Ultimate Guide to Parque Tayrona National Park, Colombia

Tayrona National Park or as it is locally known, Parque Tayrona, is one of Colombia’s finest national parks. Prepare yourself for a visual masterpiece of stunning white sand beaches, lush green jungles, and turquoise waters framed by the Sierra Nevada mountain range.

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Parque Tayrona, Tayrona National Park
Amazing view of the Tayrona National Park Coastline
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However, there is more to the Tayrona National Park than just incredible beauty. This huge park has been home to the Tairo indigenous people for centuries, and you will still see them living their day-to-day lives within Tayrona National Park’s borders. When you tour Parque Nacional Tayrona, you simply can’t miss their white ensembles and rubber boots.

While walking through the jungle trails, you might also be treated to the sights of some of the area’s diverse wildlife. Monkeys, colorful birds, and insects are all abundant at Tayrona National Park. But you will have to be especially lucky to spot the park’s more elusive animals like the endangered oncilla and some other species.

Parque Tayrona: Keep your eyes peeled for these little guys! Tayrona National Park
Keep your eyes peeled for these little guys!

The Best Time to Visit Parque Nacional Tayrona

High season at Tayrona National Park is from December to April, with a peak from mid-December to mid-January. It coincides with the area’s dry season. “Wetter” months are from May to June, and October to November, however rainfall is not abundant so it remains a pleasant time to visit. 

Temperature and humidity are pretty consistent year-round. With average temperatures hovering around 20-30 degrees Celsius, and humidity rarely dipping below 70% (it is the jungle after all!).

Jungle covered mountain ranges at Tayrona National Park, Parque Tayrona
Jungle covered mountain ranges at Tayrona National Park

Avoid visiting Tayrona National Park during weekends and Colombian public holidays like Semana Santa when the park fills up with vacationing nationals and foreigners even during the week. 

Think long lines, busy beaches, and crowded trails if you plan on heading to Parque  Tayrona during the high season.

Instead, opt for a mid-week visit during the low season. You’re visiting for the park’s natural beauty and tranquility, so don’t let your visit be spoiled by crowds.

Parque Tayrona, Tayrona National Park
Walk along in the beautiful beach of Parque Tayrona

READ NEXT: Is Colombia Safe to Travel and Other Colombia Travel Tips

Getting to Parque Tayrona

Tayrona National Park from Santa Marta

Santa Marta is the closest city to Tayrona National Park, and that’s where most visitors embark on their adventure to the park. We recommend that you spend the night before in Santa Marta (or Taganga) so you can start your trip to Tayrona Park early the next morning.

Parque Tayrona: Streets of Santa Marta, Colombia
Streets of Santa Marta, Colombia

Public Bus

This easy and convenient option to get to Tayrona National Park is also the most affordable one around 8,000 COP ($2.50 USD) each way. You can pay the bus driver when you hop on.

Buses depart every 30 minutes or so from Santa Marta’s Central Market at the corner of Calle 11 and Carrera 11. There will be a “Tayrona” sign in the bus window and they will drop you at the park’s El Zaino entrance. The journey’s duration is approximately one hour.

Private Transfer and Taxis 

Tayrona National Park is one of the area’s most popular attractions, so many of the area’s hotels often offer transfers. Check with your accommodation for private or hotel transfers to the park.

tayrona national park, parque tayrona
Beautiful beach view at Parque Tayrona. Photo by Mark Rowland via Flickr CC.

Otherwise, they can arrange a taxi for you. However, prices can get steep quickly since the taxi will charge for the cost of driving there, and back to Santa Marta if they are dropping you off for an overnight trip. For day trips they will wait out front all day. There is no point haggling this, it is a common practice in the area. 

Approximate Taxi Rates:

Santa Marta City Centre to Tayrona Park: 90,000 COP ($32 USD)

Santa Marta Airport to Tayrona Park: 120,000 COP ($42 USD)

Parque Tayrona, Tayrona National Park
Tayrona National Park

Tayrona National Park from Taganga

Tagana is a funky town just outside of Santa Marta, famous for its beaches, dive shops, and backpacker vibe. If you choose to stay in Taganga before embarking on your trip to Tayrona National Park consider cruising the waters to get there.  

parque tayrona: One of Tayrona's local residents. Tayrona National Park
One of Taganga’s and Tayrona’s local residents.

