The municipality has a total area of 187 km² and located some 450 meters over sea level and with an average temperature of 27 °C.

[1] The municipality of La Jagua del Pilar is located in the southern area of the Guajira Peninsula limiting to the north with the municipality of Urumita; east with the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela and to the south and west with the Department of Cesar covering a total area of 152 km².

[3] The area of the present-day municipality of La Jagua del Pilar was populated by indigenous peoples pertaining to the Wayuu and Wiwas ethnic groups.

The name was later changed to La jagua del Pilar to honor Virgin Mary, Our Lady of the Pillar.

Every October 12 of each year the municipality also celebrates the Our Lady of the Pillar along the Vela del Marquezote festival.