Ocean waves crashing on rocks, the lush vegetation of a tropical beach around you, the sensation of being the discoverer of a new land. The Tayrona National Park has the atmosphere to make you feel all of these things and leave you wanting more time to enjoy them.
Tayrona Park is one of the most visited destinations in Colombia, and for many travelers, one of the main reasons to come to this country. What makes it an attractive destination in South America? Why should you visit the Tayrona Park? This guide will show you all you need to know about the Tayrona National Park. We cover up-to-date information for you to have the last details, tips and recommendations.
The Tayrona National Park is located in Colombia, in the northern part of the country (And by extension, north of South America), 21 miles (34 km) from the city of Santa Marta. Its main tourist attractions are easily accessible by ground or water transportation, or even hiking.
The Tayrona Park location is privileged because it is between the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta (the highest coastal mountainous range of the world) and the Caribbean Sea, which creates unique sceneries, turning it into a distinctive destination in South America.
The protected area of Tayrona Park covers 58 square miles (150 km2), of which 11.5 sq. miles are sea. As the park has a significant extent, it has many beaches, but just some of them are accessible and open to the public. Going overland, the three best known beaches of Tayrona Park can be accessed by three official entrances the park has. By boat, the same beaches can be visited, as well as others that are interesting too.
The terrestrial extension of the Tayrona Park ranges in heights from 0 to 2,950 feet (0 to 900 meters) above mean sea level. Nevertheless, visitors do not have to climb to the maximum height of the park, since the hiking trail to Cabo San Juan del Guía (the best-known beach of the park, and surely, the one you will visit) does not exceed 350 feet (100 meters) of elevation. On the other hand the most challenging hiking trail of the Tayrona Park does not have an elevation higher than 1,640 feet (500 meters).
Here are some of the natural characteristics you'll find along the park:
Coral reefs and seagrasses
Beaches
Rocky coastlines
Coastal lagoons
Mangroves
Sedimentary bottoms
What is now the protected area of the Tayrona Park, as well as other places in Santa Marta, have a rich history. Due to the remains of the pre-Columbian inhabitants of these lands, Tayrona Park preserves a mystic connection to that ancient culture.
The most ancient man-made artifacts found in Santa Marta, were unearthed in Neguanje, one of the bays of the Tayrona National Park near 200 AD. Evidence suggests the first inhabitants were hunters, fishermen, potters and goldsmiths, who were developing their own hierarchical system, beliefs, architecture and art style over time.
Near 900 AD, the Tayrona civilization achieved a remarkable social and artistic level, which separated them from other tribes in the region. They were known as Tayrona people, a name given to the National Natural Park many years later.
The Tayrona people developed their own stone-based architecture. They built circular platforms, retention walls and channels to drain rainwater, some of them can be seen today in the Tayrona Park, in Pueblito Chairama (closed to the public) and Taykú, another ancient settlement where a tribe of the Kogui people (natives) lives today.
Before its declaration as a National Natural Park, landowners, fishermen and others exploited the natural resources of the area freely. In August 31, 1964, the INCORA, Instituto Colombiano de la Reforma Agraria (Colombian institute for Agrarian Reform) through resolution number 191 declared it National Natural Park and delimited the protected area.
Today the Tayrona National Park is under the management of the System of National Natural Parks of Colombia.
The simple answer to this question: Absolutely! It has a special charm, it is more than a tropical beach. It is a combination of a lush jungle, the sunny sea and the energy of the tribes that have lived in this area. This destination is worth spending 2 days at least. If you are in a hurry, do a one day trip, but take into account you will miss part of the experience the Tayrona Park can offer you.
Other data that shows the popularity of the Park can be found below.
In 2021, the number of visitors was 341,104. But the year before the pandemics outbreak there were 453,312 visitors. It is the second most visited National Natural Park in Colombia.
Tayrona Park is known for its beautiful beaches, such as Bahía Concha or Playa Cristal, but it is mainly famous for the Cabo San Juan beach and its surroundings, this area is the main attraction of the park. It has trails for hiking through the rainforest, camping areas, and the most iconic beaches of the National Park.
Another of the things that makes the Tayrona Park famous are the coral reefs that let divers all around the world to enjoy immersions in the Granate area and the Isla Aguja.
Tayrona Park activities focus on ecotourism, sun and beach tourism, and cultural (ethno-tourism). Among which we highlight:
Sun and beach activities: No doubt, the beaches are the main attraction of the Tayrona Park. Tours that take you to beaches such as Bahía Concha (Concha bay) or Playa Cristal (Crystal beach) are plans where the focus is to enjoy swimming in crystal clear waters, feeling the sand under your feet and sunbathing. On the other hand, to visit the Cabo San Juan beach you will have to hike through the rainforest. By the way, hiking is another activity you can do in Tayrona Park.
Can you swim in Tayrona Park? You can swim safely in beaches such as La piscina, Arenilla or Cabo San Juan del Guía. The Arrecifes or Cañaveral beaches have strong riptides that are dangerous for swimmers. If you are doing a tour, the guide will take you to the safe beaches. In case you are visiting the Tayrona Park on your own, there are alert signs in every risky beach you could have access to.
