Tayrona Nationwide Park or as it’s domestically identified, Parque Tayrona, is one in every of Colombia’s best nationwide parks. Put together your self for a visible masterpiece of beautiful white sand seashores, lush inexperienced jungles, and turquoise waters framed by the Sierra Nevada mountain vary.
Wonderful view of the Tayrona Nationwide Park Shoreline
Nevertheless, there may be extra to the Tayrona Nationwide Park than simply unimaginable magnificence. This enormous park has been residence to the Tairo indigenous individuals for hundreds of years, and you’ll nonetheless see them dwelling their day-to-day lives inside Tayrona Nationwide Park’s borders. If you tour Parque Nacional Tayrona, you merely can’t miss their white ensembles and rubber boots.
Whereas strolling by the jungle trails, you may additionally be handled to the sights of among the space’s various wildlife. Monkeys, colourful birds, and bugs are all ample at Tayrona Nationwide Park. However you’ll have to be particularly fortunate to identify the park’s extra elusive animals just like the endangered oncilla and another species.
Hold your eyes peeled for these little guys!
The Greatest Time to Go to Parque Nacional Tayrona
Excessive season at Tayrona Nationwide Park is from December to April, with a peak from mid-December to mid-January. It coincides with the realm’s dry season. “Wetter” months are from Might to June, and October to November, nevertheless rainfall will not be ample so it stays a pleasing time to go to.
Temperature and humidity are fairly constant year-round. With common temperatures hovering round 20-30 levels Celsius, and humidity hardly ever dipping beneath 70% (it’s the jungle in any case!).
Jungle coated mountain ranges at Tayrona Nationwide Park
Keep away from visiting Tayrona Nationwide Park throughout weekends and Colombian public holidays like Semana Santa when the park fills up with vacationing nationals and foreigners even throughout the week.
Suppose lengthy traces, busy seashores, and crowded trails in the event you plan on heading to Parque Tayrona throughout the excessive season.
As a substitute, go for a mid-week go to throughout the off-season. You’re visiting for the park’s pure magnificence and tranquility, so don’t let your go to be spoiled by crowds.
Stroll alongside within the stunning seaside of Parque Tayrona
Attending to Parque Tayrona
Tayrona Nationwide Park from Santa Marta
Santa Marta is the closest metropolis to Tayrona Nationwide Park, and that’s the place most guests embark on their journey to the park. We suggest that you simply spend the evening earlier than in Santa Marta (or Taganga) so you can begin your journey to Tayrona Park early the following morning.
Streets of Santa Marta, Colombia
Public Bus
This straightforward and handy possibility to get to Tayrona Nationwide Park is additionally essentially the most inexpensive one round 8,000 COP ($2.50 USD) every approach. You may pay the bus driver whenever you hop on.
Buses depart each half-hour or so from Santa Marta’s Central Market on the nook of Calle 11 and Carrera 11. There might be a “Tayrona” signal within the bus window and they’ll drop you on the park’s El Zaino entrance. The journey’s length is roughly one hour.
Non-public Switch and Taxis
Tayrona Nationwide Park is among the space’s hottest sights, so most of the space’s lodges typically supply transfers. Test together with your lodging for personal or resort transfers to the park.
Lovely seaside view at Parque Tayrona. Photograph by Mark Rowland by way of Flickr CC.
In any other case, they’ll prepare a taxi for you. Nevertheless, costs can get steep shortly because the taxi will cost for the price of driving there, and again to Santa Marta if they’re dropping you off for an in a single day journey. For day journeys they’ll wait out entrance all day. There isn’t any level haggling this, it’s a frequent follow within the space.
Approximate Taxi Charges:
Santa Marta Metropolis Centre to Tayrona Park: 90,000 COP ($32 USD)
Santa Marta Airport to Tayrona Park: 120,000 COP ($42 USD)
Tayrona Nationwide Park
Tayrona Nationwide Park from Taganga
Tagana is a cool city simply outdoors of Santa Marta, well-known for its seashores, dive retailers, and backpacker vibe. Should you select to remain in Taganga earlier than embarking in your journey to Tayrona Nationwide Park take into account cruising the waters to get there.
