Pilón de Azúcar & Playa del Pilón
Pilón de Azúcar (Jepirra)
A sacred mountain of the Wayuu people. From the summit you can see golden dunes, orange beaches and the emerald Caribbean meeting in one view. Sunset here is spectacular.
Pilón de Azúcar, the "Sugarloaf," is the landmark of Cabo de la Vela. The Wayuu call it Jepirra, and tradition holds that it is the passage through which the spirits of the dead travel to the afterlife. There is a statue of the Virgin Mary at the top. The climb from the base along a gravel path takes about 15 minutes, and from the summit you get a 360-degree view of the bay and the desert. Pilón Beach at the foot of the mountain has orange-red sand and rougher waves. Swimming is possible but be careful. Motorbike taxis or 4WD vehicles from the village make the round trip in about 20 minutes. It is often combined with the lighthouse and Ojo de Agua beach in a half-day tour. A small entry fee is paid to the Wayuu community.
Opening hours
All day
Nearby sights
- Cabo de la Vela Village & Kitesurf Bay
- Ojo de Agua Beach
- El Faro (Cabo de la Vela Lighthouse)
- Bahía Portete
- Bahía Hondita
- Punta Gallinas
- Uribia
- Taroa Dunes