Visit Tayrona National Park: Tips and Experience Guide

Are you planning your trip to Colombia and looking to include one of the country’s top destinations in your itinerary? If so, keep reading! In this article, I’ll share essential tips for visiting Tayrona National Park independently, along with recommendations to make the most of your experience in this Colombian treasure.

A glimpse of Tayrona National Park

Tayrona National Park is a true gem located on Colombia's Caribbean coast. With its stunning white sandy beaches, lush jungles, and the majestic Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta in the background, this place will undoubtedly leave you in awe.

Its unique geography, ranging from sea level to nearly 1,000 meters in elevation, not only creates breathtaking landscapes but also hosts a remarkable biodiversity. This makes it one of the most significant ecological reserves in Colombia and throughout the continent. Get ready to immerse yourself in the beauty and magic of nature. Are you prepared?

How to get to Tayrona?

Visiting Tayrona Park independently is not only possible but also quite easy, making it my recommended option. However, I’ll also cover how to do it via tours later on. Depending on your choice, you may need to hike more or less, so it’s best to pack lightly with only the essentials for your trip (I’ll let you know what to bring).

The Park has four entrances: Bahía Concha, Palangana, Calabazo, and El Zaino. The latter is the most recommended as it is the closest and most accessible to the park's best beaches. The most common starting point for reaching the national park is Santa Marta, located in the northern part of the country. It has an airport, so if you are in a remote area of Colombia, you can always take a domestic flight. Here are your options for getting there:

› Getting to Tayrona by public transport

If you want to take a bus, simply head to the market and wait for the bus heading to Palomino; it’s straightforward. The bus drops you off at the park entrances along the main road, like El Zaino, which I chose. The trip costs around 7,000 COP and takes about an hour.

Once you arrive at the entrance, you’ll need to purchase your ticket and head into the jungle. Specifically, from El Zaino, the official path to Tayrona begins about 5 km further on. Fortunately, there are vans that can take you for 5,000 COP to the Cañaveral parking lot. I highly recommend hopping on to save your energy for the rest of the day.

The walk from where the van drops you off to Cabo San Juan, the park's most famous beach, takes about two and a half hours (depending on your pace).

› How to get to Tayrona by boat

If you prefer a more comfortable option, you can also take a boat from Taganga Beach, a lovely little village just 5 km from downtown Santa Marta.

In this case, the round-trip cost ranges from 75,000 to 100,000 COP per person, and the boat drops you off at Cabo San Juan. This journey takes about 50 minutes, and if you are sensitive to sea motion, I suggest taking a motion sickness pill beforehand.

From Taganga, you can also reach other beaches such as Playa Chengue and Playa Cristal by boat.

› Getting to Tayrona by your own vehicle

It's possible but comes with certain limitations. The access road from the Palangana entrance is in poor condition, and while it reaches Playa de Neguanje, it’s recommended to use a high vehicle (preferably a 4×4). If you use the El Zaino entrance, you can only access the Cañaveral parking lot, from where you’ll need to walk to nearby Playa Cañaveral or further to Playa Arrecifes and beyond.

In this case, in addition to the entrance fee per person, you’ll also need to pay 24,500 COP for the vehicle.

› Tayrona tours

For those who don’t have much time to explore Tayrona, it might be worth checking out a tour that picks you up from your accommodation, takes you to the park, and brings you back afterward. I usually prefer to explore independently when possible, but I admit this option is perfect when time is limited.

From Santa Marta, for example, there is a tour that includes hotel pickup, transfers to the most popular entrance (El Zaino), specialized guides, and the entrance fee. Once inside, you’ll have free time, and they’ll suggest places to eat before taking you back at a set time.

There’s also a more special excursion that covers the Neguanje sector and reaches Playa Cristal, which requires a quick boat ride of about 10 minutes, perfect for snorkeling. You can reserve it here.

