Tayrona National Park is one of those places that will simply take your breath away. You’re just standing there, looking at the beauty and believing your eyes that you’re really here. Tayrona National Park is located in the north of Colombia on the Caribbean coast and it has everything – beaches, rainforest, wild nature and you can see the highest mountains of Colombia. How to get here, where to stay and what places to visit in Tayrona?
Why visit Tayrona
If you’ve ever dreamed of a place where a mysterious jungle is mixed with the Caribbean, Tayrona National Park is the real deal. Whether you want to experience an adrenaline adventure or just enjoy the silence and peace of nature, everyone will find something for themselves here.
Tayrona National Park – History and Native Residents
There is a story behind every corner of Tayrona. Tayrona National Park is home to the former Tairon civilization, which lived here until the arrival of the Spanish conquistadors. It was a highly developed culture that had a strong peasant and business tradition. Many of their settlements were located in the area that today forms the park.
Colombian Machu Picchu
The most interesting part is the archaeological site of Ciudad Perdida, which is the lost city of the Tairons, which was built on the slopes of the Sierra Nevada mountains. Walking through the remnants of these ancient settlements, you feel like you’ve gone back in time. The stone terraces, paths and ruins of the temples tell stories about the lives of the people who inhabited the area more than a thousand years ago. It’s like a small Colombian Machu Picchu.
Tayrona National Park Fauna and Flora
Tayrona National Park is truly a tropical paradise where mountains, jungles and the Caribbean meet. In the heart of the park you will find a dense jungle full of exotic plants and animals – monkeys, toucans, parrots, jaguars, And many others, including snakes and spiders – for which there are medical stations nearby.
Tip: 15 most beautiful places in Colombia a must see
How to Get to Tayrona National Park
Getting to Tayrona is pretty cool. The best option is to take a bus from the nearby town of Santa Marta, by taxi, boat or car (but it will be much more expensive). The entrances and access points to get to the park include El Zaino (main entrance with asphalt road, from where you can easily reach the beaches) and Calabazo.
- Buses: Green buses run regularly on the Santa Marta – Guachaca route. They leave Santa Marta from department store Buenavista. The journey to the main entrance of El Zaino will cost you about 7000 COP.
- Ships: A boat trip that goes to Tayron National Park can also be an experience From Taganga. The journey takes about 45 minutes and will cost you 60,000 COP. But always agree in advance with the locals (on the price, return and other conditions).
Tayrona National Park – When to go
The best time to visit is the dry season from December to March, when the weather is stable, without rains and temperatures are around 28-30°C. On the contrary, from August to October there is a rainy season when the trails are slippery and some parts of the park may be inaccessible.
We were here in August and the temperatures were milder than expected. During the day it was rather cloudy, but sometimes the sun came out, but sometimes we also got really wet and some routes were very muddy.
ATTENTION: Although most of the park is accessible throughout the year, during February and mid-June and October the park is closed for nature conservation or maintenance. Data changes every year, so it pays to check your current information online.
TIP: Are you also going to visit Cartagena? We will advise you The best places around and in the city.
Tayrona National Park and entrance fee
The entrance to the park is around 53,000 COP for foreigners, depending on the season (Prices may vary). We recommend arriving early in the morning, ideally immediately after opening the ticket offices, when there are usually smaller queues, or if you have accommodation indoors, then in the afternoon (it is not always possible to plan a timing in Colombia).
Tickets are only sold in limited quantities, namely 1,850 per day, And this means that it is better to secure tickets as soon as possible (in the season). If you plan to stay in the park overnight, the ticket should be valid until you leave the park, but they may have asked us for a more expensive entrance fee based on the number of days we were in the park.
Attention: the entrance to the park closes at 4 in the afternoon and most of the accommodation is still a short walk away. Therefore, we recommend using the jeep from the main gate Or horses (a popular attraction) to arrive at the accommodation in the light (it gets dark around 6:30 p.m.), because many trails are in the jungle, which is not exactly ideal in the dark.
You can find Tayrona’s official website and information about tickets and opening hours Here.
where to stay in tayron
The best thing about the whole trip to Tayrona was Accommodation inside the park. There are a lot of options here, thanks to which you can have an absolutely unforgettable experience and sleep in the jungle. I don’t know if you sleep, the jungle is quite noisy, but for me it was the best balm for the soul. Where to stay in Tayron NP?
- Camping and eco chats: For true adventurers, the most popular accommodation option is in the form of camping directly in the park (we didn’t use that with regard to the rain). One of the most popular campsites is right on the beach of Cabo San Juan. You can sleep in cabins, tents or just in a hammock.
- Luxury accommodation: If you don’t want to camp or go here out of season, there are hotels and various environmental resorts in the area of the entrance to El Zaino Park.
