Punta Gallinas: the northernmost point of mainland South America

Punta Gallinas is the northernmost point of mainland South America, in Alta Guajira, Colombia. Beyond Uribia there is no paved road, so you reach Punta Gallinas by 4×4 on desert tracks. The 3- and 4-day tours leave Riohacha at 8:30 a.m. and arrive in Punta Gallinas around 2:00 p.m. on day 2.

Tours that stop in Punta Gallinas Getting there on your own

La Guajira

Punta Gallinas at a glance

What it is: The northernmost point of mainland South America
Where it is: Alta Guajira, Colombia
Access: By 4×4 from Uribia, on desert tracks
Arrival on a tour: Day 2, around 2:00 p.m., after leaving Riohacha at 8:30 a.m. on day 1
Tours that stop here: 2 tours; 3 and 4 days, from Riohacha.

What to see and do in Punta Gallinas

On arrival day you have lunch at a ranchería, and the afternoon is free to rest and walk around. The visits are on day 3.

Stops around Punta Gallinas by tour, from the itineraries as of October 5, 2026. Source: Punta Gallinas Tours.

Place	3-day tour	4-day tour
Bahía Hondita (along the shore)	Day 2	Day 2
Taroa dunes	Day 3, early	Day 3
Punta Gallinas lighthouse	Day 3	Day 3
Playa Punta Agujas (sunset)	No	Day 3

Punta Agujas
At Playa Punta Agujas you can swim and watch the sunset. It is only on the 4-day tour, as the last stop on day 3, before the second night in Punta Gallinas.

Taroa dunes: from the top down to the beach

The Taroa dunes run down to a beach. From the top you see the desert and the Caribbean Sea, and anyone who wants can walk down the dune and swim, so keep your swimsuit and towel handy that day. Sandboarding is offered at the dunes subject to availability at an extra cost; if you are interested, mention it when you book. The dunes are the first stop on day 3.

Bahía Hondita and the lighthouse

The Punta Gallinas lighthouse

The Punta Gallinas lighthouse is a metal tower with a small building beside it, and it marks the northernmost point of mainland South America, which makes it the photo stop of the area. The 3- and 4-day tours reach it on day 3, after the Taroa dunes.

Bahía Hondita

Bahía Hondita's shore is lined with ocher and reddish earth bluffs, dry scrub and mangroves. It is on the way on day 2: before reaching Punta Gallinas, the 3-day tour follows the shore of Bahía Portete, Bahía Honda and Bahía Hondita, and the 4-day tour that of Bahía Honda and Bahía Hondita. Despite the similar names, they are three different bays.

How to get to Punta Gallinas from Riohacha

Getting to Punta Gallinas from Riohacha takes two days. On day 1 the route follows the road to Uribia, past the Manaure salt flats. Uribia is the last stop before the desert, where you stock up on water, snacks, food and cash. There is no paved road beyond Uribia, so the trip continues by 4×4 on desert tracks to Cabo de la Vela, where you spend the night. On day 2 the route heads north and reaches Punta Gallinas around 2:00 p.m. If your dates fall in the rainy season, ask us on WhatsApp about the state of the tracks before you book.

There are two ways to make that trip with us. The 3-day tour and the 4-day tour include meals, lodging, a driver-guide and insurance, and our Punta Gallinas tours page compares them side by side. Private 4×4 transport covers only the ride and is quoted on WhatsApp; you arrange your own lodging and meals.

Coming from Santa Marta, Cartagena or Bogotá

Our tours leave from Riohacha at 8:30 a.m., not from Santa Marta, and our private transport runs between Riohacha, Cabo de la Vela and Punta Gallinas. Riohacha has its own airport, Almirante Padilla Airport, with commercial flights; check with the airlines for current routes. If you are coming overland from Santa Marta, our Santa Marta to La Guajira guide covers that leg. Either way, plan to sleep in Riohacha the night before the tour.

Illustrative map, not to scale.See the animated route, day by day

Before you arrive

Responsible travel in Wayuu territory

In Punta Gallinas you sleep in a Wayuu ranchería at the far northern end of the route: whatever you bring, trash included, goes back with you in the trash bag on the packing list. If you want to buy crafts, bring cash, because there are no cash machines or card payments on the route. The other practices for visiting rancherías respectfully, such as asking before you take someone's photo, are in our guide to La Guajira.

Where to sleep in Punta Gallinas

On the tours, you sleep in Punta Gallinas in a chinchorro hammock in a Wayuu ranchería (settlement): the second night on the 3-day tour, and the second and third nights on the 4-day tour. If you would prefer a bed, it costs COP 30,000 per person per night, subject to availability.