If you’re interested in this option, check out this day trip that departs from Cartagena, which includes transfers (early in the morning), a guide, meals, a boat ride, etc. They offer two options: one involves trekking the last part to reach Cabo San Juan de Guía, while the other focuses on the Neguanje and Playa Cristal sector, requiring a bus and a boat ride.

How much does it cost to enter Tayrona Park?

Ticket prices vary depending on the season and nationality. For foreign tourists not residing in Colombia, the entrance fee is 68,000 COP during high season and 57,500 COP during low season. However, I recommend checking the prices on their official website before you go.

Important: In addition to the entrance fee, you must purchase mandatory medical insurance costing 5,000 COP per day. Don’t worry; you take care of this at the same ticket counter where you buy your entrance ticket.

What to see in Tayrona Park?

Throughout Tayrona National Park, you will encounter unforgettable beaches and landscapes. Here are the must-visit beaches:

• Playa Cañaveral
• Arrecifes
• La Piscina
• Cabo San Juan de Guía, the most famous and typical postcard view
• Playa Nudista (Boca del Saco), right behind Cabo San Juan
• Ensenada de Cinto
• Playa de Neguanje and Playa Cristal

Of course, it’s an ideal spot for hiking, with short trails leading through the jungle to the beaches (the hike from El Zaino to Cabo San Juan is stunning and full of surprises). Additionally, there are multi-day hikes, such as the one leading to Ciudad Perdida, which features ruins of ancient civilizations and requires some planning. Lastly, enjoy water activities like snorkeling or kayak rentals.

Remember to follow park guidelines, avoid venturing into unmarked areas, and pay attention to currents and tides.

› How many days do you need to experience Tayrona?

My advice is that since you’ve gone through the effort to arrive, enjoy the park for at least two or three days (one or two nights). This way, you can explore more areas and beaches without being rushed by the clock. Trust me; you won’t regret spending more time here.

› Can you spend the night in the park?

Yes, and in fact, it’s the best way to experience it! There are various types of accommodations, from comfortable hotels to charming eco-cabins and small hostels. However, the most common option is staying in one of the campsites scattered throughout the reserve, but be careful; free camping is not allowed. We’ll indicate the camping areas on the map at the end of the article.

The most popular and recommended is the camping at Cabo San Juan, where you can sleep in a private or shared cabin. If you’re feeling adventurous and want something different, you can also camp in a tent or even sleep in a hammock. If you reserve a tent (or a cabin), you'll have a mattress and sheets. However, if you book a hammock, you won't get anything, so it’s good to bring a pareo for warmth.

Prices vary based on the type of accommodation you choose, but to give you an idea, a night in a tent costs about 50,000 COP per person.

→ Here you can see the campsites in Tayrona and make reservations.

If you prefer something more comfortable, here are some recommended accommodations in Tayrona:

• Ecohabs Tequendama Playa Cañaveral ⭐
• Ecolodge Playa Brava Teyumakke
• Wachakyta Ecolodge
• Cinto Paradise

You can actually sleep in any of the three sectors, but I recommend staying in Arrecifes (where I stayed, 40 minutes from Cabo San Juan) or directly in Cabo San Juan. This way, you’ll be closer to the beautiful beaches and won’t have to navigate back to the camping site through the jungle at night (trust me, it can be spooky, and if you get lost, you're in trouble).

If you know ahead of time how many nights you’ll spend in Tayrona, it’s highly recommended to book as early as possible, or you risk not getting a spot.

Consider getting IATI travel insurance with a 5% discount here, no matter your destination.

› Is it worth going if you don’t stay overnight?

Absolutely! Even if you only have one day to visit Tayrona, it’s definitely worth it. You’ll be able to explore the main beaches and enjoy the magic of the surroundings for a few hours. Just ensure you arrive early to make the most of your time.

