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Maicao, Colombia

La Guajira Department · Colombia

Maicao is a large city in La Guajira Department, Colombia with a population of 166,603. Elevation: 171 ft (52 m). Average temperature: 83°F (28°C).

Data updated June 2026

166,603 Population 141/sq mi density
171 ft Elevation 52 meters
83°F Avg Temperature 28°C
27.3 in Annual Rain
America / Bogota Timezone

Discover Maicao, Colombia

Explore over 40 sections covering people, economy, housing, health, crime, climate, community, costs, trends, schools, colleges, hospitals, treatment centers, industries, museums, libraries, breweries, farmers markets, grocery stores, pharmacies, campgrounds, parks, trails, stadiums, ski resorts, daycare centers, nursing homes, churches, fire stations, cell towers, bridges, power plants, EV stations, prisons, radio stations, airports, police stations, post offices, Amtrak stations, superfund sites, UNESCO sites, and more.
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Full City Profile

About Maicao

Maicao

Maicao is a city and municipality in La Guajira Department, northern Colombia. It is located 76 km from Riohacha, the capital of the department and is the second largest urban center near the border with Venezuela after the city of Cúcuta.

People

Population166,603
Density141/mi²

Climate

Avg Temp83°F (28°C)
Rain27.3 in/yr
Sunny Days286/yr
Elevation171 ft (52 m)
Population166,603
Population Density141 / sq mi
Elevation171 ft (52 m)
Coordinates11.3784°, -72.2395°
TimezoneAmerica/Bogota
Country🇨🇴 Colombia
State / ProvinceLa Guajira Department
Average Temperature83°F (28°C)
January Average81°F (27°C)
July Average85°F (29°C)
Annual Precipitation27.3 inches (694 mm)
Annual Snowfall0.0 inches (0 cm)

About Maicao

Maicao is a large city in Colombia (La Guajira Department) with a population of 166,603. The city sits at an elevation of 171 feet (52 meters) above sea level. The average annual temperature is 83°F (28°C). Temperatures range from 81°F in January to 85°F in July. Annual precipitation averages 27.3 inches. The timezone is America/Bogota.

Climate in Maicao

Maicao has an average annual temperature of 28.7°C (84°F). The hottest month is Aug (29.7°C), the coldest is Jan (27.3°C). Average annual precipitation is 1064 mm.

Month Avg °C / °F Min / Max °C Rain (mm)
Jan 27.3°C / 81°F 21.2° / 34.7° 20.1
Feb 28°C / 82°F 21.6° / 36.5° 18.1
Mar 28.7°C / 84°F 22.5° / 36.8° 22.2
Apr 29.4°C / 85°F 23.7° / 38.1° 61.0
May 29.6°C / 85°F 24.8° / 38° 317.7
Jun 29.2°C / 85°F 24.9° / 36.7° 60.7
Jul 29.6°C / 85°F 24.7° / 37.1° 38.2
Aug 29.7°C / 85°F 25° / 37.7° 66.9
Sep 29.2°C / 85°F 24° / 36.7° 125.8
Oct 28.4°C / 83°F 23.6° / 35.4° 197.9
Nov 27.9°C / 82°F 23.4° / 34.1° 119.8
Dec 27.7°C / 82°F 22.5° / 34.1° 15.7
Maicao has a warm climate with an average annual temperature of 83°F (28°C). Winters average 81°F in January while summers reach 85°F in July / relatively mild seasonal variation. The area gets 286 sunny days per year, well above the U.S. average of 205 / making it one of the sunnier locations in the country. Annual precipitation totals 27.3 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). The city sits at an elevation of 171 feet.

Temperature

81°F Jan (27°C) 85°F Jul (29°C)
Annual Average83.0°F
54% above Colombia avg
January Average81°F (27°C)
July Average85°F (29°C)
Sunny Days286 days/yr

Geography

Elevation171 ft (52 m)
Area1,183.4 sq mi (3,065.1 km²)
Population Density141/sq mi
Coordinates11.3784°N, 72.2395°W
TimezoneAmerica/Bogota

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 27.3"
28% below Colombia avg
Snowfall 0.0"
Wettest Month (Oct) 6.06"
Driest Month (Jan) 0.28"

Air Quality

Earthquake History

50 earthquakes (M2.5+) within 150 km since 1990. Strongest: M5.3. Most recent: M4.6 on Sep 28, 2024.

