Major city · Colombia
Maicao
Skip unless you need to cross into Venezuela or want a half-day market detour from Riohacha. One night is enough.
Maicao is a border town in La Guajira, 76 km from Riohacha, known for its huge market, Arab-Colombian culture and the Omar Ibn Al-Khattab Mosque, one of Latin America's largest. Most travellers pass through in a few hours or stay one night before crossing to Venezuela. The city has a rough edge; plan a short, focused visit.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- COP
- Best months
- Dec–Apr
- avoid Sep–Nov (rainy)
- Airport
- RCH
- 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
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Maicao123 ▾
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 Maicao, 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
- SafetyMaicao has a higher crime rate than most Colombian towns; keep valuables hidden, avoid walking alone at night…
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsPut paper in the bin in most places; bring tissues for bus stations.Colombia-wide
- Emergency numbers123 police · 123 fire and ambulance (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 Airport (Riohacha) (76 km (47 mi); taxi or bus to Maicao, about 1 h).RCH Almirante Padilla Airport (Riohacha) (47 mi (76 km); taxi or bus to Maicao, about 1 h).
- Getting aroundTaxis and mototaxis cover the compact centre.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- Taxi, about 5 km (3 mi)Taxi, about 3 mi (5 km)Taxi from bus terminal to centreCOP 5,000–8,000
- Metro or bus rideLocal bus within cityCOP 2,000–3,000
- Budget bedHostel dorm bed, a night, per personCOP 30,000
- Mid-range bedPrivate room (basic hotel), a night, per roomCOP 100,000
- High-end bedPrivate room (basic hotel), a night, per roomCOP 150,000
A day, not counting the bed: Budget COP 70,000 · Mid COP 120,000 · High COP 200,000
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 Airport (Riohacha) (76 km (47 mi); taxi or bus to Maicao, about 1 h)RCH Almirante Padilla Airport (Riohacha) (47 mi (76 km); taxi or bus to Maicao, about 1 h)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Best
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Feb
Best
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Mar
Best
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Apr
Best
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
May
not flagged
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Jun
not flagged
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
Avoid
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Oct
Avoid
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Nov
Avoid
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Dec
Best
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Best: Dec–Apr. Avoid: Sep–Nov. Month by month →
Warmest Feb (33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)), coolest Jan (23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C) low), wettest Oct (10 rain days), driest Jan (1). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Maicao: 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
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
1 rd
Feb
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
1 rd
Mar
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
1 rd
Apr
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
3 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)
5 rd
Jul
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
3 rd
Aug
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
5 rd
Sep
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
8 rd
Oct
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
10 rd
Nov
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
7 rd
Dec
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°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
Taxis and mototaxis cover the compact centre. No ATM at the bus terminal; get cash before arriving.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Door to door: About 1 h
Bus or taxi, 76 km (47 mi), about 1 hBus or taxi, 47 mi (76 km), about 1 h
Beach town with malecón; good for a day.
Door to door: About 3 h
Bus or shared taxi via Uribia, about 2–3 h
Desert coast and wind; plan a full day or overnight.
Palomino
cautionDoor to door: About 3 h
Bus via Riohacha, about 2–3 h
River tubing and beach; better as a stop between Santa Marta and Riohacha.
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.
City centre near Plaza Bolívar
Closest to market and mosque; basic hotels.
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 60,000–90,000 excl. bed
- Mid
- COP 90,000–150,000 excl. bed
- High
- COP 150,000+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Hostel dorm bed1 × 1 night × COP 30,000 | COP 30,000 |
| Food, local transport, entries1 × 1 day × COP 70,000 | COP 70,000 |
| Bus Riohacha–Maicao one way1 × COP 15,000 · check | COP 15,000 |
| Local taxi ride (within centre)1 × COP 5,000 | COP 5,000 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | COP 12,000 |
| Trip total≈ COP 132,000 per person per day, bed included | COP 132,000 |
2026 estimate in COP; flights excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Shawarma or chicken plate | COP 12,000–20,000 |
| Bottle of water | COP 2,000–3,000 |
| Local bus within city | COP 2,000–3,000 |
| Taxi from bus terminal to centre | COP 5,000–8,000 |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- No ATM at the bus terminal; withdraw in Riohacha or Santa Marta.
- Market goods may be of dubious legality; negotiate hard.
- Border crossing to Venezuela: check current entry rules and safety.
- Avoid walking alone at night outside the main streets.
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 123
- Fire and ambulance
- 123
Pocket card
Fill in, then print or save as PDF
Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.
MaicaoMaicao
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
A esta dirección, por favorTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police123
- Fire and ambulance123
Embassy
No foreign consulates in Maicao. The nearest are in Riohacha or Santa Marta. Embassies are in Bogotá.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Bus Riohacha → Maicao: about COP 15,000, about 1 h (check)
- Taxi within centre: COP 5,000–8,000
Say or show
- ¿Cuánto cuesta? — How much?
- Muy caro — Too expensive
- ¿Dónde está el mercado? — Where is the market?
- Necesito un taxi — I need a taxi
- Gracias — Thank you
Carry enough cash; ATMs are scarce and may not accept foreign cards.
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 Maicao. 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 · avoid Sep–Nov (rainy) · month by month →
- 1 airport and 1 area to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 3 day-trips, door to door
- 4 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Place pages: mosque, market, Montes de Oca Natural Reserve.
- Eat pages: Arab restaurants, roast chicken spots.
- Border crossing page: Venezuela entry rules, safety, transport.
- Verified ATM locations and cash-out points.
Sources
Ask about Maicao
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