Hiking and ecotourism activities: The Tayrona Park is connected internally by many trails that you can walk through while you enjoy the nature surrounding. In some cases, the jungle will cover the trail with huge trees. In those closer to the beach, you will hear the roar of the sea, this time, coconut trees and Caribbean landscapes. Such an experience!
Snorkeling and diving: The coral reefs, seagrasses and caves in the Tayrona Park waters are favorable to dive and see marine life. In Concha bay or Playa Cristal you can snorkel with professional equipment and trained personnel. To dive in Tayrona Park, zones such as the Isla Aguja are among the most popular for this activity.
Birdwatching, fauna and flora sighting: The Tayrona Park is a hotspot for birdwatching, as evidenced by the 430 bird species identified in this place. If you love birding, then you know you have a new spot to visit in the Caribbean. In general, fauna and flora sighting in Tayrona National Park is an activity you can do while hiking. If you want to improve the probability of seeing wildlife, hike at the less busy hours.
Nautical tours (sailboat, yacht or catamaran): From el Rodadero and the International Marina of Santa Marta depart sailboats, yachts or catamarans that tours Santa Marta bays and take you to beaches of the Tayrona Park such as Concha bay, Cinto, Playa Cristal or even further away (regarding the starting point) such as Cabo San Juan.
Cultural experiences, visit indigenous communities: Even when the well-known archeological and indigenous settlement of Pueblito - Chayrama is closed, there are alternatives such as Taykú, that let you have a cultural experience with a Kogui community that lives there. We recommend you to go with a tourist guide that knows the trails and the community, so you can have access to the village.
Visit the Chairama Archaeological Museum: This museum offers you a glimpse of the lifestyle of the ancient tribes that lived there. It has an exhibition of archaeological pieces found in ancient indigenous settlements. It is located in the Cañaveral sector of the Tayrona Park and the entrance is free.
This brief guide of the beaches of the Tayrona Park can help you to decide what could be the best option for you to include on your itinerary.
In order to choose the best beaches of the Tayrona Park we can take into consideration their popularity, accessibility and the beauty of the beach.
Access: Driving up to the parking lot of the Tayrona Park. From there, hiking for approximately 2 hours. “La piscina” (the pool) is the beach you pass before your arrival to Cabo San Juan Beach.
Services: Hotels (just a few), restaurants, camping areas, viewpoint.
Activities: Hiking, snorkeling and eco-tourism
Access: Driving up to the Neguanje beach, from this point to Playa Cristal on a motorboat.
Services: Restaurants, beach tents.
Activities: Snorkeling. You can see many fishes from out of the water, it’s like being in an aquarium.
Access: Driving to the entry. Hiking from the entry to the beach (15 minutes approx.), or taking a motorcycle service the locals offer.
Services: Beach tent, restaurants, toilets.
Activities: Snorkeling, kayaking and sea bike. For more information about the access you can check the ‘how to get to Tayrona Park’ section.
These are beaches with a more limited access, less known and visited, but with enough charm that make them worth the visit.
Playa Brava: There are two ways to get there. One by taking the trail that starts in Cañaveral. The second one is by starting at the Calabazo entry. Regardless of the way you take to arrive there, you have to be ready for a long hike. Because of the time you must spend to get there, it is better if you plan to stay at least one night in the park. Playa Brava is a dangerous beach for swimmers. What makes it special is its wild surroundings, this beach is away from the popular ones and therefore more solitary.
Cinto: This beach is only accessible by boat from Taganga or Neguanje. You can also rent a yacht or sailboat that departs from Santa Marta. If you know how to snorkel, this beach has a great spot to do it, so bring your equipment. Furthermore, bring your own food because this beach has no tourism services (The exception are a couple of vacation rental properties there).
You have two options to get from Santa Marta to Tayrona Park: land or sea transportation. By land, you have to decide which beach you want to visit, and according to that you can know which entrance you are going to use to enter the park. It is important to remark that it depends too on your level of fitness and/or adventure you want to live.
Land transportation to get to Cabo San Juan in Tayrona Park:
Getting by bus (public transportation): If you are going by land, arrive at the public market in Santa Marta, where you will have to take green and white buses that go to Palomino. It is easy to spot them, either by color or by the attendants who will be shouting “Parque Tayrona, Palomino” or by all the tourists with the same desire for adventure. The trip lasts from 50 minutes to a little over an hour to the entrance of the Tayrona Park.
Getting by car: From Santa Marta to “El Zaino” (Tayrona Park Entrance) the duration is about 45 minutes to 1 hour. After paying the entry fees, continue to the Cañaveral parking lot (15 minutes). At your arrival to the parking lot, the hike to the Arrecifes sector starts (1 hour approx.), this trail has an easy level of difficulty and you do not need a tourist guide to go through the forest. At the “Arrecifes” beach you will find some camping areas, they are basic but comfortable enough.
Sea transportation by boat to the Tayrona Park (motorboat, sailboat, yacht or catamaran): If you decide to go by boat, you could choose between transportation by motorboat or having an experience on a sailboat or yacht. To get to the park by motorboat, you must take it in Taganga. Consider when the motorboat reaches the open sea, the swells will make your trip more bumpy than expected. So, if you feel this kind of ride is not suitable for you, the best you can do is to get to the park by land.
