Ciudad Perdida, or the Lost City, is one of Colombia’s most unique destinations. Nestled in the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta, it once served as a major ceremonial and political center for the Tayrona civilization. In this guide, you’ll find everything you need to plan your adventure — prices, route details, and the tour we personally recommend.
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How to get to Lost City, Colombia
To reach the Lost City of the Tayrona, you must first travel to Santa Marta, the nearest city. You can do so by land or by plane from major cities in Colombia, and its airport even receives some international flights.
From Santa Marta, the only way to access the Lost City is through a tour, as you will need entry permits managed by the region’s Indigenous communities, transfers by 4×4 vehicle, and the company of local guides.
If you’re wondering if it’s possible to visit the Lost City without a guide, the answer is no. It’s mandatory to book a tour of at least 4 days, during which you’ll hike about 31 miles. There are no day trips, as there are no roads that lead directly to the archaeological site.
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Recommended: 4-Day Trek to Colombia’s Lost City from Santa Marta
This 4-day trip to Ciudad Perdida includes 4x4 transportation from Santa Marta. We can pick you up in the historic center, El Rodadero, Taganga, or downtown Minca, and drop you off at the entrance of Tayrona on the way back.
The tour also includes accommodation in local campesino and indigenous camps, all meals, hydration, a bilingual guide (English and Spanish), a guided tour, entrance fees, and medical assistance insurance.
Guaranteed departures every day!
Price per person: $1.916.000 COP
🔥 (Take advantage of the 2025 rate to book your 2026 trip)
This is the tour to Lost City from Santa Marta:
Day 1: Santa Marta – El Mamey – Cabaña Adán
Distance: 5 miles (4-hour hike)
The tour to Lost City starts in Santa Marta around 8:00 a.m. A 4×4 vehicle will pass by your accommodation to take you on a 2-hour journey to the town of El Mamey, also known as Machete Pelao. There begins the trek to the Tayrona city, even older than Machu Picchu.
At El Mamey, you’ll enjoy a typical lunch of fried fish with coconut rice, with vegetarian and vegan options available. Afterward, you’ll begin the 5 miles hike (approximately 4 hours) to Cabaña de Adán, where you’ll spend your first night.
This first stage of the Lost City trek begins at 120 meters above sea level, ascends to 620 meters, and ends at 450 meters above sea level. Along the way, you’ll cross rivers, see butterflies, and hear the songs of many birds, all while you delve into the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta National Park.
Recommended: Join the free walking tour in Santa Marta
The first day’s hike to Lost City involves gentle ups and downs. In our experience, the most challenging aspect isn’t the route itself, but the humidity and strong afternoon sun. Therefore, we recommend bringing plenty of water, sunscreen, a hat, and some cash.
Upon reaching the cabin where you’ll spend the night, you can cool off in a nearby small waterfalls, perfect for relaxing your muscles and resting. Later, you’ll enjoy a delicious dinner and have access to the restrooms before choosing between sleeping in a bed or in a hammock with a mosquito net.
Tip: Since the Lost City tour starts and ends in Santa Marta, you’ll most likely need to spend at least one night there. For your stay, we recommend options such as: Viajero Hostel, Hotel Boutique Casa Carolina and República Hostel.
See accommodations in Santa Marta with discounts
Day 2 of the Lost City of Colombia Tour: Cabaña Adán – Paraíso Teyuna
Distance: 9.6 miles (8-hour hike)
The second day of the Lost City tour begins at 6:00 a.m. at Cabaña Adán and ends at Cabaña Paraíso Teyuna, with a stop at the Casa Mumake campsite. The hike is 9 miles in total, divided into two sections: 5.3 miles in the morning and 4.3 miles in the afternoon.
The route begins at 450 meters above sea level and ends at 540 meters. Along the way, you’ll visit Casa Wiwa, where indigenous leaders will welcome you to share aspects of their culture, demonstrate the making of traditional backpacks, offer handicrafts, and explain the meaning of poporo.
Later, you’ll pass through the Mutanzi village, where you’ll learn about the way of life of the Kogui, Wiwa, Arhuaco, and Kankuamo peoples, descendants of the Tayrona who still inhabit the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta. Finally, you’ll arrive at Casa Mumake, where you’ll have lunch and a refreshing dip in the Buritaca River.
On the afternoon of the second day of the Lost City trek, you’ll hike from Casa Mumake (540 meters above sea level) to Cabaña Paraíso Teyuna, located at an altitude of 800 meters. The start of the trail includes two demanding ascents of about 25 minutes each, but with breaks you can easily overcome them.
At the end, you’ll have a well-deserved rest with fresh fruit. From there, the trail becomes more manageable, with gentle climbs and descents that lead to Cabaña Paraíso Teyuna. There you can cool off in the river and rest before facing the most anticipated day: arriving at the archaeological park.
