Santa Marta to La Guajira: how to get there, times and tours
Tours to Alta Guajira leave Riohacha at 8:30 a.m. From Santa Marta, travel by road the day before, sleep in Riohacha and pick your tour, 2 days to Cabo de la Vela or 3 and 4 days to Punta Gallinas.
Cabo de la Vela in 2 days
A night in Riohacha and a 2-day tour with one night in Cabo de la Vela.
Punta Gallinas in 3 days
A night in Riohacha and a 3-day tour with nights in Cabo de la Vela and Punta Gallinas.
Punta Gallinas in 4 days
A night in Riohacha and a 4-day tour with two nights in Punta Gallinas.
- Santa Marta
- Palomino
- Riohacha
- Uribia
- Cabo de la Vela
- Punta Gallinas
Illustrative map, not to scale.
Cabo de la Vela in 2 days, day by day
- Day0
Day 0: Santa Marta to Riohacha
By road, by bus, private transfer or car, with a stop in Palomino if you want to break up the trip. Spend the night in Riohacha, because tours leave at 8:30 a.m.
Bus, transfer or car: how to do this legMap stops: 1, 2, 3
La Guajira by 4×4Days 1 to 2
- Day1
Day 1: Riohacha to Cabo de la Vela
Manaure salt flats and Uribia, arriving in Cabo de la Vela around midday, then Playa Dorada and sunset at the Cabo de la Vela lighthouse.
Night in a chinchorro hammock in a Wayuu ranchería
Tour that covers it: Cabo de la Vela, 2 days
Map stops: 3, 4, 5
- Day2
Day 2: Pilón de Azúcar and back to Riohacha
The Pilón de Azúcar hill in the morning, Playa Ojo de Agua and Playa Arcoíris, lunch and the ride back to Riohacha. The return time isn't published, so ask when you book if you plan to go back to Santa Marta the same day.
Tour that covers it: Cabo de la Vela, 2 days
Map stops: 5, 3
Punta Gallinas in 3 days, day by day
- Day0
Day 0: Santa Marta to Riohacha
By road, by bus, private transfer or car, with a stop in Palomino if you want to break up the trip. Spend the night in Riohacha, because tours leave at 8:30 a.m.
Bus, transfer or car: how to do this legMap stops: 1, 2, 3
La Guajira by 4×4Days 1 to 3
- Day1
Day 1: Riohacha to Cabo de la Vela
Leave at 8:30 a.m. Manaure salt flats, Uribia, lunch in Cabo de la Vela, Playa Arcoíris, the Pilón de Azúcar hill, Playa Dorada and sunset at the Cabo de la Vela lighthouse.
Night in a chinchorro hammock in a Wayuu ranchería
Tour that covers it: Punta Gallinas, 3 days
Map stops: 3, 4, 5
- Day2
Day 2: Cabo de la Vela to Punta Gallinas
Bahía Portete, Bahía Honda and Bahía Hondita, arriving in Punta Gallinas around 2:00 p.m., with lunch and a free afternoon.
Night in a Wayuu ranchería
Tour that covers it: Punta Gallinas, 3 days
Map stops: 6
- Day3
Day 3: Back to Riohacha
The Taroa dunes, the Punta Gallinas lighthouse, lunch in Uribia and back in Riohacha around 3:00 p.m.
Tour that covers it: Punta Gallinas, 3 days
Map stops: 6, 4, 3
Punta Gallinas in 4 days, day by day
- Day0
Day 0: Santa Marta to Riohacha
By road, by bus, private transfer or car, with a stop in Palomino if you want to break up the trip. Spend the night in Riohacha, because tours leave at 8:30 a.m.
Bus, transfer or car: how to do this legMap stops: 1, 2, 3
La Guajira by 4×4Days 1 to 4
- Day1
Day 1: Riohacha to Cabo de la Vela
Manaure salt flats, Uribia, Playa Arcoíris and the Pilón de Azúcar hill, with sunset at the Cabo de la Vela lighthouse.
Night in a chinchorro hammock in a Wayuu ranchería
Tour that covers it: Punta Gallinas, 4 days
Map stops: 3, 4, 5
- Day2
Day 2: Cabo de la Vela to Punta Gallinas
Leave Cabo de la Vela around 8:00 a.m. and reach Punta Gallinas around 2:00 p.m., via Bahía Honda and Bahía Hondita.
Night in Punta Gallinas, in a Wayuu ranchería
Tour that covers it: Punta Gallinas, 4 days
Map stops: 6
- Day3
Day 3: Punta Gallinas
The Taroa dunes, the Punta Gallinas lighthouse and Punta Agujas beach at sunset.
