Travel Guide Cabo De La Vela

Cabo de la Vela is a Wayúu village of about 1,500 inhabitants, which recently has electricity and running water (limited). Cabo de la Vela (Cape of the Sail) takes its name from this huge sand dune that was mistaken for a sail by Alfonso de Ojeda, Christopher Columbus' companion. It is currently the most popular place in La Guajira, but outside of weekends, holidays and school vacations, it is very quiet. There are dream beaches, with ochre sand and warm and transparent water. However, the sand is muddy in front of the village itself. We recommend going to Playa Pilón Azúcar, a beach with golden sand (1 hour and a half on foot, watch out for the sun, or by motorcycle, about $15,000), or to Ojo de Agua, at the foot of steep rocks. Try to climb around 5pm to the "Faro" (the lighthouse), a rocky promontory dedicated to the Virgin of Fatima. The sunsets here are magical!