Colombia · Caribbean Coast — Santa Marta

Tayrona National Park

Caribbean jungle-meets-beach — Cabo San Juan, indigenous Kogi + Ciudad Perdida trek

Tayrona National Park is Colombia's Caribbean natural jewel — jungle-covered coast with white-sand beaches, indigenous Kogi + Wiwa tribes, Cabo San Juan viewpoint + hammock camping + the 4-6 day Ciudad Perdida (Lost City) trek. Base town: Santa Marta.

Airport
Santa Marta SMR — 30 min to park entrance
From Cartagena
4h bus to Santa Marta + 1h to park
Park closed
February (indigenous cleansing month)
Best beach
Cabo San Juan (view from hammock hut)

Tayrona National Park highlights

Cabo San Juan beach + camping

The classic Tayrona photo — 2 white-sand bays + rocky headland. Hammock camping COP 30,000 or beach cabin.

Piscina + Arrecifes beaches

Piscina is calm swimming beach with reef. Arrecifes has strong currents (dangerous).

Trek to Pueblito

2h uphill from Cabo San Juan to a Tairona (pre-Kogi) archaeological site. Guided ~$20.

Ciudad Perdida (Lost City) 4-6 day trek

The classic Sierra Nevada trek to 8th-century Tairona ruins. Guided-only, 4-6 days, ~$400-500. Predates Machu Picchu by 650 years.

Indigenous Kogi + Wiwa culture

Visit an indigenous village with a Wiwa guide — cultural immersion. Only via authorised operators.

Palomino beach + Rio Palomino tubing

90 min northeast of Santa Marta — laid-back beach town + inner-tube down a jungle river. Popular backpacker stop.

Minca cloud forest

45 min south of Santa Marta — cool 1,500m coffee finca + waterfalls + jungle hikes. Weekend escape from coast heat.

Getting there

Simón Bolívar Airport (SMR) in Santa Marta is 30 min from the park entrance. Direct flights from Bogotá, Medellín, Miami. Bus from Cartagena 4h to Santa Marta then 1h to park.

Getting around

Walking in park (jeep to Cabo San Juan is 45 min walk from entrance). Taxi + bus in Santa Marta. Uber operates in Santa Marta.

Best time to visit

December-April (dry, less bug-heavy). Park closed February for indigenous cleansing ritual.

Budget per day

$30-60 hostel + park entry · $80-150 mid-range · $300+ luxury (Ecohabs, Bulanabai)

Fly to Simón Bolívar International (Santa Marta) (SMR)

Popular direct routes from: Bogotá → Santa Marta, Cartagena (bus), Medellín → Santa Marta

Where to stay in Tayrona National Park

Frequently asked about Tayrona National Park

How do I enter Tayrona National Park?
Main entrance El Zaino — 45 min bus/taxi from Santa Marta. COP 80,000 (~$21) foreigner entry. Alternative Calabazo entrance for Ciudad Perdida trailhead.
How many days do I need in Tayrona?
2-3 days — day 1 arrive + Piscina beach, day 2 hike to Cabo San Juan overnight, day 3 Pueblito or return. Ciudad Perdida is separate 4-6 day trek.
When is Tayrona park closed?
Closed all of February for indigenous cleansing ritual. Verify dates before booking Colombia trip.
Should I do Ciudad Perdida?
Yes if you're fit + have 4-6 days. Only via authorised operators. Book 2-3 months ahead in peak season. ~$400-500 all-inclusive.