How To Get From Santa Marta to Cabo de la Vela, La Guajira – All Possible Ways (Updated 2023)

Last updated on January 22nd, 2023 at 01:11 pm

How To Get From Santa Marta to Cabo de la Vela, La Guajira – You can go by bus, car and private transfer.

What Is The Distance From Santa Marta to Cabo de la Vela?

The distance from Santa Marta to Cabo de la Vela is 336 kilometers. Click here to book online Santa Marta activities and day trips

The travel time by car from Santa Marta to La Guajira is around 7 hours. Read here Santa Marta itinerary

What Is The Cheapest Way From Santa Marta to Cabo de la Vela?

The cheapest way from Santa Marta to Cabo de la Vela is by bus you can book online and shared a car and jeep for $20 USD. The bus travel time from Santa Marta to Cabo de la Vela is around 8 hours.

You can buy online your ticket with Bookaway and you can also rent a car in Colombia.

Read here how to get from Santa Marta airport to Tayrona, Santa Marta airport to Taganga, Santa Marta airport to Palomino, Santa Marta airport to Minca, Santa Marta airport to Rodadero, Santa Marta to Riohacha and Santa Marta airport to city center

SIM CARD AT SANTA MARTA AIRPORT

I wouldn’t recommend you to buy a sim card at Santa Marta airport. If you wish comfort you can buy eSim online and if you aren’t in a hurry just go around phone shops in the city and compare prices to buy the cheapest sim card in Santa Marta. Read here Colombia sim card for tourist and best Colombia eSim

You can find the cheapest Colombia eSim with Airalo Colombia eSim prepaid for $8 USD with 1 GB data valid for 7 days. For $15 USD with 2 GB data valid for 15 days. For $21 USD with 3 GB data and for $32 USD with 5 GB data valid for 30 days. (USING DISCOUNT CODE GAMINTRAVELER 10%).

Holafly Colombia eSim for $44 USD if you use our code GAMINTRAVELER coming with 6 GB data valid for 15 days.

WHERE TO STAY IN CABO DE LA VELA

There are numerous hostels and B&B that you can choose from. We stayed at Hostal Mar Azul in a quiet location in Cabo de la Vela, comfort in the rooms and amazing food for affordable prices. Accommodation prices can take you around $5-10 USD if you sleep in a hammock. For mid-budget accommodation starts at $15-30 USD accommodation in Cabo de La Vela Guajira.

CLICK HERE TO BOOK YOUR ACCOMMODATION IN CABO DE LA VELA BEFORE YOUR TRIP WITH BOOKING

BOOK YOUR TRAVEL INSURANCE

You can read Heymondo Vs Safetwing cheapest travel Insurance. You can get for $135 USD your Heymondo Travel Insurance with Heymondo discount code valid for 90 days. Read our full Heymondo Travel Insurance Review

You can get Safetywing Travel Insurance for Digital Nomads valid for 28 days Safetywing for $50 USD per month with kids until 10 years old included

HOW TO GET FROM SANTA MARTA TO CABO DE LA VELA (SANTA MARTA TO LA GUAJIRA)

There is no direct bus from Santa Marta to Cabo de la Vela and you will have to ride different transportation to get from Santa Marta to La Guajira.

Bus From Santa Marta to Cabo de la Vela (Cheapest Way)

The cheapest way from Santa Marta to Cabo de la Vela is by bus. You will have to take a bus from Santa Marta to Rioahacha.

Once in Riohacha a shared car from Riohacha to Uribia. Once in Uribia you can get a shared colectivo or jeep from Uribia to Cabo de la Vela. Keep reading below the details.

BUS SCHEDULE FROM SANTA MARTA TO RIOHACHA

The Expreso Brasilia bus schedule from Santa Marta to Riohacha is running a few times per day starting 6 15 am to 9 30 pm.

The travel time from Santa Marta to Riohacha by bus is around 3 hours. The bus fare is around $9 USD. You can book online to avoid the hassle.

SHARED CAR FROM RIOHACHA TO URIBIA

Near the Bus Terminal in Riohacha there are shared cars going from Riohacha to Uribia. The cars are leaving when they are full The travel time from Riohacha to Uribia is 1 hour and 30 minutes. The fare from Riohacha to Uribia is 20K-25K COP which is $5-6 USD.

JEEP FROM URIBIA TO CABO DE LA VELA

Once in Uribia you can get dropped in the market where the jeeps are going from Uribia to Cabo de la Vela. The travel time from Uribia to Cabo de la Vela is around 1 hour and 30 minutes to 2 hours depending on the stops on the way.

The jeep fare is around 25-40K COP which is $6-10 USD. In our first way we paid 30K COP a jeep with not so many stops and on the way back we paid 25K COP by truck with a lot of stops to get supplies in the truck.

The total travel time from Santa Marta to Cabo de La Vela Guajira is around 7 hours. The fare from Santa Marta to Cabo de la Vela Guajira is around $20 USD per person.

