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.
- Duration
- 3 days and 2 nights
- Departure
- 8:30 a.m., Riohacha
- Return
- Around 3:00 p.m. on day 3
- Guide
- In Spanish
- Age
- 6+Ages 6 and up
Tour code: PG3. Itinerary from https://puntagallinastours.com/en/tour/punta-gallinas-tour-3-days. Printed on October 9, 2026. Check prices and dates on the tour page before booking.
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What you will see
- Punta Gallinas lighthouse, at the northernmost point of mainland South America
- Taroa dunes, early on day 3
- Bahía Portete, Bahía Honda and Bahía Hondita along the shore on day 2
- Cabo de la Vela: Playa Arcoíris, the Pilón de Azúcar hill and sunset at the lighthouse
- Manaure salt flats and Uribia on the way to Cabo de la Vela on day 1
- Two nights in chinchorro hammocks in Wayuu rancherías
The route heads north
Departs at 8:30 a.m. The drive back to Riohacha is on day 3, with lunch in Uribia and arrival around 3:00 p.m.
Illustrative map, not to scale. Select a stop or a day to move the 4×4. The drive back to Riohacha is on day 3, with lunch in Uribia and arrival around 3:00 p.m.
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Day-by-day itinerary
Day 1
Riohacha, Manaure salt flats, Uribia and sunset in Cabo de la Vela
- 8:30 a.m.Departure from Riohacha a.m.
- Manaure salt flats
- Uribia
- Cabo de la Vela, lunch
- Playa Arcoíris
- Pilón de Azúcar
- Playa Dorada
- Cabo de la Vela lighthouse at sunset
- NightNight in a Wayuu ranchería
You leave Riohacha at 8:30 a.m. and stop at the Manaure salt flats, Colombia's largest salt works, and in Uribia, known as Colombia's Indigenous capital. Past Uribia there is no paved road: the rest of the way is by 4×4 on desert tracks.
In Cabo de la Vela you have lunch, and the afternoon takes in Playa Arcoíris, the Pilón de Azúcar hill and Playa Dorada. The day ends with sunset at the Cabo de la Vela lighthouse, then dinner and a night in a chinchorro hammock in a Wayuu ranchería.
Day 2
North to Punta Gallinas by way of Bahía Hondita
- Jepirachi wind farm, photo stop
- Bahía Portete, Bahía Honda and Bahía Hondita, along the shore
- 2:00 a.m.Punta Gallinas p.m., lunch
- Free afternoon
- NightNight in a Wayuu ranchería
After breakfast, the 4×4 heads north. There is a photo stop at the Jepirachi wind farm, and the track runs along Bahía Portete, Bahía Honda and Bahía Hondita.
You reach Punta Gallinas around 2:00 p.m. and have lunch at a ranchería. The afternoon is free to rest and walk around. The second night is also in a chinchorro hammock in a Wayuu ranchería.
Day 3
Taroa dunes, Punta Gallinas lighthouse and back to Riohacha
- Taroa dunes, early
- Punta Gallinas lighthouse
- Lunch in Uribia
- 3:00 a.m.Back in Riohacha p.m.
The day starts early at the Taroa dunes (Dunas de Taroa). From the top you see the desert and the Caribbean Sea, and anyone who wants to can walk down the dune to the beach for a swim. Sandboarding is offered subject to availability at an extra cost. Next comes the Punta Gallinas lighthouse, which marks the northernmost point of mainland South America.
The drive back goes through Uribia, where you have lunch, and reaches Riohacha around 3:00 p.m. If you have a flight or a bus that day, book one that leaves well after that time.
Upcoming departures
- Monday, October 12Back: Wed Oct 14Choose
- Tuesday, October 13Back: Thu Oct 15Choose
- Wednesday, October 14Back: Fri Oct 16Choose
- Thursday, October 15Back: Sat Oct 17Choose
- Friday, October 16Back: Sun Oct 18Choose
- Saturday, October 17Back: Mon Oct 19Choose
Dates updated on October 9 at 11:30 AM. The calendar confirms availability and the price for each day.
