Apr 25, 2014
|Last updated on March 23rd, 2021 at 12:10 pm
Tayrona National Park, Colombia
After visiting every country on the continent, I’ve found that there’s one beach that sticks out. Set along a coastline once frequented by pirates, Tayrona National Park, Colombia on the Caribbean sea offers a beach you won’t find in Brazil or anywhere else on a South America tour. It’s still an authentic place with not many tourists and pure nature that creates this end of the world atmosphere. Now when Colombia tours are getting more and more popular you should really consider adding Tayrona beach to your itinerary.
Where is Tayrona National Park Colombia?
Most travelers know Colombia for the capital of Bogota. Some watched famous TV shows about Medellin drug cartels or heard about colonial Cartagena. Few realize there is almost a paradise experience accessible just a two-hour drive along the coast from Cartagena. A calm ride along the highway with sea and mountain views is a very pleasant experience. You can also reach Tayrona National Park, Colombia flying into Santa Marta airport which is approximately 30 min by car from the park entrance. The park belongs to the Colombian Department of Magdalena.
Why is Tayrona National Park so special?
Tayrona rewards travelers with a variety of beaches, pockmarked with elephantine boulders, and a general feeling that dinosaurs still roam just beyond that far stand of trees. Indeed, what makes Tayrona unique is a combination of coastal mountains, cloud forest, and crystal clear Caribbean. In fact, the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta mountains are the world’s highest coastal mountain range. The proximity of the mountains gives the beaches an intimate feel and remarkable postcard like landscape. And all those coconut palms provide plenty of shade and nice background for a perfect photo.
Another reason why it’s so special is that there is a coral reef in Tayrona Park with over 110 coral species. That is a great experience for all adventure tours lovers that would love to try some snorkelling in those crystal waters.
Things to do in Tayrona National Park, Colombia
After taking a dip and sunbathing, you can go horseback riding or stroll along miles of trails linking various beaches and lagoons, both nude and clothed. Cabo San Juan del Guia, la Piscina and Playa Nudista are a few favorites. For meals, you can try tiny bars and restaurants serving fresh ceviche, panna cotta of coconut, and much more.
You can find there many surprises like the ruins of El Pueblito. The ruins were built by the Tairona people who occupied the region for centuries. Their ornate goldwork employed the lost-wax casting technique, which you can learn about in Bogota’s world-famous Gold Museum. The flora and fauna of the park are remarkable! In addition to all manner of marine life, you could see iguanas, titi monkeys, black howlers, tropical land crabs, parrots, jaguars, and over 400 species of birds.
Accommodations in Tayrona National Park
You’ll find the best accommodation at Ecohabs Tayrona, located on Cañaveral beach. The bungalows are constructed from native wood and palm leaves, mimicking the dwellings of the Tairona tribes. The larger eco habs can accommodate up to 4 people, while the smaller eco-habs are located closer to the beach. All bungalows are nature-oriented and eco friendly. You might enjoy various spa treatments as a guest. The perfect destination for your honeymoon in Colombia!
Ecohabs have a great location as you can easily get to the East and the West part of the park from there. If you want to swim you can visit La Piscinita, a famous part of the Tayrona beach area which is adapted for swimming. If you are looking for even more nature-oriented experiences you can spend a night in a hammock under the stars or in a tent.
When to Visit Tayrona National Park
The best time to visit Colombia (Tayrona National Park) is all year round! The high season however is Dec.-Feb., so you may want to avoid higher prices and visit anytime between Feb. and Dec. It’s near the equator and in the Caribbean, so the weather is usually wonderful. From time to time the park closes for maintenance so please check the dates to make sure you can visit it during your holidays.
Are you interested in booking a tour of Tayrona National Park, Colombia? Contact us and our team will create a personalized custom-made itinerary for you.
