Is it worth it? Just with the pleasant surprise offered by its landscapes (with abrupt changes in vegetation), the trip is worth it. Add to this, much kindness and a GOOD hotel. Not bad for a few days, right?
In just a few minutes, you go from admiring the green vegetation offered by the mountain range to being amazed by the arid desert…to end with the intense blue of Cabo de la Vela and its fine white sand.
All this has a name and a reason for being. We are at THE TIP OF COLOMBIA. YES! Where SOUTH AMERICA begins. I knew that so much beauty had a reason for being.
You can get there by car (although it’s quite a journey!) or fly to Riohacha (much more practical), but then have the car services coordinated to tour (hopefully guided by a local) the most exquisite natural settings.
It has good and well-maintained roads, but very little tourist infrastructure.
Its capital, Riohacha, is pleasant and nothing more. In general, the hospitality is very standard. There are basic hotels, or the “rancherías” in Alta Guajira (intended for “backpackers” and small groups or couples).
It is worth mentioning a GOOD hotel, near the town of Albania and Cerrejón (the most important coal deposit in the country). It is the WAYA Hotel, an excellent Semi-luxury, with quite qualified, friendly staff and good cuisine. I was VERY pleased (and surprised) to find something of this category in the middle of nowhere. Well, to tell the truth, it was in the middle of an ecological reserve, imagine that!!!
The truth is that La Guajira is a Colombian corner not yet very prepared for traditional tourism with a couple of beautiful things that ARE worth it.
Now, its beautiful things: The Guajiros are beautifully kind and always willing to help the visitor. They love their land and protect it, even though they do not have many economic and technical means to do so.
Their “desert” homeland is BEAUTIFUL for its uniqueness and its beaches (also desert), clean and safe in most cases. Anyone who likes good fish and exquisite seafood, La Guajira has them!
The question now is, would you go to this corner?
Until next time.
Edu.
