Major city · Colombia
Cabo de la Vela
Spend 1–2 days in Cabo de la Vela; arrive early afternoon, stay near the beach, leave before sunrise if you need to catch the 05:00 collectivo back to Uribia.Spend 1–2 days in Cabo de la Vela; arrive early afternoon, stay near the beach, leave before sunrise if you need to catch the 5:00 AM collectivo back to Uribia.
Cabo de la Vela is a remote desert‑coast village on the Guajira Peninsula. With limited electricity and water, a short stay (1‑2 days) lets you see the lighthouse, Ojo del Agua beach, Pilón de Azúcar viewpoint and try kiteboarding or fresh seafood. Travel logistics require early connections from Uribia, so plan around the 05:00 collectivo departure.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- COP
- Best months
- Dec–Apr, Sep–Nov
- avoid May–Jun (rainy), high humidity
- Airport
- RCH
- Nights
- 1–2
Not a trip line yet
Rules in force · 7Above 2,500 m (Bogotá, Quito, Cusco, La Paz) keep the fir…
- South America ↗Above 2,500 m (Bogotá, Quito, Cusco, La Paz) keep the first day light; sleep lower where you can (Sacred Valley before Cusco) and descend if headache comes with vomiting or confusion.
- South America ↗A yellow fever certificate is required on arrival in French Guiana, and asked for on some routes into Bolivia, Paraguay, Suriname and Guyana, or when arriving from Amazon areas — vaccinate at least 10 days before travel and carry the card.
- South America ↗Overnight buses are the norm in Argentina, Chile and Peru, but pick top-tier companies and keep valuables on your body; on-board thefts from overhead racks are the common loss.
- Colombia ↗Check entry rules for your passport with Migración Colombia or a Colombian consulate; some travellers must complete an online migration form before arrival.
- Colombia ↗Security advice lists specific departments and border areas: check your own government's advice for every place on your route, including coastal roads.
- Colombia ↗Never accept drinks, food or cigarettes from strangers, and be careful with people met on dating apps: drugging (including with scopolamine) followed by robbery is a known risk.
- Colombia ↗Fill in Check-MIG only on the official Migración Colombia site; it is free, and lookalike sites charge a fee.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Emergency numbers for Cabo de la Vela123 ▾
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Cabo de la Vela, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the Colombian peso (COP, $).Colombia-wide
- SIM or eSIMcheckClaro (best coverage), Movistar and Tigo SIMs in malls and at airports; passport required and IMEI registration may apply for longer stays — check.Colombia-wide
- Tap waterTap water is safe in Bogotá and Medellín; drink bottled on the coast and in rural areas.Colombia-wide
- TippingRestaurants: 10% propina voluntaria offered on the bill.Colombia-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets A/B. US/Canada (A/B): fits · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 120 V: UK and AU 230 V-only devices need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.Colombia-wide
- SafetyGenerally safe for tourists; a police post on the beach and no active paramilitary presence, but use common sense and keep valuables hidden.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsPut paper in the bin in most places; bring tissues for bus stations.Colombia-wide
- Emergency numbers123 police · 123 Medical (not 911, 999 or 000)
- Sundays & holidaysMany museums close Mondays; Monday holidays (puentes) move almost half of public holidays.Colombia-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportRCH Almirante Padilla International Airport (Bus to Uribia (~2 h) then collectivo to Cabo de la Vela).
- Getting aroundWalk or shared taxi within the village; collectivo 4‑WD vehicles from Uribia to the town; no public transport beyond that.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- BeerBeer (Club Colombia, Agullia)COP 2,000
- Budget bedHostel dorm bed, a night, per personCOP 15,000
- Mid-range bedPrivate cabin, a night, per roomCOP 50,000
- High-end bedPrivate cabin, a night, per roomCOP 70,000
A day, not counting the bed: Budget COP 30,000 · Mid COP 50,000 · High COP 80,000
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- RCH Almirante Padilla International Airport (Bus to Uribia (~2 h) then collectivo to Cabo de la Vela)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Best
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Feb
Best
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Mar
Best
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Apr
Best
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
May
Avoid
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Jun
Avoid
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Jul
not flagged
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Aug
not flagged
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Sep
Best
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Oct
Best
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Nov
Best
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Dec
Best
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Best: Sep–Apr. Avoid: May–Jun. Month by month →
Warmest Mar (33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)), coolest Jan (23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C) low), wettest Jul (9 rain days), driest Jan (2). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Cabo de la Vela: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
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Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
2 rd
Feb
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
2 rd
Mar
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
3 rd
Apr
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
4 rd
May
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
6 rd
Jun
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
8 rd
Jul
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
9 rd
Aug
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
9 rd
Sep
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
5 rd
Oct
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
3 rd
Nov
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
2 rd
Dec
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
2 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
Walk or shared taxi within the village; collectivo 4‑WD vehicles from Uribia to the town; no public transport beyond that.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Pilon de Azúcar viewpoint
goDoor to door: ≈30 min total
Walk north from town, about 15 min uphill
Great views; snacks and drinks sold at top.
