Tayrona National Park is one of Colombia’s must-see destinations, famous for its unique combination of paradise beaches, tropical jungle, and mountains, making it an ideal place for nature lovers.
In this travel guide, based on our personal experience, we’ll tell you how to get to Tayrona Park from Santa Marta, Bogotá, and Cartagena as well as entrances, schedules, and prices, plus the best accommodation options and some recommended tours.
Let’s start planning your trip:
How to get to Tayrona, Colombia
To get to Tayrona National Park, you first need to go to the city of Santa Marta. From there, you have several options: you can take a bus from the Transport Terminal or the Public Market, or, if you prefer more comfort, join this organized tour or rent a car here.
If you’re planning to travel to Tayrona’s beaches from Bogotá, Medellín, or Cartagena you can take a flight to Santa Marta and continue by land, either by public transport or on a day tour. The journey from Santa Marta to the park’s main entrance takes about 45 minutes.
Recommended: Tayrona Park Day Trip. Available daily, starts at 6 a.m. and ends at 5 p.m. Includes round-trip transportation, local guides, entrance ticket, and visits to Cañaveral, Arrecifes, Arenilla, La Piscina, and Cabo San Juan beaches.
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Tayrona national park entrances
When planning your visit to Tayrona, keep in mind that there are several entrances that lead to different places. El Zaino is the main entrance, providing access to the most iconic beaches, such as Cañaveral, La Piscina, Cabo San Juan, and Boca de Saco. Most accommodations are also located there.
Palangana is another entrance, but overnight stays are not allowed in that area. Still, it’s worth visiting since it leads to places like the 7 Waves Viewpoint and Playa Cristal, the latter considered by many to be the best beach in Tayrona.
Finally, there’s El Calabazo, located very close to El Zaino. This entrance is ideal for those who enjoy hiking, as it hosts the park’s longest trail. From there, you can reach Playa Brava and Cabo San Juan, but the hike is very long.
Which entrance to choose at Tayrona National Park? If you want to explore the main beaches and the most famous spots, El Zaino is the best choice. If you prefer a day of beach and relaxation, Palangana and Playa Cristal are perfect. If hiking and wildlife spotting are more your style, El Calabazo is ideal.
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tayrona park hours and fees
The entrance and exit times for Tayrona Park depend on the entrance you use. At the main entrance, El Zaino, as well as the others, you can generally enter from 7:00 am, and if you are visiting just for the day, you must leave by 5:00 pm.
Entry fees for Tayrona National Natural Park vary depending on the season, age, and nationality. In 2024, Colombians pay between $24,500 and $39,000 COP, while foreigners need to pay between $73,500 and $87,000 COP. Cash and card payments are accepted.
Important: Tayrona Park closes three times a year for conservation work, usually from February 1 to 15, June 1 to 15, and October 19 to November 2. Also, schedules and fees may change without prior notice.
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Tayrona National Park Hotels
Now that you know how to get to Tayrona, it’s important to mention that overnight stays are only allowed in the El Zaino sector, which is ideal because you’ll be close to the main attractions like Cabo San Juan, La Piscina, and Arrecifes beaches.
However, there are few accommodation options inside the national park, so an excellent alternative is to stay in the surrounding areas. Here you will find a wide variety of hotels and hostels for all tastes and budgets.
Recommended accommodations: Inside Tayrona: Ecohabs Playa Cañaveral, Camping Tequendama Playa Arrecifes, Hotel Jasayma, and Ecohabs Bamboo. Hotels near the main entrance: Origen Hostel, Viajero Tayrona, The Journey Hostel, Quetzal Dorado Eco-Lodge.
It’s important to book your accommodation in advance, especially if you plan to visit Tayrona’s beaches during weekends, holidays, or summer vacation, Holy Week, and New Year’s Eve.
Tips for Booking Good, Cheap, and Cheerful Accommodation: If you wait until the last minute, it’s very likely that the best and most economical accommodations will already be booked, and you’ll have to settle for what is available.
Booking.com is our preferred website for booking accommodations without having to pay in advance. If you click here, you can get a discount of 15% or more. After entering your destination and travel date, you can filter by price, location, accommodation type, and read reviews from other travelers.