Feb 6, 1990 7 km NW of Machiques, Venezuela M5.3 146 km
Feb 12, 2017 82 km NW of Manaure, Colombia M5.2 131 km
Jul 22, 2020 25 km SE of Albania, Colombia M5.1 45 km
Jan 1, 2006 108 km W of Punta Cardón, Venezuela M5.1 125 km
May 12, 2024 65 km NNW of Dibulla, Colombia M4.9 146 km
Jun 9, 2017 5 km S of Uribia, Colombia M4.9 32 km
May 9, 2015 17 km NE of Maicao, Colombia M4.7 18 km
Mar 14, 2014 20 km SE of Manaure Balcón del Cesar, Colombia M4.7 141 km
Feb 6, 2022 13 km NNE of Valledupar, Colombia M4.7 139 km
Aug 9, 2015 43 km SE of Albania, Colombia M4.7 54 km
Apr 13, 1994 19 km SSE of Dibulla, Colombia M4.6 116 km
Jul 6, 2007 9 km E of Machiques, Venezuela M4.6 150 km
May 12, 2024 62 km NNW of Dibulla, Colombia M4.6 145 km
Feb 26, 2004 36 km ESE of Barrancas, Colombia M4.6 67 km
Sep 28, 2024 60 km NNW of Dibulla, Colombia M4.6 144 km
Mar 23, 2014 17 km NNE of Valledupar, Colombia M4.6 135 km
Jun 1, 2014 27 km ESE of Manaure Balcón del Cesar, Colombia M4.6 133 km
Feb 18, 2000 54 km ENE of Santa Rita, Venezuela M4.5 143 km
Feb 24, 2014 34 km E of El Molino, Colombia M4.5 91 km
Feb 14, 2014 31 km W of Riohacha, Colombia M4.5 106 km
Source: USGS (M2.5+, 1990-2025)

Hurricane History

3 hurricanes (Cat 1+) within 500 km since 1980. Strongest: Category 5.

Year Name Category Closest
2016 Matthew Category 5 225 km
2007 Felix Category 5 248 km
1988 Joan:miriam Category 1 197 km
Source: NOAA IBTrACS (Cat 1+, 1980-2026)

Monthly Weather

Month Avg Temperature Precipitation Summary
January 81°F (27°C) 0.3 in Coldest, Driest
February 82°F (28°C) 0.4 in
March 82°F (28°C) 0.3 in
April 83°F (28°C) 1.7 in
May 84°F (29°C) 3.3 in
June 84°F (29°C) 2.4 in
July 85°F (29°C) 1.1 in
August 85°F (30°C) 2.4 in Warmest
September 84°F (29°C) 4.1 in
October 83°F (28°C) 6.1 in Wettest
November 82°F (28°C) 4.0 in
December 81°F (27°C) 1.3 in

Maicao has a seasonal temperature swing of 4°F / from 81°F in January to 85°F in August. Total annual precipitation is 27.3 inches, with October being the wettest month (6.1") and January the driest (0.3").

View full weather details →

Colleges & Universities in Maicao

Institution Type Founded Website
Unguajira Sede Maicao University - ,

Schools in Maicao

172+ public schools (NCES 2022-23 data).