- Family Hostels: If you’re looking for authentic Colombian hospitality, head to your local family hostels. We took advantage of that and it was probably our best accommodation in life. We slept in a small shed and in the middle of the property was a kitchen and an outdoor bathroom.
To give you an idea of the tent, it will cost you 18,000 COP and a hammock for 20,000 COP. We recommend packing supplies as food and drink prices in the park are more expensive (There are also shops before entering the park where you can buy something extra).
The best accommodation in a national park
When we searched Tayrona National Park Accommodation We wanted to live right inside so that we could enjoy nature as much as possible. We can therefore recommend the following places:
Tip: Although most of the travelers flee Bogota after landing, we discovered a lot of amazing places in the area with local friends. What to see in and around Bogotá?
What to do in Tayron NP and the best trips around
Tayrona National Park is one of the most popular parks in all of Colombia. It offers not only breathtaking beaches, but also adventures in the jungle, wildlife observation and the possibility of camping in a wonderful environment. If you are going to this area, I recommend staying here for a few days and thoroughly enjoying not only the beach but also everything else. What can you visit inside the park?
Day trip and walk through the park from the main entrance of El Zaino
From the main entrance of El Zaino, an asphalt road leads to the beaches and the starting point to other places from where the trails lead. Jeeps and shuttle buses run on this route if you want to shorten your journey. Otherwise The road to the sea is about 4 km long. From here you will have a comfortable four-kilometer road to Cañaveral. Although not very interesting, it provides a pleasant walk through the shade under the dense vegetation and is the perfect start for your hike.
Worth noting Turn to Castilettes Beach, where you can rest in peace. But beware, this beach has dangerous currents. From there you can continue through the other two beaches to Arrecifes, La Piscina and Playa Cabo San Juan de Guía.
The most popular place in the whole park – Cabo San Juan del Guía Beach
This beach is considered one of the most beautiful not only in Colombia, but also in the world. You will see here Beautiful white sand, giant boulders, palm-covered peninsula and beautiful azure sea. In addition, it is a place that connects two beaches into one with a small viewpoint, which is an icon for this place. In addition, there is a river from the forest, in which there may also be crocodiles.
In Cabo San Juan are campsites I Cottages, where many travelers and locals go (our friend spent a few months here). Cabo San Juan is accessible via the footpath from Cañaveral or Calabazo. You can also get here by boat from Taganga, but I definitely recommend having the whole experience on foot.
Trek to Cabo San Juan Beach from Calabazo
If you want a bigger adventure and prefer to avoid the crowds, choose a trek from the village of Calabazo. This entrance is less frequented, which some may appreciate. After a few hundred meters you enter the jungle. The route has an elevation gain of 450 m, is more than 8 km long and takes around three hours.
Tayrona National Park Heart – Playa Arrecifes
Arrecifes Beach is located in the heart of Tayrona National Park and is known for its enormous waves. But there are strong currents here, that’s why it’s not at all for swimming. But it has beautiful light sand and plants all around. It is located about 3 km from Cañaveral and is accessible on foot from the main route.
Tip: In Colombia, you can discover not only nature, but also cities such as Medellín, which until recently was one of the most dangerous places on earth. Today it is full of tourists and Pablo Escobar’s legacy. What to see in Medellin?
Playa Arenilla Hidden Beach
This small, hidden beach is an ideal place for those who want to be alone and enjoy the peace in the heart of the tropical jungle. You can get here on the way from Cañaveral towards Cabo San Juan. This beach is not very well known, so here you might be completely alone like us (that’s one of my most beautiful experiences in my life).
Caribbean Paradise Playa La Piscina
Playa La Piscina is a Caribbean paradise, known for its calm water ideal for snorkeling. The beach is surrounded by huge boulders and palm trees and creates a natural pool where you can swim in peace. La Piscina is located less than 30 minutes walk from Cabo San Juan to go on the trail around the coast. It is great for relaxing on the way to the more distant Cabo San Juan.
Trek to the Lost City of Ciudad Perdida
One of the biggest attractions of Colombia is the trek to Ciudad Perdida, also known as the ‘Lost City’, which is the archaeological treasure of Tayrona. There you will find the ancient ruins of an ancient city, which is also Colombia’s Machu Picchu. This lost 9th century Native American metropolis It lies in the heart of the jungle and it is all the more magical that there is no easy path leading here.
You can get here after a several-day hike through the jungle, which starts in the village of Mamey. The expeditions lead through the mountains and the jungle and can last up to 3 to 6 days. You need equipment and a guide for this And you can only go there in the season (otherwise the river levels are high and cannot be crossed). A trek to Ciudad Perdida will cost you around 6 thousand. CZK per person.
Unfortunately, we had to skip this trek to Ciudad Perdida, because the rainy season was starting and we learned from other travelers that they had to ford rivers with their backpacks overhead and water up to their necks, which may not be very safe. So hopefully it will work out for us next time.
