In this post, you’ll find all the practical information you need to visit Tayrona Park: entrance fees, opening times, closing dates, accommodation tips, park map, descriptions of the different sectors and beaches, etc.
If there’s one destination that’s on everyone’s mind when planning a trip to Colombia, it’s surely Cartagena tayrona Park! In fact, if you ask Colombians what they absolutely must visit in their country, 99% will tell you: “el parque Tayrona”. It’s one of Colombia’s pride and joys.
TAYRONA PARK CLOSING DATES
Every year, the park closes at the request of the indigenous people of the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta, to allow them to carry out their rituals in this sacred territory and let nature breathe.
February 1 to 15
Time of Kugkui Shikasa: when the earth renews itself
June 1 to 15
Saka Jusi period: the “rules” of the earth
October 19 to November 2
Nubbatashi period: animals perform rituals for the earth
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Disclaimer: we apologize in advance for any grammatical or syntactic errors, as our native language is not English (we're a Colombian-French couple), so we hope you'll forgive us and still enjoy the information we share with you! Please note that all the information on our blog is based on our own experience, and is checked and updated regularly.
Tayrona National Park
A bit of history
Before Spanish colonization, the region was inhabited by the Taironas tribes, who left traces of their civilization such as the famous Ciudad Perdida, but also Pueblito Chairama inside today’s Tayrona National Park. It is estimated that they were decimated by the arrival of the colonists, until their extinction in the 17th century.
The indigenous peoples of the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta
Today, the indigenous peoples living in the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta region are considered to be the direct descendants of the Tairona people. These four peoples still live in the mountains overlooking Tayrona Park: the Kogis, the Kankuamos, the Wiwas and the Arhuacos.
The park includes numerous sanctuaries, ancient cemeteries and ritual sites where indigenous communities continue to gather regularly for ceremonies. The natives consider the Tayrona Park to be their own territory, which is why they have been fighting for many years to recover parts of their territory, or at the very least to ensure that the sacred sites are respected and off-limits to tourists.
OUR EXPERIENCE IN TAYRONA PARK
Read about Sam’s different experiences in Tayrona Park, including the discovery of Cabo San Juan, a day at Playa Cristal, scuba-diving outings..
Natural reserve
Tayrona Park was established as a protected national nature park in the late 1960s . The park covers almost 20.000 hectares of land and sea. Here you can enjoy landscapes of beaches, coral reefs, cliffs, mangroves, swamps and tropical rainforest. There are hundreds of species of flora, and a wide variety of fauna: monkeys and rodents, large predators such as the American Crocodile, Jaguar, Tigrillo and Puma..
Respect
It’s important to understand that when you enter Tayrona Park, you’re entering a land that has been sacred to the people who have lived here since the dawn of time. So even if tourism has taken over the park, it’ s important to keep this in mind and to respect this magical place so that it remains so for a long time to come.
Prices and opening hours
Practical information Tayrona National Park
What are the opening hours of Tayrona National Park?
If you’re not sleeping inside the park, you’ll need to be out before closing time.
- El Zaino sector: daily, 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. (last entry: 12 p.m.)
- Calabazosector: daily from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. (last entry: 11 a.m.)
- Neguanje Sector (Palangana): Daily from 7am to 5pm (last entry: 2pm)
- Bahia Concha sector: daily from 7am to 4pm (last entry: 2pm)
How much does it cost to enter Tayrona Park?
Tickets can be purchased on site at the entrances to each sector. Prices are the same for all sectors except Bahia Concha.
| Admission to Tayrona Park (all areas except Bahia Concha) | High season | Low season |
|---|---|---|
| Foreign tourists | $73.500 COP | $62.000 COP |
| Colombians or residents 25 years | $33.000 COP | $28.000 COP |
| Colombian or resident – 25 years | $23.500 COP | $21.000 COP |
| Insurance (mandatory) | + $5.000 COP | + $5.000 COP |
Bahia Concha area
- Colombians or residents: $18.000 COP ( 25 years) / $10.500 COP (under 25 years)
- Foreigners: $30.000 COP
Your ticket is valid for the duration of your stay in the park.
HIGH SEASON DATES
- From 1/12 to 31/01
- June 1 to July 31
- Holy Week (10 days)
- On Colombian public holiday weekends (Friday to Tuesday)
Tayrona Park map
The different beaches and sectors of Tayrona National Park in detail
Since early 2019 and at the request of indigenous communities in order to protect sacred sites and allow traditional rituals to be practiced, three beaches in Tayrona Park will henceforth be off-limits to tourists: Chengue, Los Naranjos, and the eastern area of Bahia Concha. Access to Pueblito is also closed to tourists: it is therefore no longer possible to visit it.
PRECISION: The trail from Calabazo to Cabo San Juan and Playa Brava remains open, bypassing the Pueblito site. It is also possible to link Cabo San Juan and Playa Brava.
Zaino / Calabazo sector
The El Zaino / Calabazo sector is the part of the Tayrona Park most visited by tourists, and is home to Cabo San Juan beach, the best-known beach in the park, if not in Colombia..
The beaches follow each other along the coastal path between Cañaveral and Playa Brava, in the following order:
- Cañaveral (closest to the El Zaino entrance)
- Arrecifes
- Arenilla
- Punta Gaviotas
- La Piscina
- Cabo San Juan
- Playa nudista
- Playa Brava (closest to the Calabazo entrance)
All the beaches are accessible from either the El Zaino or Calabazo entrances, but the distances to each will vary depending on the entrance!
All Tayrona Park beaches
If you’d like to find out more about the beaches in Tayrona Park, how far they are from each other, and see some photos, we suggest you read our dedicated post!
Neguanje (or Palangana) sector
The entrance to Neguanje or Palangana is located at km 5 of the main road between Santa Marta and Riohacha, but the poor condition of the road to the beaches today makes land access difficult.
While it’s still possible to be dropped off by bus at the junction with Neguanje, there are now few options on the spot for continuing along the road, and you’re likely to find yourself very much on your own with no further options.
