The short answer: give Tayrona Park a full day and pick a plan: the Cabo San Juan hike, a day at Playa Cristal or a sailing day to Bahía Concha. Tayrona National Natural Park covers about 15,000 hectares, 3,000 of them marine, between the jungle and the Caribbean Sea at the foot of the Sierra Nevada.
It is part of our Santa Marta guide, where you can see how to combine it with Minca and the city.
The beaches, one by one
- Playa Cristal. Crystal-clear, calm water and large coral reefs, ideal for snorkeling. You arrive by boat from Neguanje and visitor numbers are capped. See the Playa Cristal tour.
- Siete Olas and Neguanje. Siete Olas is a viewpoint, not a swimming beach. Neguanje is the largest beach in the park.
- Arrecifes. Recognizable by its giant boulders. It is not safe for swimming because of currents, and it is a turtle nesting area, so visitors stay 10 meters from the shore.
- Arenilla. A small beach with turquoise water, 10 minutes past Arrecifes.
- La Piscina. A beach with calm, clear water, good for swimming.
- Cabo San Juan del Guía. The viewpoint over the rocks is the park’s most famous image. There is a restaurant, restrooms and hammock or camping lodging.
- Bahía Concha. You reach it by sailboat from the Santa Marta marina, past Isla Aguja, the only island in the park. See the Bahía Concha sailboat day.
How long to stay
| Time | Plan |
|---|---|
| 1 day | Cabo San Juan hike (about 2 h of trail), or Playa Cristal, or Bahía Concha by sailboat |
| 2 days | A hike and a night in a hammock at Cabo San Juan |
| 3 days | Add Minca and the city: read the Minca and Sierra Nevada guide |
What the hike is like
It is easy: trails, wooden walkways and stretches over sand, all well marked. Heat and humidity are the hard part, so start early and carry water.
What to bring
Comfortable clothes, swimsuit, sunscreen, repellent, closed walking shoes and your ID or passport, which is required. Foreign visitors pay a foreigner entrance tax. The yellow fever vaccine is no longer required to enter Colombia, but it is recommended.
When to go
December to March brings more sun and usually calmer seas. Tayrona closes for short periods several times a year, so confirm dates before booking. Tell us your dates and we will send you a personal quote.
Frequently asked questions
How long do I need in Tayrona Park?
One full day covers the essentials: a hike to Cabo San Juan, or a day at Playa Cristal or Bahía Concha. If you want to sleep in the park, Cabo San Juan has hammocks and camping.
Can I swim at every Tayrona beach?
No. At Arrecifes the currents are dangerous and it is a turtle nesting area; La Piscina, Playa Cristal and Bahía Concha are calmer. Your guide tells you where it is safe.
What documents do I need?
ID or a passport is required for every visitor. Foreign visitors also pay a foreigner entrance tax.
Do children pay the entrance?
Children under 4 enter free; children over 5 pay.
What is the best way to see it?
It depends on your pace: the Cabo San Juan hike is the most popular, Playa Cristal is calmer and Bahía Concha by sailboat mixes sailing and beach time.
Want help planning this trip?
Tell us your dates and interests and we will send you a personal quote.
Registered tour operator · RNT 74577
