The Wayro route from Santa Marta to Maicao is 154 miles (248 km), about 3 h 4 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 by road | 154 mi (248 km) |
|---|---|
| Driving time, no stops | 3 h 4 min |
| Departments on the route | Magdalena, La Guajira |
| Fuel estimate (car at 25 mpg) | about 6.2 gal; actual use varies by vehicle and traffic |
| Stops listed below | 3 |
The Santa Marta–Maicao drive in a few lines
It runs through 2 departments: Magdalena, La Guajira. Of the 3 stops listed below, 1 are within a mile of the road.
Road-by-road breakdown: Santa Marta to Maicao
| Road | Route miles (from–to) | Length, mi | Department |
|---|---|---|---|
| local roads | 0–154 | 154 | Magdalena, La Guajira |
- Mile 48 of this route: Magdalena → La Guajira (department line)
What to see on the way from Santa Marta to Maicao
- Right off the route (under 1 mile): Our Lady of Remedies Cathedral, Riohacha (mile 106)
- Nature and outdoors: Tayrona National Natural Park (mile 16)
- Museums and history: Our Lady of Remedies Cathedral, Riohacha (mile 106)
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 Santa Marta to other places in Colombia
- Santa Marta to Sabanalarga
- Santa Marta to Rincón del Mar
- Santa Marta to Sincelejo
- Santa Marta to Montería
- Santa Marta to Tunja
Frequently asked questions
How long is the drive from Santa Marta to Maicao?
About 3 h 4 min of driving without stops, over 154 miles.
How far is Maicao from Santa Marta by car?
About 154 miles (248 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 Santa Marta 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.
What are good stops between Santa Marta and Maicao?
Closest to the road: Piedra de Donama (rock formation, mile 12, 3 mi from the route); Tayrona National Natural Park (national park, mile 16, 2 mi from the route); Our Lady of Remedies Cathedral, Riohacha (cathedral, mile 106, 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.