By frequently booking through Booking.com, you can access exclusive discounts, enjoy free breakfasts, and receive better rooms at no additional cost. This will help you secure more economical rates and additional benefits that will allow you to save on your trip.
Click here to book accommodation with a discount of 15% or more!
What to do in Tayrona National Park:
1. Visit Cabo San Juan Beach
Cabo San Juan is one of the most iconic spots in Tayrona National Park, Colombia, famous for its stunning natural beauty. The beach has calm waves and is surrounded by lush tropical forest and palm trees that provide shade and places to relax.
To get to Cabo San Juan, you must enter through the main entrance at El Zaino. From there, take a shuttle to the trailhead. The hike to Cabo San Juan takes about 2 hours, and along the way, you can stop at other beaches, enjoy natural viewpoints, and spot monkeys.
Just a short walk from Cabo San Juan is Boca del Saco, the only nudist beach. So if you’re wondering what to do in Tayrona, these two spots are a must-see. If you want to spend the night in the park, you can stay at: Ecohabs Playa Cañaveral, Camping Tequendama, Hotel Jasayma, and Ecohabs Bamboo.
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How to book the 1-day Tayrona tour with transportation from Santa Marta? Securing your visit to the park’s main beaches is very easy. Just click here now to see the detailed description of the plan, the price, what’s included, and reviews from other travelers. Then, select the desired date, the number of attendees, and click the "book" button to complete your details and proceed with the payment.
The advantage of booking any of these tours in Santa Marta is that, after making the payment, you get immediate confirmation. They also offer 24/7 customer service. If any issues arise or you need to cancel or reschedule the travel date, you can manage a 100% refund easily up to 48 hours before the activity with just a few clicks.
To see the price and more details of the Tayrona tour, click here!
2. Relax at La Piscina: things to do in Tayrona
One of the best things to do in Tayrona National Park is to explore its beaches, and La Piscina is definitely one of the best spots to enjoy the sea, the breeze, and the sun. This beach is protected by an extensive coral barrier, which creates a natural pool, making it a perfect place to relax.
To get to La Piscina Tayrona beach, Colombia, you need to hike from the El Zaino entrance. The trail goes through tropical dry forest, and after an hour’s hike, you’ll reach La Piscina. This beach is located before Cabo San Juan and after Playa Arenilla.
The trail that leads to beaches like La Piscina, Cabo San Juan, and Arrecifes is well-marked, so you can explore on your own. However, if you prefer a guided experience, you can also join this tour to Tayrona National Park.
Recommended: Minca Day Trip
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Tip: If you don’t want to miss the most impressive places in Santa Marta’s historic center, we recommend taking this free walking tour. It’s available every day, lasts approximately 2 hours, and includes a guided tour of fascinating spots such as Parque de los Novios, the Basilica Cathedral, and the surroundings of the Tairona Gold Museum.
Booking the free tour in Santa Marta is quite easy! Just click here, choose your preferred date and time, and specify the number of people attending. Remember that the tour has no fixed price, but it is expected that you support the guide’s work with a tip based on the service provided.
Book the free walking tour in Santa Marta now!
3. Enjoy Playa Cristal: Tayrona Beach, Colombia
Playa Cristal, also known as Playa del Muerto, holds deep cultural significance for the ancient Tairona people and stands out for its natural beauty and tranquil atmosphere, making it an ideal destination for those looking to enjoy a relaxing day at the beach.
To get to Playa Cristal, you must enter Tayrona through the Palangana entrance and then take a boat for about 10 minutes. However, keep in mind that there is no public transport available to this area, so it’s practically necessary to book this tour.
Finally, remember that overnight stays are not allowed in this part of the park, so it can only be visited during the day. If you need accommodation in Santa Marta, we recommend: Masaya Hostel, Casa Gaitana Hotel Boutique, and Del Mar Hotel.
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How to book the Playa Cristal tour? Just click here to see the detailed tour description, check the price, what’s included, and read reviews from other travelers. Then, choose your desired date, the number of people attending, and click "Book" to enter your details and proceed with payment.