Considered one of Taganga’s and Tayrona’s native residents.
By Boat
A ship leaves for Parque Tayrona Playas each morning at 9:30 am and 10:30 am from the principle seaside. It is possible for you to to purchase tickets out of your resort or one of many many tour workplaces alongside the waterfront. Costs are upwards of fifty,000 COP ($15 USD) every approach.
The boat drops you off at Cabo San Juan seaside, the place Park officers might be ready to examine your paperwork and accumulate the doorway payment.
Boats return to take visitors again to Taganga within the late afternoon.
Taganga, Colombia. Photograph by J Duval by way of Flickr CC.
Getting into Tayrona Nationwide Park
Park Entrances
There are two park entrances at Tayrona Nationwide Park: El Zaino and Calabozo.
Calabozo is often thought of Tayrona Nationwide Park’s secondary entrance because it requires an extended 6-hour stroll to Cabo San Juan. Lots of people coming into by way of the Calabozo entrance spend the evening at Playa Brava, after which make the next hike to Cabo San Juan the next day.
Keep in mind, it’s an extended stroll from the entrances to Cabo San Juan seaside
El Zaino is the park’s primary entrance. All vacationer buses, cabs, and so on. will drop you right here and it is just a 2-3 hour hike to Cabo San Juan seaside.
You’ll be required to pay the 56,500 COP ($20 USD) for foreigners, or 16,000 COP ($6.50 USD) for native entrance charges. Additionally, you will be required to indicate your passport!
There may be a each day capability of 6,900 individuals per day so get there early or purchase your ticket on-line right here. The park hours are from 8a.m.-5p.m., and you may be required to look at an informative, environmental security video in regards to the park earlier than coming into. Heads up! It’s in Spanish, so ensure that to brush up your language abilities earlier than the journey.
Oksana and Max inside Tayrona Nationwide Park
Earlier than You Can Enter
Everybody’s baggage are checked earlier than coming into the park and Tayrona Nationwide Park’s officers have a strict coverage in opposition to plastic. They’re largely searching for plastic wrappers/baggage, so plastic water baggage are a giant no-no. Tupperware is nevertheless fantastic to usher in.
Private alcohol is strictly forbidden. Any alcohol might be confiscated. There are drinks on the market inside the park however as you would possibly count on, nevertheless, they arrive at a premium worth.
Don’t get caught bringing alcohol into the park. Will probably be confiscated.
Don’t overlook your passport! We all know it’s a nuisance to hold it round however park officers will examine your passport on the entrance.
As of April 2017, it’s important that you’ve got the yellow fever vaccination. You will get a free yellow fever vaccination on the Bogota airport however will probably be 10 days earlier than you might be protected in opposition to the virus.
Parque Tayrona from above
Getting Round Tayrona Nationwide Park/Parque Tayrona
No outdoors autos are permitted to move the park entrance. Nevertheless, there may be an official park bus which takes guests from the principle gate to the start of the mountaineering path, and Cañaveral seaside campsite for 3000 COP ($1 USD). After that you’re by yourself. You may select to stroll the 4 km to the campsite your self or rent a information and a horse.
Climbing path views from inside Parque Tayrona
The horses for rent can take you previous the trailhead, and all all through the park. This can be a very sensible answer if you’re carrying heavy tenting tools.
Take into account that the guides don’t rent out their horses after 3 p.m. as a result of the park closes at 5 pm. The horse rent is about 17,000 COP ($6 USD) to Arrecifices.
We wouldn’t advise mountaineering within the dense forest after darkish.
Hiring a horse is a sensible answer in case your pack is heavy!
Issues to do in Parque Nacional Tayrona
Probably the greatest actions on the park is visiting the seashores inside Tayrona Nationwide Park. Though not all of them are made equal, you should have an opportunity to decide on which one is best for you. The park’s seashores additionally boast among the finest locations the place to remain in Tayrona Nationwide Park.
