Climate of La Guajira

The department of La Guajira has the most arid and desert-like climate in Colombia. Alta Guajira —the northernmost tip of South America— is a semi-desert peninsula with temperatures of 30 to 40 °C, constant winds and less than 300 mm of annual rainfall in some areas. Riohacha, its capital, records temperatures of 28 to 34 °C with low relative humidity compared to the rest of the Caribbean. The northern trade winds blow strongly throughout the year, making La Guajira an exceptional destination for kitesurfing. The Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta to the south of the department offers a radical contrast: its snow-capped peaks at 5,775 meters above sea level are visible from the desert, and its slopes receive abundant rainfall, feeding the rivers that supply water to the Wayúu communities.

THERMAL FLOORS OF LA GUAJIRA

Temperature in La Guajira varies by altitude. These are the department's thermal floors:

Thermal Floor	Altitude	Temperature	Municipalities
Arid desert	0 – 300 m	28 – 40 °C	Uribia, Manaure, Punta Gallinas, Cabo de la Vela
Semi-arid	0 – 500 m	26 – 34 °C	Riohacha, Maicao, Albania
Temperate-cold Sierra Nevada	500 – 5,775 m	8 – 22 °C	Dibulla, San Juan del Cesar

RAINY AND DRY SEASONS IN LA GUAJIRA

Alta Guajira has scarce and unpredictable rainfall: some years it practically does not rain. The least dry period is September–November (200–400 mm). The south of the department (San Juan del Cesar) has a bimodal pattern: rainy May–June and September–November. Trade winds are permanent, especially December–April.

TEMPERATURE BY MUNICIPALITY IN LA GUAJIRA

Average annual temperatures of the main municipalities of La Guajira:

Municipality	Average Temperature
Riohacha	31 °C
Maicao	32 °C
Uribia	34 °C
Manaure	33 °C
Barrancas	30 °C
San Juan del Cesar	28 °C
Albania	30 °C
Dibulla	28 °C

BEST TIME TO VISIT LA GUAJIRA

All year is visitable due to the arid climate. December–April: strong winds ideal for kitesurfing at Cabo de la Vela; high temperatures but constant breeze. September–November: period with somewhat more rain, ephemeral green vegetation. Avoid June–August due to extreme heat without wind.