Kitesurf in Colombia : all you need to know
Colombia is a kiting destination that continues to grow, and still has great potential thanks to its absolutely fantastic wind statistics.
The best season to come for a kite stay is between December and August.
The best spots are Santa Veronica the most famous, and the spots of Guajira like Cabo de la Vela for those who are thirsty for adventures.
High Season
Required level
Best suited for
Budget
Spots
Other activities
Why kitesurfing in Colombia is a good choice ?
Colombia is a country that is rapidly developing in terms of kite surfing and offers superb conditions for sailing, particularly in the Caribbean region, in the north of the country.
A kite trip in Colombia may seem strange… yet geographically, this Caribbean coast location is a must: non-stop wind, incredible stats, 1 to 2m waves, untouched spots, lovely people, and favorable climate.
Going on a trip to Colombia means going on a natural and authentic trip, the spots are still not fully developed (but that’s about to change, so hurry up!). Don’t expect to find 50 schools and all the necessary infrastructure. The plan is more of a back-to-basics one, even though the accommodations offer all the necessary comfort, and we are starting to see some slightly more upscale lodges in remote spots.
A minimum amount of time is required for this kind of trip, as the access conditions are quite complicated. But what follows is a trip that is really worth it.
It would indeed be wise to include a kite trip in Colombia as part of a larger trip in the country, which is very big and has so much to offer besides kite surfing.
Best period and spots to kite in Colombia
From the southernmost to the northernmost parts, there are 3 zones for kiting, the most famous spots are Cartagena, Santa Veronica and finally Cabo de la Vela. Other spots are also being developed near Cabo de la Vela, such as Mayapo, which is more accessible than Cabo.
In terms of conditions, there is a bit of everything: Santa Veronica is a versatile spot, with waves and freeride.
In the far north of the country, in the region of the Guajira Peninsula, there are some very good spots. You enter Guajira from the city of Riohacha. From this city, it is easy to get to Mayapo, a good freeride spot on the sea that also provides access to a lagoon for a flatter water surface. Cabo de la Vela, the best known, is a flat spot with choppy water, with rather offshore wind. Finally, Punta Gallinas, the least accessible, is the northernmost point of South America. It is accessed during organised trips.
Cartagena de Indias: The spot is located on La Boquilla beach, next to the airport and 10 minutes from the city centre. It is easily accessible and offers wave conditions with large choppy water, depending on the day. It is a spot that is generally accessible to everyone, both experts (especially on big wave days) and those looking to improve in small waves. The wind comes in from the side-on to the side, which provides a certain level of safety.
Santa Veronica: The spot is between the cities of Cartagena (80 km to the south) and Barranquilla (50 km to the north). It is a large, fairly safe bay (side-on wind), which offers really good wind stats (steady wind that blows for a good part of the year) and versatile conditions: mainly wave zones, accessible to everyone, and a few flatter zones for learning. The village of Santa Veronica is typical and still preserved.
Cabo de la Vela: This is the northernmost spot in the country, at the northern tip, in the Guajira desert. The access conditions are complicated, with many hours of 4×4 on rough roads ahead, but the journey is really worth it. The spot we’re talking about is flat (choppy depending on the conditions) and extends over a large white sand bay. Known as the Cape Horn of the Antilles, this place benefits from a steady wind that accelerates strongly: plan for small kites! There is almost nothing there, you will be almost alone in the world…
The wind is really consistent in this region, and blows almost all year round. A small kite (6 or 7 depending on the sizes) is almost mandatory, and a 9/10 can complete the quiver.
Best season for kiting:
– from December to May for Santa Veronica and its surroundings
– from December to August for the spots of Guajira (Cabo de la Vela, Mayapo, Punta Gallinas)
Discover the kite spots in Colombia
Cartagenas de Indias
Cabo de la vela
Santa Veronica
Mayapo
What we love most
Drawbacks
- Off the beaten track
- A country very rich culturally with lots of things to do outside of kite
- Excellent wind stats
- Beautiful landscapes
- It’s far away, you need to take the time to get there and fully enjoy the country.
- Colombia has a bad reputation in terms of security, but as in any foreign country, you need to stay vigilant.
Our best advices to travelers
How to get there ?
Obviously, Colombia is accessed by plane.
To access the kite spots, you must reach the nearest cities which are:
- Cartagena or Barranquilla to go to the Santa Veronica spot
- Riohacha to go to the spots of the Guajira Peninsula
Reaching these cities directly by plane generally involves a stopover in Bogota, where you change to a local company, mainly Avianca.
A Paris-Bogota flight takes 10-11 hours with Air France, otherwise it’s about 15 hours with companies that have stopovers (depending on the company, stopovers may be in Madrid, Lisbon, or Zurich for example).
If the journey is too long for you, it can be nice to make a stop in Bogota, and take a few days to visit the city before heading back to the kitesurfing regions.
Formalities
- Mandatory vaccines: Yellow fever vaccine is required for travelers arriving from certain countries.
- Visa requirements: American and British nationals do not need a visa for stays up to 90 days. Extended stays may require a visa. Costs vary depending on the type of visa.
- Need for electrical adapter: Type A and B electrical outlets are used, similar to those in the US and UK.
- Official language: Spanish
- Currency: Colombian Peso
Additional tips
- It is necessary to take the time: Distances are very long in Colombia. That’s why I advise you to take your time for your stay. 2 weeks seems to be the minimum. This allows you to enjoy kiteboarding for a week, and take a few days for other activities that the country is full of.
For example, it takes nearly 20 hours by bus to travel from Bogota to Cartagena. - You must love nature and authenticity: you are embarking on a trip of nature and wilderness. There are of course cities and civilization, accommodations offer all the necessary comfort, but it’s not 5-star. You must love authenticity, be ready to travel (as the journeys are tiring), and have a thirst for discovery. If that’s the case, then you will be in heaven, it’s the kind of trip that leaves you with 1000 memories.
- Preparing your trip: Colombia is full of beautiful landscapes, things to do and see, but it’s good to have done some research beforehand so as not to miss out and not waste time foolishly. There are so many possibilities…
What are the best non kitesurfing activities ?
Outside of kitesurfing, Colombia is a vast country with a million things to do.
If you don’t have much time outside of your kite stay, the Santa Veronica region already offers many possibilities.
You can take a few days to go to Santa Marta and Tayrona National Park before heading back to Cartagena, which is a unique city that is also very pleasant to visit.
Similarly, the Guajira region is also rich in activities. Many tours offer trips to Guajira, with many viewpoints to admire.
With Coco Kite Colombia, it is also possible to mix kite and visiting Guajira thanks to its organized stays.
If you have time to wander a bit in Colombia, your possibilities are endless. Between cities and nature, there is something for everyone:
- In the legendary Medellin area, there is the entire coffee culture zone. Especially the small village of Salento and its hike in the Cocora Valley is really great.
- Medellin itself is a city to experience for its festive atmosphere, and its neighborhoods perched above which a iconic cable car passes.
- Cali is also a region to visit for those who would like to learn how to dance salsa.
- Bogota is a city worth visiting as well. There is an effervescence that gives energy. Between the colonial buildings, the ascent of Cerro de Monserrate to get a higher view of the city, and the local markets, there is no time to get bored.