Salinas del Rey

Why Visit?

Colombia’s kitesurfing scene is quickly making waves, with Salinas del Rey leading the charge. Located in the coastal town of Santa Verónica—conveniently nestled between Cartagena and Barranquilla—Salinas has become the country’s most famous kiting destination. It’s already hosted two GKA World Championship stops and draws riders from across the globe each season. With consistent wind, a lively atmosphere, and easy access to big-city amenities, it’s the perfect spot to settle in for weeks—or even months—of non-stop kiting.

But Colombia’s kiteboarding offering doesn’t stop there. Head farther north to La Guajira, and you’ll discover an entirely different experience. This remote desert region delivers strong daily winds, epic downwind safaris, and raw, untouched landscapes. Spots like Cabo de la Vela and Punta Gallinas offer next-level adventure, far removed from the bustle, deep in Wayúu territory, where few roads and life remain beautifully simple.

Colombia has it all, whether you’re looking for modern comfort and community or off-the-grid exploration. It’s not just about wind—kitesurfing here is a cultural deep dive into wild, unforgettable terrain.

Kite Hostel at Salinas del Rey

Wind and Weather

From December to April, the wind blows at speeds exceeding 25 knots in Salinas del Rey. Meanwhile, the Guajira Desert is rapidly emerging as a major international kitesurfing destination, with wind speeds ranging from 25 to 30 knots from December to August. During this time, air temperatures range from 29°C (85°F) to 32°C (90°F), and water temperatures remain warm and comfortable, averaging around 29°C (85°F).

Getting Around

Getting around in Salinas del Rey is relatively easy. For destinations that aren’t within walking distance, tuk-tuks are both plentiful and affordable. This allows you to carry all your gear to the beach and travel to and from the town of Santa Verónica, which is directly connected to the Salinas del Rey beach area. If you prefer, you can rent a motorcycle from residents. Ask around the schools, and they will direct you to the right place. While these motorcycles are suitable for navigating the immediate area of Santa Verónica and Salinas del Rey, it’s advisable to avoid using them on the main intercity roads due to their often poor mechanical condition and the likelihood that they lack proper insurance and registration.

If you must travel to Cartagena or Barranquilla, affordable buses and vans pass through the town regularly. Additionally, if you’re arriving at or departing from Cartagena or Barranquilla airports, you can hire a private vehicle to transport you and your kitesurfing equipment.

Cabo de La Vela

In La Guajira, upon arriving at the Riohacha airport or bus terminal, if you’re not staying and kitesurfing in Riohacha itself, you’ll need to hire a vehicle to reach the kite spots. The closest spot, Mayapo, is about 40 minutes away. Once you arrive at the kite spots, you won’t need to move around much since they are in the desert. However, Cabo de La Vela, a fishing town, has seen rapid tourism growth recently, including kitesurfing, with many kite schools available. You can stroll around this beachside town to visit the kite schools, hostels, bars, and shops.

Getting There

Cartagena and Barranquilla both offer direct international flights from Europe and the US. If you plan to visit Salinas del Rey, you can book a flight to either of these two airports. From there, you can transfer to Salinas by hiring a car—using Uber or, preferably, a pre-arranged vehicle if you’re travelling in a group with kite gear.

If your destination is the Guajira Desert, you should book a flight to Bogotá, Colombia’s capital, and then take a connecting flight to Riohacha.

Guajira Desert look out point

Food and Drink

In Salinas, if you stay at a hostel, chances are they have their restaurant with a menu for you to choose from. During the season, there’s a popular hamburger joint, and in the nearby town of Santa Verónica, you can find a sandwich shop. If you enjoy cooking, you can purchase all your ingredients and prepare your meals if your hostel has a kitchen, which is often the case with Airbnbs.

In the Guajira Desert, you’ll find a variety of fish dishes, all delicious, as well as lobster. The menu also includes beef, pork, and chicken; we can’t forget goat, a staple in the Wayúu native diet. Most meals come with white rice or coconut rice, fried plantains, and a salad made from tomatoes and onions.

No Wind?

It is extremely rare to experience a no-wind day, but it can happen. If you find yourself in Salinas on such a day, it presents an excellent opportunity to take a trip to Cartagena (about 1 hour and 20 minutes away) or Barranquilla (approximately 45 minutes). Both cities are major hubs offering a variety of attractions and activities, including numerous restaurants, shopping malls, beach walks, stores, dental and medical facilities, hair and nail salons, and barber shops.

Puerto Velero

In the Guajira region, it is even more unlikely to encounter a no-wind day. However, if you do, it would be an ideal time to catch up on kite repairs, respond to emails, work on that book you’ve been writing, hang out with other kite surfers, and enjoy some beer.

Internet

In Salinas del Rey, all hostels, hotels, and Airbnbs are equipped with Wi-Fi. However, the service can be spotty at times. Phone carrier signal and data transfer work well and are affordable. You can purchase a SIM card from a provider called CLARO for $1.50 USD and buy a prepaid data package for 30 gigabytes (which they automatically double to 60 gigabytes) for around $8 USD. This should last you for a month.

That said, you will lose both phone signal and Wi-Fi during electrical blackouts, whether scheduled or spontaneous. As a result, you’ll be without connectivity until the power is restored, which usually takes place during the day and typically lasts about a day. This doesn’t happen frequently, but you can expect at least one monthly blackout.

Guajira Desert

In La Guajira, some hostels offer Starlink, and the phone signal is generally strong in most areas. Again, you’ll need to get a CLARO SIM card, as this is the only service provider that works in the desert.

Accommodation

In Salinas del Rey, you can find accommodation options to suit every budget, ranging from kite hostels and hotels to luxurious Airbnb beach homes.

In the Guajira Desert, you have the option to sleep in large hammocks called chinchorros, where you can store your belongings in lockers and use shared bathrooms and showers. Alternatively, you can rent rooms or cabanas with beds and private bathrooms.

Boat transfer to spot in Guajira Desert

Cabo de La Vela Guajira Desert

Cabo-de-La-Vela

Riohacha

Guajira-Desert to Punta Gallinas

Accommodation at Salinas del Rey

Salinas del Rey