Recommended by the Tía

Tayrona National Park

Dry forest, giant boulders and Cabo San Juan. You hike, you sweat, you’re grateful.

Beach
Adventure
Full day
Moderate
Families: it depends
On your own or organised

From the house: 35–75 min by bus to the gate, depending on sector and traffic

Photo: David Shankbone · Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 3.0 · licence

The most famous national park on Colombia’s Caribbean coast: dry forest, mangroves, reefs and beaches between huge boulders, in the ancestral territory of the Kogui, Wiwa, Arhuaco and Kankuamo peoples. From the house it’s a morning bus ride away; the hard part is choosing how far to walk.

Don’t miss

1The Cañaveral–Arrecifes trail, with sea viewpoints
2La Piscina, a sheltered cove between Arrecifes and the Cabo
3Cabo San Juan del Guía, the main beach where swimming and snorkelling are allowed
4From Calabazo, trails to Playa Brava and Boca del Saco
5Dry forest, mangroves and some 400 bird species recorded in the park

What to expect

A long, beautiful day. The bus drops you at the El Zaino gate (or at Calabazo), you buy your ticket at the booth, sit through a short induction talk and start walking through dry forest and giant boulders. From the gate to Cabo San Juan is roughly two hours or more each way, in the heat.

There are authorised restaurants, hammock areas and campsites inside, but they cost more than in town. If you want to sleep inside, book ahead with the authorised operator.

Getting there from the house

Bus from the Mercado

Cootransoriente Tayrona buses leave from Carrera 9 at Calle 11, by the Mercado (5 min by bus or 20 on foot from the house, according to the house). They run every 12 minutes from 4:40 to 18:00. Ask the driver for Cañaveral / El Zaino or Calabazo.

Official source · cootransorientetayrona.com · Hostelworld
Taxi

There’s an official fixed-zone fare to the park entrance. Ask to see the taxi’s price table before getting in, and prefer taxis booked by phone or app.

Secondary source · elespectador.com
By sea

The park allows boat access from Santa Marta, El Rodadero and Taganga to some beaches. Buy the insurance and pay the entry fee before boarding, and only use Dimar-authorised boats, with life jackets.

Official source · parquesnacionales.gov.co · dimar.mil.co

Reference costs

Entry for non-resident foreigners: COP 81,000 in low season and COP 96,500 in high season. Colombians and residents over 25: COP 36,500 / 43,000; ages 5–25: COP 27,500 / 30,500. Special rates for people born in Santa Marta.

Official source checked 28 Oct 2026 parquesnacionales.gov.co
Bus Santa Marta–Cañaveral/El Zaino: COP 10,000; to Calabazo: COP 9,000.

Official source checked 28 Oct 2026 cootransorientetayrona.com
Mandatory assistance insurance on top of the entry fee, and food inside the park costs more than in town.

Official source parquesnacionales.gov.co en.wikivoyage.org

Entry requirements

Mandatory accident-and-assistance insurance (Resolución 273 of 2024) from an authorised insurer.

Official source parquesnacionales.gov.co
Yellow-fever vaccine given at least 10 days before entering a national park; bring the certificate.

Official source parquesnacionales.gov.co
Induction talk and registration before entry. Tickets are sold at the gate according to the day’s capacity — there are no advance reservations.

Official source parquesnacionales.gov.co
No pets, speakers, single-use plastics, bottled liquor, drones without a permit or hallucinogens.

Official source parquesnacionales.gov.co
Bring your ID — the fee depends on nationality or residence. The parquetayrona.com and .org websites are not official.

Official source parquesnacionales.gov.co

Closures, hours and weather

The park closes temporarily three times a year, agreed with the four Sierra peoples: usually 1–15 February, 1–15 June and 19 October–2 November. Dates are confirmed each year.

Official source parquesnacionales.gov.co parquesnacionales.gov.co
Last entry is in the early afternoon, and the published per-sector hours don’t always match the park’s notices — arrive early and confirm with Parques Nacionales.

Official source parquesnacionales.gov.co parquesnacionales.gov.co
In 2026 blockades on the Troncal del Caribe affected land access. Before leaving, ask at the house about the road.

Secondary source checked 28 Oct 2026 elinformador.com.co

Safety

Swim only in authorised zones: Arrecifes and Playa Brava have dangerous currents and there have been drownings. Red flag = beach closed.

Official source parquesnacionales.gov.co en.wikivoyage.org
The trails get very hot: start early, stay on marked paths and carry water and a hat.

Official source parquesnacionales.gov.co
If there’s an accident, go to the insurers’ assistance points inside the park.

Official source parquesnacionales.gov.co

The Tía says

Leave early, dear: buses run from 4:40 and the heat shows no mercy. And leave the big suitcase at the house.

What to bring

Your list: tick what you’ve packed.

Yellow-fever vaccination card
Insurance and ID
Comfortable shoes and a hat
Biodegradable sunscreen and repellent
Water in a reusable bottle
Cash
A bag to carry your rubbish out

Who it suits

For walkers with good energy, and for anyone who wants to spend a night in a hammock or tent inside the park. With small children, or for a beach day without long hikes, look at Bahía Concha or Neguanje.

With children: The hikes are long and hot and several beaches are closed to swimming. With small children, Bahía Concha or Neguanje are usually easier.

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.