Tayrona National Natural Park

The foothills of the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta, the highest coastal mountain in the world, plunge into the sea like the fingers of a gigantic hand forming beautiful bays and coves: Chengue, Gayraca, Cinto, Neguanje, Concha, Guachaquita, with their sandy white beaches surrounded by mangrove swamps, bushes and forests and bathed in the crystal clear water of the Caribbean sea. For those seeking contemplation and rest, the Park offers magnificent beaches and the relaxing panorama of an intensely blue sea. For those seeking more exciting activities, walking, snorkeling and diving are popular attractions.

The Park also has archeological ruins of an ancient city of the Tayrona people, forming part of the ancestral territories of the Kankuamo, Kogui, Wiwa and Arhuaco indigenous communities who inhabit the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta. Tayrona NNP offers attractions like Chayrama or “Pueblito”, a place full of myths and legends of the ancient communities that inhabited the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta. You will find the archeological ruins of their eternal architecture that you can reach after a magical trail amidst the exuberance of nature.

Ecotourism Activities

Hiking The Park has the following trails: 1. Kogui or Knowledge trail from Cañaveral to Arrecifes (low difficulty, one hour). 2. Arrecifes – Boca del Saco trail going through Arrecifes beach, the natural pool and Cabo San Juan del Guía (low difficulty, two hours). 3. The stone road to Pueblito from Cabo San Juan del Guía (high difficulty, 3 hours). 4. Calabazo – Pueblito – Cabo San Juan del Guía trail (high difficulty, 4 hours).

Fauna and Flora Observation Tayrona NNP is the perfect place for those interested in fauna and flora. There are terrestrial mammals such as the howler monkey, titi monkey, deer, tigrillo and the awesome jaguar. There are also reptiles such as the blue poison dart frog, iguanas and the aguja caiman. Outstanding flora includes the evergreen trees that color the park during all seasons along with epiphytes such as moss, bromeliads, plants from the Araceae family and orchids that can be seen in the Park trails.

Cultural Heritage Observation Pueblito is, undeniably, one of the most visited attractions of the park. It is an archeological jewel that contains ruins of the ancient Tayrona civilization. You can follow two hiking trails to reach this site: the first from Cabo San Juan del Guía lasts 45 minutes and the second from El Calabazo for approximately two and a half hours.

Research and Environmental Education The exuberant nature of the protected area and its state of conservation make it an ideal place for scientific research. Additionally, as in all the parks with ecotourism, education institutions carry out environmental education activities in the park, as do the park rangers who speak to the visitors about the Park, its conservation objectives and ecotourism services and activities.

Bird Watching Colombia has the greatest number of bird species in the world, which makes it a frequented destination for professional and amateur birdwatchers. Among the species that can be observed are the white eagle, paujil, Tayrona bird or pobre toro, guacharaca, king vulture and royal flycatcher.

Scuba Diving Scuba diving can be done in the Park in the areas of Isla Aguja and Granate. Diving trips, equipment rentals and diving courses are managed by the diving schools of Taganga, a small village of fishermen near the Park. There is no diving center within the park. The operators of this service are located in Taganga, Santa Marta and Rodadero.

Snorkeling Snorkeling can be done in the sector of Neguanje where a space in front of the Playa del Muerto “playa cristal” has been assigned with expert guides for this activity. Similarly, it can be done in the Tayrona natural pool where a local guide offers this service in the framework of environmental education.

Camping For the adventurous, there are camping areas with all the appropriate facilities to accommodate up to 400 visitors in Arrecifes and 200 in Cañaveral.

Getting to Tayrona

The easiest way to get to this sanctuary is from the city of Santa Marta. From there you can take the 40-minute bus ride to the main gates of Tayrona Park, where you'll be able to access the park's main beaches: Playa Cristal, Playa Cañaveral, Playa Arenilla, Playa Arrecifes and Playa Cabo de San Juan.

What to take

Cool cotton clothes, a bathing suit, pants and long-sleeve shirts for protection form insects and branches that can scratch the skin and from the sun.
Resistant and adequate footwear to protect your ankles and water resistant shoes for the beach areas.
Hat, cap, sunglasses and a light rain jacket for the rainy season.
Identity documents and a valid health insurance card.
There are less snakes in the Caribbean than in the Pacific region, nevertheless, it is best to take an all-purpose antivenom, that must be applied by a doctor according to the recommendations of the Colombian National Serpentarium.

Special Recommendations

Park hours are from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm.
Make your reservations in advance. The daily capacity of the park is 6.900 tourists.
It is recommended to be vaccinated against yellow fever.
There is an obligatory environmental education introductory talk.
Please respect the shower schedule and use water efficiently.
For your safety, find out which places are safe for swimming and swim only in permitted areas.
Bathing in the sea is allowed until 6 pm.
Sacred places of the 4 indigenous communities of the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta are located inside the park and its access is forbidden.
Make sure the tourism guide is certified if hiring one.
The following activities are forbidden: building fires, throwing cigarette butts, burning trash, logging trees and capturing wild animals.
Parking vehicles in the parking zones is forbidden. When the parking areas are occupied the entrance of vehicles will be restricted and only the entrance of visitors will be allowed.
When using boats, make sure there are life vests on it.
Entry of plastic bags and polystyrene objects is restricted.
Entry of musical instruments is restricted.
Entry of pets is restricted.
The entrance and carrying of weapons is forbidden.
The entrance of alcoholic drinks and psychoactive substances is forbidden
Entry of alcoholic beverages is restricted.
Entry of surfing boards is restricted.
Please take the garbage you have produced during your stay with you (this includes peels, seeds or other vegetable or animal waste); not paying attention to this measure deteriorates the environment and can cause illnesses for the wildlife and flora.