Travel Guide Parque Nacional Tayrona

Tayrona National Park is a must-see in this corner of the Caribbean coast. It is the extension of the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta that plunges into the ocean, forming coves with rugged terrain and unique ecological features, bathed in cold marine currents. The park extends from sea level to 900 meters above sea level, allowing the existence of several ecosystems, marine and terrestrial. The beach is a long strip of golden sand, flanked by lascivious and indolent palm trees. Beware of the currents, swimming is extremely dangerous and we strongly advise against it outside the beaches where it is allowed, such as Playa Arenilla (next to Arrecifes), the Piscina (10 minutes further), and Cabo San Juan (20 minutes further). This last place is a paradise, with its two small coves and its rocky promontory where a palm-roofed cabaña is enthroned: a real postcard! In El Cabo, you can camp, sleep in a hammock or in a cabaña. The travelers have passed the word to each other and it is always crowded. Some great soccer games are organized, but if you don't like the "young, tanned and happy to be young" atmosphere, it is better to sleep in Arrecifes or Cañaveral. Playa Nudista, the only official nudist beach in Colombia, is a 15-minute walk from El Cabo. Playa Brava is another 2 hours away. Both beaches are almost deserted. From El Cabo, you can also take a path that climbs up the mountain and then down to Calabazo (5.4 km, 1.5 hours downhill, twice as much uphill). There are of course other beaches in the park that can be reached by sea from Santa Marta and Taganga: Playa Cristal, Bahía Concha, Gairaca and Neguanje, among others. They are beautiful, but the activity is limited to the beach and snorkeling (no real walks possible). It is very crowded during the high season and we are quite busy with street vendors.