What to know before visiting this coastal paradise
Where jungle meets the sea in one of Colombia’s most breathtaking national parks!
What is Tayrona National Park?
Tayrona National Park is a tropical heaven where turquoise waters, white-sand beaches, and dense jungle trails come together along Colombia’s Caribbean coast. Just a short trip from Santa Marta, it’s the perfect place to unwind in nature – or hike your heart out!
It’s also sacred Indigenous land, home to the Kogi, Wiwa, and other communities that preserve the spiritual heart of the Sierra Nevada.
How to get there?
Most travelers enter from the El Zaino Entrance, this main entrance is closest to Santa Marta. From there, you’ll eiter hike, horseback, or take a shuttle part of the way to the beach zones. Other entrances:
- Calabazo Entrance: Quieter & more remote, lead to Cabo San Juan via jungle hike
- Palangana Entrance: For those staying at Playa Cristal or visiting by boat
Take a bus from the main market in Santa Marta for aproximately 10,000 COP
What to do in Tayrona National Park?
- Hike to Cabo San Juan (the iconic beach with the hammocks on a hill!)
- Swim at La Piscina
- Spot monkeys and tropical birds on jungle trails
- Relax at the beach
Tip: If you’re up for the challenge, try the full Calabazo to El Zaino hike (approx. 6-7 hours – or multiple nights)
How we spent our time in Tayrona
We entered Tayrona through the El Zaino Entrance, where we booked two nights in the park – one in a tent near Cabo San Juan, and one in a hammock at the remote Playa Brava.
The first day we hiked through the jungle to Cabo San Juan, spotting monkeys along the way, and spent the afternoon relaxing on the beach. The next morning we woke up early for a stunning sunrise over Cabo San Juan, before hiking on to Playa Brava. On the way we cooled off at the Teyumakke Waterfall, and enjoyed the wild beauty of Playa Brava, where the waves are too rough to swim but the atmosphere is wonderful.
On our last morning we hiked to the Calabazo entrance, where we finished our adventure with an ice-cold limonada – the perfect goodbye to some lovely days in the jungle of Tayrona.
Tip: Make sure you have downloaded an offline map like maps.me to make sure you find your way in the jungle
What to Pack
Entrance Fees & Regulations
- Entrance: Around 62,000 COP (prices can vary by season)
- Insurance: 5,000 COP (mandatory, per day in the park)
- Opening hours: Daily from 8:00AM – 5:00PM (closed in February for nature restoration)
Note: Don’t bring alcohol or single-use plastics. Respect the rules – Tayrona is a protected ecosystem!
Final Thoughts
Whether you’re chasing sunsets or hidden beaches, spotting capuchin monkeys in the trees, or falling asleep to the sound of waves in a hammock – Tayrona is magical!
Slow down, switch off, and let the Caribbean wild do its thing.
