kite addict colombia

I had a great 4 days at Kite Addict Colombia! Sophie and Martin were great hosts. The winds are always strong and the people are fantastic. Cabe de la Vela is very remote... if you make it there, you won't be disappointed. This is a great place for beginners (me!) or experts.

Cabo de la Vela is a very nice town in the desert of Guajira. It is an awesome experience to be there and there is a bunch of hotels and restaurants since the town lives from tourism. If you get there don't forget to bring enough money, specifically when you want to continue to Punta Gallinas (What I can highly recommend). The closest ATM is in Uribia.

First of all it is important to realise that cabo lives off tourists. Its not a authentic village with no other tourists. Instead it is a not too clean tiny village packed with basic hospedajes and restaurants. But it is still a very nice place where its easy to get away from the crowds (not that many tourists make it there), the journey there is an adventure in itself and time passes in a nice slow pace while you spend the day in a hammock, swimming and playing cards with (new) friends. I can recommend hospedaje Tory junior for great hammocks and good food!

Those that are writing negative reviews of this place seem to be used to a more comfortable lifestyle. Personally, I really appreciate the bareness of this quiet fisherman's village that is home to the native Wayuu of La Guajira. It's right in the middle of nowhere and people seem to make a living nonetheless. I found the inhabitants to be surprisingly friendly and helpful. True, most places don't have decent sanitation or even fresh water for that matter, but that is something that can be overseen for a couple of days (two days will be enough to visit most sites and to get a feel of the vibe here). We stayed in La Ballena Azul, run by a very kind lady, who cooked incredibly well, even for vegetarians. We slept in huge, soft and super comfortable chinchorros (a special type of hammock made by the Wayuu) in a thatched hut on the beach. Romantic and different. Our bags were kept in a room that we could lock ourselves. Recommended place, although they don't have running water.You don't have to visit Cabo de la Vela on a tour, although most people seem to do that. Just take any bus towards Maicao and ask to be let off at 4 Vías. From there, pay 8000 for a ride to Uríbia, where you 15.000 for a cramped spot in the back of a overloaded pickup-truck to Cabo de la Vela. It's bumpy and dusty and you're sitting between boxes of goods and locals, but it's much more interesting and adventurous (although less comfortable) than coming on a tour. Buy 5 or 6l bottles of water in Uribia, you'll be glad you did!

We just returned from a 5-day trip from Colombia which included Santa Marta, Camarones (Parque Natural Los Flamencos), the Taironaka Reserve (Don Diego River) and Cabo de la Vela. We have family in Colombia, so this trip was my 11th trip to Colombia in the past 9 years, so I am familiar with traveling in Colombia. People rave about Cabo de la Vela and I have no idea why. It is an ideal place to kite surf and yes it has nice sunsets, but it's hardly worth the long, off road drive to get there. There is no tourism infrastructure, and certainly nothing charming, quaint, unique or inviting about Cabo de la Vela.I'll start with the deal breaker on this one -- the attempted armed robbery. To get to Cabo de la Vela, it's about a 10 or 11 kilometer drive off-road through the desert. After our overnight stay, we started our journey to our next stop. About 6 kilometers from the main tourist area, there were two men on the side of the road. One stepped into the middle the road, held a gun up in the air for us to see, then aimed the gun at our car. The second man was waiting on a motorcycle.We stopped, put the car in reserve and started backing up at full speed. As soon as the man with the gun saw up backing up, he ran to his partner on the motor cycle, jumped on the back of the bike and started to follow us.With the robbers in pursuit, we turned our car around and drove as fast as possible to the small military/police outpost. Somewhere before we reached the outpost, the robbers must of realized we were not going to cooperate and gave up.At the outpost, the officers were ultra-professional and apologized for our unfortunate experience. To ensure our safety, they were kind enough to escort us to back to the main paved road. It seems we were not the first attempted armed robbery and armed robbery a new source of revenue for the locals. I guess the robbers don't understand the threat of armed robbery is a deterrent for many tourists.As for Cabo de la Vela itself, there is no infrastructure of any kind to support tourism. Accommodations are very basic, which I usually don't mind for a couple days. We slept in rented hammocks on the beach. Since there were 6 people in our group this seemed quite safe, however if i was by myself or traveling with just one other person, I probably would not have made the same choice.People seems to enjoying partying on the beach all night, so there was always loud music, and generally rowdiness. Nice if you want to party all night, but not if you are there to enjoy the quiet beauty of nature. Any time we were sitting or standing in one location for more than a few minutes we were approached by kids/woman selling handicrafts, which I get because everyone needs to earn money to live, but it was constant and not enjoyable.One member of our group left her tennis shoes by her hammock and they were stolen. OK, I get that also, people steal stuff so why would Cabo de la Vela be immune from petty crime? Not a biggie, but it did not help win any points for our experience.To sum up my thoughts on Cabo de la Vela: If you want to have a quiet, relaxing experience, skip Cabo de la Vela. If you want to swim in a warm ocean, skip Cabo de la Vela. If you need to sleep in a clean bed with a fan to help keep the mosquitoes away and to keep cool, skip Cabo de la Vela. If you want to experience Wayuu culture, skip Cabo de la Vela. If you want to feel welcomed as a tourist or adventure traveler, skip Cabo del la Vela. If you want to drive a long way to simple but pretty beach and you are a die-hard kite surfer enthusiast, you might like Cabo de la Vela. So other than the kite surfing, I cannot think of any other reason to go to Cabo de la Vela, especially if the locals continue to allow the armed robberies/attempted robberies. So save your time and money and skip Cabo de la Vela and go somewhere with a little developed, a little safer and a better representation of the beauty and warmth Colombia has to offer.