Another date, a larger group or a custom trip?
What the price includes
Included
- Transport: 4×4 with air conditioning, leaving from and returning to Riohacha
- Meals: 2 breakfasts, 3 lunches and 2 dinners (breakfast on day 1 is not included)
- Lodging: 2 nights in chinchorro hammocks in Wayuu rancherías, in Cabo de la Vela and in Punta Gallinas
- Guide: local driver-guide who speaks Spanish
- Insurance: medical assistance insurance for the duration of the tour
Not included
- Breakfast on day 1
- A bed instead of a chinchorro hammock: COP 30,000 per person per night, subject to availability
- Sandboarding at the Taroa dunes: subject to availability, at an extra cost
- Translator (the driver-guide speaks Spanish)
- Transport to Riohacha
- Crafts, extra meals and personal expenses
Optional extras
- Bed instead of a hammockCOP 30,000 per person per nightRequested when you book, subject to availability.
Trip details
- Tour code
- PG3Quote it on WhatsApp or by phone.
- Group
- Private: only your bookingFrom 1 person per booking.
- Insurance
- Included in the price
Is this tour right for you?
This is the tour from Riohacha to Punta Gallinas for travelers who don't want to skip Cabo de la Vela: the shortest itinerary that covers both places, with one night in each.
Expect three days in a 4×4 on desert tracks, two nights in chinchorro hammocks and a route with no ATMs or card payments. Day 3 starts early at the Taroa dunes and ends in Riohacha around 3:00 p.m.
The tour is for travelers from age 6, with no child rate, and solo travelers can book it at the 1-traveler rate. The driver-guides are from the region and speak Spanish; a translator is not included.
What to bring
- Photocopy of your passport or ID (the original is not needed on the tour)
- Cash (there are no ATMs on the route)
- Light, comfortable clothes for hot weather
- Swimsuit
- Towel or sarong
- Sandals and closed-toe walking shoes
- High-SPF sunscreen
- Insect repellent
- Cap or hat
- Sunglasses
- Reusable water bottle
- Snacks
- Flashlight or headlamp (useful at the rancherías)
- Power bank
- Camera or phone, fully charged
- Light jacket for the evening (it can get breezy)
- Dry bag for your belongings
- Bag for your trash
- Basic toiletries
- Any medication you take
- Extra cash for crafts, food and local expenses
Meeting point
Departure
Departure from Riohacha at 8:30 a.m. Meeting point: Hotel Laguna Salá, Cra 3 #4-81, Riohacha. Your advisor confirms the departure point for your date.
Where you sleep and eat
- Night 1
- Cabo de la Vela
- Night 2
- Punta Gallinas
- Lodging
- Chinchorro hammocks in Wayuu rancherías; optional bed for an extra charge
- Meals included
- 2 breakfasts, 3 lunches and 2 dinners
- Bed instead of a hammock
- COP 30,000 per person per night
Price by group size
| People | Per person (COP) |
|---|---|
| 1 | 2,850,000 |
| 2 | 1,650,000 |
| 3 | 1,300,000 |
| 4 | 1,100,000 |
| 5 | 1,000,000 |
| 6 or more | 900,000 |
Price per person according to the number of people in the booking. Taxes included. Prices valid until December 31, 2026.
This is a private tour: the group is only your booking.
More about the tour
What Alta Guajira is like on a 3-day Punta Gallinas tour
Desert tracks by 4×4 and the daily schedule
Day 1 runs from the 8:30 a.m. departure in Riohacha to sunset at the Cabo de la Vela lighthouse. Day 2 reaches Punta Gallinas around 2:00 p.m. and leaves the afternoon free. Day 3 starts early at the Taroa dunes and ends back in Riohacha around 3:00 p.m. Past Uribia there is no paved road: both to Cabo de la Vela and on to Punta Gallinas, the 4×4 runs on desert tracks.