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Day 3: Teyuna Paradise – Lost City of Colombia – Cabaña Mumake
Distance: 8.6 miles (7-hour hike)
On the third day of the hike to Ciudad Perdida, the most anticipated moment arrives: discovering the ancient Tayrona citadel, located at an altitude of 1,200 meters. The trek starts early, and although the stretch is short, the real challenge is the 1,260 steps that lead to the archaeological park.
Once at the top, your guide will share the history of the site, and you’ll have 2 to 3 hours to explore. During this time, you’ll be able to walk through its terraces, see the preserved structures, take photos, and connect with the legacy of the pre-Columbian people who inhabited the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta.
You’ll also have the opportunity to meet the Mamo of the Tayrona city, the community’s spiritual leader, who is responsible for preserving harmony in what indigenous peoples consider the heart of the world.
You might be interested in: Tayrona Park Day Trip
Now that you know how to get to Lost City, it’s time to start the return hike to Santa Marta. First, you’ll descend the steps and cross a stretch of the Buritaca River to reach the Teyuna Paradise Cabin, where you’ll have lunch and take a dip before continuing your hike.
Afterward, you’ll hike for about 4 hours (4.6 miles) to the Mumake Camp, where you’ll have dinner and spend the night. There, you’ll also have time to refresh yourself in the river or in the showers and share experiences with other travelers from around the world.
Tip: If you’re traveling through Colombia, follow us on Instagram at @travelgrafia, and check out these travel guides that are sure to be very useful:
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What to do in Santa Marta and its surroundings
Day 4 of the trip to Lost City: Return to Santa Marta
Distance: 9.9 miles (6-hour hike)
The last day of the trip to Lost City begins early, with breakfast and the start of the return to the town of El Mamey. The hike will be 16 kilometers and about 6 hours long, with climbs, descents, and flat stretches, always with breaks to rest.
The goal is to arrive at El Mamey by noon to enjoy a farewell lunch and then take the 4×4 vehicle back to Santa Marta, where you will arrive around 5:00 p.m. If you prefer, you can get off at Tayrona Park or on the road to Palomino, Cartagena, and La Guajira.
Please note that the 4-day excursion can also be booked in a 5-day version. On the 5-day tour, the final leg is split into two days, allowing for a more leisurely pace. This is basically the only difference between the two options.
Ask about tours to Ciudad Perdida
Recommendations for visiting Lost City
For the trip to Lost City, it is essential to pack a light suitcase, as you will be carrying it on your shoulder for the 4-day hike. Ideally, pack only 2 or 3 changes of clothes, including quick-drying pants and a t-shirt for the hikes, and pajamas for the evenings.
Don’t forget to include sunscreen, sunglasses, a hat, insect repellent, a water bottle or camelback, a raincoat, a swimsuit, and hiking boots. Please note that Wi-Fi is available for rent at the campsites.
If you are traveling with large luggage, you can safely store excess luggage at the guides’ office at no additional cost. You can also request a free bilingual guide (English and Spanish); just request it in advance.
Tip: Save time and money by booking on platforms like GuruWalk, Civitatis, or Denomades. We recommend these sites because, in addition to being secure, they allow you to compare prices, read reviews from other travelers, learn about the itineraries in detail, and know exactly what each tour includes.
GuruWalk: Exclusively for free walking tours worldwide. Civitatis: Offers a wide variety of tours, guided visits, and excursions in hundreds of destinations. Denomades: Specializes in nature and adventure activities in Latin America.
On these platforms, you can book at very competitive prices, sometimes even better than at the destination! Plus, they offer a great variety of payment methods and, in many cases, have flexible cancellation policies that allow you to get a refund up to 24 hours before the activity starts.
Discover your next free tour on GuruWalk
Check out available activities on Civitatis
Book the best tours in Latin America on Denomades
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best time to visit Ciudad Perdida? The best time is during the dry season, from June to mid-September and from January to March. During the rainy season, the trails become muddy and the hike becomes more challenging. Lost City is closed to the public during October.
How difficult is the hike? The level of difficulty is medium, recommended for active people. Although the trail doesn’t have too many long climbs, the distance, humidity, and heat can make it challenging.
Is it safe to travel to Lost City? Yes. Although the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta was marked by violence between 1990 and 2000, today is a safe destination, guarded by the National Army and widely visited by international tourists.
Is it necessary to book in advance? Yes. Lost City has a limited number of daily visitors, and access without a guide is not permitted. For this reason, it is recommended to book several days in advance to ensure availability.
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Trip available every day from Riohacha!
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This tour is available every day from Leticia!
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