On the other hand, if you want to have an experience onboard a bigger boat, a tour to Bahía Concha on a sailboat could be a great option. You can rent a yacht too, and arrange a tour to Tayrona beaches, such as Cinto or Playa Cristal.
Wildlife in Tayrona park is really diverse, it would be amazing if during your trip you could see animals you have never seen before. Let’s talk about some of the animals that live in this protected area so you can be ready to spot them.
Among the monkeys you could see in Tayrona Park, there are cotton-top tamarins and howler monkeys. In the trees you can also see other mammals as squirrels. Regarding wild cats, anteaters, and others, due to their hours of activity or even because they do not approach areas where there is so much human activity, it is less likely that you can spot them.
To name a few examples of the birds of the Tayrona Park that are easy to spot, there are humming birds such as the rufous-tailed and the white-necked jacobin. More common birds such as red-crowned birds, bicolored wren, parrots and macaws. Finally, exotic birds such as trogons, toucanets or the blue-billed curassow can be seen there, although they are more difficult to find.
Some insects that are delightful to see are the butterflies. The blue morpho, with its beautiful iridescent wings or the yellow butterflies that are generally found in groups.
Short FAQ about the animals of the Tayrona
Should I fear snakes? No. Generally snakes do not get close to the busy trails where there is human activity, and in the case of the Tayrona Park, they have a constant flow of visitors passing through. Anyway, the aforementioned idea does not mean you must not be aware of this risk, especially when you are hiking in isolated areas.
What about mosquitoes, sandflies and other annoying insects? As you can guess, the jungle surroundings of the Tayrona Park beaches are home of many different species of insects, many of them mosquitoes and sandflies. In general, there could be less mosquitoes or other blood sucking bugs than other destinations that are deeper in the Santa Marta jungle, even so, do all necessary to keep them far away from you.
And…what can you tell me about the alligators or crocodiles seen in Tayrona Park? The crocodile seen in Tayrona belongs to the American crocodile species. National Natural Parks of Colombia, and the common sense, recommend to stay away from these animals and do not disturb them. Fortunately, no incidents have been reported despite the imprudence of some visitors.
Information about pets: In order not to affect the wildlife of the place, pets are not allowed.
Hotel infrastructure in Tayrona Park is limited, the reason is to keep the balance with the environment. Inside the park you can stay at eco-lodges, but you can find other options, too.
The most common way to spend the night in Tayrona Park is camping in one of the areas reserved for that, or sleeping in hammocks.
You can also stay at one of the accommodations outside Tayrona Park, in that case, you have many more options to choose from. Close to the park, you can find from cheap hostels to boutique hotels.
Finding a place to eat in Tayrona Park will not be difficult, because in all lodging areas there are restaurants with a wide menu of typical dishes. Also, in the beaches where swimming is allowed there are stalls selling juices, beer, water and some of the local fried food.
You can bring your own food, snacks or beverages, but only in non-disposable containers. For lunch, don’t skimp and enjoy a typical Caribbean dish in one of the restaurants in the area. So, you will have plenty of energy to continue with the adventure.
Cabo San Juan del Guía
Playa Cristal
Bahía Concha
If you are going to Cabo San Juan or Bahía Concha, keep in mind you will have to hike. So, bring comfortable shoes for this activity, cool clothes, sun protection, insect repellent, and a bathing suit.
On the other hand, if you are going to Playa Cristal, or you are going to arrive by boat to any other beach in Tayrona, since you will not have to hike, you can go with flip-flops or sandals, suitable clothes to go to the beach, sun protection, and a bathing suit.
Tayrona National Park 2023 Entrance fees (In Colombian pesos, COP)
Visitor | Price low season | Price high season
Colombian or foreign resident in Colombia or CAN* member (between the age of 6 and 25) | $ 19.500 | $ 21.500
Colombian or foreign resident in Colombia or CAN* member (between the age of 26 and 64) | $ 26.000 | $ 30.500
Other foreigner | $ 57.500 | $ 68.000
Native of Santa Marta (between the age of 6 and 25) | $ 9.500 | $ 21.500
Native of Santa Marta (between the age of 26 and 64) | $ 12.500 | $ 30.500
*Member countries of the CAN: Bolivia, Ecuador and Peru.
On your trip to Tayrona Park you can entrust your itinerary to a travel agency, there are tour packages that include everything you need, so you don't have to worry about anything. You will have the attention of friendly and qualified staff to make you live the best experience. Some plans, such as this that include tours to the best beaches of Tayrona Park or this adventure plan with a tour to Cabo San Juan del Guía, are good examples.
We hope you found this Tayrona Park travel guide useful, we will be updating it frequently, so, if you are planning to travel to this destination in Santa Marta, you can come back to this guide later or share it with someone who needs this information.
Also, we are attentive to help you plan your next adventure to Tayrona National Natural Park, contact us via WhatsApp for more information, or email us to reservas@visitsantamarta.com