Discover the Seashores
Cabo San Juan, Tayrona
Cabo San Juan, Tayrona is by far one of the iconic finest in Tayrona Nationwide Park (Parque Tayrona) – and for a superb cause. It’s really awe-inspiring with its twin bays, white sand, and crystal blue waters. You may swim right here, which is uncommon within the space, in addition to snorkel across the protected coral reef simply off of the seaside. There are just a few lodging and eating choices within the neighborhood of Cabo San Juan Tayrona which makes visiting the seaside a bit simpler.
Cabo San Juan seaside, Tayrona’s most iconic seaside
La Piscina, Tayrona
La Piscina means “swimming pool” in Spanish so you possibly can swim and snorkel right here too. The glassy waters are protected by a coral reef on the entrance of the bay. La Piscina is positioned only a couple hours away from Cabo San Juan.
Playa Arrecifes, Tayrona
Persevering with on from La Piscina, you’ll discover Playa Arrecifes. Sadly, its treacherous waters have been the ill-fate of many individuals through the years so swimming is strictly forbidden. Nevertheless, the seaside itself is absolutely stunning and is a good place for strolling, resting beneath palm timber and sunbathing. There are lodging, and eating choices right here as nicely.
Playa Canaveral, Tayrona
This is among the park’s smallest and most remoted seashores. Sadly, solely a sliver of the seaside is ripe for swimming however there’s a luxurious resort and restaurant positioned on the seaside – Ecohabs Tayrona.
We couldn’t get sufficient of those seaside views!
Playa Castilletes, Tayrona
Playa Castilletes is simply east of Playa Canaveral. This seaside can be non-swimmable however famend for its abandoned magnificence.
Playa Cristal, Tayrona
This seaside is way more off-the-beaten-track than different seashores within the space – and even perhaps extra stunning. You’ll have to take a ship to Playa Cristal in Tayrona Nationwide Park, however belief us,it’s an ideal day journey. There are a selection of makeshift eating places promoting meals and Membership Colombias on the seaside. Plus you possibly can swim and snorkel right here.
The Nudist Seashore, Tayrona
The Nudist Seashore is only a quick stroll from Cabo San Juan. Though don’t be thrown by the identify, nevertheless! There are hardly ever too many individuals at this seaside in addition to the lifeguards who’re current to point whether or not swimming is suitable.
Crimson flag means don’t swim!
Playa Brava, Tayrona
A secluded seaside on Tayrona Nationwide Park’s western facet. Usually solely visited by vacationers coming into by the Calabozo entrance. There may be low-cost lodging and a restaurant right here.
Bahía Chengue and Bahía Gayraca, Tayrona
Each of those stunning, secluded seashores are positioned on the park’s west facet. They’ll solely be reached by boat, and lack infrastructure.
Bahia Concha, Tayrona
Positioned simply half-hour from Santa Marta, this seaside is standard for a day journey of sunbathing and swimming with out having to trek. In contrast to the opposite seashores that are pretty remoted, Bahia Concha backs onto the automobile park. If you need to remain the evening, seize one in every of Tayrona Nationwide Park Hammocks or convey a tent to remain on the on-site campsite.
Hanging out at Bahia Concha
Go Climbing
This actually is the one strategy to see the park! All of the seashores (besides Bahia Concha) require some type of strolling from the entrances. They’re all very nicely signposted however keep in mind to get a map on the entrance simply in case.
Sundown in Tayrona
Different trails embrace:
The Pueblito Path
This clean granite path was initially laid by the historical indigenous individuals. They constructed it to steer from their Pueblito (or indigenous settlement) to Cabo San Juan seaside. It ought to take between 2-3 hours to finish.
Right this moment, a small group of their ancestors nonetheless stay right here, and the settlement itself is usually likened to the area’s well-known Misplaced Metropolis.
