April 6, 2026
With its white-sand beaches, crystal-clear waters, and wildlife-filled jungles, Tayrona National Park, Colombia is excellent to explore with kids.
Disclosure: This post also contains affiliate links whereby I may make a small commission at no extra cost to you. This helps with the costs of running my website so I can keep my content free for you. Thanks as always for your support! See my disclosure policy here.
Covering 15,000 hectares of land and 3,000 hectares of marine area, it is brimming with possibilities. From sighting rare endemic species to hiking, camping, and swimming, this Colombian park has it all.
It’s no wonder that the National Park Tayrona is an absolute must on any Colombia Itinerary. With the guide below, you’ll have all the necessary information to enjoy this stretch of nature hassle-free.
Tayrona National Park, Colombia
Reasons to Visit Tayrona, Colombia
Tayrona sits at the foot of the 17,000 sq km Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta Mountains, the world’s tallest coastal mountain range.
It was once home to ancient Tayrona civilisations. Two ancient archaeological sites that remain are the Lost City in Santa Marta and Pueblito in Tayrona. A few ancestral groups, including the Kogui, Kankuamo, Wiwa and Arhuaco, still live higher up in the mountains.
To preserve this biologically and archaeologically significant area, Tayrona was declared a national park on April 24, 1964.
Its rich and diverse ecosystems are the main attraction of this park. Its beaches, lagoons, mangroves, and green forests house thousands of plant, marine, and animal species. Many of which are endemic to the area and a treat to witness at least once in your life.
How to Get to National Park Tayrona
Tayrona National Park is 34 km from the bustling city of Santa Marta. This city has plenty of buses running to and from various locations in Colombia.
If you’re travelling from the city of Bogota, a bus trip will take about 17 hours and cost around £26. Alternatively, an aeroplane ticket can range anywhere between £40-60, depending on the time of year. The cheapest month to fly is in June, and flights last 1.5 hours.
If your home base is in vibrant Cartagena, you can easily get to Santa Marta with an £8 bus ticket. You can book a ticket online on Redbus or at the bus terminal. Once in Santa Marta, you can reach the park via bus or taxi. The bus trip is 40-minutes long and costs less than £2. Private taxis cost around £16.
Getting into Tayrona Park, Colombia
There are two entrances to the park. These include the main entrance, El Zaíno, which is furthest from Santa Marta. This entrance provides easy access to attractions like the Arrecifes coral reef, Cabo de San Juan de Guía and Pueblito.
The entrance closer to Santa Marta, Palangana, sits at kilometre five on the Caribbean main road. This entrance has easier access to spots like Neguanje, Gayraca and Playa del Muerto.
The park is open from 8 am to 5 pm, with a 6,900 tourist capacity per day. With it being such a popular attraction, it’s best to arrive at the park early or reserve a spot in advance.
Entry fees cost about £13 but can vary greatly from low to high season. Nowadays, you will also have to pay an extra fee for Tayrona medical insurance. At the time of writing, this was a mere 5,000 COP (just over £1).
Once inside, you’ll have to attend an obligatory environmental education introductory talk. Be sure to take everything you bring in with you out again — especially trash, to help preserve the natural environment.
Where to Stay in Tayrona, Colombia
There are a variety of spots to stay both inside and outside of the park. Staying inside the park gives you the chance to explore it over multiple days without paying entry fees each time.
For those looking to enjoy the company of like-minded backpackers, there are three camping sites. The main and most scenic one is Cabo San Juan. The other two are Castilletes and Arrecife. You can rent a tent, a hammock, or a site to plop your tent down on.
If you’d prefer a bit more comfort and luxury, especially when travelling with your kids, one of the many eco huts and hotels will be your best bet. Some of the most noteworthy ones include:
Ecohabs: These bamboo Ecohabs offer a pristine, luxury stay only 15 minutes from the main park entrance. With mosquito nets and comfy beds, you’ll get to wake up to the sounds of the forest feeling well-rested.
Mirador del Parque Tayrona: Offering supreme views from minimalist, clean houses in the mountain, Mirador del Parque Tayrona is a perfect budget-friendly option.
