Explore on your own

Playa Grande (Taganga)

Taganga’s neighbouring bay: a short boat hop, seafood kiosks and a no-fuss beach day.

Beach
Half day
Easy
Family-friendly
On your own

From the house: 10–15 min by bus to Taganga from the centre, plus a 3–5 min boat ride

Playa Grande sits in the next bay north of Taganga and has kiosks serving fish and seafood. You get there on a boat ride of a few minutes from Taganga beach, or on a path over the hills. Our recommendation: the boat.

Don’t miss

1A 3–5 minute boat ride from Taganga beach
2Fish and seafood kiosks by the sea
3A simple beach day close to town
4The coastal path over the hills — by day and in a group only

What to expect

You get to Taganga, find an authorised boat on the beach and in no time you’re at Playa Grande. The plan there is simple: shade, sea, lunch at a kiosk and heading back before the beach closes.

The city classes Playa Grande as a “hard-to-reach” beach, so hours are shorter than in town: 8:00 to 16:00, with evacuation starting at 15:00. Plan your return in good time.

Getting there from the house

Boat from Taganga (recommended)

From Taganga beach, about 3 to 5 minutes. Agree the return fare before boarding, and only use Dimar-authorised boats, with life jackets on.

Official source · santamarta.gov.co · en.wikivoyage.org · dimar.mil.co
Path over the hills

Between 20 and 45 minutes depending on the source. By day only, in a group, without valuables and never after sunset.

Secondary source · santamarta.gov.co · en.wikivoyage.org · getyourguide.com
First, to Taganga

City bus from Carrera 5 in the centre, 10–15 minutes. See the Taganga page.

Official source · santamarta.gov.co · colombia.travel

Reference costs

We found no entry charge for the beach. The boat and food are extra — check current prices and agree them beforehand.

Official source santamarta.gov.co en.wikivoyage.org
City bus to Taganga COP 2,950 (3,050 with air conditioning).

Secondary source checked 28 Oct 2026 elespectador.com

Closures, hours and weather

Beach hours: 8:00 to 16:00, with evacuation from 15:00. Closed for a rest day on the first Tuesday of February, April, June, August, October and December.

Official source santamarta.gov.co

Safety

The path is poorly lit. Don’t walk it alone, don’t show valuables and never walk it after sunset; if you’re carrying valuables, take the boat. Some operators don’t send guests on foot.

Secondary source en.wikivoyage.org cielo.travel
Playa Grande is on Dimar’s boat-control list: use only authorised boats, never overloaded, with life jackets. Coast Guard: 146.

Official source dimar.mil.co
Many beaches have no warning flags and currents are common. Swim with care.

Official source travel.gc.ca

The Tía says

The boat costs less than a fright, dear. And be back before three — that’s when they start clearing the beach.

What to bring

Your list: tick what you’ve packed.

Cash for the boat and food
Water
Sunscreen
Swimwear and a towel
Closed shoes if you’re walking
The bare minimum — leave valuables at the house

Who it suits

For an easy beach day, with or without family. Go by boat; the path only in a group, by day and travelling light.

With children: By boat it’s an easy family outing. We don’t recommend the path with children or valuables.

Official sources

Tía Chela doesn’t run tours: the house recommends, advises and helps arrange transport. Third-party services are contracted by you directly.

All sources for this page

Reviewed on 28 October 2026. Prices, hours and closures change — confirm before you go.