Cabo de la Vela

Cabo de la Vela is a remote coastal village on Colombia's La Guajira Peninsula that feels like you've reached the edge of the world. This windswept destination sits where the desert dramatically meets the Caribbean Sea, creating landscapes that look almost otherworldly with their contrasting red soil, turquoise waters, and golden sands.

The area is home to the indigenous Wayuu people who have maintained their unique culture despite outside influences. Their colorful handwoven bags (mochilas) and hammocks are famous throughout Colombia. The Wayuu consider Cabo de la Vela a sacred place - according to their beliefs, it's where souls go after death before continuing their journey to the afterlife.

Visitors come for the stunning beaches like Playa del Pilon and Playa Arcoiris, breathtaking sunsets at El Faro lighthouse, and the spiritual Cerro Kamachi hill. The lack of infrastructure adds to its charm - electricity runs on generators, accommodations are basic, and cell service is spotty at best.

The journey to Cabo isn't easy, requiring a bumpy ride through desert terrain, but that's exactly what keeps it authentic and uncrowded. It's one of those rare places that hasn't been transformed by mass tourism, offering a genuine glimpse into a different way of life that moves at the rhythm of the constant Caribbean winds.