Night in Punta Gallinas, in a Wayuu ranchería
Tour that covers it: Punta Gallinas, 4 days
Map stops: 6
- Day4
Day 4: Back to Riohacha
After breakfast, the ride back to Riohacha by 4×4.
Tour that covers it: Punta Gallinas, 4 days
Map stops: 6, 3
2, 3, or 4 days: what changes
The route is the same. What changes is how long you stay on each leg.
| Leg | 2 days | 3 days | 4 days |
|---|---|---|---|
| Santa Marta to Riohacha | The day before, on your own | The day before, on your own | The day before, on your own |
| Cabo de la Vela | Night 1 | Night 1 | Night 1 |
| Punta Gallinas | Not included | Night 2 | Nights 2 and 3 |
| Back in Riohacha | Day 2 | Day 3, around 3:00 p.m. | Day 4, after breakfast |
Which tour covers each leg
Legs with a tour include transportation. You travel between regions on your own.
La Guajira by 4×4 · days 1 to 2
2 days and 1 nightCabo de la Vela tour 2 days from Riohacha
The 2-day Cabo de la Vela tour is a private 4×4 trip that leaves Riohacha at 8:30 a.m. It stops at the Manaure salt flats, Uribia, Pilón de Azúcar, the lighthouse and Playa Arcoíris, with a night in a chinchorro hammock in a Wayuu ranchería (settlement). The Cabo de la Vela tour costs from COP 409,500 per person for groups of 6 or more, with a 7% deposit to book.
- 1 night in a hammock
- Leaves from Riohacha
- 4×4 with air conditioning
Next departure: Mon Oct 12
Per person, group of 2
COP 803,250COP 409,500 per person in groups of 6 or more.
La Guajira by 4×4 · days 1 to 3
3 days and 2 nightsPunta 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 1,650,000COP 900,000 per person in groups of 6 or more.
La Guajira by 4×4 · days 1 to 4
4 days and 3 nightsPunta 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 1,874,250COP 955,500 per person in groups of 6 or more.
Other ways to do the route
More days
With a stop in Palomino
Spend one or two nights in Palomino before going on to Riohacha. The rule stays the same, arrive in Riohacha the day before the tour.
Palomino, Colombia: beach, river and the gateway to La GuajiraWithout a tour
4×4 transport from Riohacha
A private 4×4 between Riohacha, Cabo de la Vela and Punta Gallinas, so you arrange where to sleep and eat on your own. Ask for a quote on WhatsApp and we confirm travel times for each leg with the quote.
4×4 transport to Cabo de la Vela and Punta Gallinas
Budget guide for 2 days
The tour is added at its per-person price for a group of 2. The Santa Marta leg and the night in Riohacha are paid separately.
Estimate
The total adds up the tours only: the rest depends on your dates and travel style.
Budget guide for 3 days
The tour is added at its per-person price for a group of 2. The Santa Marta leg and the night in Riohacha are paid separately.
Estimate
The total adds up the tours only: the rest depends on your dates and travel style.
Budget guide for 4 days
The tour is added at its per-person price for a group of 2. The Santa Marta leg and the night in Riohacha are paid separately.
Estimate
The total adds up the tours only: the rest depends on your dates and travel style.
Santa Marta to Riohacha: bus, transfer or car
The leg from Santa Marta to Riohacha is by road. Any of the three options works as long as it gets you to Riohacha before 8:30 a.m. on the first day of the tour. That's why we recommend arriving the afternoon before rather than booking the bus or transfer for that same morning.
By bus
Buy your ticket at the Santa Marta bus terminal or directly from the bus company, and check that day's schedule when you buy it: departures and fares change. If you can, travel early so you reach Riohacha in daylight and with time to find your lodging.
By private transfer
A private transfer picks you up at your lodging in Santa Marta and drops you at your lodging in Riohacha, with no change of vehicle. It makes sense for groups, for travelers with a lot of luggage or for families with children (tours are for travelers over 6). Ask a transport company or your lodging for a quote in advance. Punta Gallinas Tours' own 4×4 transport starts in Riohacha: it covers the legs between Riohacha, Cabo de la Vela and Punta Gallinas.
By car
If you're driving from Santa Marta to Riohacha, plan for what comes after: beyond Uribia there is no paved road to Cabo de la Vela or Punta Gallinas, and the trip continues by 4×4 on desert tracks. The practical option is to leave the car in Riohacha, at a parking lot your lodging recommends, and continue on the tour or with 4×4 transport.