To get there, it’s now best to take a day trip from Santa Marta or Taganga.
This is a completely separate sector from the traditional Zaino/Calabazo one. Here you’ll find some beautiful, lesser-known beaches:
- Bahia Neguanje
- Gayraca
- Playa Cristal
- Playa Cinto
- Siete Olas
The entrance fee for the Neguanje sector is supposed to be the same as for the Zaino / Calabazo sector.
Bahia Concha sector
Located on a private estate on the edge of Tayrona National Park, you have to pay an entrance fee to get to the Bahia Concha beach. Last I heard, the rate was $5000 COP. Once there, you can pay for a lancha to go snorkelling on the surrounding beaches.
This is the closest beach to Santa Marta in the park. To get there, take a buseta from “Bastidas” (Avenida 5ta and 14) to the end of the line, then take a motorcycle or cab to the end of the road. Make sure you catch the last bus back at around 5 p.m.
Guide to the park
Practical information Tayrona National Park
If you would like to be accompanied by a guide to discover Tayrona Park and learn more about its unique ecosystem, flora and fauna, please contact our local partner.
This is your chance to talk to a passionate local guide, and not just walk through Tayrona Park without realizing its ecological, historical and cultural importance!
Contact a local guide
Where to stay in Tayrona Park
Accommodation in Tayrona Park
There are two options for accommodation in Tayrona Park:
- Lodging outside the park: if you’re only planning a quick day trip to the park
- Lodging inside the park : if you want to enjoy more and stay at least one night
Inside Tayrona Park, all types of accommodation are available: hammocks in shared shelters, tents with mattresses, small private cabins, luxurious Ecolodges.
HOW TO BOOK ACCOMMODATION IN TAYRONA PARK
Although reservations are generally not required, it’s best to arrive in the park early in the morning, as places fill up quickly, especially at Cabo San Juan. In high season, however, we strongly advise you to book in advance.
Campsites inside Tayrona Park
- Hammock: between $20.000 and $40.000 COP
- Tent: between $30.000 and $40.000 COP
- Cabin: between $150.000 and $200.000 COP
Camping de Castillete
Located on the beach in Cañaveral
Opinion : Readers have told us about robbery in there
Camping Don Pedro
Located in the forest near Arrecifes
Opinion : Reputedly not very welcoming
EcoCamping LUI
Located near Arrecifes beach
Opinion : New campsite
Camping Bermudez
Located near the beach in Arrecifes
Opinion: Not very clean
Camping cabo San Juan
Located on the beach of Cabo San Juan
Opinion: Reputedly overbooked.
General comments
- Generally speaking, rates inside the park are higher than elsewhere.
- We strongly advise you to use the campsite sanitary facilities early in the morning to ensure they are clean.
- Electricity and water are often rationed and limited to certain hours.
- Nearly all campsites offer scheduled meals
- Hammocks are usually placed under a shelter, close to each other, with an individual mosquito net.
Other accommodation in Tayrona Park
Below you’ll find other, more comfortable accommodations for sleeping inside the park. Check the location: some are situated between the Zaino and Cañaveral entrances, another is in Playa Brava, and another is totally isolated between Playa Brava and Playa Cristal.
Inside, Tayrona Park, the best hotels
Eco Lodge
Posada Yachay Tayrona
Double room : $200.000 to $250.000 COP
Luxury accommodation in the heart of Tayrona Park. Situated 1km from the El Zaino entrance but on a hill, it offers a sublime view of the surrounding mountains.
Inside, Tayrona Park, the best hotels
Hostal
Hostal Wachakyta
Dormitory : $50.000 to $100.000/Double room : $250.000 to $300.000 COP
Please note that the hostel is only accessible by boat. Camping and dormitory-style services at rather high prices, due to the idyllic and isolated setting. You can eat on site, of course.
Inside, Tayrona Park, the best hotels
Eco Lodge
Hostal Teyumakke
Double room : $150.000 to $200.000 COP
Hostal Teyumakke is located inside the park, entering from Calabazo, after a fairly demanding 8km hike (it’s also possible to get there on horseback). Rudimentary wooden huts with palm-fringed roofs, right on the beach, but perfect for disconnecting from the world! (No wifi)
Inside, Tayrona Park, the best hotels
Eco Lodge
Posada Jasayma
Double room : $100.000 to $150.000 COP
One of the few “hard” accommodation options inside Tayrona Park, a 15-minute walk from the El Zaino entrance. The attentive staff provide a haven of peace in the middle of the jungle, including meals with veggie options.
Where to stay outside Tayrona Park
It’s perfectly possible to stay close to Tayrona Park if you only want to spend a day inside.
Close to entrance, Tayrona Park, the best hotels
Hostal
Yuluka Hostel
Dormitory : $25.000 to $50.000/Double room : $150.000 to $200.000 COP
Located around 5 minutes by bus from the main “El Zaino” entrance to Tayrona Park (bus every 15 minutes), Eco hostal Yukula is a green setting with swimming pool, hammocks, dormitories or rooms in lodge-style cabins.
Close to entrance, Tayrona Park, the best hotels
Hostal
Hostal Manigua
Dormitory : $25.000 to $50.000/Double room : $100.000 to $150.000 COP
At the Calabazo entrance, a superb hostal, a little more expensive than the campsite but still relatively accessible. Accommodation ranges from dormitories to lovely double rooms, with a jungle atmosphere and swimming pool.
Close to entrance, Tayrona Park, the best hotels
Camping, Eco Lodge
Playa Los Angeles
Double room : $150.000 to $200.000 COP
A semi-private beach 5 minutes from the entrance to Tayrona Park, offering ecolodges and glamping tents on the beach… Recommended.
How to get to Tayrona Park
Transportation to Tayrona Park
Getting to Tayrona National Park from Santa Marta
- Go to the bus terminal or Mercado Publico (Carrera #11 and Calle #9)
- Take a bus “direction Palomino or Riohacha”
- Ask the driver for the “Tayrona” or “El Zaino” or “Entrada Principal” stop.
