Tayrona National Park: A Quick & Easy Guide

Tayrona National Park is one of Colombia’s most stunning stretches of Caribbean coastline. Whether you’re visiting for a day or staying a couple of nights, it’s the perfect mix of adventure and relaxation. Catch a bus from Santa Marta and hike through the forest to reach the park where you’ll enjoy the waters, have great ceviche, and munch on chocolate bread.

In this quick guide, you’ll find out how to get there, where to stay, the best beaches to visit, and my favorite spots to eat so you can make the most of your time in the park.

Pair this with my Colombia 11 Day Itinerary to make the most of your stay!

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Staying Inside vs. Outside the Park

You can stay either inside or outside Tayrona National Park.

Inside the Park

The accommodation is a little more expensive inside the park, but worth it if you don’t want to do a 1.5–2 hour hike each way every day to reach the beaches.

You should only bring what you need for a 2-night stay, as you have to hike with all your belongings into the park for over an hour. Leave your other stuff at your previous hotel and return to pick it up (if you’re following my Colombia Itinerary).

We stayed at Hotel Arrecifes Refugio Natural. A little pricier but beautiful, it’s built into the forest with a classy, earthy vibe (plus it’s beachfront). I loved the hammock and natural wood tones.

Our first choice was EcoHotel Yachay, but it was full when we planned to stay. Ecohabs Tequendama also looks lovely.

For camping (and simple rooms), check out Casa De Campo Castillete.

You can also camp on the beach at Cabo San Juan for 20,000 COP per person to 40,000 COP for 2 people for a tent.

Outside the Park

These options may be a bit cheaper, but are best suited for day trips, as you’ll end up hiking at least 1.5 hours one-way just to get to the first beach. Check out Hostal Recuerdos del Tayrona for a hostel vibe (with private rooms and a pool). Arca Tayrona Restaurant & Hostal is perfect for a quick entry into the park

How to Get There

If you’re starting in Santa Marta, head straight to this local bus stop. Once you arrive, just ask around for the bus going to Tayrona.

We got to the bus stop at 7:00 am, and our bus left around 7:15 am. Tickets were 9,000 COP per person, and the ride was quick and easy. It took just about 30 minutes to reach the park entrance, El Zaino.

There are 4 different entrances, but El Zaino is the most popular.

When you arrive, you’ll need to register at the entrance and pay for your entry ticket.

To go back to Santa Marta, ask the staff at the park entrance when they think the next bus is heading out and where to sit for it. We waited about 20 minutes for a bus to arrive.

Tayrona National Park Entrance Fees

Pay the entrance fee, which varies by season. Credit card machines are available.
- High season: June 15 to July 15 – December 15 to January 30 – Holy Thursday to Sunday – Weekends with Holiday Weekend: 87,000 COP
- Low season (the other half of the year, not mentioned above): 73,500 COP

You need to show your physical passport to get the entrance ticket.
There is a mandatory 7,000 COP/day health insurance, payable in cash only. Wear the insurance wristband (you have to keep it on during your entire stay).

Entry and exit dates are written on the band

Check the park’s official website for closure dates and updated pricing.

Hiking into the Park

Once inside the park, you can either walk 45 minutes along the paved road or take the internal shuttle bus (5,000 COP cash) to the start of the hiking trail. It’s worth it because the road is pretty boring to walk along.

As you start the hike, look up for monkeys! They get surprisingly close to visitors.

The hike starts off in the forest but then goes through rocky terrain with inclines and declines. There are people of all ages on the hike (many carrying full coolers too).

At times, the trail feels like an “ant line” with limited spots to pass.

It takes around 1 hour from the hiking start to reach Bere Panadería (a delish bakery, more on that below). Then, another 15-30 minutes to the hotel areas.

Ways to Experience Tayrona National Park

Day Trip

Enter in the morning, take a break from the hike by having breakfast and juice at Bere Panadería
Visit Playa Arenilla, have ceviche for lunch, then check out Playa del Cabo
Hike back before the day pass expires (around 4 or 5 PM, but double-check with the park)

One Night Stay

Follow the Day Trip plan, but stay overnight inside the park
Have dinner at Playa Arenilla
Spend the next morning at Playa del Cabo, then hike out

Two Nights

Do the One Night Stay option, rather than head out in the afternoon, continue exploring
Go snorkeling (honestly, not that exciting) or horseback riding (lots of horses around Playa del Cabo)
Have dinner back at Playa Arenilla’s restaurants
Hike out in the morning after breakfast (and a final dip in the water)

By Boat

This day trip catamaran tour sounds amazing! It leaves from Santa Marta at 9 am and returns around 5 pm. You will be able to access the park from the boat. However, be sure of your plans becuase it’s nonrefundable.

Easily Accessible Beaches in Tayrona National Park

The park is huge! Its coastline stretches 35km along the Caribbean coast. That means there are endless beaches. Some beach areas will be too rough to swim, and many are too far away for a simple day hike or even a 2-night stay (depending on how much you plan to relax on the beach). There are three popular beaches from the main entrance El Zaino that you’ll likely visit.

Playa Arenilla

This is the first main beach you’ll come across on the hike into the park. There are a few restaurants here, including my absolute favorite cevichería (more on that below). The water is calm, and it’s a great place to relax. There is no notable shade, unless you sit at the far end of the beach by the trees.

You’ll come back here for food all the time, even if you don’t get into the water.

Playa La Piscina

Playa La Piscina is a great spot to get into the water. It’s located right across from Hotel Arrecifes Refugio Natural.

Playa del Cabo

Playa del Cabo is the most famous beach in Tayrona. It has the iconic hut perched on a rocky outcrop, where you can climb up, sway in a hammock, and take in the view. This beach has a campground, so it’s always buzzing with people. Arrive before 10:30 am if you want to snag a shady spot.

Where to Eat in Tayrona National Park

Skip the overpriced coconut stalls on the hike pathway to the beaches.

Bere Panadería: This bakery is famous for its chocolate bread. I also loved the cheese-and-tomato bread, plus the fresh juices.

Cevichería La Arenilla: Located along the back edge of Playa Arenilla. The fish ceviche is so fresh, and the vegetarian version with mango and coconut is such a fun twist. The juices here are delicious.

El Rincón de Faby: At Playa Arenilla, great for dinner after a beach day. The fried fish dishes were great.

Other Playa Arenilla spots: Pretty much all the fish dishes seem reliable here. There are at least 3 other restaurants in the area. Most serve the same dishes, so it just depends on where you want to sit. The restaurants here aren’t on Google Maps, but you’ll find something to eat!