Bay of Bahía Cinto
Another place you can see if you have some extra time is Bahía Cinto Bay. There is peace here and, like everywhere, beautiful nature all around. You can get here by boat from nearby beaches like Cabo San Juan.
Seven Waves Beach
Other wonderful beaches in Tayrona are definitely Seven Waves Beach, which is named after how many waves go to shore in turn. There are strong currents here though, so it’s Bathing is prohibited. Seven Waves Beach is located near the access road from Cañaveral towards Cabo San Juan.
Neguanje’s hidden beach
This beach is hidden deep in Tayrona National Park. It is surrounded by forest, palm trees and you can enjoy wonderful views of the ocean here. Neguanje Beach is a lot popular with locals, who come here to enjoy the peace. It is accessible by walking from Cañaveral, approximately 30 minutes’ walk.
Bahía Gayraca Bay
Bahía Gayraca is one of the most beautiful bays in Tayrona. It is known for its emerald green waters and sandy beaches, where you can swim or even dive. Bahía Gayraca Bay is accessible by boat and on foot along the trails.
Bahía Chengue Bay
Bahía Chengue is one of the lesser-known but beautiful places of the park. It is quite isolated and not well-groomed, which you will especially appreciate if you go to Tayrona in high season. You can easily walk here by foot from Calabazo.
Bay of Bahía Concha
Bahía Concha is a beautiful bay with white sand and crystal clear water where you can have a good swim. Locals and tourists who love this place come here.
Beach at the end of the world – Playa Brava
If you have more time and desire for a real adventure, consider visiting Playa Brava. This deserted beach that is Hidden deep in the park and you can only get here after a few days of walking. If you decide For a multi-day trek, you can take the route El Zaino – Cabo San Juan – Pueblito – Playa Brava – Calabo. The path will take you to the jungle, where you will feel that you are at the end of the world.
Playa Brava is calm and surrounded by palm trees, and at night you can relax in bungalows on the beach, where you can order dinner and enjoy the beautiful surroundings. And if you’re in the mood for another adventure, you can go on a one-hour jungle walk to the waterfall.
Snorkeling in Tayron
If you’re a water element, don’t miss a trip to Taganga, which is one of the best snorkeling spots around Tayrona. From Taganga they will take you by boat to the beach, where you can snorkel in the clear water between corals and flocks of colorful fish. Although the beaches in the park are not very well known for snorkeling, you will definitely like Taganga.
Playa Cristal and swimming with dolphins
Tayrona National Park is also home to dolphins, which you can go to see from Playa Cristal. Dolphins like to move among corals and rocks here, So if you’re lucky, you can meet them with sea turtles. But it is not a commercially organized expedition. You can get here by boat from the village of Taganga and the rest is up to you.
Mountain hiking and treks in the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta
From Tayron National Park you can see as far as the highest mountains in all of Colombia and the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta mountain range. Local guides and travel guides will offer you all kinds of treks and trips to the mountains. The starting point for most treks is the village of Mamey.
TIP: Another adventure awaited us on the wild Sri Lanka, where are tea plantations, Breathtaking beaches And also historical monuments as sigiriya.
FAQ
How to get to Tayrona National Park?
The best way to get to Tayrona National Park is by bus from the neighbouring town of Santa Marta, where there are regular buses from the Buenavista department store. The trip to the main entrance of El Zaino will cost you about COP 7,000. Other options are to take a taxi, your own car or take a boat from Taganga.
Where to stay in Tayrona National Park?
There are plenty of accommodation options in Tayrona National Park. You can choose from lodges, more luxurious resorts or lowcost campsites and sleeping in hammocks on the beach.
What are the most beautiful beaches in Tayrona National Park?
The most popular beaches in Tayrona NP are Cabo San Juan, La Piscina and Playa Brava.
Where to buy tickets to Tayrona National Park?
Tickets for Tayrona National Park can be purchased either on site at the main entrance or online at the park’s official website. Tickets are limited in number, so in high season it’s best to buy them online in advance.
Resources
Brüggemann, J., Hernández, M., Rodríguez, E., Soler, J. and Tapper, R., 2002. Biodiversity and Tourism in the Framework of the Convention on Biological Diversity: The Case of the Tayrona National Park, Colombia. In Report of the Workshop at Cañaveral, Tayrona National Park, 25-30 November 2001. German Federal Agency for Nature Conservation.
OJEDA, D., 2011, April. Whose Paradise? Conservation, Tourism and Land Grabbing in Tayrona Natural Park, Colombia. In International Conference on Global Land Grabbing (pp. 6-8).
Wilson, B., Londono, J.C., Ferrer, J. and Popp, B., 2023. Colombia’s Tayrona National Park: Recommendations for Future Regional Development. In Handbook on Tourism and Behaviour Change (pp. 250-268). Edward Elgar Publishing.