Bus from Santa Marta to Tayrona (Zaino entrance)
- Price: approx. $8.000 COP
- Duration: 1 hour
- Frequent departures throughout the day (please note that there are certain times to enter the park, after which it is no longer possible to enter)
Cab option
- Price: $120.000 COP
- Duration: 1 hour
Getting to Tayrona National Park from Riohacha or Palomino
Bus from Palomino to Tayrona (Zaino entrance)
Take the first bus on the main road, ask the driver for a stop.
- Price: approx. $7.000 COP
- Duration: 1 hour
- Frequent service all day until 6:30 p.m
Bus from Riohacha to Tayrona (Zaino entrance)
Meet at the bus terminal to take a bus to Santa Marta, ask the driver for the stop.
- Price: approx. $15.000 COP
- Duration: 2 hours
- Frequent service all day until 6:30 p.m
Sea transport to Tayrona National Park
Tayrona Park can be reached by sea from Santa Marta or Taganga.
Lancha from Taganga to Cabo San Juan
- Price: $50.000 COP one way.
- Duration: 1 hour
- Departure around 9 a.m., return around 4 p.m
Lancha from Taganga to Playa Cristal (Neguanje sector – daily plan)
- Price: $80.000 COP round trip mandatory
- Duration: 45 minutes
- Departures around 9 a.m. and return around 4 p.m
INFO AND SAFETY ON THE LANCHA
Check that the entrance fee for the Tayrona Park sector you are visiting is included in the price of the trip.
Please note that this trip from Taganga is not recommended during periods of heavy swell, particularly in January, February and March, when the sea can be extremely rough. We recommend that you do not make the trip by lancha during these periods, as safety conditions are not met.
We also advise you toavoid using informal guides to get to Tayrona Park, as many tourists have been scammed or misled by fake guides who don’t know the park well.
F.A.Q – Frequently asked questions
Rare information about Tayrona Park
Nearly all accommodations within Tayrona National Park offer a restaurant, but beware of the timetable! Because if you miss the service, you could find yourself in trouble..
Prices : you’ll need to budget between $15.000 COP and $30.000 COP for food that’s more or less good, depending on your tastes. Again, bear in mind that everything is more expensive inside the park.
- It is forbidden to bring in drugs and alcohol.
- It is forbidden to bring in single-use plastics (straws, cutlery, meal trays, boxes and drink stirring sticks)
- All garbage must be brought back with you
For your information, military personnel are frequently present at the park entrance to search bags.
Tayrona National Park is divided into 3 independent sectors:
- El Zaino / Calabazo sector
- Neguanje (or Palangana) sector
- Bahia Concha sector
Independent means that there are no paths or roads linking one sector to the other. The only way to link these sectors without exiting via the main road is by sea.
Once you’ve entered Tayrona Park, you can’t get from one area to another by land. The only possible connections are by sea. It is possible to connect the Neguanje sector and the El Zaino / Calabazo sector via lanchas that travel back and forth between Cabo San Juan and Playa Cristal.
A yellow fever vaccination is only recommended, but you won’t be asked for one on entering the park.
You can drive your car or motorcycle into the park. You’ll have to pay for the car’s entrance and for parking.
- Entry fee per vehicle: Car = $13.500 COP / Motorcycle = $9.500 COP
- Parking fee: $6.000 COP per day
Yes, you can leave your bag at the El Zaino and Calabazo entrances.
- Price: around $5.000 COP
The price is the same for El Zaino, Calabazo and Neguanje.
For Bahia Concha, as mentioned below, we’re at the park’s boundary and there’s no entrance fee to Tayrona Park. (Only a beach access fee)
As of 24/01/2020, it is no longer possible to book tickets in advance. During peak season, the park is very busy and may be fully booked. There is a maximum quota of entries authorized per day. In high season, you should therefore try toarrive as early as possible to buy your ticket.
High season
- From 1/12 to 31/01
- From 1/06 to 31/07
- Holy Week (10 days)
- During Colombian holiday weekends (Friday to Tuesday)
From the El Zaino entrance, it is possible to take a shuttle bus that brings visitors closer to the start of the coastal path at Cañaveral (this saves an extra 1h/1h30 of walking)
- Shuttle fare: $3.000 COP
No, but there are regular buses on the road. You just have to raise your arm for them to stop, and then ask the driver to leave you at the other entrance.
Insurance is now compulsory in all national parks, and the rate is per person per day (according to our information, your travel insurance will not be accepted).
- Insurance fee: $5.000 COP
Your ticket is valid for the duration of your stay in the park, as long as you don’t leave.
No, all exits are final and you’ll have to pay again if you wish to return to the park.
No, the only two beaches served by lanchas are “Playa Cristal” in the Neguanje sector (Palangana) and “Cabo San Juan” in the El Zaino/Calabazo sector. These beaches are served on a round-trip basis from Santa Marta or Taganga (morning departure/mid-afternoon return)
We give you all the information you need in our post on the beaches of Tayrona Park.
Hello, thank you for all this useful information! I had a few questions about the organization of the park in 2023, where I want to go at the end of July
can you confirm that
1) is it possible to leave our “big” backpacks in lockers at the entrance to el zaino park (if we bring our own padlocks), or is it safer to leave them in our hotel outside the park?
2) can we enter via el zaino and leave via calabazo (in which case how do we get our bags back from the el zaino entrance? are there shuttles between the 2 entrances?)
3) are there any lanchas linking playa san juan to playa brava? (indeed, we were planning to sleep at playa brava but from san juan I have the impression that we have to go up to pueblito to get back down to playa brava (is the path still accessible?) How long does it take? Is it utopian to want to do el zaino → la piscina → san juan in one day and sleep at playa brava in the evening?
4) is it better to buy tickets on the internet to avoid queuing in the morning?
thank you in advance for all your information!
Bonne journée a vous
Hi Charlotte, did you check the FAQ at the end of this article? Most of the answers to your questions are already there.