For the night, the packing list asks for a flashlight or headlamp, useful at the rancherías, a light jacket, because it can get breezy, and a power bank. Before you leave, ask your advisor what the ranchería for your date has: electricity, showers and cell signal. For everything else, see what to pack for La Guajira.

Tours that stop in Punta Gallinas

3 days and 2 nights
Alta Guajira
Punta Gallinas tour 3 days (with Cabo de la Vela)
The 3-day Punta Gallinas tour is a private 4×4 trip from Riohacha, leaving at 8:30 a.m. It covers the Manaure salt flats, Uribia, Cabo de la Vela, Bahía Hondita, the Taroa dunes and the Punta Gallinas lighthouse, with two nights in chinchorro hammocks in Wayuu rancherías (settlements). The 3-day tour costs from COP 900,000 per person for groups of 6 or more, with a 7% deposit to book.
- 2 nights in a hammock
- Leaves from Riohacha
- 4×4 with air conditioning
Next departure: Mon Oct 12
Per person, group of 2
COP 1,650,000
COP 900,000 per person in groups of 6 or more.
4 days and 3 nights
Alta Guajira
Punta Gallinas tour 4 days: Cabo de la Vela and Punta Gallinas
The 4-day Cabo de la Vela and Punta Gallinas tour is private and leaves Riohacha at 8:30 a.m. by 4×4. It follows the 3-day route and adds a second night in Punta Gallinas and sunset at Punta Agujas, with three nights in chinchorro hammocks in Wayuu rancherías (settlements). The 4-day tour costs from COP 955,500 per person for groups of 6 or more, with a 7% deposit to book.
- 3 nights in a hammock
- Leaves from Riohacha
- 4×4 with air conditioning
Next departure: Mon Oct 12
Per person, group of 2
COP 1,874,250
COP 955,500 per person in groups of 6 or more.

4.9 out of 5 on Tripadvisor6,458 reviews of Expotur Eco, the operator. Checked on October 7, 2026.

Book with 7%7% deposit of the total. An advisor confirms within 12 hours at most.

All Alta Guajira tours

Plan your trip to Punta Gallinas

BlogLa Guajira travel guide: Cabo de la Vela and Punta Gallinas

Frequently asked questions about Punta Gallinas

Where is Punta Gallinas?

Punta Gallinas is in Alta Guajira, in the north of Colombia, and it is the northernmost point of mainland South America. On the tour route it lies beyond Cabo de la Vela, where you spend the first night; on day 2 the route follows the shore of Bahía Honda and Bahía Hondita before arriving. Tours to Punta Gallinas leave from Riohacha, not from Santa Marta.

How do I get to Punta Gallinas?

You get there by 4×4 from Riohacha, because there is no paved road beyond Uribia, only desert tracks. Our 3- and 4-day tours leave Riohacha at 8:30 a.m., spend the first night in Cabo de la Vela and reach Punta Gallinas around 2:00 p.m. on day 2. Without a tour, you can hire private 4×4 transport, quoted on WhatsApp.

How much does it cost to go to Punta Gallinas?

On a tour from Riohacha, Punta Gallinas costs from COP 900,000 per person on the 3-day tour and from COP 955,500 on the 4-day tour, for groups of 6 or more. For 2 travelers, it is COP 1,650,000 and COP 1,874,250 per person. The price includes 4×4 transport, the meals set for each tour, nights in hammocks, a driver-guide and medical assistance insurance.

What is there to do in Punta Gallinas?

In Punta Gallinas you visit the lighthouse that marks the northernmost point of mainland South America and climb the Taroa dunes, which look out over the desert and the sea; you can walk down the dune to the beach for a swim. On the way you follow the shore of Bahía Hondita. The 4-day tour adds Punta Agujas, where you can swim and watch the sunset.

How long does it take to get from Riohacha to Punta Gallinas?

On a tour, the trip from Riohacha to Punta Gallinas takes two days. You leave Riohacha at 8:30 a.m., spend the first night in Cabo de la Vela and arrive in Punta Gallinas around 2:00 p.m. on day 2. If you travel with private transport, we confirm the travel time for each leg when we send your quote on WhatsApp.

Where do you sleep in Punta Gallinas?

On the tours, you sleep in Punta Gallinas in a chinchorro hammock in a Wayuu ranchería. The 3-day tour spends its second night there, and the 4-day tour its second and third nights. A bed costs COP 30,000 per person per night, subject to availability. Bring a flashlight or headlamp and a light jacket for the evening.

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