In short
- 2-day tours focus on Cabo de la Vela.
- 3-day tours add Punta Gallinas and Taroa Dunes.
- Both use 4x4 transport departing from Riohacha.
In this article
Choosing between Cabo de la Vela and Punta Gallinas comes down to your time and endurance. The deeper you go into the desert, the harsher the conditions become. Both options offer intense landscapes and authentic Wayuu culture.
What do you see on a 2-day Cabo de la Vela tour?
A 2-day tour covers the coastal desert and sacred Wayuu sites.
Stops include the Manaure Salt Flats and Uribia. You visit Pilón de Azúcar, an important hill offering panoramic views. You also swim at Playa Dorada and watch the sunset from the Cabo de la Vela Lighthouse.
What is included in a 3-day Punta Gallinas tour?
You get everything in the 2-day tour plus the extreme northern tip of South America.
This route goes deeper into isolation. You visit the massive Taroa Dunes that plunge directly into the Caribbean Sea. You also see the Punta Gallinas Lighthouse and Bahía Hondita.
How do the itineraries compare?
The 3-day trip requires more driving but reaches the continental extreme.
Both tours use 4x4 vehicles like Toyota Land Cruisers. Expect long hours on unmarked desert tracks.
Where do you sleep on these tours?
Both tours use traditional chinchorros at Wayuu rancherías.
Chinchorros are large woven hammocks. Facilities are highly basic on both routes. You will have limited electricity and bucket showers. Punta Gallinas is even more isolated, with absolutely no cellular signal.
How much more does Punta Gallinas cost?
A standard 3-day group tour to Punta Gallinas costs 1,100,000 to 1,430,000 COP per person.
Prices cover transport, your guide, hammock accommodation, and most meals. Shorter 2-day tours cost less but prices change based on the platform. Bring extra cash in small bills for snacks and crafts.
Should I do a 2-day or 3-day Guajira tour?
Choose the 3-day tour if you want to reach the northernmost point of South America.
The 3-day trip requires more physical stamina for rough desert travel. If you only have two days, Cabo de la Vela still provides strong winds, desert beaches, and Wayuu culture.
Questions travellers ask
Can I drive to Cabo de la Vela on my own?
No. Do not attempt this in a standard rental car. The desert tracks are unmarked and shift often. A guided 4x4 tour is the safest and most reliable way to navigate the desert.
When is the best time to visit La Guajira?
Visit during the dry seasons from December to April and June to August. This helps you avoid impassable flooded desert tracks during the rainy months.
What should I pack for La Guajira desert?
Bring lightweight clothing, high SPF sunscreen, a wide-brim hat, and a scarf for wind and dust. Carry plenty of cash in Colombian Pesos, as there are absolutely no ATMs past Riohacha.