School Level Enrollment Teachers Student/Teacher
Escuela José Domingo Boscán - - - -
Colegio Rodolfo Morales - - - -
Colegio Montes de Oca - - - -
Instituto pedagógico de Maicao - - - -
Tecnológico San José - - - -
CDI sembrado huellas de amor - - - -
Loma Fresca - - - -
Institucion educativa numero 8 sede principal perpetuo socorro - - - -
Sede principal el carmen - - - -
Institucion educativa numero 8 sede lorenzo gumercindo albornoz maestre - - - -
Sede pilar antonia ojeda - - - -
Institucion educative numero 8 sede los laureles - - - -
Institucion educativa numero 1 maria colombia menases - - - -
Institucion educativa numero 1 norberto iguaran weeber - - - -
Institucion educativa numero 6 sede jorge arrieta - - - -
Institucion educativa numero 6 liceo amelia martinez de lopez - - - -
Colegio la inmaculada sede principal - - - -
Colegio sede san martin - - - -
Sede principal santa catalina - - - -
Colegio leida garrido de guerrero - - - -
Instituto educativo numero 5 sede janethmarulanda nieves - - - -
Escuela sede juan 23 - - - -
Escela sede mariujenia - - - -
Escuela sede san jose - - - -
Institucion educativa numero 6 sede antonio nariño - - - -
Institucion educativa numero 9 sede villa ines - - - -
Institucion educativa numero 4 sede jorge magdaniel rosado - - - -
Institucion educativa numero 9 sede gabriel garcia marquez - - - -
Institucion Educativa Nº 10 Sede José Domingo Boscán - - - -
Institucion educativa numero 9 sede manuel rosado iguaran - - - -
Instituto educativo numero siete madre laura - - - -
Instituto educativo numero 13 sede camilo torrez - - - -
Instituto educativo numero 15 sede loma frsca - - - -
Institucion educativa numero 13 sede erika beatriz - - - -
Institucion educativa numero 4 sede san jose - - - -
Institucion educativa numero 4 sede mareygua - - - -
Institucion educativa numero 15sede nueva majupay - - - -
Institucion educativa numero 12 sede san francisci de asis - - - -
Institucion educativa numero 14 sede san francisco de asis - - - -
Institucion educativa numero 11 sede el carmen - - - -
Institucion educativa número 8 sede Jorge Eliecer Gaitán - - - -
Institucion educativa numero 9 sede 20 de julio - - - -
SEDE LA CONCEPCIÓN - - - -
Institución Pilar Antonia Ojeda - - - -
Institucion Educativa Indigena #2 - - - -
Escuela San Martín - - - -
Colegio Cristiano Rua Ha Codesh - - - -
Institucion Educativa System Center Educacion Formal Para Jovene - - - -
Otra sigla Casa De Actividades Ludicas Y Pedagogicas Ger - - - -
Centro Educativo Hernando Urrea Acosta - - - -
Centro Educativo Cent Para El Desarollo Del Potencial - - - -
Colegio Cristiano Asamblea De Dios - - - -
Institucion Pentecostal 2 Nva Jerusalem - - - -
Corporacion Regional De Form Profesional - - - -
Institucion La Alegria De Ensenar - - - -
Otra sigla Inst Colombia Mia - - - -
Escuela Urb Mix Comunal Mareygua - - - -
Otra sigla Col Colombo Arabe Dar El Arkam - - - -
Liceo Moderno Madre Laura - - - -
Escuela Mix Los Comuneros - - - -
Liceo Cial Del Caribe - - - -
Colegio El Jardan - - - -
Colegio Sta Teresa De Jesus - - - -
Colegio El Divino Niño - - - -
Escuela El Carmen - - - -
Institucion Integral Del Saber - - - -
Colegio Cristiano Fucaemm - - - -
Institucion Tecnico Empresarial De La Costa Intedca - - - -
Otra sigla Mundo Magico Miss Rosita - - - -
Corporacion La Guajira - - - -
Jardin Infantil Arte Kids - - - -
Centro Educativo Centro De Estudios Técnicos Y Tecnológicos Del Caribe Cetecar S - - - -
Colegio Magna Vitae Grandes Vidas - - - -
Centro Educativo Centro Infantil Mundo Del Saber - - - -
Corporacion Caribe Cedelca - - - -
Sede Kolerramana - - - -
Sede Jer Jet - - - -
Sede Warramaralein - - - -
Sede Shalimana - - - -
Sede Marrajamana - - - -
Sede Panterramana - - - -
Otra sigla Choncama>ana - - - -
Sede Waletpa - - - -
Otra sigla La Voluntad De Dios - - - -
Sede San Nicolas - - - -
Sede Paraguachon 2 - - - -
Sede Jaipachon - - - -
Otra sigla Mulama>ana - - - -
Otra sigla Jashitchon - - - -
Otra sigla Maimajasay - - - -
Sede Anutpaluu - - - -
Sede Kanaan - - - -
Otra sigla Musama>ana - - - -
Sede Koulipa - - - -
Otra sigla Ekima>ana - - - -
Sede Guanapaimana - - - -
Escuela Rural Mixta Jirrumana - - - -
Escuela Rural Mixta Isabelita Tejada - - - -
Escuela Rural Mixta Amailijuuna - - - -
Sede Puliikuma Ana - - - -
Escuela Rural Mixta Pueblito Wayuu - - - -
Escuela Rural Mixta Santa Fe - - - -
Escuela Aranaipa - - - -
Sede Bello Monte - - - -
Sede La Playa - - - -
Sede Irruain - - - -
Escuela Rural Mixta Saboriapo - - - -
Escuela Shiriwara - - - -
Escuela Rural Mixta Wayuumana - - - -
Escuela Indig Naranjito N. 2 - - - -
Escuela Naranjito 1 - - - -
Escuela Rur Indig De Kalichon - - - -
Escuela Rural Mixta Yourunachon - - - -
Escuela Rural Mixta Cantawamana - - - -
Escuela Rur Mix Concepcion Epinayu - - - -
Escuela Rural Mixta Juyapamana - - - -
Escuela Rur De Jurralen - - - -
Sede Juan De Dios - - - -
Escuela Rur Indig De Jepein - - - -
Escuela Rur De Botonchon - - - -
Escuela Rural Mixta Piyushipana - - - -
Escuela Rural Mixta La Cruz - - - -
Escuela Rural Mixta Waitapa - - - -
Escuela Rur Mix Washintong - - - -
Escuela Rur Warrarratchon - - - -
Sede Pipumana - - - -
Institucion Educativa Manuel Rosado Iguaran - - - -
Escuela Rur Mix Jotomana - - - -
Escuela Rural Mixta Mashou - - - -
Escuela Urb Mix Camilo Torres - - - -
Sede Jareshapain - - - -
Sede Yawasiru - - - -
Escuela Rural Mixta La Paz - - - -
Escuela Mix Rur Ocochi - - - -
Escuela Nva El Paraiso - - - -
Escuela Rural Mixta Taraurumana - - - -
Escuela Indig De Prom Social Madre Laura - - - -
Sede Principal Ovidio Gomez Fernandez - - - -
Institucion Educativa Indigena 13 Atnama Ana - - - -
Escuela Rur Mix Paraguachon - - - -
Escuela Rur Mix De Casieche - - - -
Institucion Educativa Indigena N° 4 - - - -
Escuela Indid Rur Limoncito - - - -
Escuela Rural Mixta De Parrantial - - - -
Escuela Rural Mixta De Carraipia - - - -
Escuela Rural Mixta La Campana - - - -
Escuela Rur Mix Sn Felipe - - - -
Escuela Rur Mix Maicaito - - - -
Liceo Moderno Amelia Martinez De Lopez - - - -
Escuela San Fco De Asis - - - -
Escuela Mix Los Laureles - - - -
Escuela Urb Mix San Jose - - - -
Escuela Urb Mix 20 De Julio - - - -
Escuela Urb Mix Erika Beatriz - - - -
Escuela Maria Colombia Menases - - - -
Colegio Norberto Iguaran Weeber - - - -
Escuela Urb Jorge Magdaniel Rosado - - - -
Escuela Gabriel Garcia Marquez - - - -
Escuela Nva Majupay - - - -
Escuela Mix Jorge Arrieta - - - -
Escuela Urb Mix Jorge Eliecer Gaitan - - - -
Escuela Urb Mix Perpetuo Socorro - - - -
Escuela Urb Mix Com El Carmen - - - -
Escuela Juan Xxiii - - - -
Escuela Urb Mix Leyda Carrido De Guerrero - - - -
Escuela Urb Mix Sindelima - - - -
Colegio Dptal De Bto San Jose - - - -
Colegio De Bto Sta Catalina De Siena - - - -
Escuela Urb Mix Ma Eugenia - - - -
Sede Principal Elfa Elina Viecco De Cuello - - - -
Escuela Urb Mix Antonio Narino - - - -
Escuela Lorenzo Gumercindo Albornos Maestre - - - -
View full schools details →