By Boat

A boat leaves for Parque Tayrona Playas every morning at 9:30 am and 10:30 am from the main beach. You will be able to buy tickets from your hotel or one of the many tour offices along the waterfront. Prices are upwards of 50,000 COP ($15 USD) each way. 

The boat drops you off at Cabo San Juan beach, where Park officials will be waiting to check your documents and collect the entrance fee. 

Boats return to take guests back to Taganga in the late afternoon.

Tayrona National Park: Taganga, Colombia
Taganga, Colombia. Photo by J Duval via Flickr CC.

Entering Tayrona National Park

Park Entrances

There are two park entrances at Tayrona National Park: El Zaino and Calabozo. 

Calabozo is typically considered Tayrona National Park’s secondary entrance since it requires a long 6-hour walk to Cabo San Juan. A lot of people entering via the Calabozo entrance spend the night at Playa Brava, and then make the subsequent hike to Cabo San Juan the following day.

Tayrona National Park, Parque Tayrona Cabo San Juan Beach
Remember, it’s a long walk from the entrances to Cabo San Juan beach

El Zaino is the park’s main entrance. All tourist buses, cabs, etc. will drop you here and it is only a 2-3 hour hike to Cabo San Juan beach. 

You’ll be required to pay the 56,500 COP ($20 USD) for foreigners, or 16,000 COP ($6.50 USD) for local entrance fees. You will also be required to show your passport!

There is a daily capacity of 6,900 people per day so get there early or buy your ticket online here. The park hours are from 8a.m.-5p.m., and you will be required to watch an informative, environmental safety video about the park before entering. Heads up! It’s in Spanish, so make sure to brush up your language skills before the trip.

Oksana and Max inside Tayrona National Park, Parque Tayrona
Oksana and Max inside Tayrona National Park

Before You Can Enter

Everyone’s bags are checked before entering the park and Tayrona National Park’s officials have a strict policy against plastic. They’re largely looking for plastic wrappers/bags, so plastic water bags are a big no-no. Tupperware is however fine to bring in. 

Personal alcohol is strictly forbidden. Any alcohol will be confiscated. There are drinks for sale within the park but as you might expect, however, they come at a premium price.

Parque Tayrona: Don't get caught bringing alcohol into the park. It will be confiscated. Tayrona National Park
Don’t get caught bringing alcohol into the park. It will be confiscated.

Don’t forget your passport! We know it’s a nuisance to carry it around but park officials will check your passport at the entrance.

As of April 2017, it is essential that you have the yellow fever vaccination. You can get a free yellow fever vaccination at the Bogota airport but it will be 10 days before you are protected against the virus.

Parque Tayrona from above, Tayrona National Park
Parque Tayrona from above

Getting Around Tayrona National Park/Parque Tayrona

No outside vehicles are permitted to pass the park entrance. However, there is an official park bus which takes visitors from the main gate to the beginning of the hiking trail, and Cañaveral beach campsite for 3000 COP ($1 USD). After that you are on your own. You can choose to walk the 4 km to the campsite yourself or hire a guide and a horse.

Hiking trail views from within Parque Tayrona, Tayrona National Park
Hiking trail views from within Parque Tayrona

The horses for hire can take you past the trailhead, and all throughout the park. This is a very practical solution if you are carrying heavy camping equipment. 

Keep in mind that the guides don’t hire out their horses after 3 p.m. because the park closes at 5 pm. The horse hire is about 17,000 COP ($6 USD) to Arrecifices. 

We wouldn’t advise hiking in the dense forest after dark.

parque tayrona: Hiring a horse is a practical solution if your pack is heavy! Tayrona National Park
Hiring a horse is a practical solution if your pack is heavy!

Things to do in Parque Nacional Tayrona

One of the best activities at the park is visiting the beaches within Tayrona National Park. Although not all of them are made equal, you will have a chance to choose which one is right for you. The park’s beaches also boast some of the best places where to stay in Tayrona National Park. 