This area is incredibly beautiful and I would definitely recommend it to anyone wanting to see a different side of Colombia and wishing for an adventure. However, I absolutely do not recommend using "Cabo de La Vela Tours", run by a lady named Yelis Beatriz Gómez Solano. First of all, the tour costs 450,000 pesos to go to both Cabo de La Vela and Punta Gallinas, this would be reasonable (although still expensive for Colombia) if 1. what was offered was provided and 2. there was evidence of any of the money going towards those involved in the tour/the local communities. The driver we were provided with did not know where he was going. He repeatedly asked us where we were supposed to be going, despite this being an "organised" tour with a specific itinerary. We drove through Cabo de la Vela but did not stop there, the same for Uribia and Manaure. He also failed to pick up two other passengers, leaving them waiting outside for 4 hours with no contact until he remembered and we went back to get them. There was no guide, and the driver was not at all interested in telling us anything about the history or people of the area. He also brought no water, no food, and no money for himself, making it our responsibility to take care of him for the 3 days we were supposed to be in the desert.At no point was it mentioned to us what we would need to take for this trip. Each person used the standard advice given for any trip into a desert region and took a few litres of water each, however this soon dissipated when we had to share with not only the driver but the children who set up countless check points at the side of the road and don't let you pass until you give the food/water/money. Had we been informed of this beforehand we could all have taken extra provisions and it wouldn't have been a problem, but because we didn't know we were then left with minimal food and water, very dangerous in such a hot region. The car promised was a 4x4, yet after spending an hour skidding and doing unintentional donuts across a mudflat we found out it is actually a 2x4. Completely unsuitable for the terrain and very dangerous! The trip is supposed to be cancelled if it rains. As a huge storm of torrential rain opened up ahead of us we were told that we were going to push through anyway. This resulted in hours and hours of getting stuck in the mud, having to wait behind newly formed rivers then just driving through them anyway and general reckless driving. Had we had the 4x4 as promised this may not have been an issue but in a 2 wheel drive it was incredibly dangerous and the car almost flipped several times. We were now driving at night, with the driver having no clue where we should be, in an area where there are no roads. This is very, very dangerous in this area as there has been guerrilla activity there recently and we are at the mercy of anyone who comes across us. At this point we had received no food, despite being promised three meals a day and our water was almost depleted. We stopped at a rancheria for the night and called Yelis herself to ask what was going on and let her know how unhappy we were with the situation. Yelis told us to drive another two hours to find the ocean, get on a boat and take it to punta gallinas. In the dark. Our driver was struggling during the day, going out again at night felt like a suicide mission. Not to mention that this boat would have no lights, Punta Gallinas would have no lights, the sea can be rough and we will be out in open ocean for two hours. We told her this wasn't going to be a possibility and she hung up the phone and refused to take our calls for a further hour. When she finally answered one of our calls she told us it was our responsibility to take care of ourselves and if anything happens to us it is our fault. Needless to say when the sun came up we immediately demanded to be taken back to Riohacha and end the tour. When we finally got there we went to the offices to get our money back as this 3 day tour was reduced to 1 and we had not received anything we had been promised. Yelis refused to come to the office, she said she didnt care that it had been dangerous and that it was up to us to have taken care of ourselves if we had got in a difficult situation. We never received a penny back of the 450,000 pesos. I cant stress enough how dangerous this trip was, and how unnecessary it was to have been so. As I said, none of the money taken by this company is going to the local communities and they never gave us any information which would have allowed us to have had a smoother trip in relation to the locals and their roadblocks. Leaving us in the middle of the desert at night with no food and minimal water is completely unacceptable and I can't stress enough how much you should avoid this company if you decide to do this tour! Many others I have spoken to have had similar experiences with them whilst others have had great trips with other companies, please do your research and think long and hard about who is going to be taking responsibility for your safety!!

