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Brief travel guide to Parque Tayrona

(This is an "approved guide", which means that we think it is very accurate and up to date. It's a "brief" guide which means that we think it can use some more detail - leave comments! Written December 2006.)

Parque Tayrona is a beautiful park next to the sea, with white sand beaches, where you can sleep in a hammock and relax (there's not much more to do). It's very popular with travelers.

Getting there.

There are a few ways to get to Parque Tayrona.

The easiest way is to book with one of the hostels - both Miramar and Casa Familiar make bookings.

Or you can just take the bus yourself: go to Calle 11 with Carrera 11 in Santa Marta and get the bus that says "Tayrona" on the front, it's 3000 pesos. The bus will drop you off at the entrance of the park.

The entrance fee to the park is 21000 pesos (US$ 10) - you'll need to show your passport. A jeep from here to take you further in the park to Canaveral costs 1500 pesos, or you can just walk (1 hour).

From where the jeep drops you off you can easily walk to Arricifes in less than an hour. Or you can rent a horse to go there for about 15000 pesos.

Things to do.

There's not much more to do in Tayrona than to relax, swim a bit, explore the park and the beaches and make friends :) In the park, you can walk up the hill through the jungle to El Pueblito, a small village.

Be careful where you swim, many of the beaches are not safe. Especially the Arrecifes beach has strong currents and is not safe for swimming.

Tayrona is very safe and generally not affected by any guerilla/paramilitary problems in the Sierra Santa Marta.

What to bring.

You don't need malaria pills in the park. You do need a yellow fever vaccination but it's not usually checked. You need to bring your passport.

Bring mosquito repellent and snorkeling gear if you want to go snorkeling.

Food and drinks are somewhat more expensive here (beers at 2500 pesos, breakfast 6000), so you might want to bring a bottle of rum or even something to cook and some rice and lentils.

Places to Stay.

Most travelers sleep in hammocks in Arrefices, a short walk from Canaveral. Just walk there and you can't miss it. Hammocks are under a roof and cost about 6000 pesos per person (US$ 2.5), or you can bring a tent (3000 pesos per person).

You can bring food to cook there (make a small fire), or there are a few places with cheap food (meals are about 10000 pesos).

If you walk beyond Arrefices until Cabo de San Juan (Cape of St. John), you'll find stunning beaches, a campsite with 2 small beaches safe for swimming. You can rent a hammock for 10000 pesos (US$ 4) a night, or bring your own tent. There are basic showers and toilets and a small shop. Breakfast around 6000 pesos.

If you go beyond Cabo de San Juan you'll find a nudist beach.

Alternatively, you can rent some fairly fancy cabanas (huts) with great views from Ecohabs, a cabana with 2 beds is about 70000 pesos (US$ 30). You have to book these in advance in Santa Marta (http://www.parquesnacionales.gov.co, tel 423 07 04).

Comments.

This is a very (!) brief guide, we need more detail. Please share your experience with these or other places and things to do in the comments!

By Peter (Moderator) on Dec 21, 2006, 10:39 in Travel tips.

gbeckler says on Jan 28, 2007, 00:52:

Nightlife in Medellin the first full week of April I am thinking of vacationing in Medellin the first full week of April but am wondering if it is the best time to go. I’d like to sample the nightlife but have heard that some of the clubs may shut down and many people will go to Cartagena that week to party. Is this correct? How is the nightlife the first full week of April?

Gary

Gary

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Piapo says on Mar 6, 2007, 03:58:

I just came from Tayrona Parque Tayrona is a MUST if you're travelling in Colombia. We lived 1 km from the park in a hotel called "Riopiedra". It was a nice place with swimming pool and bungalows with ac. We were travelling with my parents-in-law so we didn't want to rent a tent in the park. You should stay day 2 or more days and if you are a backpacker stay in a tent in the park. There's no need for a guide from the entrance to the beaches but you should pay for one to "pueblito". Many backpackers gather in Tayrona, and if you are foreign there is no danger to travel there. I just loved it!

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robertjanjarvis says on Mar 9, 2007, 17:03:

solo male tourist Hiya, I've been to colombia before and of course, loved it !(the reason I'm coming back again)
I would this itme like to stay in the Tayrona hammocks, but I might have a few valueables with me. Any safe guarding place in there I could keep my stuff for a few days or at least at night?
Advice?

Cheers, I know colombia isn't dangerous unless you make it dangerous.. was just wondering!

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TonyMattei says on Mar 17, 2007, 16:09:

safes on grounds hello and good day

i was in tayrona nation park on easter week.. it was a great experience all though i said in hotel and onley spent an entire day there..there is a safe lock box next to hammosck and little resurtant i am not sure of the cost not much they will give you a key numbre on big long stick so you will not lose it. i recomend renting horses when you get there and ride them through the park and on the beaches....a wonderful experience. and further questions i can help with bogota medellin and santa amrta..... anybody help me ith barrenquilla pleasedrop me aline

at anthonymattei at saggiodream.com
thank
Tony

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