Explore the Beaches

Cabo San Juan, Tayrona

Cabo San Juan, Tayrona is by far one of the most iconic best in Tayrona National Park (Parque Tayrona) – and for a good reason. It is truly awe-inspiring with its twin bays, white sand, and crystal blue waters. You can swim here, which is rare in the area, as well as snorkel around the protected coral reef just off of the beach. There are a few accommodations and dining options in the vicinity of Cabo San Juan Tayrona which makes visiting the beach a bit easier.

Parque Tayrona: Cabo San Juan beach, Tayrona National Park
Cabo San Juan beach, Tayrona’s most iconic beach

La Piscina, Tayrona

La Piscina means “swimming pool” in Spanish so you can swim and snorkel here too. The glassy waters are protected by a coral reef at the entrance of the bay. La Piscina  is located just a couple hours away from Cabo San Juan.

Playa Arrecifes, Tayrona 

Continuing on from La Piscina, you’ll find Playa Arrecifes. Unfortunately, its treacherous waters have been the ill-fate of many people over the years so swimming is strictly forbidden. However, the beach itself is really beautiful and is a great place for walking, resting beneath palm trees and sunbathing. There are accommodations, and dining options here as well.

Playa Canaveral, Tayrona

This is one of the park’s smallest and most isolated beaches. Unfortunately, only a sliver of the beach is ripe for swimming but there is a luxury hotel and restaurant located on the beach – Ecohabs Tayrona.

Parque Tayrona: We couldn't get enough of these beach views! Tayrona National Park
We couldn’t get enough of these beach views!

Playa Castilletes, Tayrona

Playa Castilletes is just east of Playa Canaveral. This beach is also non-swimmable but renowned for its deserted beauty.

Playa Cristal, Tayrona

This beach is much more off-the-beaten-track than other beaches in the area – and perhaps even more beautiful. You’ll need to take a boat to Playa Cristal in Tayrona National Park, but trust us,it’s a great day trip. There are a number of makeshift restaurants selling meals and Club Colombias on the beach. Plus you can swim and snorkel here. 

The Nudist Beach, Tayrona

The Nudist Beach is just a short walk from Cabo San Juan. Although don’t be thrown by the name, however! There are rarely too many people at this beach besides the lifeguards who are present to indicate whether swimming is appropriate.

Parque Tayrona: Red means don't swim! Tayrona National Park
Red flag means don’t swim!

Playa Brava, Tayrona

A secluded beach on Tayrona National Park’s western side. Often only visited by travelers entering through the Calabozo entrance. There is cheap accommodation and a restaurant here.

Bahía Chengue and Bahía Gayraca, Tayrona

Both of these beautiful, secluded beaches are located on the park’s west side. They can only be reached by boat, and lack infrastructure.

Bahia Concha, Tayrona 

Located just 30 minutes from Santa Marta, this beach is popular for a day trip of sunbathing and swimming without having to trek. Unlike the other beaches which are fairly isolated, Bahia Concha  backs onto the car park. If you would like to stay the night, grab one of Tayrona National Park Hammocks or bring a tent to stay at the on-site campsite.

parque tayrona: Hanging out at Bahia Concha, Tayrona National Park
Hanging out at Bahia Concha

Go Hiking

This really is the only way to see the park! All the beaches (except Bahia Concha) require some sort of walking from the entrances. They are all very well signposted but remember to get a map at the entrance just in case.

Parque Tayrona: Sunset in Tayrona, Tayrona National Park
Sunset in Tayrona

Other trails include:

The Pueblito Trail

This smooth granite trail was originally laid by the ancient indigenous people. They built it to lead from their Pueblito (or indigenous settlement) to Cabo San Juan beach. It should take between 2-3 hours to complete.

Today, a small group of their ancestors still live here, and the settlement itself is often likened to the region’s famous Lost City.

