LA GUAJIRA AND EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW FOR YOUR PERFECT TRIP

jungle before reaching the sea. La Guajira is a land of navigators, not only of the sea but also of the desert. The starry sky serves as a compass for traders, wise palabreros, and women who wear long dresses to protect themselves from sandstorms. In the mysterious desert landscapes, the sound of the sea and the wind contrasts with the music and bustle of urban areas. Upon interacting with the Wayuu people, the traveler comes to understand that customs differ in these lands and that the spoken word is sacred.

La Guajira, known as the remotest place in Colombia, the highest point in South America, and the end of the world, possesses a unique charm. The magic of this place comes from the contrast of its landscapes: from the desert, through dry jungles, to the majesty of the mountains. The Wayuu, the region’s ancestral inhabitants, offer delicious cuisine and a deep respect for nature. These aspects make La Guajira an ideal destination to disconnect from the noise and dazzling lights of the city.

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DO YOU ALREADY KNOW HOW TO GET THERE?

- By air: Riohacha has the Almirante Padilla Airport that receives flights from the city of Bogota. They can be purchased from other cities with a stopover in Bogota.

- By land: You can arrive by land from the following cities: Santa Marta, Barranquilla, Cartagena and Bogotá.

WHY TRAVEL WITH GO AND TRAVEL TO LA GUAJIRA?

• We work hand in hand with local hosts who help to conserve the planet and preserve ancestral knowledge. 
• We have many options for you to visit this destination and we can also design a tailor-made trip for you to enjoy your trip. 
• We will provide you with a travel guide so that you don't miss the most important things to do.
• We will create a whatsapp group with our travelers to accompany them from the beginning of the trip until they return home.

THERE ARE PLACES YOU CAN'T MISS AND THINGS YOU CAN'T MISS DOING

• PALOMINO: Just after crossing the border between the departments of Magdalena and La Guajira, is the beautiful Palomino, a place that for its beautiful beaches, the mixture between the fresh water of the Palomino River and the sea, its proximity to the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta and its good vibes, has taken strength among both domestic and foreign travelers.
• RIOACHA: The capital of the department of La Guajira is one of the places that serve as a starting point to know the rest of the region and also has its own charm. Walk along Riohacha's boardwalk and the handicraft stalls that are found there, enjoy the wide beaches of the city, walk along the wooden pier, visit the old market and walk through the center of the city.
• WAYUU RANCHERÍAS: Don't miss the women, dressed in colorful blankets, and the dance of the yonna, which can be witnessed in the rancherías of the Wayúu Indians around Riohacha and elsewhere in La Guajira. There you can buy mochilas and chinchorros, and try friche, a goat-based dish.
• MAYAPO: Near Riohacha, half an hour by land to the north, where it is possible to find handicrafts made by the Wayúu Indians. The place stands out for its beaches in front of which blow strong winds that attract fans of water sports such as kitesurfing, sailing in small sailboats and windsurfing. These beautiful beaches are an indigenous Wayuu reservation.
• CABO DE LA VELA: It is one of the most charming and mysterious places of the department because the great extensions of desert contrast with the immensity of the sea. In addition to the natural beauty of the place, the contact with the community is another attraction, since the stay is made only in ranches and inns of the people of the region.
• PILÓN DE AZÚCAR: From Cabo de la Vela, you can reach this hill whose top seems to rise miles away but can be climbed on foot in no more than fifteen minutes. At the top of the small mountain, where you can feel the gusts of wind, there is an altar of the Virgin of Fatima and a relaxing view of the Caribbean Sea.
• PUNTA GALLINAS: This place of small Wayuu villages is the northernmost in all of South America. Inhabited only by communities that raise goats and grow some food. This condition of isolated and quiet territory makes it a valued destination for ecological and ethnic tourism. Here you can enjoy the peace inspired by the sunset over the rocky cliffs, the dunes and the sea.
• URIBIA: It is the largest municipality in the department and is known as the indigenous capital of Colombia. One of the great attractions of the place is the indigenous market where you can get blankets and woven crafts. The best time of the year to visit Uribía is June, when the Wayuu Culture Festival is held.
• MAICAO: Being a free land port, Maicao is Guajira. Due to its geographic location, commercial exchange takes place mainly between Venezuela and Colombia, and products such as perfumes, toys, clothing and lingerie are found there. The city has a strong Lebanese presence, and for this reason the Omar Ibn Al-Khattab Mosque, one of the most important in Latin America, is located there.
• SALINAS DE MANAURE: The shovels begin to break up the mountains of salt before the sun rises. The people who collect this mineral in the salt ponds, which are reached after traveling 63 kilometers northeast by land from Riohacha, get up early to avoid the heat. The landscape is strange: hills of salt reflected in pools of water.

