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Last update: Oct 23, 2026
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Tayrona National Park Summary
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Suited for
Colombia – Quick facts
| Power Grid: |
110 V, 60 Hz Plug: Type A , Type B
Type A:
  Read about power adapters |
|---|---|
| Currency: |
Colombian Peso (COP) $1 ≈ COP 3,164.48 |
| Cashless info: |
Rating 3/5
Cashless payments are becoming more common, especially in cities. Credit and debit cards are widely accepted, but cash is still preferred in many rural areas.
Save with a travel credit card |
| eSIM providers: |
Best value: Saily Flexibility: Airalo Read our in-depth comparison |
| Tipping: | Tipping is not obligatory, but a tip of 5-10% is appreciated in restaurants. Taxis generally do not expect a tip, but rounding up the fare is common. |
|---|---|
| Public drinking: | Public drinking is not allowed in some areas, especially in cities. It is best to consume alcohol in licensed venues like bars or restaurants. |
| Public smoking: | Smoking is prohibited in indoor public spaces, including restaurants, bars, and public transport. |
| Independence Day (July 20) |
National holiday celebrating Colombia's independence with parades and festivities |
|---|---|
| Christmas (December 25) |
Celebrated with family gatherings and festive meals |
| Emergency contact: | Emergency Number: 123 |
|---|---|
| Taxi apps: | Uber, Cabify |
| Other: | Colombia is known for its coffee, vibrant culture, and beautiful landscapes, including the Andes mountains and Caribbean beaches. |
Best times to travel
The best times to travel section shows how the months compare for a visit, so you can find the time of year that fits what you want to do.
Background colors of the months:
The color shows the typical temperature: yellow (hot), green (mild) and blue (cold). How strong the color is shows the travel season: full color means high season, soft color means shoulder season and soft-striped means off season.
Weather symbols:
Each month has one symbol showing what the weather is typically like, such as hot and sunny, freezing or a rainy or snowy season. Use them to quickly spot months that match the weather you want, or to avoid the ones that don't.
Crowdedness:
The people icon shows how busy the place usually is. The more people, the more crowded it gets.
Additional notes:
The gray info boxes point out special things worth knowing, like recurring weather issues or seasonal events.
for Tayrona National Park, Colombia
Park closes for about three weeks in February and again in June for indigenous ritual and ecological recovery; exact dates change yearly
Colombian holidays and school breaks (Christmas to mid January, Holy Week) are extremely busy; book campsites and hammocks well ahead
Many beaches have dangerous rip currents; swimming is only safe at La Piscina, Cabo San Juan and a few sheltered bays
Don't miss
- 🏝️ Hike through jungle trails to the stunning Cabo San Juan beach
- 🌴 Swim in crystal-clear Caribbean waters surrounded by palm trees
- 🦜 Spot howler monkeys and exotic birds along forest paths
- 🏺 Visit the ancient Tayrona ruins of Pueblito Chairama
- 🤿 Snorkel over coral reefs near La Piscina beach
You've been here?
Log in to manage your own bucket list! Why travel to Tayrona National Park?
Forest that reaches the sea is what sets Tayrona apart from the city beaches around Santa Marta. Trails go through the trees and past large boulders to a string of bays. Monkeys and many birds live in the woods behind them. The coast is mostly undeveloped, with camps and a few ecohabs as the only buildings. Cabo San Juan is the best-known stop, with two bays on either side of a rocky point and a lookout on the rocks. Swimming at Cabo San Juan is allowed with care. La Piscina is a sheltered bay with a natural reef barrier. Other beaches, including Arrecifes and Cañaveral, have strong currents and no swimming, so the walk is more about scenery than a beach day. From Cabo San Juan a trail goes inland to Pueblito, the remains of a Tairona settlement, although access can be restricted. The park is also sacred land for the Arhuaco, Kogui, Wiwa and Kankuamo peoples. It closes for conservation several times a year. A day trip covers the entrance area and a beach or two. With one or two nights inside you can reach Cabo San Juan and walk back without hurrying.
🏯Places worth seeing
🎡Places for activities
🎈Events
-
Indigenous cultural celebrations
-
Ecological awareness events
Knowledge before you go
- Check the park's closure periods before booking anything.
- The park has no ATMs, so bring enough cash for food, mules and lodging.