Riohacha to Cabo de la Vela and Punta Gallinas
From Riohacha there are two ways to continue. The first is a tour: the La Guajira tours from Riohacha are private, travel in an air-conditioned 4×4 with a driver-guide from the region and spend the nights in chinchorro hammocks in Wayuu rancherías (settlements). All three stop first at the Manaure salt flats and then in Uribia before heading onto the desert tracks. What each one includes is on its tour page.
The second is 4×4 transport from Riohacha: a private 4×4 between Riohacha, Cabo de la Vela and Punta Gallinas for travelers who don't want a tour package and prefer to arrange where to sleep and eat on their own. You get a quote by WhatsApp or through the form, and we confirm the travel times for each leg when we quote.
Before you go, whichever option you choose:
- Cash. There are no cash machines or card payments on the Cabo de la Vela and Punta Gallinas route: bring the cash you'll need from Santa Marta or Riohacha.
- Language. The driver-guides are from the region and speak Spanish; a translator is not included.
- Passport. You don't need to carry your original passport on the tour: a photocopy of your passport or ID is enough, and the authorities may ask for it along the way.
Tour from Santa Marta or from Riohacha?
Some agencies sell La Guajira tours that start in Santa Marta. Punta Gallinas Tours' La Guajira tours always leave from Riohacha, and the difference shows in how you use your days.
What changes in hours on the road and in price
A tour that leaves from Santa Marta adds the drive from Santa Marta to Riohacha to the tour's own hours on the road. Starting in Riohacha leaves that leg out: you do it the day before, at your own pace, and day 1 of the tour starts in Riohacha at 8:30 a.m., with the first stop at the Manaure salt flats.
On price, Punta Gallinas Tours' La Guajira trips are private and priced per person according to the number of travelers in the booking: the more of you travel together, the less each person pays. The “from” price applies to groups of 6 or more. The leg from Santa Marta isn't included and you pay for it separately, depending on how you travel. Prices are in Colombian pesos (COP) per person, taxes included; any USD or EUR amount shown on this site is for reference only.
| Tour | Duration | 2 travelers (COP per person) | From (COP per person, 6 or more) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cabo de la Vela tour 2 days | 2 days / 1 night | 803,250 | 409,500 |
| Punta Gallinas tour 3 days | 3 days / 2 nights | 1,650,000 | 900,000 |
| Punta Gallinas tour 4 days | 4 days / 3 nights | 1,874,250 | 955,500 |
You book with a 7% deposit, and an advisor confirms your booking within 12 hours.
Stops on the way: Palomino and Mayapo
Palomino. If you want to break up the trip, spend one or two nights in Palomino before continuing to Riohacha. The same rule applies there: reach Riohacha the day before the tour.
Mayapo. Mayapo beach isn't on the itinerary of any Punta Gallinas Tours trip. If you have a free afternoon in Riohacha before or after the tour, ask your lodging how to get there and what transportation costs that day.
If you're still planning the full route, our Caribbean coast itinerary suggests routes of 7, 10 and 14 days, and our Santa Marta guide covers what to do before heading north. If you already have dates, message us on WhatsApp with your starting city and the number of travelers: we'll tell you which tour fits and how to reach Riohacha in time.
Frequently asked questions about traveling from Santa Marta to La Guajira
Are there La Guajira tours from Santa Marta?
Punta Gallinas Tours trips to La Guajira leave Riohacha at 8:30 a.m., not Santa Marta. From Santa Marta, you first travel by road to Riohacha (by bus, private transfer or car), and the practical plan is to go the day before and sleep there. Some agencies sell departures from Santa Marta; in that case, the drive to Riohacha comes out of the tour days.
How many days do I need to get from Santa Marta to Punta Gallinas?
To get from Santa Marta to Punta Gallinas, plan 3 or 4 tour days plus the trip to Riohacha the day before. The 3-day tour reaches Punta Gallinas around 2:00 p.m. on day 2 and is back in Riohacha around 3:00 p.m. on day 3. The 4-day tour adds another night in Punta Gallinas and returns to Riohacha on day 4, after breakfast.
Should I spend the night in Riohacha before the tour?
Yes. Tours leave Riohacha at 8:30 a.m., so sleeping there the night before means you don't depend on an early-morning bus or transfer from Santa Marta or Palomino. It also gives you time to get the cash you'll need: there are no cash machines or card payments on the Cabo de la Vela and Punta Gallinas route.
Which tour should I book if I'm starting in Santa Marta?
It depends on how many days you have after reaching Riohacha. With 2 days, the Cabo de la Vela tour spends one night at Cabo de la Vela. With 3, the Punta Gallinas tour stops at Cabo de la Vela and reaches Punta Gallinas, the northernmost point of mainland South America. With 4, the 4-day tour spends two nights in Punta Gallinas instead of one and adds the beach at Punta Agujas.