Tayrona National Park: Adorable local indigenous children, parque tayrona
Adorable local indigenous children

One of the best parts of this trail is that it winds through the area’s dense jungle which makes it great for spotting wildlife, though you’ll need some sort of machete (also known as a trail axe over there). Loads of animals such as Jaguar and Caiman live in this area but don’t expect to spot them. Instead, keep your eyes peeled for monkeys, colorful birds, and interesting insects. We promise you will not be disappointed! .

9 Peidras Trail

The 9 Piedras, or 9 Stones trail is a 50-minute hike from Playa Canaveral to Playa Arrecifes or vice versa. It passes through coastal cliffs, and deep through the jungle. And it also  provides a great opportunity for wildlife sightings. 

The trail gets its name from the round boulders visitors bypass on the trail.

Monkey inside Tayrona National Park, parque tayrona
Monkey inside Tayrona National Park

Go Diving

Unbeknownst to many, Tayrona is really a fantastic dive destination. There are 22 dive sites in the marine park, including coral reefs, sunken ships, caves, and a variety of marine ecosystems.

You won’t see too many large animals here, but there is an abundance of nice coral, sponges, anemones, as well lots of pufferfish, angelfish, lionfish, scorpion fish, moray eels, lobsters, octopuses, and much more! Supposedly, the number of fish species spotted in the coral reef around Tayrona National Park surpasses 150 varieties.

 

Parque Tayrona, Tayrona National Park

Parque Tayrona, Tayrona National Park
A Lionfish (Pterois volitans) found in Parque Tayrona

Parque Tayrona, Tayrona National Park

Diving trips cannot be organized inside the park and usually depart from Taganga, just outside of Santa Marta, which is teeming with budget-friendly dive shops. We went diving with Oceano Scuba and had a wicked time! Their fun dives start at 190,000 COP ($66 USD).

tayrona national park: Oceano Scuba boat at Cabo de la Aguja, Parque Tayrona
Oceano Scuba boat at Cabo de la Aguja

Tayrona National Park Accommodation

If you are wondering about camping Tayrona, there are six beaches (Parque Tayrona Playas) where you can stay inside the park.  They all offer basic shower, toilet facilities plus lockers. 

There is absolutely no freedom camping in the park!

Parque tayrona: Can San Juan beach, Tayrona National Park
Can San Juan beach

Camping in Tayrona National Park

Camping at Tayrona National Park is what brings the majority of visitors to this place. Since the park’s location is pretty remote and requires some long hiking, Tyrona camping is definitely going to be the highlight of your trip. 

Most visitors tend to spend 1-2 night camping inside the park. The area has a number of serene campsites that face the jungle on one side and the ocean on the other side. 

Tayrona National Park hammocks are the favourite option for many park’s visitors, especially for backpackers traveling on a budget. It’s a great thing if your camping trip is short and you are not looking for too much comfort. However, if you are staying in a park longer, you might consider renting a tent, as sleeping in a hammock can be really tough on your back.

You can rent a double tent for anywhere between 23,000-25,000 COP, while a hammock typically costs about 15,000 COP. If you want to nab a prime spot with a good view, we recommend arriving sooner rather than later! 

Camping on Cabo San Juan, Tayrona

Cabo San Juan Tayrona is the most popular place to camp in the park. To nab a hammock on the iconic gazebo, arrive early! They will set you back 50,000 COP ($17.50 USD). Plus they get chilly at night, so don’t forget to bundle up. 

Because of its popularity and beautiful beaches, it tends to attract larger crowds than other places. If you want more quiet atmosphere, we recommend Cañaveral or Bukaru, however, make sure to check for swimming conditions at the nearby beaches as the currents can be really strong. 

Want to enjoy some music? The local vallenato musicians play for visitors at the Cabo San Juan campsite each night, and the more you tip the longer they play!

Other Beaches for Camping in Tayrona

The other beaches for camping Tayrona at are Arrecifies, Carnaveral, Castilletes, and Playa Brava. Most offer hammocks, places to pitch your tent or tents to rent. Prices range from approximately 15,000 COP ($5.50 USD) to 40,000 COP ($14 USD). Most properties have basic restaurants on site too.

Keep in mind that electricity is shut off after 11 p.m. in the park. If you’re not too tired from the day’s adventures,  Parque Nacional Tayrona is a great place for stargazing!