- Wear shoes with grip, since trails turn muddy after rain and boulders near some beaches are slippery.
- Don't photograph Indigenous people without their consent and don't cross fences, since some sites inside the park are sacred.
How to travel to Tayrona National Park
Most visitors reach Tayrona National Park from Santa Marta, which is about 22 mi from the El Zaino entrance by road. Buses, shared minivans and taxis make the trip in about an hour depending on traffic. Taxis cost more but save time if you're carrying luggage for an overnight stay. Santa Marta's Simón Bolívar (SMR) is the nearest airport, with Barranquilla (BAQ) as the larger alternative. From either you continue by road through Santa Marta. Cartagena (CTG) is farther, at roughly four to five hours by road to Santa Marta before the last leg to the park. If you drive, the main coastal road east from Santa Marta goes to the park entrances. A car helps you reach the gates but not move around inside. Daily capacity in the park is limited and the ticket offices close once it's reached, so arrive in the morning. Entry rules and reservation requirements can change, so check the national parks website before you go.
Access summary
- From Santa Marta Airport (SMR): Taxi to El Zaino entrance, about 1–1.5 hours.
- From Santa Marta city: Frequent local buses or shuttles to El Zaino, about 1 hour.
- From Cartagena: Tourist shuttles or buses via Santa Marta, usually 5–6 hours total.
Check your route from anywhere
Where to stay in Tayrona National Park
Staying inside Tayrona National Park is what most overnight visitors want. Cañaveral has ecohabs, which are traditional-style cabins near the sea. Arrecifes and Cabo San Juan have camping areas and hammocks, with shared bathrooms, lockers and restaurants. Cabo San Juan is the most popular spot, so it fills up first. Rooms and camp spots inside are limited and demand is higher than supply on long weekends and in the mid-year holidays, so reserve ahead for those periods. Closure periods also affect when you can sleep inside the park. Outside the gates, hostels and lodges along the coastal road near the entrances work as a base for an early start. Santa Marta has the widest choice of hotels and hostels, but it adds the road trip to the day. If you plan to stay inside, a night or two is enough to see Cabo San Juan without rushing.
Hotel recommendations
*by rating and popularity. Commissions have no influence on the rankings.
How to get around Tayrona National Park
Cars can't go inside Tayrona National Park, so you get around on foot on trails that link the beaches and camps. The main trail starts at El Zaino and goes through forest toward Cañaveral, Arrecifes and Cabo San Juan, the farthest and best-known stop. Trails are muddy and steep in places. The walk between beaches is part of the visit.
Walking:
Walking from El Zaino to the first accommodation areas takes about an hour with luggage. Cabo San Juan is farther, so plan a few hours on foot and start early since you shouldn't be on the trails after the park closes.
Pack mules:
Mules at the entrance carry bags to the camps and ecohabs, which helps if you're staying overnight with heavy luggage. Agree the price before you load.
Entrances:
El Zaino is the main entrance and the usual starting point, while Calabazo is a separate and more demanding hiking route. Palangana leads to Playa Cristal and has shorter opening hours.
Food in Tayrona National Park
Food inside Tayrona National Park comes from the restaurants at Cabo San Juan and the camping areas, which are the main places to eat. Menus are simple and usually include fish with coconut rice and fried plantain, which is common on this coast, along with eggs and arepas for breakfast.
Cash matters because the park has no ATMs. Day visitors can pack snacks and sandwiches from Santa Marta. Drinks are sold at some stops along the trail. Supplies can run short at the farthest beaches, so bring extra if you have dietary needs. Single-use plastics such as straws and foam containers aren't allowed in.
Budget snapshot
Costs compared to home
We calculate the average costs when traveling to destinations and compare those with the living costs at your home. With this you can get an estimate of how expensive or cheap the destination is for you.
To customize this, you can set up which location and price level are used for the calculations in your account settings.
Daily expenses in the region are around 56% lower than the average across United States. That means you'll spend a lot less on meals and getting around.
Exchange rate trend
The exchange rate price factor shows how expensive or cheap a currency currently is compared to its historical average. It's a quick way to see if a country is currently more or less affordable due to exchange rate changes.
Your exchange rate (USD to COP) is 28% worse than in recent years. That means traveling now is considerably more expensive compared to the past.