Hostal Mar Azul in La Guajira helped us with the transportation and we got cheap prices which isn’t easy since requires so much negotiation in this area of Colombia!

Click here to get your discount booking online your transportation in Colombia with Bookaway!

CAR RENTAL AT SANTA MARTA

There are many options for renting a car in Santa Marta. It’s the most convenient option if you are planning to visit places on the way to La Guajira, moving around or if you are traveling in a group or with so much luggage.

There are a few agencies like Hertz, Avis available at the airport. Prices are around $30-40 USD per day depending on how long are you renting.

Click here to get the best deals renting a car in Colombia!

PRIVATE TRANSPORTATION FROM SANTA MARTA TO CABO DE LA VELA (SANTA MARTA TO LA GUAJIRA)

Hotel transfers are also very easy and convenient but can be a little bit pricey. The transfers are usually available 24 hours and is only ideal if you have the budget and you really want comfort. Prices are around $280 USD and you can fit up to 6 people. It could be $45 USD per person.

Click here to book private transportation from Santa Marta to Cabo de la Vela with Bookaway!

ACCOMMODATION IN CABO DE LA VELA

There are numerous hostels and B&B that you can choose in Cabo de la Vela. You can rent a hammock (called chinchorro) for $5 USD it can be windy and be careful with the mosquitos. For mid-budget accommodation starts at $20-30 USD for a room.

We stayed at Hostal Mar Azul where you will have an air-conditioned room and made of stone walls (less cold and fewer mosquitoes at night). Most of the rooms are made of nipa and wood.

CLICK HERE TO BOOK YOUR ACCOMMODATION IN COLOMBIA BEFORE YOUR TRIP WITH BOOKING.

FOOD BUDGET TRAVEL IN CABO DE LA VELA

For food in Cabo de la Vela things are more expensive than in other places in Colombia. You can get lunch and breakfast starting from 12K-25K COP which is from $3-6 USD. If you are joining as a tour the food will be included and you can also have included food in your accommodation if you required.

A total of $10-20 USD dollar per person can be your daily food budget travel in Cabo de la Vela Guajira. Local food in a restaurant will start from $5-7 USD. And you can get snacks and street food for $1-2 USD. The water is expensive make sure you bring some water from Uribia.

TOURS PRICES IN CABO DE LA VELA

Tours prices in Cabo de la Vela are around 25K COP which is $6 USD if you go by motorbike. The tours are starting from 2 pm to sunset more than 4 hours. It will include Pilon de Azucar, Ojos de Agua and the sunset in the lighthouse.

You can also go by jeep 30-40K COP per person. You will visit the same places and same amount of time. Don’t expect a guide just transportation and they will be waiting for you there. You will have time to take pictures and relax swimming and you can adjust the time with them.

We organized our tours thanks to our accommodation Hostal Mar Azul that arranged for us to a very good price. Up to you later if you are happy with your guide and tour you can tip them.

BEST TIME TO VISIT IN CABO DE LA VELA

You can go to Cabo de la Vela any time of the year. The months of December to February are the best time to visit La Guajira because is the sunniest and also the peak season. October to November is the months ideal for those working with a budget, because it is considered the low season in the country.

Click here to know more about the weather in Cabo de la Vela.

CASH IS KING IN CABO DE LA VELA GUAJIRA

There are no ATMs in Cabo de la Vela. Make sure you bring cash in Cabo de la Vela. Most of the places require to pay cash, for tours, restaurants and small stores. You will be able to withdraw in Riohacha Bus Terminal or in Uribia.

The official currency of Colombia is called Colombian Peso (COP). And $1 USD=3500 COP. ATMs are available all throughout the country but my advice to you is to use those inside the banks.

It is also advisable to withdraw as much as you can because fees for transactions tend to be higher for foreign cars. The maximum amount that you can withdraw will be around 600K COP depending on the bank.

Click here to check the exact change rate

Bank Fees For Foreigner Cards In Colombia

Most of the banks in Bogota and Colombia will charge fees for foreign cards in Colombia. Check the list below with the exact fees for foreign cards in Colombia and how much money are you allowed to withdraw in Colombia with every bank. There are many ATMs in Uribia and an exchange currency office if you need one.

Bank	Amount Allowed And Fees
Colpatria	900K COP Withdraw And No Fees
Pichincha	800K COP Withdraw And No Fees
Banco Caja Social	700K COP Withdraw And No Fees
BBVA	300K COP Withdraw And No Fees
CorpBanco	400K COP Withdraw And No Fees
Davidienda	400K COP Withdraw And No Fees
Citibank	1200K COP Withdraw And 15k COP Fees
Bancolombia	900K COP Withdraw And 15k COP Fees
ATH	400K COP Withdraw And 10k COP Fees
Servibanca	750K COP Withdraw And 15k COP Fees

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Happy Travels!