The tour starts and ends in Riohacha, not Santa Marta. If you are coming from Santa Marta or Palomino, travel to Riohacha the day before and sleep there; the Santa Marta to La Guajira guide explains how to make that trip. Before you set off, your advisor confirms over WhatsApp the state of the tracks and what facilities the rancherías have on your dates.
Hot days, breezy nights and no ATMs
Days are hot and nights can be breezy. Pack light clothes, high-SPF sunscreen, a cap or hat and a light jacket for the evening. There are no ATMs or card payments on the Cabo de la Vela and Punta Gallinas route, so bring enough cash from Riohacha for crafts, extra meals and local expenses. If you plan to pay the balance in cash, have it ready at the start of the tour.
Before you leave, share your itinerary with someone you trust and charge a power bank for your phone. The complete list is in our guide on what to pack for La Guajira.
Spanish-speaking guides and a photocopy of your passport
The driver-guides are from the region and speak Spanish, and a translator is not included. If no one in your group speaks Spanish, bring a translation app on your phone for talking with your driver-guide and with people at the rancherías. You don't need 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.
You travel by 4×4 with a local driver-guide and with medical assistance insurance for the whole tour. Before you book, also check your government's current travel advice for Colombia.
Where you sleep and what you eat
Both nights are spent in chinchorro hammocks in Wayuu rancherías: the first in Cabo de la Vela and the second in Punta Gallinas. A bed costs COP 30,000 per person per night, subject to availability; request it when you book.
The tour includes 2 breakfasts, 3 lunches and 2 dinners. Breakfast on day 1 is not included, so eat in Riohacha before you set off. Lunch on day 3 is in Uribia, on the way back. The meals are regional food prepared by local cooks. If you follow a special diet, say so when you book.
At the rancherías, ask before you photograph anyone, don't go into a home unless you are invited, buy crafts from the people who make them and take your trash with you.
Combine it with
The 4-day tour, for Punta Agujas and one more night
The 4-day tour with an extra night in Punta Gallinas follows the same route, but it doesn't head back on day 3: it adds sunset at Punta Agujas beach and returns to Riohacha on day 4, after breakfast. It costs from COP 955,500 per person for groups of 6 or more.
If you only have two days, the Cabo de la Vela 2-day tour goes as far as Cabo de la Vela and returns to Riohacha without continuing to Punta Gallinas.
Guides to plan your trip
For more on each stop, read our Punta Gallinas guide. The La Guajira travel guide covers the whole route, and the deposit, cancellation and change rules are in our booking policies.
Places on the route
Region: La Guajira
Policies
Booking and deposit
Book with 7% of the total.
The balance is paid before or at the start of the tour, in cash or by payment link. You can also pay the full amount online when you book.
Cancellations and changes
No penalty if you cancel or change until 5:00 p.m. (Colombia time) on the business day before departure; after that, a 20% penalty on the total. No refund once the tour has started.
Confirmation
After the deposit is paid the booking is 'pending confirmation' and an advisor confirms it within 12 hours at most.
Children
La Guajira tours are for travelers over 6 years old. There is no child rate: each traveler pays the per-person rate for the group.
Guide language
On La Guajira tours, local driver-guides who speak Spanish. A translator is not included.
Not quite what you need?
More people than the tour allows, a closed date, a custom itinerary or a company or school group: write to us and we will reply by email.
Write to us by emailShare it with the people you travel with
Traveler reviews
Reviews from travelers who booked on this site. We publish them as written, low ratings included.
The Tripadvisor ones are reviews of Expotur Eco, the operator of this tour, posted on its profile.
5 out of 5
Visita la guajira. La Guajira is unique. When you come to La Guajira, you realize that it is another Colombia, a Colombia with more than 50 years of difference, but the nature and the customs are unique. The people are very friendly. I recommend it.