Faro Cabo de la Vela (lighthouse)
goDoor to door: ≈30 min total
Walk north along the coast, ~1 km (0.6 mi), 20 minWalk north along the coast, ~0.6 mi (1 km), 20 min
Sunset spot; no entry fee.
Ojo del Agua beach
goDoor to door: ≈20 min total
Walk east from town, ~500 m, 10 min
Half‑moon beach with fresh water pool.
Manaure salt flats
cautionDoor to door: ≈3 h round‑trip
Collectivo to Uribia, then shared taxi ~45 km (28 mi), about 1 h 30 minCollectivo to Uribia, then shared taxi ~28 mi (45 km), about 1 h 30 min
Long travel; visit if time permits.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Apalanchiis
Beach‑side cabins and restaurant; basic facilities.
El Caracol
Cabins 3 m from ocean, lobster dish; showers with bucket water.
Rancheria Utta
Wayuu family‑run, hammocks and simple rooms.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- COP 30,000–45,000 excl. bed
- Mid
- COP 45,000–70,000 excl. bed
Trip budget
| Hostel dorm bed1 × 1 night × COP 15,000 | COP 15,000 |
| Food, local transport, entries1 × 1 day × COP 30,000 | COP 30,000 |
| Collectivo Uribia → Cabo (round‑trip)1 × COP 40,000 · check | COP 40,000 |
| Kiteboarding lesson (2 h)1 × COP 80,000 · check | COP 80,000 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | COP 16,500 |
| Trip total≈ COP 181,500 per person per day, bed included | COP 181,500 |
2026 estimate in COP; flights and long‑distance bus not included.
Prices of common things
| Seafood plate (langosta, fish) | COP 15,000–25,000 per kilo |
| Beer (Club Colombia, Agullia) | COP 2,000 |
| Kiteboarding rental (hour)check | COP 30,000–50,000 |
| Collectivo Uribia → Cabo (one‑way)check | COP 40,000 |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Electricity runs on generators, often only a few hours per day; bring a power bank.
- Running water may be absent in budget places; plan for limited showers.
- Collectivo back to Uribia departs 05:00 daily and does not run on Sundays.Collectivo back to Uribia departs 5:00 AM daily and does not run on Sundays.
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 123
- Medical
- 123
Pocket card
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Cabo de la VelaCabo de la Vela
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
A esta dirección, por favorTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police123
- Medical123
Embassy
Nearest Colombian consulate is in Riohacha; US embassy in Bogotá.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Uribia → Cabo de la Vela (collectivo): about COP 40,000, 4‑WD vehicle, departs early morning, returns 05:00 next day (check)about COP 40,000, 4‑WD vehicle, departs early morning, returns 5:00 AM next day (check)
- Taxi within town (short hop): about COP 5,000 for 2 km (1.2 mi)about COP 5,000 for 1.2 mi (2 km)
Say or show
- ¿Cuánto cuesta? — How much? (kwahn-toh koo-eh-stah)
- Quiero langosta — I would like lobster (kee-eh-roh lan-gos-tah)
- ¿Dónde está el baño? — Where is the bathroom? (don-deh es-tah el bah-nyo)
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Cabo de la Vela. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Dec–Apr, Sep–Nov · avoid May–Jun (rainy), high humidity · month by month →
- 1 airport and 3 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 2 bands
- 4 day-trips, door to door
- 3 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- An airport-to-bed path that says whether a late landing still works
- Walking clusters with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Field-verified times and fares
Sources
Ask about Cabo de la Vela
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