- Cabo de la Vela: Get off anywhere in the village. There are plenty of accommodations. The village consists of one long road along the coast.
Important Tips
- Cash: Bring all the cash you need for your stay north of Uribia. ATMs are available in Uribia, Maicao, and Riohacha.
- 4 Via: There are two crossroads called "4 Via". 4 Via de Uribia is just outside Uribia, while 4 Via de Maicao is between Riohacha and Maicao. Do not confuse them.
- Timing: Travelling with shared taxis after 4pm can be difficult as cars may not fill up. Leave early if you want to travel without problems.
About Cabo de la Vela
Cabo de la Vela sits at the northernmost tip of the South American continent, on the territory of the Wayuu indigenous. The cape has been inhabited by the Wayuu for centuries and holds deep cultural and spiritual significance — Jepira, the hill at the cape, is the place where Wayuu souls are believed to travel after death.
Today, tourism has transformed the village. The original Wayuu families have largely been replaced by workers from further south. The landscape, however, remains extraordinary — arid desert meeting the Caribbean Sea, with sunsets that draw visitors from across the world.