Concerning the feasibility of doing Zaino > Playa Brava in the same day, yes it’s possible if you leave early in the morning.
Hello!
Thank you for this blog and the wealth of information it contains!
I’m in the process of organizing our large family’s 3-week trip to Colombia next August. We have 4 children aged 9, 7, 4 and 15 months at the time of the trip
I’m wondering about the interest and feasibility of visiting Tayrona Park in this configuration: heat, crowds, moving around the park..
On the Caribbean coast, we had planned to visit Cartagena/Minca and Palomino. Before that, we’d go to the Salento region and spend a few days in Bogotá when we arrive. We’re hesitating to go to the Pacific coast (Nuqui) for the wild beaches, whales and perhaps a less touristy experience?
Your feedback would be invaluable!
Thank you very much
Marie
Thanks for your message, it’s always difficult to answer these kinds of questions… what’s for sure is that many people don’t really understand what to expect in the tayrona park. Indeed, to reach the most beautiful beaches, you’ll have to walk for at least 2 hours, and it’s hot. Accommodation is spartan and rather backpacker-oriented. The whole package (entrance, accommodation, meals, etc.) is relatively expensive. One thing’s for sure, though, and that’s that these beaches are among the most beautiful in Colombia. But it’s not really a “farniente” plan, unless you want to stay there for several days, which few people bother to do. So it’s up to you to decide whether it’s what you’re looking for and what your family can “handle”. All the destinations you’ve chosen are tourist destinations. If you ever consider the Nuqui region, that’s another world… we can only encourage you to go there. In terms of tourist numbers, there’s really no comparison between Cartagena/Tayrona/Minca/Palomino and the Pacific coast.
Hello,
Thank you for this informative article!
I’m wondering if there are any restrictions on drones inside the park (Dji mini 2).
Also, we would like to go to Tayrona directly from Cartagèna, it seems that the least restrictive option (schedule-wise) is to rent a car. Can you confirm this?
As for luggage, we have cabin bags, but we’d like to stay 2 days / 2 nights in the park, and lodging is difficult to get to (2-hour walk). Is there a safe place where we can leave our luggage?
I guess the car is not the best option?
Thanks in advance 🙂
Hi, drones are prohibited in all national parks in Colombia to limit the risk of harm to wildlife.
From Cartagena, the least restrictive form of transport is certainly by car. But you’ll have to leave super early if you want to arrive before the park closes at the entrances (see timetables in the article)
Yes, as we say in our FAQ at the bottom of the article, there are lockers at the El Zaino entrance.
Is the yellow fever vaccine strongly recommended when going to the tayrona park because my friend is not vaccinated…I don’t want to put his health at risk…thank you in advance for the information
Hello Emmanuel, the yellow fever vaccine is generally recommended in Colombia. The risks associated with the presence of mosquitoes carrying this disease are of course greater at lower altitudes than in the mountains. But there are no more risks inside the park than elsewhere on the Caribbean, Pacific or Amazon coasts. In any case, we don’t give advice on risks or vaccinations. We simply provide official information from the health authorities, and it’s up to each individual to make his or her own choices based on the recommendations. Recommendations do not imply obligation. You can find out more in our article on health in Colombia: https: //mytriptocolombia.com/vaccin-sante-colombie/
Hello,we would like to go to Colombia in February 2023 and would like to visit the Tayrona park.it seems that this park is closed for part of the month or the whole month of February (depending on the site).could you please confirm the official closing dates.Thank you
Hello Thierry, the official closing dates are displayed at the top of the article in a large green box entitled “TAYRONA PARK CLOSING DATES: Each year the park closes at the request of the indigenous people of the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta to allow them to perform their rituals in this sacred territory and let nature breathe.
February 1 to 15
Time of Kugkui Shikasa: when the earth renews itself
June 1 to 15
Saka Jusi period: the “rules” of the earth
October 19 to November 2
Nubbatashi period: animals perform rituals for the earth
Thank you for your reply. I had seen the dates in the box, but as I had read an article indicating a closure for the whole month of February, I had my doubts
Hello,
Thank you for this very well documented blog. However, I can’t find the link to the site where tickets for Tayrona National Park can be purchased. Thank you in advance for your help!
Hello, thank you for your message. At the moment it is not possible to buy tickets in advance. You have to do it directly in the park.
Thank you for all this information, it’s rich and very useful for planning our trip!
One question: because of the coronavirus, it’s no longer possible to stay in the park, is that right? The accommodation you describe inside the park will therefore not be accessible?
We’re in the middle of thinking about local accommodation 🙂
Hi Sarah! Sorry for the late reply, your comment went off our radar 😉 It’s once again possible to sleep inside the park without any worries 😉 Only the accommodations managed by the park teams may not be available. But there are plenty of other possibilities.
Thank you for this very rich blog, my heart balances between 3 nights in the park and farniente beach and 1 night next to the park to do it in 1 day to do the trek 4 days Ciudad Perdida before if it’s really worth it Early April. What do you think knowing that you don’t have the perfect trek…
Hi! sorry to reply so late, we were on a trip in the Choco with little connection… regarding your request it’s hard to say because it’s a personal choice, on the one hand the beach and idleness, on the other the effort and the trek… it’s up to you to see what you prefer! 😉
Hello !
We’re continuing to organize our trip… thanks to you in particular! We thought for our three days planned in the Tayrona Park, to enter by Calabazo and I just read this on the Colombian blog travelgrafia.co: “Today, you can still enter the Tayrona Park by Calabazo, but your way will not take you to Pueblito Chairama or Cabo San Juan, it will go directly to Playa Brava.” I seem to have read on your site in a comment that it was still possible to go to Cabo San Juan via the Calabazo entrance. If you can confirm this, I’d be interested
Another subject: accommodation inside the park. I’m under the impression that we can’t reserve ecohabs inside the park until the concession has been reallocated? I thought we’d have time to see what was coming by August, but no… the Castilletes campsite and the Posada Yashay are already fully booked!
