TagangaPlanning to visit Parque Nacional Natural Tayrona? The first thing is deciding how to get to Tayrona Park. Every traveler has different tastes, budgets and time, so here we explain the 4 ways to get there from Santa Marta and Taganga, with their pros, schedules and tips.
Important: the prices shown are for reference and may change. The park entry fee is paid separately (except on the tour, where it may be included) and depends on the season and your nationality: confirm the current fee before you travel.
Summary: the 4 ways to get to Tayrona Park
| Option | Best for | Approx. time |
|---|---|---|
| By boat | Those who want to reach Cabo San Juan quickly | 1 hour |
| Direct transport | Those who want to hike the jungle without hassle | 1 hour + hike |
| Guided tour | Those who want everything organized, with a guide | Full day (10 h) |
| On your own | Budget backpackers in good shape | 1 h 30 min + hike |
1. How to get to Tayrona Park by boat
It's one of the easiest ways: the boat drops you right at Cabo San Juan, the most visited beach in the park. Keep in mind the sea can be rough; if you get seasick, take something for it half an hour before.
- Departures: from Santa Marta bay (next to the Marina) at 9:30 a.m. and from Taganga at 10:30 a.m.
- Return: at 4:00 p.m.
- Duration: about 1 hour.
- Reference price (2024): $85,000 COP one way or $160,000 COP round trip. The park entry fee is paid on arrival.
- Limited spots: book in advance, for example with Tayrona Tour.
To get to the Santa Marta pier from El Rodadero you can take a bus marked «Centro/Mercado» and get off at Calle 22 and Carrera 4; walk a few blocks to the bay. If you're leaving from Taganga, the pier is on the village's own bay.
2. How to get to Tayrona Park by direct transport
A bus picks you up at your accommodation and takes you to the park entrance, where you pay your entry.
- Departures: from Taganga at 7:00 a.m. and from Santa Marta at 7:20 a.m.
- Duration: about 1 hour to the entrance.
- Reference price (2024): $40.000 COP.
- Booking: transport to Tayrona Park.
Inside the park, the bus drives a few kilometers to the point where you start walking, close to 1 hour and 30 minutes through the jungle to Arrecifes. From there you continue along the coast past La Arenilla and La Piscina to Cabo San Juan.
Accommodation: at Cabo San Juan you can camp, sleep in a hammock or in one of the few rooms available; around Arrecifes there are cheaper options. Return: by boat at 4:00 p.m. or on foot; start walking around 3:00 p.m. so night doesn't catch you in the jungle.
Book online
What if you also dive in Tayrona?
The park's reefs are among the most beautiful in Colombia. Try them on the Mini-Course, no previous experience needed.
3. How to get to Tayrona Park on a guided tour
With a tour you don't worry about anything: where to catch the bus, where to get off or where to pay. The guide picks you up at your hotel (El Rodadero, Bello Horizonte or Santa Marta; from Taganga they'll give you a nearby meeting point) and tells you the history of the park and the indigenous peoples of the Sierra Nevada.
- Output: around 6:00 a.m. from El Rodadero and 6:20 a.m. from Santa Marta.
- Route: mandatory conservation talk, about 2 hours of hiking through the jungle to Arrecifes, La Arenilla, La Piscina and Cabo San Juan, about 4 hours at the beach and the return trip.
- Duration: about 10 hours.
- Reference price (2024): $150,000 COP; foreigners pay an extra amount for the entry fee. Food and drinks not included.
- Booking: beach tour in Tayrona Park.
4. How to get to Tayrona Park on your own
Ideal for adventurous, budget travelers who want to move at their own pace.
- Go to the Santa Marta bus stop at Calle 10 and Carrera 9 (the same one as the buses to Palomino). They leave every 20 minutes from 6:00 a.m.
- In about 1 hour and 30 minutes the bus passes the El Zaino entrance (reference price: $12,000 COP). Get off and cross to the ticket booths.
- Pay your entry and take the internal shuttle to the parking lot (reference: $7,000 COP).
- Walk: the trail on the left leads to Arrecifes (1 h 20 min) and then 40 more minutes to Cabo San Juan, passing La Arenilla and La Piscina. You can also rent a horse.
- To return, take the same route or catch the 4:00 p.m. boat to Santa Marta.
What to bring to Tayrona Park
- Water and snacks (everything is more expensive inside the park), no plastic bags.
- Insect repellent, sunscreen, sunglasses and a cap.
- Comfortable shoes for walking through the jungle.
- Mask and snorkel if you want to see fish. To see the best reefs, dive from Taganga with the Mini-Course o el Advanced course.
- ID document and, if requested, your yellow fever vaccination card.
Park rules and recommendations
- The park is open from 7:00 a. m. a 5:00 p. m. and has a limited daily capacity: in high season, arrive early or book ahead.
- The park closes a few weeks a year for environmental recovery: check the dates before you travel.
- The environmental education talk is mandatory.
- Swim only at authorized beaches and until 6:00 p.m.
- Single-use plastics, styrofoam, alcohol, pets, musical instruments and campfires are not allowed.
- Respect the sacred sites of the Sierra Nevada indigenous peoples and take your trash with you.
Which way should you choose?
- You want comfort and to learn the history: guided tour.
- You love nature and adventure: direct transport there and boat back.
- You want the fastest, simplest option: round-trip boat.
- You're on a tight budget and in good shape: on your own.
Want to know what to see once inside? Read our Tayrona Park guide. And if you're interested in the park's underwater world, check out Tayrona's marine life or our diving guide to Santa Marta.
Frequently asked questions
What is the fastest way to get to Tayrona Park?
The boat from Santa Marta or Taganga, which drops you right at Cabo San Juan in about an hour.
How long is the walk to Cabo San Juan?
From the parking lot, about 1 hour and 20 minutes to Arrecifes and around 40 more minutes to Cabo San Juan.
Can you go to Tayrona Park from Taganga?
Yes. Boats leave Taganga for Cabo San Juan, and there is also direct transport to the park entrance.
What time does Tayrona Park open?
The usual hours are 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Check for temporary closures and capacity before you travel.
