Major city · Colombia
Guachaca
Spend a day in Guachaca: walk the village, visit the three small beaches and the river beach, stay in a budget hostel.
Guachaca is a tiny riverside village in Magdalena. Its attractions are the river beach, three nearby sand beaches and a short walk to an unspoiled Caribbean beach. With no ATMs and limited services, a single day is enough; stay in a hostel for the night if you want a relaxed pace.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- COP
- Best months
- May–Nov (river flow for floating, less rain)
- avoid Dec–Apr (river low, beach access limited)
- Airport
- SMR
- Nights
- 1
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 Guachaca123 ▾
- Police / ambulance / fire123
- US consular assistance01‑800‑COLOMBIA
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 Guachaca, 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
- SafetyGuachaca is low‑risk; main concerns are lack of ATMs, night‑time mototaxi price spikes and strong rip tides at the Caribbean beach.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsPut paper in the bin in most places; bring tissues for bus stations.Colombia-wide
- Emergency numbers123 police / ambulance / fire · 01‑800‑COLOMBIA US consular assistance (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.
- AirportSMR Santa Marta Simón Bolívar International Airport.
- Getting aroundThe village is walkable.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- Sit-down mealBudget restaurant meal (e.g., El Mono)Main dish, soup and drink.COP 8,000–12,000
- Street or quick mealBeach snack (empanada, juice)Street food in the east part of the village.COP 1,000–2,000
- Taxi, about 5 km (3 mi)Taxi, about 3 mi (5 km)Mototaxi (village ride)Daytime rate (2026 estimate).COP 2,000
A day, not counting the bed: Budget COP 20,000–30,000 · Mid COP 30,000–45,000 · High COP 45,000+
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
- SMR Santa Marta Simón Bolívar International Airport
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Avoid
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Feb
Avoid
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Mar
Avoid
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Apr
Avoid
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
May
Best
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Jun
Best
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Jul
Best
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Aug
Best
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Sep
Best
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Oct
Best
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Nov
Best
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Dec
Avoid
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Best: May–Nov. Avoid: Dec–Apr. Month by month →
Warmest Apr (33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)), coolest Jan (24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C) low), wettest Jan (12 rain days), driest Jul (6). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Guachaca: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
12 rd
Feb
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
11 rd
Mar
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
10 rd
Apr
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
9 rd
May
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
8 rd
Jun
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
7 rd
Jul
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
6 rd
Aug
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
6 rd
Sep
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
7 rd
Oct
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
9 rd
Nov
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
11 rd
Dec
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
12 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
The village is walkable. Mototaxi rides within the village cost COP 2,000 (day) and are higher at night; they also reach the far Caribbean beach (30‑50 min walk).
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Unspoiled Caribbean beach
goDoor to door: ≈ 45 min
Walk 30–50 min east along the river road or take a mototaxi
Google Maps mis‑routes; use OSM or local directions.
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.
La Playita
River‑front dorms; bunk beds with mosquito net; dorm COP 25,500 per night (2026 estimate).
Puerto Caribe Hostel
Dorms COP 35,000 per night (2026 estimate).
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 20,000–30,000 excl. bed
- Mid
- COP 30,000–45,000 excl. bed
- High
- COP 45,000+ excl. bed
Trip budget
Prices of common things
| Mototaxi (village ride)Daytime rate (2026 estimate). | COP 2,000 |
| Beach snack (empanada, juice)Street food in the east part of the village. | COP 1,000–2,000 |
| Budget restaurant meal (e.g., El Mono)Main dish, soup and drink. | COP 8,000–12,000 |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- No ATMs in Guachaca – bring cash.
- Strong rip tides at the Caribbean beach; swim with caution.
- Night mototaxi fares rise sharply; arrange transport before dark.
Emergency numbers
- Police / ambulance / fire
- 123
- US consular assistance
- 01‑800‑COLOMBIA
Pocket card
Fill in, then print or save as PDF
Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.
GuachacaGuachaca
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
A esta dirección, por favorTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police / ambulance / fire123
Embassy
US emergency number 911; Colombian consular assistance via 01‑800‑COLOMBIA.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Mototaxi within village: COP 2,000 per short ride (day).
- Bus Santa Marta → Guachaca: COP 7,000 (2021 price, check 2026).
Say or show
- ¿Cuánto cuesta? — How much does it cost? (kwahn-toh kwes-tah)
- Necesito un taxi — I need a taxi (neh-seh-see-toh oon tahk-see)
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 Guachaca. 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: May–Nov (river flow for floating, less rain) · avoid Dec–Apr (river low, beach access limited) · month by month →
- 1 airport and 2 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 1 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 Guachaca
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