Cabo de la Vela is a fantastic spot.Crazy place!You will find yourself on a marvellous beach, watching a transparent blue ocean and still you are in the middle of a desert!People of the kiteschool are first-rate. If you're not taking classes it's better to bring your own gear as not enough kites/boards are available during high season.

Well worth visiting to see the beaches but do not do the kite surfing here. I ignored the fact that it was more expensive then europe because the location was perfect however the kite surfing company here are only interested in taking your money. I felt cheated after doing 3 days there. They used the wrong size kites, my english specking teacher left as soon as he got paid on the 2nd day and were quick to remind me if i broke anything i had to pay for the equipment (which I was told several times a day).

Beautiful place, breath taking, golden sands and blue waters. totally recommended for couples and lonely adventurers.

In lonely planet is mentonned that is difficult or complicated to get to Cabo de la Vela.We rented a car in Santa Marta and went on our own to Cabo de la Vela. The road to go is most of the time asphalt. Just the last kilometers are desert-road. When it is dry it is not a problem to pass this street with a rented car; we didn't have a 4x4).

My two day one night Guajira Tour. A bit disconcerting not knowing the tour cost until the day of. I paid almost 200k because we were 5. Fewer clients, higher per person cost. Well, not a tour with a tour guide, rather a driver who answered questions if asked. An excellent driver, friendly in a sullen kind of way, who kept close to his heart the secret tour plan. For example, the plan for the second day was such a secret that many in the group thought they could sleep in, causing subsequent delays. I proactively tried to inform him, but he confidently told me everyone knew the plan. Not. So as much as I like being prepared for a 9am start only to wait until 10am, the driver was able to use profitably the time for a quick nap in a hammock. We had to startle him awake to start the tour. Information like we are going to the “Ojo de Agua” so bring a swim suit (ah, a beach then) and then the lighthouse... but failed to add “to see the sunset so bring a camera.” A secret plan so inflexible so a stop at that beach was mandatory even though the wind was so strong the sand stung sand blasting your legs. Or different info to different folks. I was told we are going to climb the Pilon and return for lunch. Another person told that we were going to the beach for a swim, then off to Pilon for a hike to the top and then return. Nice to have everyone on the same page.He did know stuff, I was able to pry it out of him in a quiet moment (meaning when he was not texting on his cell phone). The conversation was long enough for him to mooch a cigarette. He did often demonstrate his most finely honed communication method though – texting while driving. The slight delay at the toll booth was so he could chat up the hot chica there, finding out when she was off and then promised to text her then. So sad the clients adventures are interfering with his adventures.When driving though an incredibly interesting and quite unique cactus forest, I had to ask him to stop to take pictures. He provided no explanation about his amazing forest type, the fact the indigenous folks used the plant in numerous ways, housing and water purification. But he take the moment to take a pee. Similarly, I had to ask for a stop on the amazingly expansive salt flats, the group members were all amazed, taking photos, etc, but had I not asked him to stop...He was good driver, and a good thing because some of the trip was off road and even along the beach. He obviously knew his way around, he was a Wayuu descent. I asked why he didn't tell the Wayuu story, how they resisted the Spanish Conquistadors etc, what a great story. Oh, we do that with large groups. Well, my tour was full, 2 Argentinians, 2 from Bogota and me 100% gringo, not sure how much bigger a group you need to actually inform paying customers, there was no room for more in the 4 x4. Of course, when one of the group got stung by a jellyfish, he was no where to be found. He probably would had advised peeing on the irritated area. I gave her some antihistamine cream.At Uribia he pointed out the police station, cultural centre, the plaza under construction, mayor's place as we drove by. But the only stop there was at his house to pick up some stuff for his uncle.The Apalanchii Hospedaje, in Cabo de la Vela, a tiny beach town, was quaint enough, food good. But even though I was told my tour cost included hotel, at the hotel I was informed if I actually wanted a bed instead of communal hammocks, then that would be 15k more. The washroom door is guaranteed for any to tall gringo to hit his head at least once, no mirror in the washroom to shave by, but I quite liked the cabin. There was space enough between the bamboo sheathing to let in a good breeze (and the associated sand particles). Did I say it was windy?They shut the generator off at night (apparently not worth the oxygen for the tour guide to forewarn us to charge up technology while there was electricity) so at 7am there was no current to make my coffee. Asked at the kitchen for some hot water and was asked if I had potable water to use, she did not. Well, no I do not have enough, but don't you have water to boil? Yes, OK. She certainly did not encourage me to come back again for more, well done.The maid did stop by to ask if I sleep well... not. She did stop by to mooch a cigarette though. Once, during another of the guide's begging for yet another cigarette I had to refuse, showing I had only two left, to which he promptly pulled out a full pack and lit one up for himself. At times, it seemed I was in Cuba where they ask for anything, everything, for free because, after all, tourists have lots of money they just want to give away. I suspect with more tourism this region could easily go down the bad road Cuba has taken.Every formal stop was accompanied by quite persistent kids begging for money or selling something. At the salt pools stop, one picked up a large salt crystal and tried to sell that. Not that I couldn't bend over and pick it up myself. Sorry for the Wayuu culture if this is what they are teaching their kids. There was some discussion about visiting the site of a dozen modern wind mills. For some odd reason the group was not keen on driving a hour over bad roads to see that, but it does speak to the paucity of real attractions in the area.Overall, the landscape, a flat coastal plain full of scrub land, is not that impressive. Dry landscapes can be interesting, this one not so much. A few nice volcanic snub lookouts to climb, the cactus forest, the salt pans, and, of course, a very nice coast line. It was windy, they say often it is. Very windy. Uncomfortably windy. But at least it blew off the heat and great for wind surfing. Boca Camerones. Santurario de Flamigos. A challenge going to the market to find the cars that wait to fill up to go to Camerones. Cost 3mil I was told 5mil and paid 4mil. That's the way it is there. At Camerones a motocycle ride to the Sanctuary, 1mil. Make sure to get his cell number to call him to get you. Return cost 2mil because he drove two ways for you... but of course he did two directions on the first trip too... but that's the way it is there. Camerones to Riohacha, 3mil this direction.At the Sanctuary, an old wizened guy will charge you what he feels like that day. There are no signs or prices or information. I paid 40mil for a boat tour as a gringo, but was later told others pay 15mil. Its a couple hours out into the lagoon and back depending on where the flamingos are, in a rough dug out canoe using rice bag sails, though he poles it a lot. Well worth seeing the thousands of flamingos up close and personal. Incredible really. But did I mention it was windy? Gusty windy. We almost capsized twice, once so close that Mr Sailorman commented to his uncle on landing that had I not reacted quickly and correctly we would have capsized. Haha, so funny.... to them. Not so much for my camera. The area does not have a well developed tourist infrastructure. Part of the reason is the fiercely independent Wayuu culture, they do not want multilevel 5-star resorts on their land. In fact, just as they resisted Spanish conquistadors they have remained at a distance from Colombian control, which is of course part of the reason to even go there. They grant their own licence plates, but only good in that region. No shortage of colourful frock dressed indigenous women, black paste on their faces... selling colourful hats, purses, and jewelry to tourists - a paradox. Overall, not worth going there, not enough to see. They are not ready for tourism and some seem to resent it. Would only recommend this area for folks wanting a undeveloped, out of the way place for wind sports. Did I say it was uncomfortably windy there?