Javier friasRoute: La Guajira · Aug 26, 2025
4.9 out of 5 on Tripadvisor6,458 reviews
Rating of Expotur Eco, the operator, on Tripadvisor. Figures as of October 7, 2026.
Overall rating
- Guide
- No data
- 4×4 vehicle
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- Lodging
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- Food
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Verified reviews
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Questions about the 3-day tour
How much is the 3-day Punta Gallinas tour?
From COP 900,000 per person for groups of 6 or more. Per person, the 3-day Punta Gallinas tour costs COP 2,850,000 for 1 traveler, COP 1,650,000 for 2, COP 1,300,000 for 3, COP 1,100,000 for 4 and COP 1,000,000 for 5. It is a private tour. Prices include taxes and are valid until December 31, 2026; any USD or EUR amounts shown on the site are for reference only.
What time does the 3-day tour leave and return?
The 3-day tour leaves Riohacha at 8:30 a.m. on day 1 and is back in Riohacha around 3:00 p.m. on day 3. It reaches Punta Gallinas around 2:00 p.m. on day 2; the first night is in Cabo de la Vela and the second in Punta Gallinas. Because of the early start, plan to sleep in Riohacha the night before departure.
Which meals are included on the 3-day tour?
Two breakfasts, three lunches and two dinners. On the 3-day tour, day 1 includes lunch and dinner, day 2 all three meals, and day 3 breakfast and lunch in Uribia. Breakfast on day 1 is not included, so eat in Riohacha before the 8:30 a.m. departure. The food is regional, prepared by local cooks; mention any special diet when you book.
Where do you sleep on the 3-day tour?
In chinchorro hammocks in Wayuu rancherías: the first night of the 3-day tour is in Cabo de la Vela and the second in Punta Gallinas. A bed costs COP 30,000 per person per night, subject to availability, and you request it when you book. Pack a flashlight or headlamp for the evenings at the ranchería.
Is sandboarding at the Taroa dunes included?
No. On the 3-day tour, sandboarding at the Taroa dunes is offered subject to availability at an extra cost, so ask about the price when you book. The visit to the dunes is included: it is the first stop on day 3, early in the morning, before the Punta Gallinas lighthouse. From the top you can also walk down the dune to the beach and swim.
Does the 3-day tour visit Bahía Hondita?
Yes, on day 2. After a photo stop at the Jepirachi wind farm, the 3-day tour heads north along the shore of Bahía Portete, Bahía Honda and Bahía Hondita. It reaches Punta Gallinas around 2:00 p.m., with lunch at a ranchería and the rest of the afternoon free.
How much do I pay to book the 3-day tour?
7% of the total. That deposit books the 3-day Punta Gallinas tour, and the balance is paid before or at the start of the tour, in cash or by payment link. You can also pay the full amount online when you book. Once the deposit is paid, the booking shows as pending confirmation until an advisor confirms it, within 12 hours at most.
What is the cancellation policy for the 3-day tour?
No penalty if you cancel or change the 3-day tour until 5:00 p.m. (Colombia time) on the business day before departure. After that, the penalty is 20% of the total, and there is no refund once the tour has started. If you are booking from another time zone, work out that deadline in Colombia time.
Can children come on the 3-day tour?
Yes, from age 6. The 3-day Punta Gallinas tour has no child rate, so each child pays the per-person rate for the group and counts as one more traveler in the booking. With children, keep in mind that the tour means three days by 4×4 on desert tracks and two nights in chinchorro hammocks.
Do the guides speak English on the 3-day tour?
No. The driver-guides on the 3-day tour are from the region and speak Spanish, and a translator is not included. If no one in your group speaks Spanish, bring a translation app on your phone so you can talk with your driver-guide during the three days.
Do I need my passport on the 3-day tour?
You don't need to carry your original passport on the 3-day tour. A photocopy of your passport or ID is enough, and the authorities may ask for it along the way, so keep the copy in your day bag rather than in your main luggage. Each traveler in the group should carry a copy of their own document.
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