Riohacha

Department: La Guajira Population: 180,000 Altitude: Sea level Climate: Hot (average temp. 28ºC)

Riohacha, while technically a city, has the feel of a large town. It is smaller than the cities of Santa Marta, Barranquilla and Cartagena to the west and receives few tourists. It is, in some part understandable as competition from the aforementioned cities is high. Riohacha is probably more of a place to pass through than to stop at. There is not a huge amount to do in the city, at least in terms of tourist attractions, but the people are friendly and it has a nice beachfront with bars and restaurants which become lively at weekends.