Thank you for your valuable information and bon voyage, because if I’ve understood correctly, you’ll be leaving soon or you may already be there..
marine
Hi Marine, you’ve got it right: it’s possible to get to Cabo San Juan from Calabazo, but in fact the road bypasses Pueblito Chairama. Playa Brava and Cabo San Juan can also be reached by the same route. However, until the concession is awarded, the luxury Ecohabs cannot be booked. For accommodation, there are others, but try to contact them via Facebook, whatsapp, etc. with the links we give you.
Hello,
We’re leaving at the beginning of April for just 2 weeks, and after many desires, we’re planning to concentrate on the Caribbean coast to limit the number of return trips and to spend a little time at each stopover. After reading your blog, Tayrona Park seems like a must-see… but we’ve just realized that we’ll be in the middle of Holy Week and therefore in high season! (although we thought we’d be out of season…., but we’ve timed our visit to coincide with the vacation dates of our daughter, who is studying in Bogotá!)
In short, I’m wondering: is the park still worth it during this week, or is it likely to be crowded, as it is in December? In your opinion, are there any corners to avoid during this week, as they’re too busy, and should we move away to Palomino or Riohacha…? ? Do you recommend sleeping in the park or outside?
I also read your article on Cienaga Grande and it makes me want to stop there and spend a night: is it a good option on the way back to Cartagena?
Thanks for your expert advice!
Hi, overall during Semana Santa it’s crazy in all the tourist places in Colombia, Tayrona will indeed be full as in January, Palomino has become very touristy so the same… but on this side there are lots of beaches between Tayrona and Riohacha and you’ll probably find a place a little quieter, like Punta de los remedios for example. As for Cienaga, it’s definitely a destination worth considering 🙂
Hello to you both
thank you again for your latest advice
One more question, you say that the entrance fees to the park are valid for the entire duration of the stay. We are going to spend 2 days there
Are the campsites whose addresses you give on this page inside the park? In other words, if we sleep in one of them the first night, will we have to pay the entrance fee again the next day?
Thanks again and bravo for your well-documented blog, it’s a mine of information, and what’s more, you answer every question. What more could you ask for?
Thank you! 🙂 Oui les campings que l’on mentionent sont tous à l’intérieur du parc, donc pas besoin de repayer l’entrée puisque tu es à l’intérieur du parc 😉
Hello to both of you, Samuel,
I’d like to congratulate you once again on the quality of your blog and your information. (I’ve already done it 2 or 3 times, but hey, it’s very sincere)
I’ve just seen that the Tayrona site was closed on the dates we chose (February 27 and 28), so I’ll see if I can reschedule depending on what we have before and after.
My question: I was planning to spend a day at Playa de Cristal, by lancha from Taganga. But this beach is in the park. Do you know if it too will be closed at the same time as the park?
Best regards
gérard Pierre
Thanks a lot! 🙂 Oui c’est bien ça tout le parc est fermé, donc Playa Cristal également.
Your blog and your advice help me a lot in choosing my itinerary. I’m leaving for Colombia in January 2020. Can you tell me if the entrance to Tayrona Park via Palangana is still accessible? If so, how long does it take to get to Gayraca beach? Thank you in advance
Hi Roxane, yes the Palangana entrance is accessible except when the park is closed. For the exact time to get to Gayraca no idea, but it can’t be done on foot (too long) so as explained here you have to take a cab or a bus from the crossroads on the troncal del caribe.
Thank you so much for your answers. Your blog brings me a lot for the preparation of this trip, still merciiii!!!!
Buenas!!
Merci beaucoup pour votre super site qui nous a grandement aidé à planifier notre voyage 🙂
On se régale (oui on est encore la-bas (ici?!))
All your articles are super well detailed, thank you for this beautiful work
We just got back from Tayrona (December 26, 2019), and spent a day there. So the park is definitely still open, and it’s currently managed by the government until January 2020 (Parques Nacionales Natuales de Colombia, booking is possible on reservas.parquesnacionales.gov.co, accessible by computer only).
We were unable to pay online due to a technical problem, but the reservation is valid for 48 hours and we were able to pay directly at the entrance. Note that it is possible to buy a ticket without reserving in advance, but the queue is longer 🙂
In short, we had a great time (despite the horde of tourists!!) 🙂
Thank you Thomas for this valuable information which confirms our own 😉 Saludos!
I love your blog, full of information
Just to clarify, it is possible to sleep at Playa Cristal. It’s the best way to enjoy the beach all to yourself, after 4pm when all the tourists leave in the lancha and in the morning until around 9-10am 🙂
Hi Pauline, thanks for your message 🙂 We’re surprised by your info that it’s possible to sleep at Playa Cristal (Playa de los muertos), aren’t we talking about the same beach? Can you tell us more? What type of accommodation? Where is it located? Does it have a name? Do you have any idea of the price?
Hello !
Top votre blog c’est une mine d’infos 🙂
I’m planning to go to Colombia in February and start with the Tayrona park
Unfortunately, a priori, the park will be closed from the first to 15/02 ..
Where did you manage to get this info? I can’t get an answer from the park…
And, is it still worth sticking around if the park is closed?
Thanks for your help,
Lillian
Hi there,
We have this information from our local sources,
That said, the park concession is currently being renegotiated. The authorities must choose a new provider for the next 20 years, nothing is decided, while the previous concession will come to an end in December. If the authorities fail to take a decision by then, the park could be temporarily closed as early as December, for an indefinite period, until the choice is made.
This is probably why the current dealer who manages the official website has blocked the booking calendar for December and is not replying to messages.
So it’s hard to know whether the closing dates will remain the same, or whether everything will be reset… We’ll be updating our article on this subject.
Saludos,Samuel
Hello
We’re planning to leave from February 20 to March 7, 2020 and I’ve found 2 closing dates: the whole month of February and from February 1 to 15
What are the official closing dates for the park?
