Tayrona National Park

Tayrona National Natural Park is where the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta, the world’s highest coastal mountain range, drops into the Caribbean Sea: tropical forest reaching the sand, granite boulders polished by the waves and beaches you can only reach on foot, on horseback or by boat. In my view it’s one of the highlights of Colombia’s Caribbean coast, but it needs planning: the park closes three times a year, entrances keep strict hours and swimming is dangerous at many beaches. Here’s everything you need to visit on your own.

When is Tayrona open? 2026 closures

The park closes three times a year to let the land “rest”, as agreed with the Indigenous peoples of the Sierra Nevada (Kogi, Arhuaco, Wiwa and Kankuamo), for whom this land is sacred. In 2026 the closures are:

• 1-15 February;
• 1-15 June;
• 19 October-2 November (it reopens on 3 November).

No tickets are sold on those dates. Some sectors can also close at short notice for bad weather or security reasons: always check the official Parques Nacionales Naturales channels before you go. The best period, with less rain and calmer seas, is December to April; for other seasons see when to visit Colombia.

Tickets and entry rules

Item	Price
Non-resident foreigners, low season	81,000 pesos
Non-resident foreigners, high season	96,500 pesos
Mandatory daily insurance	a few thousand pesos
Bahía Concha (separate sector)	its own, lower fee

High season matches Colombian holidays (mid-December to mid-January, Easter week, mid-June to July) and long weekends. At the ticket office you need your passport and money, ideally cash.

A few rules to know before you pack:

• Not allowed: single-use plastic bags, alcohol and glass bottles. Bags are searched at the entrance.
• Entrances open early in the morning and close in the early afternoon: arrive late and you may not reach the main beaches before dark.
• Yellow fever vaccination is recommended for visitors to the area: talk to your doctor before you travel.

Getting there from Santa Marta

The park is about 35 km from Santa Marta, the most convenient base. The main entrance is El Zaino:

1. Local bus: buses towards Palomino leave Santa Marta’s market all the time. Ask to get off at El Zaino: the ride takes about an hour and costs about 10,000 pesos.
2. Park shuttle: from the El Zaino ticket office a minibus covers the roughly 5 km to the Cañaveral car park, where the trails begin. You can walk it, but it’s on tarmac and in full sun.
3. Taxi or private transfer: easier for groups or if you want to be there at opening time.

The other entrances are Calabazo (for the mountain trail via Pueblito), Palangana, towards Neguanje beach, and Bahía Concha, a bay near Santa Marta with its own fee. There are also boats from Taganga to Cabo San Juan, but the sea can be very rough: if you get seasick, walk in instead.

The trails: Cañaveral to Cabo San Juan

The classic route follows the coast westwards, alternating forest and beaches. Here are the stages and times at an easy pace:

Stage	Time	Swimming?
Cañaveral → Arrecifes	about 1 hour	no, dangerous currents
Arrecifes → La Piscina	about 30 minutes	yes, calm water, good for snorkelling
La Piscina → Cabo San Juan	about 20 minutes	yes

Allow about two hours in total, on a trail with sandy stretches, roots and wooden boardwalks. The heat and humidity are intense: start early and carry at least two litres of water per person. You can do part of the route on horseback with the services you’ll find along the trail.

From Cabo San Juan a tougher trail climbs to Pueblito (Chairama), an ancient Tayrona settlement in the forest: allow a few extra hours and proper hiking shoes.

At Arrecifes and many other beaches in the park swimming isn’t allowed: there are accidents every year because of the currents. Respect the signs, even if the sea looks calm.

Day trip or a night inside the park?

• Day trip: doable, but you need to enter at opening time and leave Cabo San Juan by early afternoon. You’ll see the main beaches, along with plenty of other people.
• A night inside the park: what I’d recommend. At sunset the day-trippers leave and the next morning you’ll have the beaches almost to yourself.

Where to stay

Where	What you’ll find	Typical price
Cabo San Juan, Arrecifes (inside the park)	covered hammocks and camping	hammock 30,000-45,000 pesos, tent 35,000-55,000 pesos a night
Cañaveral (inside the park)	eco-cabins	much pricier
El Zaino-Palomino road (outside)	eco-lodges and jungle hostels	varies
Santa Marta	city hotels and hostels	for day trips

The most sought-after hammocks, like those on the rock at Cabo San Juan, go quickly in high season: arrive early or book where possible.

What to pack

• Cash: there are no ATMs in the park and cards aren’t always accepted. Withdraw in Santa Marta: see our tips on money in Colombia.
• Insect repellent, biodegradable sunscreen, a hat and at least two litres of water per person.
• Comfortable walking shoes (not flip-flops) and a light backpack.
• Swimwear, a quick-dry towel and a torch if you’re staying overnight.
• Your passport, needed at the entrance.

Rescue inside the park can be slow, so travel insurance that covers outdoor activities is a good idea.

How much does Tayrona cost?

Item	Typical price
Bus Santa Marta → El Zaino	about 10,000 pesos each way
Entry ticket (foreign visitors)	81,000-96,500 pesos
Mandatory insurance	a few thousand pesos
Shuttle El Zaino → Cañaveral	a few thousand pesos
Hammock at Cabo San Juan	30,000-45,000 pesos a night

For a day trip from Santa Marta, budget about 115,000-130,000 pesos per person, excluding lunch.

Mistakes to avoid

• Turning up on closure dates: check them before booking flights and hotels.
• Arriving late: after mid-morning the heat makes the trail much harder.
• Swimming at Arrecifes: the currents are dangerous.
• Coming without cash: everything inside the park is paid in cash.
• Leaving food in an open bag: monkeys and raccoons are expert thieves.

Frequently asked questions

How much does Tayrona National Park cost in 2026?

Non-resident foreigners pay 81,000 pesos in low season and 96,500 pesos in high season, plus a small mandatory daily insurance.

When is Tayrona closed in 2026?

1-15 February, 1-15 June and 19 October-2 November 2026. The park reopens on 3 November.

How do you get to Tayrona from Santa Marta?

Take the local bus towards Palomino from Santa Marta’s market: in about an hour and for about 10,000 pesos you reach the El Zaino entrance, where a shuttle takes you to the trailhead at Cañaveral.

Can you swim in Tayrona National Park?

Only at some beaches, such as La Piscina and Cabo San Juan. At Arrecifes and many other beaches the currents are dangerous and swimming isn’t allowed.

Can you visit Tayrona in one day?

Yes, if you arrive at opening time: it’s about a two-hour walk from Cañaveral to Cabo San Juan. Spending a night inside the park, though, lets you enjoy the beaches without the crowds.