Lovely native indigenous youngsters
Probably the greatest components of this path is that it winds by the realm’s dense jungle which makes it nice for recognizing wildlife, although you’ll want some type of machete (often known as a path axe over there). A great deal of animals reminiscent of Jaguar and Caiman stay on this space however don’t count on to identify them. As a substitute, maintain your eyes peeled for monkeys, colourful birds, and attention-grabbing bugs. We promise you’ll not be disenchanted! .
9 Peidras Path
The 9 Piedras, or 9 Stones path is a 50-minute hike from Playa Canaveral to Playa Arrecifes or vice versa. It passes by coastal cliffs, and deep by the jungle. And it additionally offers an ideal alternative for wildlife sightings.
The path will get its identify from the spherical boulders guests bypass on the path.
Monkey inside Tayrona Nationwide Park
Go Diving
Unbeknownst to many, Tayrona is absolutely a improbable dive vacation spot. There are 22 dive websites within the marine park, together with coral reefs, sunken ships, caves, and a wide range of marine ecosystems.
You gained’t see too many giant animals right here, however there may be an abundance of good coral, sponges, anemones, as nicely plenty of pufferfish, angelfish, lionfish, scorpion fish, moray eels, lobsters, octopuses, and way more! Supposedly, the variety of fish species noticed within the coral reef round Tayrona Nationwide Park surpasses 150 varieties.
A Lionfish (Pterois volitans) present in Parque Tayrona
Diving journeys can’t be organized contained in the park and often depart from Taganga, simply outdoors of Santa Marta, which is teeming with budget-friendly dive retailers. We went diving with Oceano Scuba and had a depraved time! Their enjoyable dives begin at 190,000 COP ($66 USD).
Oceano Scuba boat at Cabo de la Aguja
Tayrona Nationwide Park Lodging
If you’re questioning about tenting Tayrona, there are six seashores (Parque Tayrona Playas) the place you possibly can keep contained in the park. All of them supply fundamental bathe, rest room amenities plus lockers.
There may be completely no freedom tenting within the park!
Can San Juan seaside
Tenting in Tayrona Nationwide Park
Tenting at Tayrona Nationwide Park is what brings nearly all of guests to this place. For the reason that park’s location is fairly distant and requires some lengthy mountaineering, Tyrona tenting is unquestionably going to be the spotlight of your journey.
Most guests are likely to spend 1-2 evening tenting contained in the park. The realm has a lot of serene campsites that face the jungle on one facet and the ocean on the opposite facet.
Tayrona Nationwide Park hammocks are the favorite possibility for a lot of park’s guests, particularly for backpackers touring on a finances. It’s an ideal factor in case your tenting journey is brief and you aren’t searching for an excessive amount of consolation. Nevertheless, if you’re staying in a park longer, you would possibly take into account renting a tent, as sleeping in a hammock will be actually powerful in your again.
You may lease a double tent for anyplace between 23,000-25,000 COP, whereas a hammock sometimes prices about 15,000 COP. If you wish to nab a main spot with a superb view, we suggest arriving sooner slightly than later!
Tenting on Cabo San Juan, Tayrona
Cabo San Juan Tayrona is the preferred place to camp within the park. To nab a hammock on the enduring gazebo, arrive early! They may set you again 50,000 COP ($17.50 USD). Plus they get chilly at evening, so don’t overlook to bundle up.
Due to its recognition and exquisite seashores, it tends to draw bigger crowds than different locations. If you’d like extra quiet environment, we suggest Cañaveral or Bukaru, nevertheless, ensure that to examine for swimming situations on the close by seashores because the currents will be actually robust.
Need to take pleasure in some music? The native vallenato musicians play for guests on the Cabo San Juan campsite every evening, and the extra you tip the longer they play!
Different Seashores for Tenting in Tayrona
The opposite seashores for tenting Tayrona at are Arrecifies, Carnaveral, Castilletes, and Playa Brava. Most supply hammocks, locations to pitch your tent or tents to lease. Costs vary from roughly 15,000 COP ($5.50 USD) to 40,000 COP ($14 USD). Most properties have fundamental eating places on web site too.