During our 3 days visit, we opted to stay at the Arrecifies campsite and take day hikes to other beaches from there. We were able to rent all camping equipment on site which allowed us to lighten our load significantly. We also didn’t pack any food and purchased all meals at the campsite, which ended up being a great setup and made our stay in Tayrona National Natural Park much more enjoyable.

Parque Tayrona: Typical meal at Tayrona National Park
Typical meal at Tayrona

Tayrona National Park Hotels

If camping is not your style, there are many other accommodation options, if you are looking for where to stay in Tayrona National Park. 

Among them are Villa Maria Tayrona, a resort located just 45 minutes from the Old City of Santa Marta in the heart of a jungle overlooking the ocean. Another good place to stay in Tayrona National Park is Playa Los Angeles a rural accommodation with direct access to a private beach. 

And finally, if you are looking for a rustic place and the famous Tayrona National Park hammocks, we recommend Villa Yira eco-hotel located in El Zaino. The property boasts a garden and a terrace, and there is also a nearby restaurant. 

One of the best parts about many hotels in Tayrona National Park is that they are located near pristine white sand beaches and you can literally pick exotic fruits such as avocados, bananas and mangoes right off the trees. 

There is the famous Ecohabs a series of luxury cabins built into the mountainside at Castilletes beach. There is also an on-site restaurant and spa. 

Tayrona National Park: The eco-habs, Parque Tayrona
The Eco-habs were based on traditional housing like these ones in the Sierra Nevada Wiwi communities.

What to Bring To Tayrona Park

  • Bring lots of water! We can’t stress this enough. You’re going to be doing lots of physical exercise and it’s hot and humid within the park so you’re going to sweat. Also, keep in mind that the price of water inside the park is more than double of its regular price. We always bring our Hydroflask with us on our hikes, which keep our water cool for over 12 hours even in the Colombian heat. Plus our Steipen which makes almost any water drinkable.
Tayrona National Park: We don't go anywhere without our Hyrdroflask! Parque Tayrona
We don’t go anywhere without our Hyrdroflask!
  • Food and snacks. There are food vendors and restaurants on the beaches which are great for lunches and dinners but a large majority of the food is fried, which you might get tired of after a couple of days inside the park. Bring your own but remember that it has to be prepared before entering.
  • Your passport, and yellow fever vaccination certificate to show at the Park’s entrance.
  • Sunscreen and insect repellent are essential. Since you are going to be staying among nature, we recommend eco-friendly varieties: Raw Elements Sunscreen and Repel Lemon Eucalyptus Insect Repellent
  • Toilet paper since it is not offered at campsite facilities
Bahia Concha, Tayrona National Park. Can you spot the campsite? Parque Tayrona
Bahia Concha, Tayrona National Park. Can you spot the campsite?
  • Cash! As there are no ATMs inside the parks. All accommodation and food must be paid in cash.
  • A flashlight for navigating the campsite at night  
  • Lightweight clothing, preferably cotton or quick dry. Full-length pants for hiking through the bush, a hat and a swimsuit for that inevitable dip in the ocean. 
  • Good hiking shoes, as the mountainous terrain, can get quite challenging and flip flops for nights around the campsite.
Parque Tayrona: One of Tayrona National Park's secluded beaches.
One of Tayrona Park’s secluded beaches.

How long to stay in Parque Tayrona

Given how challenging it is to get in and out of the park (remember it’s a 2-3 hour hike each way), we recommend staying for at least 1-2 nights, but many opt to stay for upwards to a week or even longer. 

There is plenty to do during the days with lots of hiking trails and beaches to explore. Plus Tayrona National Park is a great place to hang up the hammock and enjoy nature for days on end.

Tayrona National Park, Parque Tayrona is a must-do! Enjoy!
Tayrona National Park is a must-do! Enjoy!

Have you ever been Parque Tayrona? Do you have any tips to share? Which was your favourite beach?

5 thoughts on “Ultimate Guide to Parque Tayrona National Park, Colombia”

  1. Please add the date of this post. That way I can guide myself whether the prices are right or outdated. Thanks

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