Explore one of the most beautiful beaches in Tayrona with the Playa Cristal tour. The package includes: round-trip transportation from Santa Marta and local guides. Although the tour is available every day, booking in advance is recommended.
The advantage of booking any of these activities in Santa Marta is that once payment is made, you receive immediate confirmation. Plus, if any issue arises or you need to cancel or reschedule, you can get a full refund up to 24 hours before the activity.
Click here to see the price and more tour details!
4. Enjoy the Scenery of Cañaveral and Arrecifes
Arrecifes and Cañaveral are two of the most stunning beaches in Tayrona National Natural Park. Entering through the Zaino entrance, these are the first beaches you’ll come across. Both are known for their white sands, crystal-clear waters, and rock formations that create unique landscapes.
However, unlike other beaches in Tayrona, Arrecifes and Cañaveral have strong waves and powerful currents, which makes swimming here prohibited. Instead, you can enjoy their spectacular views from natural viewpoints.
In Arrecifes, you can spend the night at Camping Tequendama, while near Cañaveral and the start of the trail, you’ll find the famous Ecohabs Tequendama, a high-end hotel that even offers parking.
If you are traveling from the United States, Canada, or another country and wondering how to get to Tayrona Park, remember, you must first fly to Simón Bolívar International Airport in Santa Marta. From there, you can continue by public transportation or join a guided tour.
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Are you planning to travel abroad? When planning an international trip, we tend to focus on choosing destinations, accommodations, and tours, but we forget that we can get sick, have an accident, be robbed, or need to return home earlier than expected due to a family member’s hospitalization.
If you want to travel with peace of mind and avoid worrying about excessive medical expenses or unexpected logistical issues, it’s essential to purchase international travel insurance. Moreover, in many Latin American and European countries, having travel insurance is mandatory to enter.
With this international insurance, you’ll have extensive coverage and 24/7 assistance via phone, email, or WhatsApp. To purchase the insurance, click here, choose the start date of your trip and its duration. The insurance is valid for any destination and can be purchased up to 72 hours before the departure date.
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5. Diving at Aguja Island
One of the main activities in Tayrona is diving. Although the park has several spots for this activity, one of the best is the Aguja Island area. The excellent visibility here allows you to marvel at the incredible marine biodiversity of the Caribbean Sea.
What makes Aguja Island special is its relative isolation compared to other busier areas of the park. To get there, you need to take a boat from Santa Marta or Taganga and be a certified diver. If you enjoy sailing, consider this sailing tour to Bahia Concha.
Tip: If you’re planning to travel to Colombia from abroad, with this Holafly eSIM, you’ll have unlimited data and keep your number for calls and WhatsApp without worrying about expensive roaming fees. Also, remember to get international medical insurance.
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Tips for Traveling to Tayrona, Magdalena Colombia
The park is usually open for most of the year, but keep in mind that the weather can vary depending on the season. The dry season generally runs from December to April and from June to August, while the rest of the year may experience rainfall, with October being the wettest month.
When packing, make sure to include clothing suitable for the tropical climate, swimwear, closed shoes, light clothing, and sunscreen. Don’t forget insect repellent and a comfortable backpack to carry your belongings while hiking.
If you plan to stay inside the park or in its surroundings, we recommend booking your accommodation in advance. Lodging options fill up quickly, especially during peak seasons and holidays.
Some organized trips you might be interested in:
Recommended tour: Ciudad Perdida from Santa Marta - 4 days / 3 nights
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!
Discounted price per person: $1,800,000 COP
Sale valid for travel until December 31, 2024. After that, the regular rate will be $2,150,000 COP.
Recommended Tour: La Guajira, Cabo de la Vela, and Punta Gallinas - 3 days / 2 nights
On this tour, you will visit Cabo de la Vela and Punta Gallinas, have time to swim at the beaches of Mayapo, Punta Arcoiris, and Pilón de Azúcar, explore the Taroa dunes desert, the lighthouses, and enjoy the viewpoints of Bahía Honda and Bahía Portete.
The trip starts in the city of Riohacha at 8 a.m. and the package includes transportation in a 4x4 vehicle, accommodation in a typical ranchería, full meals, activities, and travel insurance.
Trip available every day from Riohacha!
Price per person from: $832,000 COP
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