As we wanted to explore the areas surrounding Tayrona National Park, we decided to stay at Cayena Beach Villa. It’s located in Guachaca, just 25 minutes from the park entrance. This luxurious beach-side villa features bright, spacious rooms, immaculate decor, and excellent service.
Things to Do in Tayrona National Natural Park
With thousands of square kilometres to explore, you (and your little ones) will never be bored. Below are some of the top activities in Tayrona National Park, Colombia.
Hiking
Hiking is, without a doubt, one of the best things to do in Parque Tayrona, Colombia. Since we were staying a short way from the park, we took a day trip from our hotel and hiked to the charming Playa de Piscina inside the park. The hike was fairly easy, lasting about 1.5 to 2 hours.
The views of the ocean meeting the jungle, beach and rock formations scattered along the coast made the hike ultra rewarding. This beach is much quieter than the Cabo San Juan and relatively shallow, perfect to cool down in the waters.
Another great, family-friendly hike is the 9 Piedras Trail which takes less than an hour. The name roughly translates to “The Nine stones trail”. This 1.8-kilometre route takes you past nine giant boulders said to be of value to the indigenous communities.
It runs from Playa Canaveral to Playa Arrecifes and is relatively unknown. You’ll get to enjoy the peace and unobstructed views from this forest path.
Lounge About on Pristine Beaches
National Park Tayrona has several breathtaking beaches, perfect for cooling down and enjoying the Caribbean sun.
These include Cabo San Juan, Canaveral, Castilletes, Arrecifes and quiet La Piscina. Cabo San Juan is especially breathtaking, with its two beaches that appear to be mirrors of each other.
Keep in mind that these beaches face strong currents and swells, so only swim at designated beaches. If you see a sign that says no swimming, it’s best to move along to the next. Swimming is only allowed until 6 pm.
Tip: Want to get incredible photos of the mirrored beaches of San Juan? Take the short hike up to the little hammock hut that sits at the midwaypoint between the two. This hut, with 20 hammocks, is also a great spot to catch an afternoon nap.
Explore the Biodiversity
Whether swimming in the ocean or exploring the forests, you’re guaranteed to see a range of incredible fauna and flora. It’s an excellent educational and photographic opportunity — especially for the little ones.
When it comes to the number of spectacular animals in this park, it’s hard to know where to begin. Not only is this park a bird spotter’s paradise, but you’ll also get to spot reptiles and primates all around.
The reptiles include Boa Constrictors, crocodiles, and the walk-on-water Christ Lizard. There are also a variety of monkeys to be spotted. This includes the Capuchin monkey and the rarest primate in the world, the Cotton-Top Tamarin, with its white mohawk.
Above that, there are over 770 known plant species present in this park. Its humid and dry forests are home to trees like the Coconut Palm and the Soursop, Caracoli, and Mango trees. You’ll also spot Colombia’s national flower, the Orchid, and over 350 different species of algae.
Tubing Down the Don Diego River
If you’re looking for a relaxing way to enjoy the beautiful nature around this area while spending quality time with family, you’ll love tubing down the Don Diego River. This river flows from the peaks of the Santa Marta mountains, ending at Boca Don Diego beach.
Although it’s not located in the park, it’s an excellent nearby activity you simply can not pass by. Book a guided tour to be picked up at your hotel and taken to the river. The guide will take the 1.5 hours trip with you down to the mouth of the river.
Flowing down the smooth-running river there are plenty of natural attractions. You’ll hear howler monkeys and see the Santa Marta snowy peaks and a thick forest brimming with various trees.
Final Tips for Your Visit to Colombia’s Tayrona National Park
With this guide at hand, you’re sure to have a memorable time in this park. A few final things worth mentioning is that the Caribbean coast is hot, sunny and humid — with average temperatures ranging between 25°C and 38°C.
Be sure to bring essentials like sunscreen, plenty of water, insect repellent, and comfortable clothes and shoes. You’ll also want to bring your swimming suits and towels, of course, but always be wary of the tides. It is also recommended that you get a yellow fever shot to be extra safe.
Travel Tip: Check out our full Colombia Travel Guide for more must-do travel experiences in the country.
PIN AND SAVE FOR LATER