Being in the dark about the opening and management of the park, what are the other must-sees on the Colombian Caribbean coast( with idyllic beaches, surfing and/or snorkelling? We plan to rent a car from Santa Marta
Is it also possible to leave it in Cartagena, for example, to take the plane?
Thank you for your feedback 😘
Hi, the dates are an oversight, the closing dates for February are February 1 to 29. For things to do in the area we have an article that gives lots of ideas you can use as inspiration: What to do around Santa Marta. To rent a car we suggest you read our article, and indeed you can pick it up in Santa Marta and return it in Cartagena, it’s just more expensive: Car rental in Colombia
Hello,
Is there any news on the park concession takeover? I can’t find the place where I can buy tickets… We’re leaving from mid-January to mid-February and our itinerary will be heavily impacted accordingly :-).
Thanks a lot!
Hi Charlotte, as soon as we have new information we’ll update the article 😉 It’s not compulsory to book these tickets in advance, so you can still visit the park in January by buying your ticket at the entrance when you arrive, as most people do.
Hello,
I would like to reserve 2 tickets for Tayrona Park on December 21. I tried on the site via my computer, there are no tickets available on that date. Do you think it’s because it’s too early to book or because the park is already full? (I’ve tried several dates in December and none are available)
Hi, the Tayrona Park concession is currently being renewed. The current site is managed by Aviatur, who will no longer be in charge of the park concession as of December. We’ll have to see in December whether the public authorities have made their decision or not, and whether the park will be open or not… To be continued!
Hello, thank you for all the valuable information on your blog!
Since the pueblito is closed, is it still interesting to enter through calabazo or is the other entrance better?
Which tour do you recommend given the changes in regulations? 🙂
Thank you!
Hi, yes it’s always interesting if you don’t want to make the same way there and back 😉
Hello,
Superb blog, thank you so much for all this valuable information! It’s a gold mine for my trip and I’m looking forward to reading the articles I haven’t read yet 🙂
I’d like to take this opportunity to follow up on a question I asked at the beginning of the year to see if there’s been any feedback since then: is it possible to enter the park via Calabazo with a ticket purchased on the internet for “Taquilla Zaino” (the only option offered on the site along with the Playa Cristal and Neguange entrances.)
Many thanks 🙂
Hi, unfortunately we don’t have any more information about this. But as we were saying, since it’s the same area, there’s no reason why your Zaino ticket shouldn’t be valid to enter via Calabazo. If you ever do, don’t hesitate to let us know here! 🙂
Hello,
We’ve just come back from three great days in the park, so I can confirm that the ticket we bought online for Zaino allowed us to enter through Calabazo 🙂
See you soon!
Cool! Thanks for your feedback 🙂 Enjoy the rest of your trip!
Hello,
Your blog is a mine of information, thank you!
We’ll be in Tayrona mid-August. We want to walk from Calabazo and sleep at Playa Brava: is it necessary to book the hammocks?
It seems strange to me, I was really going to go without a reservation, but when I see that several Colombian agencies are telling me that it’s still high season in Colombia, and that the hammocks are on Booking (!!!), I have my doubts and I don’t really want to end up in the water (we don’t have a tent) and have to come back for lack of “accommodation”
If we decide to sleep under the stars: apart from the inconvenience of securing a mosquito net, are there any dangers in sleeping on the ground (like snakes, etc.)?
Thank you very much for your reply.
Thanks for your message 🙂 To be honest, we have no idea… But why not make a reservation? That way you’re sure you’ll get your hammocks 🙂 One thing’s for sure: in high season, some accommodations fill up quickly (this happened to us in Cabo San Juan). So it’s up to you whether or not you give it a go. As for us, no, we wouldn’t sleep on the ground like that in Tayrona under the stars, but we’re not big adventurers either… This is the jungle, with all the little creatures you can imagine, and with a bit of luck we’ll even come across some jejej caimans 🙂
Your blog is a reference for our trip. It’s a gold mine and you’re always very responsive in relation to reality. I’m impressed by your talented work! I’m going to share it on the various world tour groups.
Thank you very much Marion, your comment makes us very happy! 😊
Hello to both of you,
Thank you so much for this blog full of advice and knowledge!
I’m leaving in a week for Peru, then Colombia, and I must say that your advice is invaluable!
However, I still have a small question: is it possible to walk from Playa Brava (where we’re spending the night) to Cabo San Juan? If so, how long does it take?
Merciiiiiiii ! 🙂 I’m sharing your blog with my friends on Erasmus!
Hi Clémentine, thanks for your message 🙂 Yes, we put the possibility in the article, it is possible to go from Playa Brava to Cabo San Juan, we haven’t done it but readers have told us about it. You have to go back up the path and there’s a fork in the road around Pueblito to get to Cabo San Juan. As for time, it depends on the walker, but count on about 2h30 that way? Don’t hesitate to let us know if you do it, thanks 😉
Hello
Is the yellow fever vaccine mandatory to enter this park and elsewhere in Colombia?
Thanks in advance
Hello, in fact it is just recommended, we advise you to read our article on vaccines for Colombia
Hello Angelica and Samuel!
I have a small question… Do you think it’s possible to take a lancha from Taganga to playa de cristal in the morning and then at the end of the afternoon take another one to Cabo San Juan in order not to make a return trip but a loop ?
Thank you so much! J’adore votre blog, il es super Complet ❤️
Hi Laurie and thank you very much for your message, which makes us very happy 🙂 To answer your question, it should be possible, but you have to plan ahead and find out in advance if there will be a Lancha from Playa Cristal to Cabo that you can join… After that, we’d tend to say that in the other direction, you’ll always have a lancha returning from Playa Cristal to Taganga… but then again, if the lanchas are ever full and you haven’t told them in advance, you could find yourself in a bit of a bind… it’s worth a try in any case, but you’ll have to organize it on the spot!
Hello to both of you and thank you so much for your very comprehensive blog, which makes us want to discover this magnificent country and its inhabitants, while providing us with all the practical information we need to plan our tour!