Travel costs (Data for Santa Marta, Colombia - 13 miles away)
To help you plan your trip, we provide estimated daily costs per person (when traveling as a pair) for different travel styles. These numbers give you an idea of what you might spend each day at this destination, including accommodation, food, transport and activities.
Additionally, we also provide average hotel costs for different travel styles to give you an estimate for the accommodation only.
Please note that these are only estimates. The real costs depend on booking times, season and other factors.
To help you plan your trip, we provide estimated daily costs per person (when traveling as a pair) for different travel styles. These numbers give you an idea of what you might spend each day at this destination, including accommodation, food, transport and activities.
Additionally, we also provide average hotel costs for different travel styles to give you an estimate for the accommodation only.
Please note that these are only estimates. The real costs depend on booking times, season and other factors.
Daily cost summary
Travel style categories explained:
Backpacker:
Staying in hostels or budget hotels, cooking your own meals or eating cheap and choosing low-cost activities.
Mid-range:
Staying in mid-range hotels, eating at a mix of restaurants and casual spots and enjoying a variety of activities.
Luxury:
Staying in luxury hotels, dining out at high-end restaurants and enjoying premium experiences without worrying about the price.
Travel style categories explained:
Backpacker:
Staying in hostels or budget hotels, cooking your own meals or eating cheap and choosing low-cost activities.
Mid-range:
Staying in mid-range hotels, eating at a mix of restaurants and casual spots and enjoying a variety of activities.
Luxury:
Staying in luxury hotels, dining out at high-end restaurants and enjoying premium experiences without worrying about the price.
| Backpacker | Mid-range | Luxury | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 💵 Total costs per day, including accommodation | |||
| 🏨 Accommodation per night, per person | |||
| 🍝 Food per day | |||
| 🚕 Transportation per day |
Food & Drink
| 🍽️ Restaurant Dinner, per person | |
|---|---|
| 🍛 Lunch Set, per person | |
| 🍟 Fast food combo | |
| 🍝 Preparing your own food, per day | |
| ☕ Cappuccino | |
| 🍺 Beer in a restaurant, 0.5 l / 16 oz |
Transportation
| 🚌 Public transport ticket | |
|---|---|
| 🚕 Taxi Ride, 10 km / 6 mi | |
| ⛽ Gas, 1 l / ¼ gal |
Other
| 🎞️ Movie ticket | |
|---|---|
| 👩⚕️ Doctor's consult | |
| 🤧 Cold medication | |
| 💇 Basic haircut |
Safety information overview
General safety
Tayrona is manageable with normal care, but the sea is the main hazard. Arrecifes and Cañaveral are closed to swimming because of strong currents, so follow the flags. Use the lockers at the camps for valuables and stay off the trails after dark.
Health & Medical
There's no hospital inside Tayrona, so serious cases mean a long trip back to Santa Marta from the farther beaches. Heat is strong and dehydration is a real risk. Dengue and other mosquito-borne diseases occur, so bring repellent and carry insurance with evacuation cover.
Accessibility
Accessibility is very limited. Trails are earth paths with roots, steps and slopes that get muddy after rain. Reaching the camps takes an hour or more on foot, with mules for luggage only. Most of the park is out of reach for wheelchair users.
Tap water
There's no tap water to count on inside Tayrona, so bring bottled or filtered water. Camps and restaurants sell drinks but supplies can run short at remote spots. Carry plenty for the hike since the walks are long and shade is patchy on open stretches.
Packing recommendations for Tayrona National Park
Log in to add this place to a travel list and get a summary of all recommended items for your whole trip.
🥾
Hiking boots
📷
Camera
🌞
Sunscreen
hat, sunglasses, sunscreen
🚰
Reusable water bottle
🍫
Energy snacks
🧥
Rain jacket
🕶️
Sunglasses
hat, sunglasses, sunscreen
🪰
Insect repellent
🔦
Flashlight
🩱
Swimwear
👛
Cash in small denominations
🗺️
Map or GPS device
🔋
Power bank
🩹
Basic first aid kit
👒
Sun hat
hat, sunglasses, sunscreen
📱
Translation app or phrasebook
👕
Quick-dry clothing
💤
Sleeping bag
if camping
📱
Travel eSIM
🔌
Universal power adapter
💳
Credit card with no foreign transaction fees
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