The Wayro route from Cartagena to Maicao is 295 miles (474 km), about 5 h 57 min of driving without stops.
- Level 4: Do Not Travel in Colombia: Within 10 km (6 miles) of the Colombia-Venezuela border.
This route passes through or near an area the State Department rates Do Not Travel. Read the full advisory before you plan this drive: Colombia. Advisory issued: Colombia March 31, 2026; checked October 10, 2026.
On the roads, the State Department says:
- Colombia: “The Colombia-Venezuela border is not clearly marked.”
| Distance | 295 mi (474 km) |
|---|---|
| Drive time without stops | 5 h 57 min |
| Departments on the route | Bolívar, Atlántico, Magdalena, La Guajira |
| Fuel estimate (car at 25 mpg) | about 11.8 gal; actual use varies by vehicle and traffic |
| Stops listed below | 9 |
Driving Cartagena to Maicao: the shape of the trip
It runs through 4 departments: Bolívar, Atlántico, Magdalena, La Guajira. Of the 9 stops listed below, 3 are within a mile of the road.
Cartagena to Maicao: the road sequence
| Road | Route miles (from–to) | Length, mi | Department |
|---|---|---|---|
| local roads | 0–295 | 295 | Bolívar, Atlántico, Magdalena, La Guajira |
- Mile 28 of this route: Bolívar → Atlántico (department line)
- Mile 85 of this route: Atlántico → Magdalena (department line)
- Mile 189 of this route: Magdalena → La Guajira (department line)
Places worth a stop between Cartagena and Maicao
- Right off the route (under 1 mile): Salamanca Island Road Park (mile 101), Quinta de San Pedro Alejandrino (mile 142), Our Lady of Remedies Cathedral, Riohacha (mile 247)
- Nature and outdoors: Salamanca Island Road Park (mile 101), Tayrona National Natural Park (mile 157)
- Museums and history: Queen Mary Cathedral, Barranquilla (mile 83), Museo del Atlántico (mile 83), Rodadero Sea Aquarium and Museum (mile 139), Cathedral of Santa Marta (mile 142), Quinta de San Pedro Alejandrino (mile 142), Our Lady of Remedies Cathedral, Riohacha (mile 247)
- With kids: Rodadero Sea Aquarium and Museum (mile 139)
Queen Mary Cathedral, Barranquilla
Dedicated to the Virgin Mary, the Queen Mary Cathedral (Metropolitan Cathedral of Queen Mary) stands in central Barranquilla on the western side of Plaza de la Paz, the city's zero point.
Museo del Atlántico
History and culture of Colombia's Atlántico department are the focus of the Museo del Atlántico in Barranquilla, which officially opened on December 27, 2011.
Salamanca Island Road Park
On the western outskirts of Ciénaga in Magdalena, Salamanca Island Road Park is a protected area where fresh water from the Magdalena River meets the salt water of the Caribbean, supporting abundant plants and wildlife.
Rodadero Sea Aquarium and Museum
Opened in 1965 by Captain Francisco Ospina Navia, the Rodadero Sea Aquarium and Museum is a public aquarium and maritime museum in Inca Inca Cove off Rodadero beach in Santa Marta.
Cathedral of Santa Marta
Set in Santa Marta's historic center, the Cathedral of Santa Marta is a Renaissance-style Catholic church that held the remains of Simón Bolívar for 12 years in the 19th century.
Quinta de San Pedro Alejandrino
Built in 1608, the Quinta de San Pedro Alejandrino in Mamatoco, Santa Marta, is the hacienda where Simón Bolívar died on December 17, 1830.
Piedra de Donama
Piedra de Donama is a rock about 4 meters across and 3 meters high in the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta, carved with zoomorphic and abstract petroglyphs.
Tayrona National Natural Park
About 34 km from central Santa Marta, Tayrona National Natural Park protects Caribbean coast and Sierra Nevada terrain rising from sea level to 900 meters.
Our Lady of Remedies Cathedral, Riohacha
Consecrated to the Virgin of Remedies, Riohacha Cathedral is the Catholic cathedral and seat of the Diocese of Riohacha.
More drives to Maicao
From Cartagena to other places in Colombia
- Cartagena to Cúcuta
- Cartagena to Manizales
- Cartagena to Quibdó
- Cartagena to Tunja
- Cartagena to Santa Marta
- Cartagena to Palomino
Continue Your Adventure
Frequently asked questions
How long does it take to drive from Cartagena to Maicao?
About 5 h 57 min of driving without stops, over 295 miles.
What is the driving distance from Cartagena to Maicao?
About 295 miles (474 km) on the Wayro route. Other map services may show a few miles more or less, depending on where they start and end in each city.
What does the U.S. travel advisory say about the Cartagena to Maicao drive?
The U.S. State Department rates Colombia Level 3: Reconsider Travel. Parts of this route are in or near areas rated Level 4: Do Not Travel (Colombia: Within 10 km (6 miles) of the Colombia-Venezuela border). Read the full advisory before you go.
Where can you stop on the way from Cartagena to Maicao?
Closest to the road: Salamanca Island Road Park (park, mile 101, 0.4 mi from the route); Quinta de San Pedro Alejandrino (museum, mile 142, 0.5 mi from the route); Our Lady of Remedies Cathedral, Riohacha (cathedral, mile 247, 0.5 mi from the route). All stops are described above.
How we put this guide together
Wayro calculates the route from OpenStreetMap road data; mile numbers are positions along this route, not highway markers, and "from the route" distances are straight-line, so the real detour depends on access roads. Stops are chosen from parks, natural sites, museums, historic sites and attractions close to the route: at least one strong stop for each stretch of the drive, then the best-known places nearest the road, up to nine in all. Places that are closed, private or not open to visitors are removed. Place descriptions are written by the Wayro team from official park, museum, tourism and government websites and other published sources. Safety levels and entry rules were checked against the U.S. Department of State on October 10, 2026. Conditions change, so check the linked sources before you travel.
Route data © OpenStreetMap contributors.