I was wondering if it was possible to get to Cabo San Juan or La Piscina by lancha from Playa Cristal
In reading your article, I understood that Playa Cristal was quite remote and that we could only do that one during the day (leaving by lancha from Santa Maria), but we’d like to be able to continue to other parts of the Park..
Thanks in advance for your reply
Isabelle
Hi Isabelle, you’ve got it right, it’s not possible to go from Playa Cristal to Cabo San Juan. You have to think of the park in separate sectors. If you want to do both Playa Cristal and the Calabazo/El Zaino sector (Cabo San Juan, la piscina etc.), you’ll have to make the round trip to Playa Cristal on one day, then go on to the Calabazo/El Zaino sector via the trail. Depending on the season, you may be able to make the trip to Cabo San Juan by lancha (the only place in the Calabazo/El Zaino area served by lanchas)
Thank you so much! We’ll be going there in a few days (around June 12). We’ll see if the lancha can make the connection between the two… we also wanted to do the Ciudad Perdida trek but we couldn’t get the yellow fever vaccine before we left and I saw that it was highly recommended. What do you think? Is it also advisable to have this vaccine for Tayrona?
Hello,
When you say it’s no longer possible to do the loop, what do you mean? Is it still possible to reach the Cabo from the Cabalazo entrance?
Hi, following some information, the trail leading to Pueblito is closed, but you can’t do the loop between Zaino and Calabazo and vice versa.
Hello,
I wanted to ask you if we can walk from Arrecifes beach to Cabo San Juan beach via the swimming pool in one day, or are they too far apart? I can’t figure out how far it is
Thank you for your feedback
Best regards,
Laura San-José
Hi Laura, you’ll see in the article, in the Practical Information section, we give the distances and an estimate of the time separating each beach 😉 That should answer your question! 🙂
Well done, fellow travellers!
What a job.
A mine of information, each as practical as the next, and great documentation in every field.
All we need, as you say, is to know what the weather will be like when we get there!
We’ll be there in early May (after seeing Chile, Bolivia and…Colombia of course, where we’ll be spending almost a month!!!) — NO, I didn’t skip beautiful Peru, we went there 5 years ago!!!—
I was looking for some info on Tayrona, and I came across your wonderful blog. I also see that you’ve tackled other places, other themes, so of course I’m going to go, your experience is very useful to me
Well done again and thank you for helping future travellers!
Dgépé
Thank you so much for your compliments! It makes us very happy and encourages us to keep up the good work! Enjoy your trip to Colombia! 🙂
hello
i’ve just read your blog, which I find super
clear, precise and complete
…and these photos make us want to go but…one question: is the little trek from calabazo to zaino via pueblito so difficult?
reading several comments, it’s a bit scary
reassure me
i’m not a great sportswoman but I do long walks with 5 to 600 m of vertical drop
thank you for your reply and congratulations again for this blog
Hi Marie, and thanks for your message, don’t worry, it’s not the end of the world, especially if you do it in the Calabazo > Zaino direction, as the slightly difficult climb in the other direction then becomes a descent 😉 The only thing to bear in mind is that it’s very hot and humid 😉
Hello Samuel! This blog is helping us a lot in the preparation of our trip, many thanks and bravo! We had a little question: we’re going with our girlfriends from 14/02 to 01/03, and we’ve seen that Tayrona Park is closed… some people say you can still get to the beaches, so we’ve booked the Eco hostel Yuluka as you recommend, but we don’t know if we’ll actually be able to get in… or if it’s practical to get to the surrounding area (Los Angeles beach), etc..
do you know a bit more about the subject?
thank you very much!
Marion and Chloé
Hi Chloé, we’re surprised that it’s possible to visit the beaches during the closure… the park is closed at the request of the indigenous communities to allow it to rest from tourist pressure, the communities will during this month perform “cleaning” ceremonies. From our point of view, the only thing to do is to respect this closure and not visit the park at all.
La Playa Los Angeles is outside Tayrona Park. Enjoy the rest of your trip! 🙂
Hi Samuel,
Thank you very much for your blog which is helping me a lot to prepare my trip to Colombia
I wanted to book (on your good advice) in advance my entrance to Tayrona Park but they offer 3 types of entrance (Neguange – Playa del Muerto – Taquilla Zaino).
The idea is to follow your advice and start the day (I only have 1 day there) at Calabazo and leave at El Zaino
I was going to take the “Taquilla Zaino” ticket, but since I’m starting at Calabazo, I’m not sure..
Can you enlighten me?
See you soon and congratulations again on your blog
Karine
Hello Karine, I simply think that if you take a “Zaino” ticket, you’ll be able to enter Calabazo without any worries, as it’s the same part of the park. The other tickets (Neguange and Playa del muerto) are valid for areas isolated from the rest of the park and have a different price.
Hello, thank you so much for your site which is full of valuable information
How can I find out if Tayrona Park will be closed again during February 2019?
Thank you in advance
Hello and thank you very much for your comment! It makes us very happy 🙂
Yes the Tayrona park is closed every year. It will be closed from January 28 to February 28, 2019
Hello,
I can only agree with the previous comments, this is the most complete page I’ve found in French
However, I have two questions
– from El Zaino to Cabo San Juan, I understand that it takes 3h30 without forcing. Given that swimming and sunbathing aren’t really my tastes, nor are hammocks too expensive, does it seem reasonable to leave Santa Marta as early as possible in the morning and return in the afternoon?
– if so, you’re talking about doing a loop, which sounds like a good idea, but I saw the comment from the person who got lost and my sense of direction is absolutely disastrous… In the end, do you still recommend this route? Are there many people at this entrance in late November (to avoid walking alone)?