I loved it here. I took a plane to Barranquilla with a friend and slowly made my way up to Riohacha. From there I paid a Wayuu person with a truck for a bit too much- since he had no one to take. But as we prepared to take off the back part filled up with about 12 others (all local Wayuu though). Was ok since we left when we needed and we sat in the cab. The ride was great! Not comfortable but the view and the experience was fantastic! The we got a flat, whilst the moon came out. And some wayuu children began to chat with us and teach us the names for moon and sky and stars- It was lovely. We stay in a hammock hostal called el Caracol hospedaje. I was happy. I highly recommend a trip of this sort. There are private room options but staying in open air on the hammock was surprisingly pleasant!I highly recommend :)

I did the trip here from Santa Marta by myself which was a lot cheaper than doing a tour - it involves a bus, taxi and 4by4 which could be a bit daunting to some but well worth it in my opinion. Beaches were amazing (you pretty much get them to yourself) as was desert landscape and sunsets. Accommodation options were basic but I enjoyed my hammock with sea views!

This is a long drive away from where we were staying, but it was a trip worth the journey. Great views, amazing landscape and simply sights that will form the memories of your trip to Colombia

The Wayúu myth tells that in the Cabo de la Vela is where the souls go in their final trip. And is amazing be there, is a magic place where you could listen clearly the sound of the sunset, the landscape, the beach, the colors of the sea are the best ones of Colombia. But its turistic instalations are not the best, this place is for eco-turism, it is too expensive access to a restroom, because the fresh water arrives from the south of Guajira in tankers; anyway is the best place that I have visited in my life.