2-Day Cabo de la Vela Tour from Riohacha: Desert Meets Sea

Watch the sunset from Cabo de la Vela's lighthouse, then sleep in hammocks under the desert sky

A 2-day tour from Riohacha to Cabo de la Vela on Colombia's Caribbean coast, traveling through the high Guajira desert to reach the junction where sand meets sea. Day one passes through Uribia, the indigenous capital, and the salt extraction pools of Manaure before arriving at Playa Dorada and the lighthouse at sunset. You sleep in hammocks at a traditional Wayuu ranchería. Day two starts with breakfast and a climb to overlook the desert-sea landscape, then returns to Riohacha by afternoon.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1: Riohacha to Cabo de la Vela

• Depart Riohacha at 8:30 am
• Pass through Uribia and see Wayú handicrafts
• Visit Manaure salt complex
• Arrive Cabo de la Vela for lunch
• Visit Playa Dorada and lighthouse
• Dinner and overnight in Wayuu ranchería

Day 2: Cabo de la Vela to Riohacha

• Breakfast at accommodation
• Visit Pilón de Azúcar beach
• Climb mountain for desert and sea views
• Return for lunch
• Travel back to Riohacha

The experience

The tour departs Riohacha at 8:30 am heading north into the high Guajira desert. Along the route you pass through Uribia, known as the indigenous capital of Colombia, where Wayuu handicrafts line the streets. The next stop is Manaure, home to Colombia's largest salt complex. You watch the salt extraction process and learn how it shapes the region's economy and daily life. By early afternoon you arrive at Cabo de la Vela itself.

The first evening centers on Playa Dorada and the lighthouse, a panoramic point where the desert drops to the Caribbean. You watch the sunset from there, then head to a traditional ranchería, a small Wayuu village, for dinner and your first night. Accommodation is in chinchorros, hammocks strung in the village, so you fall asleep to the sound of the desert meeting the sea.

Day two begins early with breakfast, then a short climb up a small mountain for views across the entire landscape where sand and water meet. After returning to the ranchería for lunch, the air-conditioned vehicle takes you back to Riohacha, arriving by mid-afternoon. A Spanish-speaking guide travels with the group throughout, and the tour welcomes children from age 11.

What’s included

• Air-conditioned vehicle for both days.
• breakfast on day two and dinner on day one.
• accommodation in hammocks at a traditional Wayuu ranchería.
• a Spanish-speaking guide throughout the tour.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 08:30

AgesAdult (18 to 50 years) · Senior (51 to 65 years) · Youth (11 to 17 years) · Under 11: can't be booked

GroupPrivate

Live guideSpanish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup is optional; you can also go straight to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.You can choose from 4 pickup points.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated today

Good to know

Low physical effortPets welcomeNot recommended during pregnancyNot recommended with heart problemsNot recommended with back problemsInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Expotur

Is this one for you?Book this two-day version if you're moving along the Caribbean coast and need to fit the desert in without breaking your rhythm. Choose the one-day option if you want just a quick excursion instead.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (11 to 17 years). Children under 11 can't be included in the booking.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What is Cabo de la Vela actually like when you get there?

Cabo de la Vela is where the Guajira desert meets the Caribbean Sea, a landscape of sand dunes and rocky coastline. Playa Dorada is the main beach, and the lighthouse sits on a high point overlooking both the desert and the water, making it the best vantage for the sunset. The ranchería where you stay is a working Wayuu village, not a resort, so you experience daily life and traditions there.

Do you spend both nights in hammocks, or just the first one?

You sleep in hammocks (chinchorros) only on the first night at the ranchería in Cabo de la Vela. The second day returns you to Riohacha, so there is no second night included in the tour.

What happens in Uribia and Manaure? Do you stop long there?

Uribia is a brief stop to see Wayuu handicrafts and get a sense of the indigenous capital. Manaure is where you observe the salt extraction process at Colombia's largest salt complex, learning how the work is done. These are stops along the route north, not extended stays, so the day keeps moving toward Cabo de la Vela.

Is the mountain climb on day two difficult, or is it a short walk?

It is a small mountain with a short climb to reach the overlook of the desert and sea landscape. The tour is suitable for all physical fitness levels, though the operator does not recommend it for travelers with spinal injuries or poor cardiovascular health.

Is the guide Spanish-speaking only, or do they speak English too?

The guide speaks Spanish. If you need translation to English, that is not included in the tour, so arrange it separately if needed.