Radio Stations near Maicao

2 stations within ~55 km.

Station Genre Quality
Cardenal Stereo 94.7 FM musica, vallenato MP3 96 kbps
FRONTERA STEREO 89.1 FM entretenimiento, music AAC

Farmers Markets in Maicao

NameAddressSeasonHoursOrganicWebsite
Mercado neuvo
Mercado Público

Hotels in Maicao

7 hotels within city radius - OpenStreetMap data

Buenanueva
Hotel La Frontera
Hotel Las Dunas
Hotel Maicao Internacional
Hotel Villanueva
Maicao Internacional
Reina

Restaurants in Maicao

4 restaurants within city radius - OpenStreetMap data

Cheap fried chicken
Comidas Rápidas Sarita
El lriental
Restaurante La Sabrosa

Cafes in Maicao

3 cafes within city radius - OpenStreetMap data

Moe's Bar
Rancho de Andrés
Tia Martha

Theme Parks in Maicao

1 theme parks within city radius - OpenStreetMap data

Parque Identidad de Maicao

Clinics in Maicao

1 clinics within city radius - OpenStreetMap data

Clinica Maicao

Bus Stations in Maicao

5 bus stations within city radius - OpenStreetMap data

Autobus para Maicao
Cars-Taxi to Uribia & Manaure
Colectivo para El Valle
Riohacha Car
Terminal de Transportes Centrama

Gas Stations in Maicao

9 gas stations within city radius - OpenStreetMap data

canistra
Cariwa
Cariwa
CO #10774275304
E.D.S Cariwa
E.D.S Cariwa
E.D.S La Milagrosa
E.D.S Las Velas
Estación De Gasolina - El Papa

Banks in Maicao

1 banks within city radius - OpenStreetMap data

Banco W

Airports Near Maicao

8 airports within the area.