Take into account that electrical energy is shut off after 11 p.m. within the park. Should you’re not too drained from the day’s adventures, Parque Nacional Tayrona is a good place for stargazing!
Throughout our 3 days go to, we opted to remain on the Arrecifies campsite and take day hikes to different seashores from there. We have been in a position to lease all tenting tools on web site which allowed us to lighten our load considerably. We additionally didn’t pack any meals and bought all meals on the campsite, which ended up being an ideal setup and made our keep in Tayrona Nationwide Pure Park way more pleasurable.
Typical meal at Tayrona
Tayrona Nationwide Park Inns
If tenting will not be your fashion, there are a lot of different lodging choices, if you’re searching for the place to remain in Tayrona Nationwide Park.
Amongst them are Villa Maria Tayrona, a resort positioned simply 45 minutes from the Previous Metropolis of Santa Marta within the coronary heart of a jungle overlooking the ocean. One other good place to remain in Tayrona Nationwide Park is Playa Los Angeles a rural lodging with direct entry to a personal seaside.
And eventually, if you’re searching for a country place and the well-known Tayrona Nationwide Park hammocks, we suggest Villa Yira eco-hotel positioned in El Zaino. The property boasts a backyard and a terrace, and there may be additionally a close-by restaurant.
Probably the greatest components about many lodges in Tayrona Nationwide Park is that they’re positioned close to pristine white sand seashores and you may actually choose unique fruits reminiscent of avocados, bananas and mangoes proper off the timber.
There may be the well-known Ecohabs a collection of luxurious cabins constructed into the mountainside at Castilletes seaside. There may be additionally an on-site restaurant and spa.
The Eco-habs have been primarily based on conventional housing like these ones within the Sierra Nevada Wiwi communities.
What to Deliver To Tayrona Park
- Deliver plenty of water! We are able to’t stress this sufficient. You’re going to be doing plenty of bodily train and it’s sizzling and humid inside the park so that you’re going to sweat. Additionally, take into account that the worth of water contained in the park is greater than double of its common worth. We all the time convey our Hydroflask with us on our hikes, which maintain our water cool for over 12 hours even within the Colombian warmth. Plus our Steipen which makes virtually any water drinkable.
We don’t go anyplace with out our Hyrdroflask!
- Meals and snacks. There are meals distributors and eating places on the seashores that are nice for lunches and dinners however a big majority of the meals is fried, which you would possibly get bored with after a few days contained in the park. Deliver your individual however keep in mind that it must be ready earlier than coming into.
- Your passport, and yellow fever vaccination certificates to indicate on the Park’s entrance.
- Sunscreen and bug repellent are important. Since you’ll be staying amongst nature, we suggest eco-friendly varieties: Uncooked Parts Sunscreen and Repel Lemon Eucalyptus Insect Repellent
- Bathroom paper since it isn’t supplied at campsite amenities
Bahia Concha, Tayrona Nationwide Park. Can you see the campsite?
- Money! As there are not any ATMs contained in the parks. All lodging and meals should be paid in money.
- A flashlight for navigating the campsite at evening
- Light-weight clothes, ideally cotton or fast dry. Full-length pants for mountaineering by the bush, a hat and a swimsuit for that inevitable dip within the ocean.
- Good mountaineering sneakers, because the mountainous terrain, can get fairly difficult and flip flops for nights across the campsite.
Considered one of Tayrona Park’s secluded seashores.
How lengthy to remain in Parque Tayrona
Given how difficult it’s to get out and in of the park (keep in mind it’s a 2-3 hour hike every approach), we suggest staying for no less than 1-2 nights, however many choose to remain for upwards to every week and even longer.
There may be a lot to do throughout the days with plenty of mountaineering trails and seashores to discover. Plus Tayrona Nationwide Park is a good place to hold up the hammock and revel in nature for days on finish.
Tayrona Nationwide Park is a must-do! Get pleasure from!