Thank you
Julien
Hi Julien, it’s true that it’s perhaps not clear enough, but the first part Zaino – Cañaveral can be done by shuttle and takes off 1h to 1h30 of walking in total. Roughly speaking, it’s a two-hour walk from Cañaveral to Cabo San Juan. If swimming isn’t your thing in the heat of the day, you’ll still be happy to indulge in a refreshing dip on the way or on arrival – well, I couldn’t imagine not tasting what else makes the Caribbean Sea so interesting. Otherwise, yes, it’s quite possible to do the Calabazo – El Zaino loop during the day, arrive for lunch at Cabo San Juan, then leave to get out of the park before dark (around 6pm) without any problem. As for orientation, yes, I saw that someone got lost, but from my point of view it’s not very complicated, there’s a main path, you just have to be careful not to take the turnoff to Playa Brava. Knowing whether there will be other people to accompany you in November is a bit like asking me whether the weather will be nice that day 😉 I have no idea! 😀 Possibly yes, possibly no! Having said that, there are a lot of people going to Tayrona, so if you’re ever alone, you can always wait a while at the entrance to see if any fellow travelers arrive. The other solution is to take a guide, who will also have the advantage of being able to teach you things about the park.
Thanks Samuel, I’m going to Santa Marta tomorrow and your site is really complete compared to Tayrona …
Thank you very much Bruno, it’s a pleasure 😉
Hello !
Your site is beautiful and very nice. I’m writing down a lot of things in preparation for my one-year trip to Colombia starting May 15 🙂
Quick question: what theme do you use for your blog? It’s really beautiful!
Thank you
Aurore
Thank you for your compliments, we really appreciate them! 🙂 We use the Uncode theme. 🙂
Hi Samuel!
Merci pour ce blog, il est vraiment top, et super bien écrit en plus 🙂 J’ai noté pleinnnns d’infos !
We’re just a few days away from departure and I have a small practical question…
For Tayrona Park, I read that we could stay there for 3 days, for example, and walk the trail (we’re pretty sporty!). But I have a little question: if we don’t want to take our 15kg bags with us on our 3-week trip, is there a plan to leave them somewhere safe? At the park entrance? Or in Santa Marta? Or in an accommodation the day before?
What do you think?
Or what if we take the shuttle and leave our stuff in one of the local accommodations?
Is it useful to book in advance for early May?
Thanks for your reply!
Nina
Hello Nina and thank you for your compliments on our blog, it makes us very happy! 🙂 To answer your question, yes, there are normally luggage lockers at the main entrance to the park (Zaino). But if you’re only going to the park and back, you can leave your luggage in the hostel where you’ll be staying before going to the park, and return to it to collect your belongings. Otherwise, I don’t know if the article was clear on the subject of the shuttle: it only brings you closer to the coast, to avoid part of the way through the forest. But once you’ve dropped off, to get to Cabo San Juan, for example, you’ll need to walk for a good 1h30. A nice thing to do if you’re a walker is to enter by Calabazo and exit by Zaino (rather than the other way round), it’s much nicer than going back and forth by the same route 😉
What a superb article and a wealth of information! Thank you so much Samuel for taking the time to share your feedback with us. My partner and I live in Colombia and we’re going to spend a weekend in Tayrona, there’s nothing worse 😉
Thank you so much Liselotte! It’s a real pleasure to get such nice feedback 😉 Tayrona reopens tomorrow, and it’s off to a flying start! 🙂
Hola Samuel,
I have a few questions, I hope you don’t have any problems. First of all, do I have to reserve a place for my tent? Or can you just show up? Also, do you know of a nice hostel near/in the park? I have to work one day so I need wifi and our tent isn’t equipped yet… Thanks in advance!
Hi Liselotte, you’ll see that I’ve updated the article with some accommodation tips for Tayrona Park. I was going to publish a practical article soon, but I’ve put it here and it’ll give me a bit of time to polish up the rest 😉
Hey! Great, let’s check it out at the airport because we’re leaving right now. Here’s to the heat!
Thanks for your answers and your time.
Bonne continuation,
Liselotte 🙂
Hola! Como estas?
I’m also finding lots of useful info for my trip. Thanks a lot.
I haven’t found the practical guide you mentioned… I’m curious to know how to get to Cristale beach on foot
Also, any idea about entering, exiting and re-entering the park. Do I have to pay again?
Thanks in advance
Léa
Hello Léa,
Yes, the “Tayrona Park practical guide” is on the todo list, which is getting longer and longer 😉
Honestly, I don’t have any more information about the possibility of walking to Playa Cristal. However, I do know that it’s possible to go through the “Neguange” entrance and that there are buses that take you to the bay and then all you have to do is take a lancha for a 10-minute ride to Playa Cristal. So it must be possible to walk there by road, but frankly I don’t think that’s an interesting plan. If you ever manage to do it, we’ll be interested to hear more about it and whether it’s worth it in the end rather than paying a few pesos to take the bus. Just as a reminder, this part of the park isn’t connected to the Cabo San Juan / Arrecifes part, so there’s no way to get from Playa Cristal or Bahia Neguange to Cabo San Juan. What’s more, according to our information, it’s not possible to enter, leave and re-enter the park without having to pay again. In fact, it seems to me that the park entrance fee for Neguange / Bahia Choncha / Playa Cristal is cheaper than for El Zaino / Arrecifes / Cabo San Juan.
We’ve just arrived in Colombia for an indefinite period and after 4 days in Cartagena, we’re going to Santa Marta tomorrow. I’ve just discovered your blog, which I feel will guide us during our stay. Thank you so much for this great source of information
Celine and Audrey
Thank you very much Céline! Your comment makes us very happy 🙂 We’re sure you’ll have a wonderful stay in Colombia! Enjoy your stay.
Ah, this park was one of my favorites… But be careful on the hike to Pueblito… The hike can be tough. Above all, don’t go alone, and don’t venture off the trails (sometimes not very visible)… I got lost… And without the help of Spanish tourists who heard my cries and were sporty enough to find it, I might still be there…
Thank you Emma for your very pertinent comment! Indeed the climb to Pueblito is apparently quite intense and with the heat and humidity, even more so! You’re also right about the precautions to be taken in a jungle as dense as Tayrona Park’s: don’t go off on your own, stay on marked paths, advice that’s valid just about everywhere in Colombia, in the mountains, in the jungle, or in certain parts of the big cities ;-).