To better organize your single day in Tayrona, keep in mind the opening and closing times from the various entrances:

As a tip: to maximize your time, it’s best to enter through the El Zaino entrance and head straight to Cabo San Juan. When it’s time to leave, instead of returning the same way, take a boat from the same beach to Taganga.

› Where to eat in Tayrona

At the entrance of El Zaino, there’s a restaurant where you can eat before starting your hike, and there are also several options in Cabo San Juan and other popular beaches. Additionally, most accommodations have restaurants, so you won’t have any trouble finding food.

Prices are somewhat higher than in the city, but not excessively so (you can find meals starting from 20,000 to 25,000 COP).

› What to take to Tayrona Park?

If you plan to stay overnight, don’t forget to bring the following:

• Sun cream. I’m sure you know this, but it's always worth reminding— the sun is intense, and once you’re in the park, you won’t be able to buy any.
• Flashlight/headlamp. At night, there’s no lighting, so simple tasks like going to the bathroom can become quite an adventure without light!
• Insect repellent. Given that you’ll be in the jungle, it’s likely that mosquitoes will be out in force (although surprisingly, I wasn’t bitten at all). I recommend bringing a good repellent. Just ensure it’s one that works well for the local mosquitoes, like “NOPIKEX,” available in various formats (spray, tablet, etc.) at Farmatodo.
• There are no supermarkets, so if you’re staying for several days, bring some snacks for when hunger strikes outside meal hours.
• Water. While you can buy it at the park entrance and around Cabo San Juan, you won’t find any along the trail. So at least bring a bottle to stay hydrated during your hike.
• Power bank or external battery. If you’re sleeping in a tent or hammock, you won’t have outlets to charge your phone.
• Comfortable footwear. The trails aren’t overly complicated (I actually made my return in flip-flops), but it’s best to be prepared just in case.
• Snorkeling gear. To explore the underwater world near the coast, and if it’s too heavy for your backpack, at least bring swimming goggles.

› What’s the best time to visit Tayrona?

The best months to visit are from December to March, as this is when there is the least rainfall and the weather is driest. While May, July, September, and October are considered rainy months, they can still be visited since the rains are usually occasional. The good thing about these months is that tourism is significantly lower.

In addition to the season, keep in mind that Tayrona Park will be closed on the following dates (updated for 2023):

• February 1-15 (Kugkui shikasa)
• June 1-15 (Saka Juso)
• October 19-November 2 (Nabbat)

Don’t forget to get a Revolut card (with a 10€ bonus) to avoid fees when paying and withdrawing money abroad.

Final tips for visiting Tayrona National Park

If all this information hasn’t been enough, here are some extra tips to ensure your experience in Tayrona National Park is unforgettable:

› Bring cash; in most places (if not all), you can only pay in cash.

› Swim only in the permitted beaches: the currents here can be dangerous.

› If you plan to stay several days, note that tickets are sold until 3 PM, so if you arrive later, you won’t be able to enter the park.

› Internet connection is quite poor (or nonexistent), but most accommodations have wifi. Just be aware that it’s pretty slow, so it’s useful for checking emails and WhatsApp, but not much else.

› If you decide to return from Cabo San Juan to Taganga by boat, keep in mind that the last ones leave around 4 PM (or a little later).

› Never skip the official entrances to save on the ticket price. This is the jungle, and getting lost is easy. Plus, there are crocodiles and many wild animals, so wandering into unknown areas could be very dangerous.

› When visiting Cabo San Juan, don’t forget to climb up to the viewpoint and enjoy the stunning views.

› Last but not least, please don’t ride horses while in the park! Many people hire them to avoid walking, but the animals are often skinny and tired. If you don’t want to walk, take a boat from Taganga instead.

Map of must-see places

Below is a map featuring the locations you must not miss when visiting Tayrona National Park:

I hope this comprehensive guide to traveling to Tayrona National Park proves useful, and all the tips help you have an incredible experience in one of Colombia’s best destinations. If you have any questions about Tayrona, feel free to leave them below!

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