Magdalena, Caribbean coast · Colombia
Jungle-backed Caribbean beaches beneath the world's highest coastal mountains, with cloud-forest coffee in Minca and a lost city in the trees.
Photo: Felipe Restrepo Acosta · CC BY-SA 4.0
On Colombia's Caribbean coast, the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta rises straight from the sea to snow-capped peaks of more than 5,700 metres, the highest coastal range in the world. At its foot, Tayrona National Park protects a stretch of coast with white-sand coves, granite boulders and tropical dry forest, once home to the Tayrona people. Their descendants, the Kogi, Wiwa and Arhuaco, still live in the mountains.
Tayrona's beaches are reached by hiking trails from the entrance at El Zaino, through forest with monkeys, iguanas and butterflies, to coves such as Arrecifes, La Piscina and Cabo San Juan. Swimming is unsafe on some beaches because of strong currents, so heed the signs. Accommodation ranges from camping and hammocks to eco-lodges inside the park.
Santa Marta, founded in 1525, is South America's oldest surviving Spanish city, and its lively historic centre and waterfront make a base. In the hills above, Minca is a cloud-forest village with coffee farms, waterfalls and birdwatching. For the ambitious, the four- to six-day Ciudad Perdida trek reaches an ancient Tayrona city that predates Machu Picchu by about 650 years.
Why visit
Tayrona combines beach, jungle and mountains in a single dramatic setting.
Coves reached on foot.
Snow peaks above the sea.
A lost Tayrona city.
Cloud-forest coffee and waterfalls.
A lively historic port.
Main attractions
Tayrona is the star, with Minca and Santa Marta around it.
The park's most famous beach, on a rocky cape with a hammock hut on a boulder, reached by a walk of around 2 hours.
Tip Book hammocks in advance.
A mountain village at 600 metres, with coffee farms, waterfalls, birdwatching and cooler air.
Tip Take a moto-taxi up.
The Lost City, Teyuna, built around 800 CE, reached by a 4 to 6-day trek through jungle with stays in camps.
Tip Book with an authorised operator.
The waterfront and historic centre of the oldest Spanish city in South America.
Tip Visit the Gold Museum.
A snorkelling beach with clear water.
Tip Reserve a boat trip.
The hacienda where Simón Bolívar died in 1830.
Tip A quick visit.
Things to do
Tayrona is about hiking and relaxing.
Through forest to a beach.
Tip Start early.
On the beach.
Tip Book ahead.
Swim in cool pools.
Tip Wear water shoes.
A multi-day adventure.
Tip Book in advance.
At Playa Cristal.
Tip Boat trip.
In Minca.
Tip Book a tasting.
Local food
Coastal food is fresh and casual.
Whole fish.
Where to try it Beach restaurants.
Shrimp rice.
Where to try it Restaurants.
Tropical fruit.
Where to try it Stalls.
Mountain farms.
Where to try it Farms.
Seafood.
Where to try it Santa Marta.
Accommodation
Choose between the park, Minca and Santa Marta.
Transport
Santa Marta is the gateway.
Buses and moto-taxis serve the area.
When to go
The coast has a dry season and a wet season.
Dry.
Hotter and starting to rain.
Some rain.
Wettest, and Tayrona closes for some weeks for maintenance.
Worth planning around: Rainy months and park closure periods.
Itinerary
Beaches, mountains and the old town.
The old town.
Beaches.
Cloud forest.
Travel tips
A few tips help you plan.
FAQ
Yes.
At some beaches only.
It is a demanding jungle trek.
Three.
Generally, with precautions.
For maintenance at certain times.
Keep exploring
Places that pair well with Tayrona, whether you have a few spare days or are building a longer route.
Bolívar, Caribbean coast, Colombia
A colourful walled port city with the Clock Tower, San Felipe fortress, Getsemaní's street art, Caribbean seafood, nightlife and boat trips to the Rosario Islands.
Don't miss Watching the sun set from the old city walls with a cold drink as the plazas fill with music.
Explore Destination — CartagenaSan Andrés y Providencia, western Caribbean, Colombia
A small coral island 775 km from the Colombian mainland, with Johnny Cay, Rocky Cay, snorkelling, scuba diving, the Hoyo Soplador blowhole and Raizal Creole culture.
Don't miss Floating in the shallow, seven-shades-of-blue water off Johnny Cay.
Explore Destination — San AndrésCundinamarca, Andean highlands, Colombia
Colombia's capital at 2,640 metres, with La Candelaria's colonial streets, the Gold and Botero museums, Monserrate, street art, restaurants and the Zipaquirá Salt Cathedral.
Don't miss Riding the cable car to the Monserrate sanctuary for a view over the vast city.
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