July 25, 2017

Cabo de La Vela

Heaven on earth. There is no simpler way to describe Cabo de La Vela. It is the perfect place to find yourself, breathe peace and listen to the calming sounds of the ocean.

What to expect?

Cabo de La Vela or Jepirrá (as it is known by the Wayuu) is a place to connect with nature and put aside the comforts of the city. Water and electricity are basic services to what we are used to in cities. But in the desert they are a luxury.

Therefore, keep in mind that electricity services are intermittent. That fresh water is scarce and that you will probably have to lower the bathroom with a bucket.

In the Cabo you find different styles of hotels. There are places where they have their power plant with defined schedules and common bathrooms. There are others where you can have a private room with greater amenities.

What should you not forget?

A sack or blanket since at night it tends to be quite cold. Don’t be fooled by the sun of the day.
A flashlight, in case the power goes out or if you stay asleep in a boat and want to go to the bathroom
Repellent and sunscreen
A towel to bathe and another to go to the beach, in most hotels or hostels that service is not included.

Bittersweet Tolls

It is also true that on the way to El Cabo you will find a new type of toll “The tolls of the Sweets”, these are children of the indigenous ranches that have been accustomed to receiving sweets from cars traveling to the north of La Guajira. If it is right or wrong, it is not a matter for us to judge but what is true is that it happens and you have to be prepared to establish your strategy against these “tolls”. They can be 10, 20, 30 or even 40, that depends on many factors, in each one there are 3 – 10 children with a rope to stop the vehicle and expect to receive something.

What options do you have?

1- Bring enough sweets, or how we do particularly fruits.

2- Accelerate, when it is imminent that you are not going to stop, the children release the rope.

How to get?

To get to Cabo de La Vela you need a vehicle, a motorcycle or a boat … or well if your budget allows it you could arrive by helicopter … but that is not the idea, right? The trip itself is a key part of the experience of knowing the Cape. The nearest commercial airport is in Riohacha and the tourist agencies have packages to travel from the capital, if you have a more limited budget you can travel to Uribia or from there take a car to El Cabo.

For more information, check out our How to Move section.