AirportIATAType
Almirante Padilla AirportRCHMedium Airport
Jorge Isaac AirportMCJMedium Airport
Buenavista Airport-Small Airport
Cerrejón Central Airport-Small Airport
Cotoprix Airport-Small Airport
Maicao Airport-Small Airport
Manaure Airport-Small Airport
Ríohacha Highway Strip-Small Airport

Post Offices in Maicao

1 post offices.

Post OfficeAddress
Servientrega - Efecty

Churches & Religious Organizations in Maicao

4 religious organizations (IRS tax-exempt data).

NameAddress
iglesia divino niño
Iglesia Nuestra Señora del Carmen
Iglesia San José
Mezquita de Omar Ibn Al-Jattab

Quick Facts

Timezone
America/Bogota
Elevation
49 m (161 ft)

Around Maicao

Places within 5 km radius - OpenStreetMap data

Schools 138
Hospitals 3
Pharmacies 1
Restaurants 7
Cafes 5
Supermarkets 1
Banks 1
Hotels 8
Parks 32
Places of Worship 5

Things to See Near Maicao

1 places within 15 km

🎢 Theme Parks (1)
  • • Parque Identidad de Maicao

🇨🇴 About Colombia

Capital Bogota
Population 49,648,685
Area 1,138,910 km²
GDP (USD) $366,291,836,138
GDP per capita $7,001
HDI 0.758
Life expectancy 77.7 years
Internet users 77.3%
Urban population 78.3%
Currency COP (Peso)
Languages Spanish
Calling code +57
TLD .co
Driving side right

Public Holidays in Colombia

18 public holidays this year

Date Holiday Local Name
Jan 1 New Year's Day Año Nuevo
Jan 12 Epiphany Día de los Reyes Magos
Mar 23 Saint Joseph's Day Día de San José
Apr 2 Maundy Thursday Jueves Santo
Apr 3 Good Friday Viernes Santo
May 1 Labour Day Primero de Mayo
May 18 Ascension Day Ascensión del señor
Jun 8 Corpus Christi Corpus Christi
Jun 15 Sacred Heart Sagrado Corazón
Jun 29 Saint Peter and Saint Paul San Pedro y San Pablo
Jul 20 Declaration of Independence Declaracion de la Independencia de Colombia
Aug 7 Battle of Boyacá Batalla de Boyacá
Aug 17 Assumption of Mary La Asunción
Oct 12 Columbus Day Día de la Raza
Nov 2 All Saints’ Day Dia de los Santos
Nov 16 Independence of Cartagena Independencia de Cartagena
Dec 8 Immaculate Conception La Inmaculada Concepción
Dec 25 Christmas Day Navidad

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Frequently Asked Questions About Maicao

What is the population of Maicao?

Maicao has a population of 166,603 residents and is located in Colombia. The population density is 141 people per square mile, spread across 1,183.4 square miles.

What is the weather like in Maicao?

Maicao has a warm climate with an average annual temperature of 83°F (28°C). Winter temperatures average 81°F in January, while summers reach an average of 85°F in July. The area receives 286 sunny days per year, well above the national average of 205. Annual rainfall totals 27.3 inches.

Nearby Cities

Uribia 7,519 pop · 23.3 mi Albania 26,940 pop · 28.2 mi Manaure 9,703 pop · 30.7 mi San Rafael 55,810 pop · 44.9 mi Riohacha 188,014 pop · 46.7 mi Barrancas 38,232 pop · 47.6 mi Fonseca 32,220 pop · 53.5 mi Distracción 11,934 pop · 55.0 mi Santa Cruz de Mara 69,781 pop · 55.2 mi La Concepción 120,478 pop · 59.1 mi Maracaibo 1,752,602 pop · 66.4 mi San Juan del Cesar 40,069 pop · 66.7 mi Los Puertos de Altagracia 101,527 pop · 66.9 mi El Molino 5,265 pop · 68.3 mi
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