• FRICHE: It is not only one of the typical dishes of La Guajira, but the most famous food of the department. It is a goat-based dish that is prepared with the meat of the animal shredded, salt, oil and sometimes they add the animal's own blood to enhance its flavor. It is then placed over firewood and served with yam or shrimp rice and slices.
• CHIRRINCHI: It is not a food especially, but it is part of the Guajira gastronomy so it deserves a special mention here, and is one of the typical dishes or rather, typical drinks of La Guajira that you have to try. It is a distillate made only with water and panela, which is rich and has great significance for the Wayuu ethnic group.
• IGUARAYA: it is one of the exotic fruits found in this department. It has an intense red color, sweet and sour flavor, it is the fruit of the cactus and its surface is covered by thorns that fall off when it is ready to be consumed,
• PAPAYA SWEET: Thanks to the influence of the Spanish and Africans, this is one of the delicious sweets typical of La Guajira. The central ingredient is papaya, as its name suggests, and it is super delicious, as it has a very particular flavor and texture, which is due in part to the Wayuu people's way of preparation.

SOME TIPS AND RECOMMENDATIONS

• When leaving Riohacha it is important to be accompanied by a guide as some roads are unpaved and difficult to access.
• Carry cash. Very few areas have ATMs.
• Communication by telephone tends to be very limited.
• In the rancherías you will have water and electricity services, but everything is very scarce, so please do not consume more than necessary.
• Take your garbage with you, do not leave it on the beaches.
• When buying handicrafts, pay a fair price for the pieces you are taking.
• Sunscreen and sunscreen for your lips, hopefully a natural one.
• During the day you will feel sun and breeze constantly, at night it is usually much colder than normal, if you are sensitive to cold, you could bring an extra blanket to rest peacefully.
• Avoid using plastic cups, straws, disposable spoons, water bottles or plastic bags during your trip.
• Insect repellent.
• Sunglasses with a good protection filter, we recommend at least UV400.
• Thermos, hydrating backpack or something to carry water. This helps us to avoid drinking bottled water.

More tips

• A small towel to take with you to the activities that does not exceed 30cm x 48cm.
• Personal hygiene items.
• Identity documents and medical insurance.
• If you take specific medications, take them with you, bring extra doses and sufficient information about each medication.
• Swimwear.
• Hat or hat with neck cap or cap or hiking cap for more coverage.
• Windbreaker Jacket.
• Small backpack to carry the necessary (belongings).
• Type A/B electrical adapter.
• Ideally, you should have your Tetanus vaccination up to date.
• Comfortable clothes, can be long or short pants as you wish and long sleeve shirt can be cotton or breathable.
• Comfortable shoes and easy to dry and if they are comfortable sandals that hold well.
• YELLOW FEVER VACCINE Yellow fever, tetanus vaccine. Hepatitis A, hepatitis B, typhoid, Triple Viral and diphtheria-tetanus vaccines are also recommended.
• It is recommended to carry snakes AND provisions, because these are places where it is difficult to find supermarkets or stores. carry cash and low denomination bills for purchases in the community.

In Go & Travel we will be very happy to be accomplices of this dream trip! And so, if you have any doubts and many desires to venture through the desert and the Guajira waters, we are here for you: write us directly on our whatsapp o instagram and join our community of travelers!

Keep browsing our travel blog to crave for experiences that will surely change your life! And if you want to explore Colombia, Go & Travel is the ideal place to fulfill this dream, we have many more and we can create one especially for you, tailored to your needs!